Top 10 Things to do BEFORE you go horse shopping
Horse Shopping is a significant financial and time commitment. The amount of emotional energy expended is also important. What do you do when there are so many horses for sale?
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| Horse Shopping Is Easier If You Do This First |
If you acquire a horse before laying the proper foundation, you run the danger of getting a horse that isn't right for you. At worst, he could be deadly, and at best, hiring a professional trainer to remedy the issues could cost a thousand dollars or more.
I'm so excited, guys, to share with you. Make a strategy and follow these 10 key steps before looking at horses for shopping.
1. Take at least six months of riding training.
Horseback riding lessons will teach you the fundamentals of horsemanship and control. You'll learn not only how to ride a horse, but also how to groom and handle one securely. You'll develop a relationship with a local professional horse person who is familiar with you and can aid you if you need it.
2. Choose the type of riding you want to do.
Horseback riding comes in a variety of ways. Western or English are the most basic. Then you can further subdivide those two styles into several subcategories. You don't have to choose one option above the others. Many people enjoy and compete in both styles of riding.
Choose if you want a horse to trail ride with and enjoy, or if you want to compete and display.
3. Personality of the horse
The type of personality you desire for your horse is mostly determined by the type of riding you intend to conduct as well as your own personality. Some riders desire a horse with a powerful motor and plenty of firepower. Others prefer a horse that is quiet and relaxed.
It's usually simpler to get a laid-back person to rev his engine than it is to get a hot horse to calm down.
4. Choose the horse breed you want the most.
The breed selection will become easier once you've decided on the style of riding you want to do and the personality you want your horse to have. Certain breeds are associated with specific forms of horseback riding.
A Thoroughbred or Warmblood breed, for example, is commonly associated with the Hunter/Jumper circuit or dressage. Quarter horses, Appaloosas, and Paints were once regarded to be suitable for Western riding. Today, these breeds may compete with the more classic hunter-type horse at all levels.
Look for gaited breeds like Missouri Foxtrotters, Tennessee Walkers, or Paso Finos if you want a smooth ride.
5. Determine the size of the horse you'll require.
If you want a horse for your child, get a pony that your child can groom and handle right now. For a small child, dealing with a large horse can be scary.
Consider the type of riding you want to do if you're shopping for one for yourself. Western riding does not necessitate a large horse, and most stock-type horses, even if they are 15 hands or lower, can carry a large adult.
To compete in hunter/jumper classes, you'll need a horse that's at least 16 hands. If your objectives are to learn to jump and compete in minor local shows, however, a smaller horse will save you money.
6. Decide on the horse's gender.
Only a gelding or a mare should be considered. Even if you are an expert rider, a stallion is tough to handle and can be dangerous. Unless you're in the breeding industry, he's not for you.
Geldings are excellent companions and riding horses. He was gelded before his second birthday, ideally, so he didn't learn stallion behavior.
Mares have a bad reputation for being tough when they are in heat. Some maybe, but there are plenty of lovely mares with dependable personalities.
7. Choose a location for your horse to be kept.
Check out a few different boarding stables if you plan to board. The barn where you've been taking riding lessons is likely to be your first pick. Examine a few others as a backup plan and for a general comparison.
If you intend to keep your horse on your own property, be sure you have secure fencing, a sturdy barn, and that your schedule allows you to feed your horse twice a day, rain or shine. Before you bring your new horse home, research any municipal or state liability rules that apply to horse properties.
8. Calculate how much you can spend on a horse's initial purchase price.
A horse's initial purchasing price is a significant upfront cost. Obviously, the more money you have to spend on a horse, the more options you'll have while looking for one.
You'll have more negotiating power with a seller if you have this money saved up ahead of time. If you have to pay for your horse in installments, you'll have less bargaining power and fewer options because many sellers will refuse to accept payments.
9. Compile a list of your monthly expenses.
If you board your horse in a boarding stable, your monthly fees will include board, lessons, and supplements. Instead of paying a board charge, you'll spend your money on feed, hay, and stall bedding if you keep your horse at home.
There are recurring expenses that do not occur every month but must be summed up for a year's worth of costs and averaged as a monthly expense. Farrier appointments, worming, immunizations, and vet care like floating teeth and a yearly Coggins test are among them.
10. Tack and Equipment
- Purchase the necessary items before picking up your horse so that you'll be prepared when he arrives. Brushes, shampoo, liniment, leg wraps, buckets, and a first-aid kit are a good place to start when it comes to goods to keep on hand.
Basic equipment includes an all-purpose headstall and a few bits, saddle pads, a saddle, a halter, and a long lead rope with a robust clasp.
If you follow these 10 steps before you start looking for a horse, you'll have a good sense of which horse will be the best fit for you once you start looking.
Best Place to Buy Horse Supplies Online
- Breeches.com
- HorseSaddleShop.com
- HappyHorse.com
- BigDWeb.com
- TractorSupply.com
Thanks for being with us. Best of luck for your new horse.