I don't have a horse of my own yet, but the best advice I've always gotten is: "Pick the horse that chooses you, the one that touches your heart and reaches for you".
When I look for a horse, I will try to find one that is good with me, and one that I fit just like a puzzle piece.
i've got my 2 own horse , and it's the perfect match . I think we find the good horse when you put time on it . The perfect horse come with work !
When we went to look at my sisters horse for the first time, I was completely opposed to it. He was a short, stocky, haflinger cross. We were taking lessons at an appendix quarter horse barn. We ride hunters and he was being ridden western by a family in our 4-H club. But he had history in hunter training. When we finally went we said we would only go for fun. But he was meant for her. The first time she rode him she knew it. Don't limit horses by their size, color or breed because the horse that was meat for you could be the stocky haflinger being riden western by a family in you 4-H club. I have not found my perfect match yet, but I know that it is out there somewhere!
It was a long and sometimes difficult journey for me and my 7 year old pony to "connect". She was skittish and when my friend was taking her to another person's place on trial. I said "oh wow, I hope she doesn't want her because I would love her". My friend said, "oh, I don't think it's the right horse for you". But, a couple weeks later, Sweet Pea came to our place on trial. She was too skittish for the other girl to handle. She was green broke and hardly knew how to stop and turn. She hated being saddled up and I had no love for her, then. We took our first trail ride about a month after we got her. Some milestones for us were: Riding bareback in the meadow for the first time", "bareback on a trail for the first time", "jumping for the first time", etc., etc. Gradually, over almost 4 years, Sweet Pea has matured into a sweet, friendly, totally bombproof pony that I trust with my life and love with my whole heart. I would never trade her. I don't think horses and people "click" right away. I think it takes years of work and time to make a lifelong friend and trusted partner.
When i was looking for a new horse for barrel racing i wasn't having any luck until we went to the neighbors farm. When we were walking by the pasture i noticed a two year old small little chestnut gelding staring at me. I went over to him and felt some sort of instant connection to him. I thought "If he were for sale i would definitely buy him". When i was talking to the farm's owner he mentioned that he was looking for a home for the small horse i'd seen. It turned out to be the perfect match, desipite his size and age. I don't know what i would do without my little horse
I knew from the first time I rode my first pony that he was the one for me. We've gone through a lot together and I learned so much!
The first time I sat on him, it was horrendous. I mounted and he walked forward while I was still tightening the girth! The first lesson I had with him was terrible. He kept jumping out of the arena! After that I didn't want to ride him, but it wasn't my choice and so for the next few months I rode him. I got so scared, I even almost told my dad to tell my instructor that I didn't want to ride him. Then one day after a few months, bam!!! I realized I loved this pony!! It just happened and I didn't even realize it. He has made me a much better rider than when I started riding. Now he sticks his head out the door when hears me coming. After that we have worked in harmony, and I realized I was being harsh on him because he is a lovely pony. Being on your perfect match is a feeling I can't describe, you'll have to find out for yourself. Now remember a perfect match comes in all shapes and sizes and temperaments, trust me, I have learned from experience! Oh and one last thing: Oberon, my amazing pony's name is Oberon!
I went to look at a 6 month old colt that I had found online. It was raining and he was locked in this little stall and he was really dirty and scrawny and I thought 'no way am I getting this one.' So the owner took him out and let me lead him around and as we were walking he nudged me with his head and I just knew he was the one for me. :)I basically rescued him but now he's doing great.
I don't think anyone else would want my horse Apache I have him so spoiled. I knew I wanted him the moment I saw him as an unbroke 2 yr old so we have learned together. Couldn't imagine not riding him. Radar is a different story I thought I was rescuing him when it was him saving me some horses are blessed by being able to choice his owner.