| When most parents set out to buy their child's first | | | | the most common reasons not to buy a horse: |
| horse, their attitude is that any horse will do. Fat, skinny, | | | | 1. Injuries. A few cuts and bruises or an old scar on the |
| tall, short, experienced or inexperienced; it doesn't | | | | hindquarters don't mean that you cannot purchase a |
| matter. After all, the child simply wants a horse! | | | | horse, but broken bones, torn ligaments, pulled tendons |
| This is a dangerous mindset, however, because all | | | | and the like signal a poor investment. |
| horses are certainly not created equal, and the wrong | | | | 2. Illnesses. A horse that is predisposed to colic or |
| choice can lead to injuries and disappointment. I | | | | another disease will likely cost you more in veterinary |
| recommend that all parents, regardless of their | | | | bills than its asking price. Be sure to request all |
| experience with horses, ask a trainer or instructor to | | | | veterinary history and look over it carefully to search |
| accompany them when they look at possibilities. | | | | for problems. |
| The logical first place to start is at the stable where | | | | 3. Biting & Kicking. Horses that bite, kick, buck, rear |
| your child takes lessons. If there are horses available | | | | and generally act up are not good bets for your child. |
| for lease or sale, you'll at least be familiar with their | | | | A child's first horse should be gentle, sound, and |
| temperaments and dispositions, which will make your | | | | easy-going to prevent possible injuries to the rider. |
| decision much more educated. However, this isn't | | | | 4. Control. This is one of the main reasons why you will |
| always an option, and most people must look outside | | | | want to have an experienced horseman with you |
| the home turf to find their child's first horse. | | | | when you look at horses. The trainer or instructor |
| Where to Look | | | | should ride the horse first to see if your child will be |
| The newspaper is an obvious starting point, though | | | | able to control the animal. |
| you'll have to be careful where you go and who you | | | | 5. Ground manners. As with the previous point, ground |
| are dealing with. If your instructor or trainer isn't familiar | | | | manners will determine whether your child will be able |
| with the facility where you are going to look for your | | | | to handle the horse on the ground. Leading, tacking, |
| child's first horse, be sure to take them along. | | | | grooming, and bathing are all important factors in your |
| Unfortunately, many people who deal in horse trading | | | | child's care of the horse. |
| are unscrupulous and will try to sell you an animal that | | | | A Few Tips |
| is not safe for children. | | | | Over the years, I've had enough experience to learn |
| The Internet warrants similar caution when buying your | | | | from my mistakes--and from those of my students |
| child's first horse, though you can usually find a more | | | | and their parents. Here are a few tips that will help you |
| advanced selection. Websites like DreamHorse and | | | | to have a positive and non-stressful buying experience |
| Horsetopia are filled with thousands of possibilities from | | | | as you search for your child's first horse: |
| all over the world. Most of the Internet classifieds will | | | | 1. Try the horse out. If the owner agrees--and he or |
| list the horse's breed, color, temperament, experience | | | | she should if there's nothing to hide--put a 50 percent |
| and many will have a picture, as well. | | | | deposit on a horse you are considering for your child |
| I would not limit your search to classifieds, however, in | | | | and take the horse back to your barn for a week. Let |
| the search for your child's first horse. Your home town | | | | your child ride it on a daily basis to make sure there will |
| can generate a wealth of possibilities. Call local barns | | | | be no problems. This ensures that the owner did not |
| where horses are sold and inquire about their latest | | | | drug the horse (as is increasingly common). |
| acquisitions. | | | | 2. Vet the horse. Before you break out the checkbook |
| Trainers who operate stables and farms will have | | | | for your child's first horse, have your veterinarian give |
| more information and can better help you in your | | | | the animal a check-up. Your vet will X-ray the horse's |
| search. Remember, also, is that the horse industry is | | | | bones for abnormalities and will give you his or her |
| like a web. Each person you talk with will have a link to | | | | opinion as to whether or not you should purchase it. |
| someone else, and you might find that you have more | | | | 3. Let the owner ride first. It is common courtesy for |
| possible horses than time to see them! | | | | the owner of a horse to ride it for you before you |
| What to Look For | | | | take him for a spin, and this is especially true when |
| Unfortunately, even if horse you see looks great, you | | | | you're shopping for your child's first horse. This |
| might still end up with a horse that has secrets buried | | | | decreases that chances you'll be hurt by a |
| in its closet. Since non-purebred horses don't always | | | | misrepresented animal. |
| have papers, and horses aren't required to be | | | | Be prepared for the search for your child's first horse |
| registered, you can't simply go to and look up the | | | | to take a while. A beginner mount is not an easy |
| driving records as you would for a car. Past injuries, | | | | animal to find, and it might be months before the |
| illnesses, behavioral problems and tendencies can be | | | | perfect one crosses your path. Since children get |
| glossed over by an experienced horse trader, and it's | | | | attached to animals much more quickly than the |
| impossible to know exactly what you're getting. | | | | average adult, however, you won't want to buy an |
| However, you can put your best foot forward as you | | | | unsuitable horse only to have to sell him soon after. |
| look for your child's first horse and check off some of | | | | |