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Like when you're looking at a potential new horse. Are there any attributes that will win you over on the spot, and what kinds of things will make you walk away?

For me, my biggest peeves are conformation and personality. A little bit of certain faults don't bother me, but I won't even consider a horse with major flaws, no matter what else he's got going for him.

Another big thing is having a gentle eye and be fine with having his face touched. I hate it when horses jerk away or get antsy when you go to pet them. That's enough to turn me off when a horse can't sit still, or if they get nosey and can't stay out of your face. I like really chilled-out horses that lean into you when you touch their faces. That says volumes about their temperament. And of course, training level is super important as well.

How about you guys?

Conformation and quality of movement is the first thing that I look for. I want them to have naturally good, ground covering movement with a general uphill tendency. I'll forgive minor conformation tweaks like a back that's a little short or long, a funky hip angle, a jughead, things like that, as long as their movement quality is still good. I'm pickier about the legs though. I want straight, correct legs because I don't want them to break down or sustain injuries.

After that, I try to look at the horse's heart. Are they the kind of horse that is going to try for you? Or are they going to do the bare minimum? Sometimes this is hard to assess the first time you meet or ride a horse, because they don't know you yet, especially with mares, but you can get an idea if they're just going to go through the motions or if they're going to try to figure out what you're really looking for and build on it. I want a horse that's going to work WITH me, not FOR me.

Personality is also a factor, but I'm not necessarily looking for anything in particular. I don't mind the puppy-dog type geldings, or the more stand-offish horses, but I have no interest in owning a horse that is snarky, nasty, or sneaky. I don't want to feel like I have to cross tie them in order to groom them safely, and I don't want to fear for my safety if I go in their stall.

But gaits and the "try" factor are the biggest things.

...My second horse that I bought I got for riding dressage. I was only beginning at the time so I didn't realize how much trouble I'd get into. She's a 15.2 thoroughbred with a rather low set neck, longer back, and she had a hunter's bump. Only until 2 years of training and trying to show her did I realize that not only was she not doing well, some of the required actions caused her pain (collection was more difficult than it should have been). So capable conformation is a must for certain riding horses. And for mares, the ability to produce better than themselves, which we miraculously found out with her. She made up from her loss as a dressage horse as a broodmare...so it entirely depends on how many options your horse has. Although my horse wasn't the best dressage horse, she's a great hunter and awesome momma.