Hello, just joined. I am in the process of finding a horse and have a question you may be able to help me with. In my search many owners indicate what kind of rider the horse would be good for. Usually they say beginner, intermediate or experienced. In trying to narrow down my search I would like to know where you think I fit in. My situation is that I am a female in my 40's that has not ridden since my teens. During my teen year I had my own horse which I rode often, western, on trails open fields, etc. As I said, I have not been on a horse since then but I am strong, very athletic, in very good shape, have very good coordination. Because it has been so long, would I be considered a beginner? Would it be reasonable to look at a horse listed for a beginner/intermediate rider? How about if it says just intermediate or experienced? I know it depends on the horse, but I am just trying to narrow down my seach. What do you think?

First how GREAT, Good for you.
The problem is, everybody describes their horse and riding ability different.
I personally consider a horse that can't w/t/c, be ridden in and out of a ring, with/without other horses and jump or do ranch work all in a mild snaffle,while also having good ground manners and easy to work with, to be green. So thats not going to be the same other peoples description.
When buying I usually look @ beginner/Intermediate horses, key words NOT to look @- Prospect,Bold,Energetic,Forward,with work. Don't be afraid to ask alot of questions and seeing is believeing. Always ask for his worst habit, they all have 1. Will give a sense of how honest the seller is. Although a second unanounced visit is also a good idea.
You may need to sit on one to know where you are mentally, thats a great gauge. You can't ride any better than your mind will let you.
If it sounds to good to be true, it probably is. And you best tool is a gut feeling.

I was around 40 when I attempted to buy a Quarter Horse Mare. It fell through, but the timeing would have been bad if it hadn't so it just wasn't meant to be. At that point I had not been on a horse for over 20 years. A friend of mine was the broker and she wanted to be sure I could ride as well as I said I could. She had me saddle up her gelding and take him in the "arena" below the house. She watched from afar as I put him through his paces and got the feel for being on the back of a horse again.

What amazed me was the fact that it all came back to me (well not the muscle tone - Good Grief I was sore!) but in truth I had lost very little in the years since I had ridden. When we saddled up the mare that I was going to buy, she was listed as green. (She wasn't but that is another long story - suffice it to say she was a spoiled brat!) I got on her and stepped away from the hitch rail. She put her head down between her legs and took off bucking like a bronc.

She didn't unseat me, and I brought her around hard with a single rein (and a poke in the nose with the tip of my boot). My friend was stunned and amazed that I stayed on. Needless to say, after that she didn't doubt my abilities.

I tell you this rather long story, because I think if you rode regularly, and had good horsemanship back then, most of it will be there. If, however your skills were inconsistant, then think about them at their lowest level and that is probably where you will be now.

I agree, that the true test is to ride the horse and really put it through it's paces. I don't mean run it ragged, but be sure that it is going to respect you. Trust me, it's not a lot of fun if they don't.

Howdy and welcome!

If you have some friends with horses, or a nearby riding school- maybe you could hop on a few different horses, go for a ride and get a feel for being back in the saddle and as to what type of horse you're going to be interested in. That way you don't have to buy, and then realize it's nothing of the type of horse you actually need.

Good luck!