Post by EquusAdmin on Feb 28, 2012 17:43:09 GMT -5
Deciding on whether to purchase or create a horse for the Sims 3 can be a difficult decision. When buying from within the community, you never really know what you're going to get. But before we get to that, you must first consider who is the the horse for and how much experience do they have with horses.
For a young person with little to no experience with horses, it is in your best interest to purchase a horse that will make up for lack of experience. You will want an older, calm horse who has been exposed to many different types of riding, people, and environments. You want a sound horse that doesn't spook at the slightest movements. When I was younger, I first learned how to ride on a Thoroughbred named King. He was an old fleabitten gelding, slow as broken tractor. This isn't what you want. You want a horse that is docile, yes, but you don't want a pokey pony either. As a young, new owner, you want to enjoy your horse for a long time and purchasing a pokey old horse is only going to cause you more grief than anything. That being said, as I grew and learned how to ride, I only rode Thoroughbreds, as they proved to be great overall horses who except all sorts of riders and styles of riding.
Many people, myself included, assumed that the Quarter Horse was a good first horse. I would say that isn't so now. I have only met more crazy and unpredictable QH's then I have calm, loving ones. Just sayin.
Thoroughbreds can be a cheaper alternative to some of the other warmblood sport horses out there like the Hanoverian or Westphalian. They are so very common in the United States, and you can find them at nearly all riding institutions. They make for great companions as well as great competitors. However, if you are willing to pay a good deal more in time, energy, and money, then the European Warmblood breeds are the way to go! Having been a Hanoverian lover since I can remember, I'm a little biased. They are bred to work and so their eagerness to please is compelling, as is their friendly and lively temperament.
Whether you're a "noob" or an experienced rider, it is your first concern when looking to purchase a horse to do your homework! Do your research! Ask around the community to see who sells the nicest, highest quality of the breed you're looking for. You only want to purchase from a reputable breeder.
Once you've chosen a breeder, it's highly important that you consider what I've talked about above in looking for your new best friend. Will your new horse just be a companion, or will you be competing? If you're competing, you need to look at the lineage/parentage of the horse. A great competitor should come from a line of successful performers. If you are just looking for a buddy to guide you leisurely across fields, down trails, and through creeks, then you should primarily consider the traits, personality, and conformation of the horse. It's true that when purchasing any horse, you should check all of these things out, being sure to also inspect their health. Get to know the horse as much as you can prior to purchasing. Since this is role-play, you simply need to contact the breeder and be sure to ask them the questions you want answered!