| The cost of owning a horse depends on lots of things, | | | | hunting, take an experienced horse person with you! |
| like if the horse will be agisted, need supplementary | | | | Next, visit any saddle shops in your area to get an |
| feeding and so on. One thing's for sure, horse's are big | | | | idea of prices, you can asked to be placed on their |
| animals that take a lot of special care. And | | | | mailing list to receive sale catalogues. Most offer a |
| unfortunately, money! | | | | free saddle fitting service and staff there will be happy |
| I could list a rough guide to prices, but these would vary | | | | to give advice. Basic items you'll need are a saddle |
| a lot between states and probably be outdated by this | | | | and saddle blanket, bridle, headstall and leadrope, |
| time next year. Farrier and horse dentist fees vary, | | | | grooming kit and rug. Use the internet to visit on-line |
| feed prices go up and down according to the season, | | | | saddle shops to further compare prices. Avoid buying |
| so you will need to do a bit of detective work. | | | | from on-line auctions such as Ebay until you have a |
| I can at least give you a push-start by telling you | | | | LOT more experience under your belt! |
| where to begin......... | | | | Another good place to do some groundwork is Horse |
| If you're thinking of buying a horse, a good place to | | | | Magazines. Look at the types of horses for sale, what |
| start doing your homework is at your nearest Pony | | | | prices are being asked and anything else relevent that |
| Club. The instructors there will be happy to give you | | | | may be advertised there. |
| advice and you might even find a suitable mount for | | | | Make lots of phone calls, get quotes and list everything |
| sale. You can look and listen, observe what kind of | | | | down in a notepad to give you a future expenses |
| gear the riders are using, what happens during a rally, | | | | guide. Horses are expensive to care for properly. Don't |
| and if you're not too shy, ask a few members to | | | | go in with the best intentions and stars in your eyes, |
| recommend a farrier, vet, feed merchant and a horse | | | | love alone won't feed and shoe your horse, cash will ! |
| dentist. | | | | Make allowances for possible vet bills although some |
| Ask an instuctor if they can come with you when you | | | | will let you pay off larger bills. |
| go looking for horses, this is the 1st rule of horse | | | | |