First Horse, What would you be prepared for?

Quarter horses are very athletic horses. They are the best trail horses and are great jumpers. Halflingers tend to be a little stubborn and smaller. About Cross breed, Draft horses tend to be more work and I do not think would be good for a first horse even crossed with a different breed. As for what to prepare for your first horse is first you need time to spend with the horse and all the other necessary stuff. But when it comes to picking the right one you need to find a least the smallest connection the first time you meet the horse. That is important. I would get a horse that is a least somewhat broke. Hope this helps!!!

Quarter horse is the best breed to go with for your first horse, just sayin! But what to expect is so much responsibility. You need to always be with that horse, so if youre in any sports or are always busy it's not a good idea. A horse needs to know who it's owner is ya know. But usually you will know if it's the right one. Make sure you take a good look at them before you even consider buying him or her. You should know every little detail bout that horse before you buy him or her too! Maybe starting off with a lease to she if they're the right one would be a smart move.

Congrats! I just got my very first horse a few day ago. I've been leasing a horse forever and it was time. I got everything I needed the hay the grain the grooming tools ect and of course the horse and the money ;) What I wasn't prepared for was the horse itself. Before I bought the horse I visited it several times. It was the sweetest horse you would ever meet. It would let anyone ride her and she would ride bareback with out a bit just a halter. She was wonderful. When I brought her back she was a complete brat! I wasn't used to this. What I found out is that you have to show the horse who's boss. I'm still in the process but she's finally respecting me better. Before I knew this she bucked me off. I still haven't been able to get back on her but I just have to work with her. So. I guess just be prepared to work with your horse. idk if every horse is like this when people first get them.

14.5hh isn't a measurement... Did you mean 15hh? 1 hand is 4 inches, so each hand goes to ___.3, then rounds up to the next number. At 5'3" you would be fine on any horse, but look best (and probably stay the most comfortable) on 14hh-15.2hh.

If you like stock horses and versatility, Paints and quarters are great. If you want a smaller stock horse, POA's (technically a pony, though some go over height.) and Appaloosas come to mind. However, the jumping aspect is a little tougher.

Do you want to be able to compete at high levels? Or is this purely for pleasure riding?

If you aren't planning on becoming competitive, I would toss breed out the window. It really doesn't matter as much as the manners of the horse, how well you work with them, and how suited they are to your needs.

If you want to be very competitively jumping, stock horses will not work. You need a thoroughbred, arabian, trakkner, hanoverian, etc.

An appendix quarter horse, or QuarterXArab may fit well if you plan on doing smaller shows.

$$$$

3,000 is not enough. Simply put. You need close to $1,000(+) for tack, (daily pasture with night in stall) board by me is around $350/month, monthly or bi-monthly farrier is typically $40-120+, Vet bills are usually a few hundred per visit, and an emergency surgery could top $3000 easily. That is without the cost of vet checks of your potential horse, and without the horse him/herself.

Tack recommendations: Invest in leather and shop used. Do your research and figure out what brands you like, can afford, and will work best for you. It is integral that your tack fits your horse and you. Get tack AFTER you purchase your horse.

I would get a jumping saddle, I personally own a Pessoa GenX and love it. If you are looking for a middle of the road option, HDR and Collegiate are good, Bates and Pessoa are higher up on the scale, with Amerigo, Tad Coffin, and Anteres at the top.

For western, I personally really like Billy Cook, and a local saddlery RS Saddlery.

Bridles, Circle Y makes really nice bridles, but it's easy to find a cheap, well made headstall on eBay. But western reins you need to do in person. The feel is extremely important to me, so I am super picky.(I like 3/4" beveled edge, slightly weighted ends.) English bridles are a little more futsy, I would stick to brands you know and trust. Again, HDR is a great middle of the road brand.

Bit should be determined by owners, if you don't like it, you can change it at any point in time.

Trained vs Green.

I think your first horse should be a trained, well broke (not green in any way) horse. If you are trying to figure out how to be a horse owner, you want a horse who's used to it all. That doesn't mean s/he has to be old, there are lots of young horses who are very well broke. I would look for one that is around 6 or 7.

Start searching for your vet, trainer, farrier, and boarding facility before you buy. Also don't let yourself fall in love with the cutest horse, or the first one you see. Concentrate on skill, conformation, and personality.

If you are getting one horse and keeping it alone, get a horse that is used to that. Some horses have real trouble being without a friend. With seven acres, maybe you can board another horse, too.

Good luck! I love Icelandic horses, but be open to all the horses you look at. I mean be open to see the bad as well as the good.

If you do not ride well and are not confident when you get a horse and do not make that horse do what you want it every time you ride it soon it will take advantage of you.

BTW 14.5 hands in my opinion means 14 and 1/2 hands which is 14 hands and two inches.

Problem is in the first sentence "I am considered an advanced rider."

No, you are not. You are a beginner and need a knowledgeable trainer IN PERSON to help you.

Well mostly u want to make sure u have all the right stuff n a proper stable (barn) : water bucket, sac for hay, hay, Grains, Oats, Grooming brushes, tack (saddle, jumps, reins, halter, lead rope etc.), Blanket.