05/23/2026
Here are some of the things I use to evaluate horses.
These are some of my favorite horses from the IEA western regionals.
I typically pick out which ones I’d bring home if I had the opportunity every time I go to a show.
When evaluating horses I generally go for more than just movement.
1. There’s the cute factor because a pretty one and an ugly one cost the same to feed. So buy a pretty one that you’ll like to look at.
2. Would I trust them around kids? Being a 4-h leader and having kids myself I want one I can trust around the littles.
3. Do they look like they like their job? You can either win the makeup pen or win in the show arena. The ones that love to show are soooo much fun to show. They love it just as much as you do.
4. Do they have a lot of try? Are they trying to figure out what you want?
5. How do they spook? There are horses that jump and look, there are horses that freeze and there are horses that jump up out of their skin and run as fast as they can to get away. I’d rather the ones that jump just a little and then are curios.
What are things you consider when looking at horses?