| You have been dreaming of buying a horse of your | | | | wrong with a horse, how do you find the perfect |
| own for ever, and now that you finally have some | | | | horse for you? You should be careful about buying |
| money, you can simply go out and buy one, right? Not | | | | horses at an auction or through the newspaper. A |
| exactly. A well-trained, sound horse isn't as simple to | | | | better idea is to ask around at horse shows, |
| get hold of as a cute little puppy or a kitten, especially | | | | competitions or other events. Serious competitors |
| not a good horse. Before you buy a horse, you will | | | | often move up to more challenging or flashier horses |
| need to find a place to keep it. In addition, you should | | | | as they gain experience. Their old, dependable |
| be aware of how much money you will need to spend | | | | beginner horses are perfect for people who want a |
| to keep your horse. | | | | first horse. |
| Budget very carefully before you fall madly in love and | | | | Should you find a horse that you are interested in, ask |
| buy a horse you cannot afford to keep. Having said | | | | around before you hand over your cash, especially if |
| that, most horseback riders are willing to give up a lot | | | | the horse has competed in horse shows and |
| of life's little luxuries to be able to keep our horses and | | | | competitions. Other horse owners will have heard if |
| we never regret a single one of them. | | | | that horse has a nasty disposition or always balks at |
| Most horses need to be shoed every 6 weeks (even | | | | the flagpoles. They may even know about health |
| unshod horses need to see the vet every 2 months), | | | | problems the horse had experienced. |
| they need to receive vaccinations and they need to | | | | Full Vetting |
| be fed. You will need to spend a substantial amount on | | | | Once you have investigated the horse's background, |
| bedding, grooming supplies and equipment as well as | | | | call in your veterinarian. Your vet will test your |
| tack. However, the most important thing you will need | | | | prospective horse's eyesight, hearing, heart and teeth. |
| to do is to be sure you will recognise a good horse | | | | If you aren't sure how old the horse is, the vet can |
| when you see one (and a bad one too!). | | | | even estimate the animal's age by inspecting his teeth. |
| Green Horse, Green Rider | | | | Most importantly, however, your vet will take a look at |
| Depending on your own experience, there are lots of | | | | the horse's legs and feet. He will be looking for swollen |
| horses that you shouldn't buy out there. Some have | | | | hocks, leg splints or thrush, which is a dangerous hoof |
| bad habits like biting, kicking or cribbing (chewing on the | | | | infection that often is caused when a horse is left |
| edge of a stall door). Others are not well trained yet. | | | | standing in dirty, wet bedding for long periods of time. |
| Although they may know some of the basics, they are | | | | Finally, it is time to see if the horse is YOUR dream |
| still very green, meaning they may be willing to wear a | | | | horse. Tack him up yourself to be sure he doesn't |
| saddle, but do not know all of the signals that a | | | | have any unsavoury habits, like refusing to take the bit |
| thoroughly trained horse knows. A green horse and a | | | | or kicking and biting. Mount the horse and put him |
| green rider are the worst possible combination. | | | | through his paces. Be on the lookout for flaws such as |
| Further, some horses may be unsound or unhealthy. A | | | | the inability to change leads or the refusal to back up |
| serious problem with hooves or legs can render a | | | | on command. Some of these behaviours can be |
| horse worthless for riders. Owning a horse that can | | | | corrected with the help of a good trainer, but you will |
| only handle a slow walk around the ring with a child on | | | | want your first horse to be well trained and well |
| its back when you were hoping for an animal that | | | | behaved. In fact, if possible take your instructor with |
| could compete in shows is heartbreaking for a new | | | | you to view the horse. |
| horse owner. | | | | And remember, keeping a horse can cost anything |
| Check his background, not just his pedigree | | | | from $4000-10 000 a year! |
| Now that you are aware all of the things that could be | | | | |