Horse-man-ship Mentality - How Do You Know a Good Horse? By Dennis Cappel

Horse-man-ship Mentality - How Do You Know a Good Horse?

Cappel Cowboy Wisdom

This is a broad question—and the answer often depends on who’s asking.

Many people base their idea of a “good horse” on what they want the horse to do—rather than selecting for specific traits or qualities. I’m often asked, “What do you think this horse would be best at?” My answer is usually, “What do you want to do with them?”

That’s not to say certain horses aren’t better suited for certain tasks. Some traits make a job easier—but with the right training, horses are surprisingly versatile. A draft horse can be taught to cut cows. A racehorse can learn to be a calm and steady pleasure horse. It all depends on the horse, the handler, and the goals.

Just like beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so is what makes a horse “good.”

When I’m evaluating a horse, I personally look for a few things:

Big, kind eyes
A wide space between the eyes (this often indicates a calm, thoughtful temperament)
A gentle, willing disposition
Strong, well-aligned legs with good bone
Balance (a horse that’s proportioned well from front to back and top to bottom)
Decent withers to comfortably hold a saddle—horses with good withers often move better and are more athletic

But in the end, a good horse is the one that brings you joy. If you like what you see, enjoy working with them, and they make you happy—that’s what really matters.

A horse doesn’t have to check every box to be a “good one.” The best horse is the one that suits your heart, your goals, and your experience level. That’s what makes them truly valuable—in the eyes of their rider.

Mindful Riding,

Dennis Cappel - Master Horseman

www.cappeltrainingandshoeng.com