I have recently gone through the process of purchasing two horses. Our family had never owned one before, and we wanted the first to be a very mellow, obedient, calm horse that me and my siblings could all learn to ride on. We found the ideal mare, and we learned a lot about horse shopping in the process! So here are some things we have learned to look for in a beginner rider or kid’s mount. Some of these points may be obvious conclusions to you, but bear with me since I’m writing with the assumption that some of my readers don’t know much about horses.

Just for fun, here are a couple pictures of our first horse, Ginger.

Typically speaking, you will be better off with a gelding. This is certainly not a hard-and-fast rule. The first horse we purchased was a mare! Geldings do, however, tend to have a more steady temperament. Because a mare has a monthly cycle, she can be ornery or skittish for as long as a week at a time each month. But some mares, like mine, don’t experience any change in disposition during that time. It all depends on the individual horse. Geldings are also usually more expensive.
It’s good to know as much of the horse’s background as possible. Horses that come from abusive backgrounds are rarely good for beginner riders. They have trust issues and are often easily spooked or difficult to handle. A horse that has been well-cared for and loved will be safer because he will be willing to trust people, including young children.
An older horse with more experience is a good way to go when buying your first horse. Our mare is eighteen years old, and still has lots of get up and go, but she is also mellow. She’s obviously handled her share of kids, and is proving a good teacher for our beginner riders. Nothing seems to phase her, and I never even think of the possibility of bucking or kicking. She’s just too easygoing to do that! Younger horses often have a lot of jitters they still need to get out, and fears they haven’t overcome yet. Simply put, younger horses are still beginners themselves. This is fine for an experienced horseman, but for both the horse and the rider to be beginners can be unsafe and less than enjoyable for both.
Even the gentlest of horses may be hard to control once you allow him to take off in a run. Make sure that the horse you purchase is easily slowed down and still controllable at fast speeds. It’s a scary feeling to run a horse that you no longer have any power over, and it can be dangerous.
Now you’re probably thinking, How can I determine all these things before purchase, especially if the owner is dishonest? Well, here is the best tip of all that proved very useful for us. Many owners will allow you to take the horse for a one to two week trial period! This is extremely beneficial in helping you to decide if the horse is right for you and your kids. Let the horse settle in for two or three days, and interact at ground level during this time, grooming, feeding, petting, and helping him to get used to you and his surroundings.
Then begin riding. See if he is easy to manage and responsive to your commands. Make sure it is easy to keep him at a walk when desired, and try running and then pulling him back.