| If you are interested in learning more about horses for | | | | that is over the age of 10 or 12 years old usually is well |
| beginners or are looking for your first horse, then this | | | | trained, but health and the condition of the horse's joints |
| article is for you. This article discusses the types of | | | | is a consideration. It is not uncommon for older horses |
| things you should look for when looking for a beginners | | | | to have arthritis. Older horses are usually great |
| horse. | | | | beginner horses, but they may have more associated |
| Time dedication | | | | vet expenses due to their age. |
| Horses require a lot of maintenance. If you think you | | | | Choosing Your Horse |
| can just turn your horse out to grass in a field and not | | | | It is advantageous to have someone experienced go |
| worry about it, you are wrong. Horses need to have | | | | with you when you are choosing your first horse. It is |
| their feet trimmed and may need shoeing depending | | | | best if you have a trainer, who will not only give you |
| on the amount of work they do. Like people, they need | | | | lessons after you buy a horse, but help you choose a |
| to have exercise, or they can get out of shape and | | | | horse that will be well suited to you. Before buying a |
| grow fat. Some horses can eat so much that that | | | | horse, you should also have it examined by an equine |
| they founder, which means their feet hurt so much | | | | veterinarian. This is an very important step that you |
| they are unable to walk. Horses that have a tendency | | | | don't want to skip! The cost of the vet check will |
| to gain weight should wear a grazing muzzle when | | | | depend on how thorough the examination is and how |
| turned out to grass, to prevent overeating. Ponies are | | | | many tests you have done. Your vet can tell you what |
| especially prone to founder. Horses need to be | | | | your options are, but it is always a good idea to get |
| checked every day to make sure they are not sick or | | | | x-rays of the horses legs and joints. It is not |
| injured. If you board your horse at a boarding facility, | | | | uncommon to find something wrong with just about |
| your horse is usually checked each day, which helps if | | | | any horse during a vet check, but it is up to you to |
| you can't always be there to do it yourself. | | | | decide what you are willing to live with. For example, |
| Your Ability | | | | you may not care that a horse has arthritis in his |
| The horse's amount of training and your ability are a | | | | hocks and cannot jump, if you are only going to use it |
| big consideration when looking for a horse for | | | | for trail riding. |
| beginners. If you have no riding experience, it is best to | | | | Buying vs. Leasing |
| get a well trained quiet horse. These horses are | | | | You don't always have to buy a horse. You also have |
| sometimes called schoolmasters. This means they | | | | the option of leasing one. There are a lot of different |
| know their job. They are good horses for beginners to | | | | lease arrangements available including half leases and |
| learn on, especially if you find one that is very forgiving. | | | | free leases. With a free lease, you don't have to pay |
| A horse with this type of temperament is easy going | | | | the owner to use the horse. In this arrangement you |
| and doesn't get upset when beginners do things | | | | are responsible for the horse's care and living |
| wrong. | | | | arrangements. With a half lease you may use the |
| Your Finances | | | | horse a few days a week, while the owner or |
| There are a wide range of prices related to horses. | | | | someone else uses the horse the other part of the |
| Fancy, flashy show horses can cost thousands of | | | | week. If you do decide to a lease a horse, make sure |
| dollars, whereas horses that are less fancy can be | | | | you have a written agreement, so you know who is |
| more moderately priced. The amount of training a | | | | responsible for all of the expenses related to the |
| horse has can also affect its price. For example, if a | | | | horse, like vet or farrier (blacksmith) bills. |
| horse is young and has a little bit of training, it will not | | | | As you can see, there is a lot to consider when getting |
| cost a lot. Unfortunately, horses with little training are | | | | your first horse. Before you jump into a purchase or a |
| not good beginners horses. A horse that is between 6 | | | | lease arrangement, make sure you do a lot of |
| - 8 years old and has good training is usually more | | | | research first, so you get a horse that is well suited to |
| expensive. These horses are in their prime. A horse | | | | your individual needs. |