Ridecamp: [RC] Horse shopping questions

Thank you everybody, for sending me really great advice re:
what to ask when shopping for my next horse!

I did in fact get the bad news I was expecting last weekend
at the clinic.  My mare is permanently injured and can be
used for only very light trail riding from now on.
So....looks like the horse hunt is actually on.

I have a few other questions, which may sound dumb, but only
ever being a trail rider and not knowing too much about
showing, and what makes certain horses  good for specific
disciplines....I need some help!

Most importantly, I want a horse that will excel on the
trail, but if I want to dabble with some western arena stuff
(no showing...) and possibly do some cow work at some point
(this is a maybe)...what do I need to look for?  I want a
horse that I can do a sitting trot on, if I want.  Something
smooth.  I see horses advertised as trained for english,
country pleasure, hunter, western pleasure etc.  I know I
don't want a lot of excessive knee and hock action as that
is inefficient on the trail, and makes for a really springy
trot - this is what the mare I have now was like.  Ugh!  I
think I need a horse that moves with more level motion to
cover more ground without wasting enegery...right?  :)
Anyway, if anyone can tell me what the real differences are
in horses that excel in these different categories, it would
be helpful, so I can weed out some of these ads I'm looking
at.

Also, what is considered "good bone" measurement-wise?  I
plan on taking a tape with me and actually measuring cannons
when I go look.

Thanks!
Jennifer


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