Do you like the horse? This is perhaps the most neglected question in the entire world of buying and selling horses, and never is the question more important than when purchasing a lesson horse.
A likeable horse is a far more valuable asset in the horse business than a horse no one can stand. In fact, for many riding instructors, survival depends on students developing an emotional attachment to the horses they ride.
My Favorite Lesson Horse
Growing up, I took riding lessons at a stable in Edmond, Oklahoma, and I fell in love with an Arabian gelding named Josh. He was the sweetest animal, forever dipping his head into your chest for a scratch or nuzzling your hair in search of a treat.
A friend of mine took riding lessons at a different stable in Edmond, and she insisted I try out a lesson there because she wanted us to ride together. It only took one visit to know that it wasn’t the stable for me. Not only did it lack a Josh, but the lesson horse I rode was obnoxious and foul-tempered.
The riding instructor was nice, I certainly enjoyed riding with my friend, and the stables and grounds were beautiful. But I didn’t feel emotionally connected to the lesson horse, so the deal was off.
Evaluating Disposition
It can be difficult to accurately assess a lesson horse’s disposition during one or two brief meetings. However, you can look for little signs and indicators to tell you whether a particular horse is a valuable addition to your barn.
One of the best times to evaluate this aspect of the lesson horse is during grooming. Does the horse stand still while being brushed and fussed over? Does he seem to enjoy the attention? Does he try to nip at you as you pass or kick out when you grab his hoof for a cleaning?
Ask the owner about his disposition. Even if the seller isn’t honest, you can usually tell by his expression what he truly thinks. If a look of disgust crosses his lips, you have your answer.
The Exception
There are cases when lesson horses are so completely perfect in every other regard that disposition becomes irrelevant. I mentioned in my first post in this series a cantankerous pony mare named Dolly. She could be a pain in the you-know-what, but she was such a valuable teacher that we overlooked her disposition.
This does happen, but you want your stable to include generally well-mannered lesson horses who want to please and who enjoy the attention of students and adults.
You can decide how important this is to you and how you want to approach it.
More in the Lesson Horse Evaluation Series:
- Introduction
- Behavioral Suitability
- Physical Ability
- Student Compatibility
- Equine History
- Vet Check
- Price
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Vet Check
About the Author: Laura Jane Thompson is the Chief Equestrian Officer of Riding Instructor University and the Feature writer for the horses section at Suite101. She believes that any horse business can succeed provided its owner practices smart strategy.
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