| Here's my story and suggestions on how to avoid | | | | including the senior vet from the Melbourne Racing |
| making the mistakes I made, and almost made, when I | | | | Club, chiropractors, and even an acupuncturist. All with |
| came to buy a horse! I was in my early 50's when I | | | | no success. Then by chance I found a local young lady |
| started riding. I was full enthusiasm and keen to get | | | | chiropractor who had a brief look and said "his |
| really involved. I'd just bought a 10 acre property with | | | | shoulder has frozen up through lack of riding. Just |
| lush pasture and so had plenty of space to keep a | | | | exercise and ride him and he'll come good". |
| horse. The fencing was excellent as the property had | | | | Once again I reported back to the owner who |
| formerly been a deer farm and was fenced | | | | promptly came down to see me. Standing in the |
| accordingly. So I decided to buy a horse. I'd heard of a | | | | paddock with Midnight he said that if I was prepared to |
| horse for sale some distance from me and he | | | | work with the horse and accept all the fees I'd |
| sounded like he could be OK. So I arranged to see him | | | | incurred, I could keep Midnight with no purchase cost. I |
| for an inspection, even although I was totally | | | | immediately said "yes". The owner asked if I'd leave |
| inexperienced. | | | | him alone with the horse before he left, and I could see |
| I took a horse owner friend with me for guidance and | | | | he had tears in his eyes. |
| went to see him. He turned out to be a rather tall, | | | | I worked with Midnight, whose name I abbreviated to |
| chestnut thoroughbred. The lady owner didn't offer to | | | | Middie for everyday use, constantly. I lunged him, rode |
| ride him (my first mistake as I should have insisted she | | | | him in short bursts at first, and finally took him to |
| did) and my friend mounted him and did some walking, | | | | Saddle Club. He was improving, but if he showed too |
| trotting and cantering. | | | | much sign of soreness I cut the day short. |
| Then it was my turn. With some trepidation I mounted | | | | And to cut this long story short Middie's lameness |
| up, but due to my total inexperience, only managed to | | | | cleared up completely and we became the very best |
| walk him around the property for a short time. | | | | of friends He was an absolute gentleman, probably |
| However my friend gave the nod of approval and said | | | | because he was a Percheron/Thoroughbred cross |
| he looked fine, so I made my first major mistake. I said | | | | with the Percheron characteristics showing through |
| "yes" to the seller and so became the owner of a | | | | strongly. I had total trust in him and he appeared to |
| horse of unknown origin known by the name of Ziggy. | | | | have complete trust in me and we've had many, many |
| After I had Ziggy back on my property I enlisted the | | | | happy years of riding. |
| help of an instructress from our local Saddle Club who | | | | But pleased be advised not to take my pure luck with |
| came to my place and gave me a series of lessons. | | | | Middie and feel that it could happen to you. When you |
| Initially I only rode on my property, but then ventured | | | | buy a horse, have a qualified "vet check", and take the |
| out my front gate and rode on some of the riding | | | | advice of your vet! |
| tracks that were plentiful in my area. And finally I took | | | | So here are my Top 10 Things for you to do BEFORE |
| him to the monthly all-day training meetings at the | | | | you buy your horse based on my experience... |
| Saddle Club. I learnt a lot, but the only problem was | | | | 1. Have you had riding lessons? Have you done a |
| that Ziggy obviously sensed my inexperience and was | | | | personal assessment of your riding skills? |
| inclined to fight my every move. | | | | Before you buy a horse be sure you have had at |
| I persisted with Ziggy for six months or so, but then | | | | least six months of riding lessons. |
| decided that he wasn't the horse for me. So I decided | | | | 2. What type of riding activity do you want to do? |
| to sell him to someone more capable of handling his | | | | This is important. Do you want to to go in for jumping? |
| strong spirit and did just that. My second mistake (well, | | | | Dressage? Hunting? Just trail riding? Be sure of what |
| almost!) when I went to buy a horse. By luck, this | | | | you want. |
| "almost a mistake" turned out in my favour! | | | | 3. What sort of personality do you want your horse to |
| I'd heard a consistent rumour about a beautiful, big | | | | have? Full of fire and enthusiasm? More quiet and |
| black horse that had apparently been left out in a | | | | passive? |
| paddock somewhere in my local area for quite some | | | | A lot will depend on the type of riding you decide to |
| time. As I wanted another horse I was intrigued and | | | | pursue. |
| decided to check this rumour out. As it turned out it | | | | 4. Do you have any preference on the breed of horse |
| didn't take me long to find that the horse was actually | | | | you want? |
| well attended and was agisted on a horse riding facility | | | | Once again, the sort of riding you want to do will have |
| not far from my property. I promptly went and had a | | | | a major influence on your choice. |
| look. And, yes, he was big, beautiful and black and I | | | | 5. How big a horse do you want? Pony size? |
| instantly fell in love with him. But was he available to be | | | | Mid-size? Or tall because you like a big horse? |
| bought? | | | | Be sure that you choose something that you can |
| I found that the owner was an advertising agency | | | | easily manage. |
| principal from Melbourne. I phoned him and he told me | | | | 6. Do you have a preference on gender? |
| that he'd owned the horse, Midnight, for two years with | | | | Geldings usually make great riding horses. Mares can |
| the idea of using him at a Hunt Club but had never had | | | | also be good if they have stable personalities. Avoid |
| the time. Subject to where and how I'd keep Midnight | | | | stallions unless you're going in for breeding. |
| he could be bought for what I thought to be a high | | | | 7. Have you given proper consideration as where |
| price. I arranged for an inspection meeting at the facility | | | | you're going to house and keep your horse? |
| where he was agisted. | | | | If you're planning to keep your horse on your own |
| The day arrived and I waited for the owner to arrive | | | | property, ensure that you have safe fencing and a |
| and was rather amused when he turned up in a | | | | clean barn or other shelter. If you're boarding out, |
| BLACK BMW duly dressed in neat BLACK riding gear, | | | | check out the available boarding stables before you |
| making a good match to the BLACK horse. We took | | | | commit to buying your horse. |
| the horse to any undercover riding area and owner did | | | | 8. Bearing in mind the costs of horse maintenance, |
| several circuits in varying gaits. Then suddenly Midnight | | | | have you set a affordable budget figure for purchase |
| went lame in the right front shoulder. The owner | | | | of your horse? |
| instantly dismounted, but it was obvious that I wouldn't | | | | Budget all costs carefully and don't over-commit |
| be able to ride him in that condition. It was left that I'd | | | | yourself. Be ready for unexpected costs such as vet |
| call a vet to look at the shoulder and obtain a full "vet | | | | fees in case of vet care due to an illness or accident. |
| check". | | | | 9. Have you had a serious look at the monthly/yearly |
| The vet could find nothing that caused the lameness, | | | | cost of keeping your horse? |
| but recommended that I not buy him. I was | | | | Take the time to look at costs of such items as feed, |
| devastated! I reported this to the owner. He then | | | | food supplements, hay, farrier charges, worming, etc.. |
| suggested that If I was prepared to take him to my | | | | 10. Have you considered your needs and costs |
| property and call in what ever veterinarian treatment | | | | associated with equipping yourself and your horse with |
| was needed to fix the lameness that he'd re-inburse | | | | tack and supplies? |
| me for all costs and we could then discuss possible | | | | You'll need a saddle, halter, headstall, bits, lead rope, |
| purchase. This is where I made my "next big mistake - | | | | and a wide variety of other tack and supplies. Review |
| well almost!" In spite of the vet's advice I said "yes". | | | | everything carefully. |
| I called the best veterinarian care people I could find | | | | |