I can appreciate a pretty head or nice color, but it really doesn't matter to me while I'm riding.
Years ago as a teenager I was working at a trail riding outfit. One mare there was the most butt-ugly horse I'd ever seen. She was a real nasty color of dun, ewe neck, mane stuck straight up, no hindquarters, big ungainly head. She did have a pretty nice back for bareback riding tho. And most of all, she had such a great attitude--I could ride her bareback w/ a halter, and usually did ride her w/ a halter on trail rides. She was so soft and responsive, it more than made up for her looks. I'd never ridden a horse like that before. Skip ahead many years to my first horse, a knock-out bay Arab mare, prettiest thing to look at. But nasty tempered, wouldn't bond with me (until I decided to sell her, that is. Then she suddenly began to act like my best buddy), constantly shying. Not a good first horse at all. She went to someone who knew and appreciated Arabs and who did endurance. It worked out well. Robyn
