Horses: issues you'll tolerate vs. issues you won't?

I have never and probably wont ever own a horse.

But I wouldn't want rearing issues or major bucking issues. A feel good buck or a minor tantrum buck I can handle. Or a straight up leap in the air - an occasional feel good one, not a problem. An ongoing issue - no thanks.

I wouldn't want bad ground manners - a bit of fidgeting would be tolerable but biting and kicking is a no. (obviously that can happen regardless but I don't want to be scared to tack up a horse in fear of being attacked!)

Anything that will stop the horse being rideable - any injuries that would be more money than I have really. As long as the horse is suitable for a bit of all round riding (like a riding school horse), its fine.

Not fussed on colour, height, breed, gender or any marks really. Never going to show so appearance isn't an issue.

Color isn't important; I really don't like sorrels/chestnuts, but again color isn't really an issue.

I want a TRAINED horse.

I want good ground manners (a horse should learn those as a foal.) No biting, no kicking, no rearing, and certainly no trying to run me over.

For a riding horse, I want a horse that RIDES: stands fairly still to be mounted, no buck, no fighting to keep to a certain gait. If I want to ride, it's because I have something that needs to be done OR to relax; not have to fight with a goofy horse. I enjoy a gaited horse, but really anything gentle is good. I also like a horse that neck reins or works off of weight cues and you don't have to haul around.

I can appreciate people who only ride in shows or arenas, or who are 17 and like a "challenge." I can promise you, though, emergency room visits are EXPENSIVE and once you get hurt, you'll feel it the rest of your life. Plus, after your 30s, you'll find that you don't bounce when you hit the ground, AND you have a family that needs you. A little girl down the road from my father's place had 1/2 of her face crushed when her pony kicked her; another friend was seriously injured when thrown onto a road. Riding, like anything, is a calculated risk. It just makes sense to weigh the odds in your favor as much as you can; there are too many good horses in the world to mess with the crazy and mean ones.

I will tolerate nearly anything that's only cosmetic. I say I'll never buy a white horse after showing my dad's grey leopard appaloosa mare, and going through so many gallons of purple shampoo each show season, but honestly, she was one of the best horses I ever rode, and I don't think I'd let even that stop me if I knew the horse was right for me in every other way.

I prefer a horse that is not super stock-type (don't like halter-bred QH's), is not a light color (white, gray, palomino etc.) and I don't like to ride small horses (under 16 hands, and/or very finely built), but none of those things alone would be a total deal breaker.

I do, however, have quite a long list of things that I DO like, that other people often do not. I too, love roman noses, and big, unrefined heads. I love buckskin, black or chestnut with chrome (which is not uncommon) but I also love a rich bay with no markings. I also like long ears, and big hooves. This is probably why I tend to like big warmbloods and draft crosses.

I'll put up with a lot of nonsense on the ground. But at this stage in the game, I won't put up with a horse that's bucks, drops a shoulder, or rears. I have been blessed with my horse...but he is cantankerous to groom and tack. For that he is a wonderful riding horse. I am getting on, and I want an honest horse. He can bite and he might cow kick but I don't want any hint of rear and with the set up I have, no buck.

So many good answers so far! I wanted to add some more. I'll tolerate mini-rearers. Not flip over backward rearers, but a horse that has learnt to stand up from bad hands is fixable. I too will take on some vices: cribbing and weaving are fixable with turnout, exercise, a toy and a collar sometimes. I too hate ewe necks.

I'm picky about knees. But I'll deal with old minor tendon injuries and milt to moderate arthritis.

I would rather have a horse that is difficult under saddle rather than a horse with bad ground manners. For example, I would rather have a horse that bucks or rears (nothing major of course), than a horse that bites and or kicks while grooming, leading, etc. If a horse is a bit hot headed and green but is a total sweetie when working on the ground, I could tolerate that. Also, I would rather a horse a little overweight than underweight. I also can not stand when horses are extremely herd bound.

Cosmetic wise, I wouldn't want a solid colour with no markings either. Obviously colour comes last but if I had the choice between a solid bay and a bay with socks and a blaze, I'd choose the latter. I'm also not keen on chestnuts, appaloosas or big (Very big) heavyweight cobs.

With vices I don't particularly care. I prefer horses I own to live out as much as possible which stops most vices anyway- I bought mine as a windsucker which he doesn't do anymore.

Like most people I don't like bolshy, rude horses that haven't been given any direction.

Bucking, rearing etc I don't mind as usually the problem is pain or the rider and can be fixable.

Oh boo I got some downvotes. How hurtful.

I have three horses: a gray (he's 7 and it still very dark!) 17.3hh, a gray 16.1 (12 very light color only dapples on his legs), and a black with white socks and a white stripe on his noes 10yo 18.1... so all my horses are very different! Different sizes, colors, and breeds (KWPN, ISH, and HAN).

I'm not a fan of Quarter Horses... I rode the SWEETEST QH ever and he was so amazing, so wiling, and he tried so hard, but I just had issues with his neck being so long. I loved him though.

I don't have an issue with color. I really love Irish Sport Horses. I have nothing against OTTBS, a lot of people I know don't want to show them, but I don't see anything wrong with it.

All three of my horses are very hot. My 7-year-old is constantly rolling in his stall and he'll stick his head out and shake it around... he loves to beg. My 12-year-old is probably the hottest of all my horses. He does not like other horses. AT. ALL. and he doesn't like the rain. He also kicks out at the canter just to hear the sound of the fence. He's also bitten a few people at the barn (but to be honest, there is a sign on his stall that says don't touch will bite) and he bites and stuff when putting on his girth. My 10-year-old doesn't like spurs and he cribs. He also begs and paws the ground and chews up stuff. So I think I'm willing to handle a lot that comes with bad temper.

One thing that bugs me is horses that don't respond well to leg. When I'm trying horses, if a horse is like that and isn't extraordinary in my eyes, I don't consider that horse.

I can't stand a ewe neck or an unpleasant head. i'll not tolerate kicking or biting or poor ground manners. i prefer an honest mover with spirit and pluck. No dead plugs, please. Color is not that necessary, however I do sort of a flashy horse.

Depends on what I want to do with it. If I want a showmanship horse obviously I want a horse with a good build. But as a general rule I want a horse that is a good mover, good disposition and willing attitude.

I absolutely do not tolerate bucking, biting, rearing or aggresive behavior.

I recently got a Friesian and I really like the classical baroque style Friesians like my boy, and I really am not a fan of the sport style

I alao refuse to ride any gaited horse. Just my personal preference. I was raised on a quarter horse farm so I guess I stuck with it. I show mostly AQHA circuit

i dont care about color. I just want a willing good mover.