Horses
Owning a horse is a big
responsibility. It requires a commitment of both time and money. The new
owner should be prepared to spend time grooming, exercising, and caring
for the animal, or assume the responsibility to see that the basic care
will be performed daily. Unless the horse is kept on the owner's property,
travel time to and from the stable must be considered. The costs of owning
a horse can add up quickly as you provide shelter, feed, medical care,
shoeing, and riding equipment.
Before buying a horse for their
children, parents would be wise to reinforce the child's commitment.
Arrange with a local stable for lessons for your youngster. Give your
child the opportunity to participate in supervised care of a horse for a
month or two. If the youngster "sticks" with the chores of horse
ownership, he or she is probably responsible enough to own one.
Before you purchase a horse,
decide where you will keep the animal and how much it will cost. In many
instances the purchase price is not as much as the annual boarding fee. If
you live on property that can support a horse - legally and physically -
be sure that you have adequate stabling. If you live in a cold climate,
you might want to consider boarding the animal, at least during the winter
months, at a stable with an indoor arena. Riding in freezing weather is
unpleasant and can even be dangerous for both horse and rider.
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What Kind of Horse Should You
Get?
Because riding is a team sport -
of the horse and rider - it is important that you buy a horse that suits
the temperament and style of the rider. A nervous, fearful rider should
have a calm horse that will not react in kind. A child should not have a
horse or pony that will bolt. An experienced rider will want a sensitive
horse that responds to the slightest commands.
Before you decide to buy a horse
of your own, you should already have some riding experience or have taken
riding lessons. Once you understand your riding abilities and limitations,
you will be in a better position to choose a horse with a temperament that
will suit you.
You should also consider the
type of riding you intend to do. "English" riders may want a
purely pleasure horse for riding "on the flat." Other
"English" riders may want a horse that will jump, or even one
that can be taken on the hunt field. "Western" riders may want a
horse to use for trail riding, working cattle, or other
"Western" show events.
Whichever style of riding you
prefer, it is best if the first horse you buy is already
"schooled." First-time horse owners should avoid younger animals
that require a lot of training. An older horse that already has the skills
you need is usually a better buy for the first-time owner and younger
rider.
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Where Do You Look For a
Horse?
A good place to buy a horse is
the stable where you ride or plan to keep the horse. The stable owner has
an interest in keeping you satisfied, and knowing your abilities and
temperament he or she can suggest a suitable animal.
Riding instructors are also good
agents for locating a suitable horse since it is important to them that
their students do well in competition.
Breeders are another good
source. Generally they want to see their animals well placed and will make
every effort to provide a horse you can enjoy. Most every breed has a
registration association that can direct you to breeders in your area.
A common source is the
classified section of your local newspaper or the bulletin board of your
local tack shop. Here you have little knowledge of the seller and little
recourse should the horse purchase prove unsatisfactory.
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Trying Out the Horse
When going to look at an animal,
the first-time buyer should be accompanied by a knowledgeable horseman or
horsewoman. There is so much to observe and so much to ask that the
inexperienced buyer may have trouble remembering it all. Observe the horse
in the stall and pasture, and how it behaves when someone is loading,
hauling, and catching the horse.
Temperament should be most
important to you - leave health to the experts. Look at the horse's eyes
and ears and general manner when it is brought out. Does it look alert? Be
sure that you look at the animal in a well-lit place, preferably outdoors
in the sunlight. Watch the owner saddle up the horse. Does it stand
quietly? Does it kick or bite? Do not buy a horse with bad stable manners.
Do not get on the animal right
away. Ask the owner to ride the horse first. Watch how the animal acts
when mounted - does it stand still or does it dance around? Ask the owner
to take the horse through its gaits, the walk, trot, and canter. Does it
look smooth? Does it toss its head or fight the bit? If you are buying a
hunter or jumper or other specially trained horse, ask the owner to
demonstrate.
If you and your adviser are
satisfied that the horse is safe for you to ride, it is your turn to
mount. Once again, observe how it reacts when you mount, and how it reacts
to your commands. Try out any special skills that the horse has. This is a
major investment and you should be allowed to test the animal thoroughly.
You could make observations on a second visit that you did not see the
first time.
Many times a brief trial period
(7-10 days) can be arranged for the prospective buyer. This allows the
buyer to have the horse and see if the two are really compatible.
Even if you fall in love with
the horse, do not buy it before the animal has been thoroughly examined by
a veterinarian with experience in performing purchase examinations.
Long-time horse owners almost always have a veterinarian examine any
animal before purchase and first-time owners should certainly do so.
The veterinarian will check the
horse for:
