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OUT TO BUY A SOFT-GAITED HORSE?©
Deciding you want to won a soft-gaited horse is sure to change your life. While the concerns you have are not altogether different from any other horse purchase, there are definite priorities. After the practical considerations are met your decision will be subjective.
Unlike some of the other competitive and sport horses, the soft-gaited horse is primarily a companion horse. It doesn't have to be a bad horse to be the wrong horse. (Nor does it have to be a great horse to be the right horse.) It is important that you make an honest and thorough exam of your personal assets and expectations. To clarify this before you begin, will simplify your search.
Take your time in choosing a horse for your very own. It's an important decision. Act in haste, regret at leisure. You may want a horse that is a "baby-sitter" or a horse with which you can stretch your skills a bit, but avoid a horse beyond your capabilities or power of control. Never assume that a novice horse and a novice rider can "grow" together.
Here is a check list for you to consider. 1) Why do you want a horse? 2) What is an honest estimate of your horsemanship? 3) What is your personality? 4) What are your physical characteristics? 5) What kind of riding will you participate in? 6) Do you want to show? 7) Do you want to breed? 8) Are you competitive? 9) How much can you spend?
Here are some specifics you may want to review. The color of a horse is one characteristic that has very little to do with the quality and nature of the animal. No one has ever ridden a color, and yet many people will pass up the perfect horse because it isn't the color they were looking for. Try to ignore the color until you have examined all the other attributes. As you conclude your search, you might use color to tip the scale among the finalists. Unless you have established a reasonable preference for the sex of your horse, keep this characteristic out of the initial decision making.
So what is important? Temperament leads the list. The soft-gaited horses are bred for good temperament, but there are still lots of different personalities. Handle the horse. Watch it's body language. Watch its eye. Is it responding to you in a positive fashion? Is the horse selling itself?
Take a good look at the conformation. Trail horses have to be the best of any breed. A trail horse must have sound conformation, solid bone, a good mind, and brio.
A young horse will usually cost less than one that is fully trained, but if you are unable to make the time or don't have the skill to do the training yourself, remember that good training costs quite a bit. Don't discount the older horse. A mature animal can be very serviceable and provide lots of pleasure.
Remember the soft-gaited breeds are slow to mature. They will continue to grow and develop until they are six or more. Happily this pays off in the long run because soft-gaited horses are generally long-lived; often serviceable into their 30's. It's helpful to deal with a breeder, so you can see the parents or mature horses like the youngster you might be considering.
What experience has the horse had? How are its manners? Is it safe on the trail? Is it safe in traffic? Is it at ease with new surroundings? If the answers to these questions are in keeping with your expectations, have the owner ride the horse for you. Watch as the horse is tacked up. See the way it interacts with the owner. Does it stand still to be mounted? Does it listen to the rider? Is it having a good time?
If the answers satisfy, it's time to ride the horse yourself. Now it's all up to you. To this point you listen to others, But the final decision has to be yours. How does it feel? How do you feel? Feeling nervous could be a flag. Are you a match?
It's important to have a vet check. Unfortunately, most veterinarians are not real familiar with the sort-gaited horse. Be careful to point out to him or her exactly what they are looking at. Let the vet know it is natural and normal for the horse to nod its head in rhythm to its gait. A nodding head on a walk-trot horse can indicate lameness.
Keep in mind that the soft-gaited horses are usually easy to stay on, but it is important to learn the proper techniques of riding a gaited horse to fully enjoy the talents each horse has. Unfortunately, some folks settle for less than their horse is capable of performing because it's better than gaits they have experienced with a trotting horse. Spend time with someone who knows the secrets of keeping a soft-gaited horse in its optimum gait. It's well worth the extra effort!
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