Micki,
Please let me know if I can help...
CincysMom wasn't kidding....that was my Job for 18 years..

All Horses and aspects of horsemanship are different.....

in 1980,the barn I managed boarding fee,not farrier,not vet,not show fees,not lessons,not on the road grooms fees....Board Alone was 12,000.00 per month...and they Required that you kept 2 Horses!! ...that was not a typo...that was 12,000.00 per MONTH!!!!!
and that was 24 years ago

You should go to amazon.com,or borders.com.....get Any books authored by Susan B. Harris,William Steinkraus,Judy Richter,George Morris,Bill Cooney & FrankMadden,Kip Rosenthal....
These are just Some of The Masters of the Sport!!!!
And when it comes to Care & Husbandry...None of these people can be beat....

Before you buy a horse...Why not go and Volunteer at a local stable.....Learn while you earn so to speak!!!
Learn to Muck,sweep,Brush,Feed....They'd be giving You free lessons....and You would be Helping them!!!!

Also,if you are interested in equine rescue....contact Black Beauty Ranch...It is in Texas......blackbeautyranch.com....
It is a rescue Facility that was started by the famous author/animal activist...Cleveland Amory....( The Cat & TheCurmudgeon,amongst other Great Books)

Hope this helps you a bit