A Horse is a Horse, of course.

I'm busy distracting myself.  I went to someone's house the other day and bought a bunch of their used tack, so made a nice addition to my collection of stuff.  Got a headstall with a bit and split-reins, two other bits (one with the little rollie thing), a nice suede-lined nylon halter, a cinch, nylon hobbles, and a tie down.  Then I went out to one of the saddle shops and got a saddle stand and a lead rope.  Bought a saddle which will be delivered this weekend.  Apart from little things like brushes, combs, nose band, chin strap, I'm pretty set, I think.  (Yeah, I know ... there's a bazillion other things I'll "need" when I get into this.)

And now I'm looking at horses. 

There are tons of them out there, anywhere from free to oh-my-dog, but plenty in my price range.  The only problem is ... which is the same thing with buying started dogs ... is there's usually a reason someone is selling it.  And it's usually the same reason you'd sell it.  And they try to minimize it.  "Sure, he bucks a little, but what horse doesn't?" (as they adjust their arm cast).  "As long as everything fits him properly and you balance good in the saddle, he probably won't bite you at all."   "Yes, he's broke.  I've ridden him twice now."  "Yeah, she's all ready to go.  She might even have been bred to my donkey!"  "He was bottle fed as a baby.  No, he doesn't step on me or step into me very often.  Respects my space most of the time." 

So ... pick your poison, I guess.  As with any dog I'd get, there's going to be training involved no matter what I buy, it seems.

I'm going to go look at this cute guy tomorrow.

And then on Sunday, there is another young gelding I'm going to go check out and possibly ride if I like what I see -- and the weather holds out.  The most important thing to me is finding a safe, sane horse.  I will be riding by myself at some point, and I want to be able to not worry about it.