If you have never owned or ridden horses before, in my opinion, the most important thing is to find a reputable horse person/instructor/trainer, that is trustworthy and will have your best interests at heart...Having owned/ridden horses most of my life, it was probably the most rewarding/healing/therapeutic activity/sport/hobby, I've ever had the pleasure of being a part of.....and if nothing else, see if you can visit someone's barn, be around the horses, brush/groom them, ect...It's quite rewarding.....Good Luck.......