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Foreword - Since the end of World War II the "horse business" has enjoyed boom years. There have been many reasons for this, I believe. Most Americans were in somewhat better financial circumstances; we had a little more free or leisure time on our hands; there was a swing toward urban and rural living, away from the crowded big cities; and the country as a whole enjoyed a sort of "western holiday" through television, movies, musicals, and advertising.

01. Introduction - THE original western horse had its beginning as a Spanish horse of war, then as a horse trained to work cattle on the ranchos of Mexico, Texas, and the Southwest. American cattlemen further developed the western horse.

The original western saddle horse had but one function, and that was working livestock. Some horses were highly trained in the art of cutting out cattle, others as calf-roping animals, and the ordinary horses were found in the strings of night herders.

02. Buy a Horse - Buying a horse is actually the simple procedure of exchanging dollars and cents for an animal of your choice. But buying an animal suited to your abilities is a difficult task. Before looking for a horse decide what use and purpose the horse will serve, for pleasure, for breeding, or for showing. Each of these is in a different category and requires a different kind of animal. However, you may be fortunate enough to find a combination of all three attributes. It is true the "outside of a horse is good for the inside of a man."

03. Contracts - The buying and selling of horses should be handled in as much of a businesslike manner as any other transaction. "Horse trading" has been applied to every kind of transaction because of the many ways in which you can be misled in a sale. More than one sharp merchant who never came near a horse has been called a horse trader. Many a lifelong friendship has failed because of a verbal agreement. It may seem harsh to be particular with a friend, but all agreements should be thoroughly discussed and understood before any deal is undertaken.

04. Stabling - Before you bring your horse home you should be prepared to stable him. It is better to buy your saddle and bridle after you have the horse in order to get tack that will fit and something that suits the type of animal you have purchased.

Stabling depends on the part of the country in which you live. Naturally where there is extreme cold and snow the horse should have a fairly warm place, free of drafts, to feed. However, don't pamper your animal.

05. Getting Acquainted - Before anyone can become a successful horseman there must be an understanding between owner and animal. The horse is in many ways like a child. He forms habits readily and whether they are good or bad is up to you. The good habits must be developed and the start of bad ones stopped at the first sign. You must build confidence. Establish in your horse's mind your method of approval and whenever he does your bidding always use the same manner of compliment whether it be reward or voice.

06. Horse Psychology - How many times have you heard people say that horses are stupid, unable to reason, and extremely selfish? But who stops to take the trouble to find out what really makes a horse "tick"? Admitted, there are stupid horses just as there are stupid people, but this large animal is full of fears, emotions, and affection. The answer behind all this is, simply, that horses are most dependent on people.

07. Horse's Health - Every horse owner should know a few facts about first aid and the general health of a horse; the care that can be managed by the owner and when to call the veterinarian. There are many instances when a minor injury can be taken care of by the owner, but for the more serious ailments and accidents there are several aids that can be given before the veterinarian arrives. Too many times the wrong treatment is given, resulting in ugly scars, or a horse is moved when he should be kept still, or allowed to lie down when he should be kept moving.

08. How to Ride - You often hear people say that they have been riding since they were three years old, or they were practically born in the saddle. Simple logic will belie this. No child of three years has enough coordination or strength. However, children do have a natural balance but no particular rhythm. Every sportsman knows the necessity of coordination, balance, and rhythm.

09. Horse Training - To train a horse properly, the cost can be in the amount of time consumed. If you wish to buy a well-trained horse you must expect to pay for this training. The ability to train depends on knowledge and experience, but anyone with the basic knowledge of horsemanship can train a horse. Today people want a gentle-broke animal. However, the new owner must be warned not to buy a horse that has been started by an inexperienced horseman. Usually this is the reason for selling.

10. Bad Habits - Horses acquire bad habits from mishandling, from boredom, spoiling, and fear. Some of the most common faults are cribbing, kicking, shying, balking, rearing, bolting, crowding, starting forward before the rider is settled in the saddle, and being barn soured.

To find the cure it is wise to try to find the cause. An experienced horseman can usually tell what causes a horse to react as he does.

11. Etiquette - Horseman in general are the most congenial, the most helpful group in the world, but don't like and won't accept phonies. Everyone wants to have the feeling of belonging whenever they join a horse group. A rider may become obnoxious, without meaning to, by the manners he displays and the way he manages his horse around others. To get "off on the right foot" is important. More than likely they have observed the ability of the new horseman and made up their minds as to the type of person he is.

12. Trail Riding - One of the greatest pleasures of owning a horse is riding trails. These may be anything from the bridle path in the park to the winding trails of a mountainside. There are many dos and don'ts to trail riding. Perhaps the most important is that no person who is not a good rider should be allowed on a mountain trail. First, if the person cannot manage his horse he slows down the other riders. Second, the fun of the ride will be spoiled because the inexperienced rider will need constant help.

13. Horse Shows - Almost everyone who owns a horse will want to show. There are events for all. If you have a finely bred, well-trained horse, you may want to try the Performance and Equitation classes at your local horse shows. Or if you want to have the fun of competing in timed events there are always play days and gymkhanas. A gymkhana is made up of horse games and timed events. Both horse shows and gymkhanas take much practice, but the winning of a trophy or ribbon is compensation for the effort.

14. Glossary of Terms - Every sport has a list of familiar descriptive words and terms. Some are technical and others are used in ordinary conversation but have definite meanings. Everyone who owns a horse should learn the correct word to use, so other horsemen will understand what is being said. There is no place for a "what-you-may-call-it."

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