| Spring is here, and the warmer weather is on the way. | | | | find you have a more excitable horse on your hands |
| As the grass starts to grow, the sun appears and | | | | than you really want. |
| nothing seems so attractive as meandering down | | | | I have never bought a horse before - what should I do |
| those country lanes or cantering up the bridle paths on | | | | when I try it out? |
| your own horse. | | | | If you have only had lessons before you may find |
| If you have only ever ridden at a riding school before, | | | | yourself at a loss without an instructor standing in the |
| buying your first horse will be a real experience for | | | | middle telling you what to do. It is therefore best to |
| you - and one you shouldn't go without doing some | | | | decide before you go a short routine you will use that |
| careful thinking and planning first. A horse should be | | | | will test the horse you are trying, and allow you to |
| your trusted companion for some time - you owe it to | | | | assess whether it is the one for you or not. |
| him to make sure you pick the right one for you. There | | | | A routine might be, walk round the ménage, |
| is nothing worse for a horse than to be sold on time | | | | halting at least once to make the horse is listening to |
| and time again because he was bought by the wrong | | | | you. Walk a 20 metre circle, watching out for the |
| person. | | | | horse leaning in or out. Does he listen to your |
| The person selling your ideal horse will be keen to | | | | corrections? Change rein and repeat the walk |
| make sure you are right for him and may even seem | | | | exercises. Try to assess whether he bends easier on |
| reluctant to part with him - if you ever feel you are | | | | one rein or the other - not necessarily a fault as |
| being pressured into making a decision it is probably | | | | horses do tend to have a stronger rein, but it is more |
| not the right horse to buy! | | | | important that he is attentive to you! |
| This article tries to give the first time buyer some tips. | | | | Now put the horse into trot - watching for whether he |
| Where should I look for my perfect horse? | | | | goes forward eagerly or is reluctant. Use little leg at |
| Horses are advertised in magazines, both local and | | | | first - if you have been used to riding school horses |
| national, and in many local outlets such as notice | | | | they may have become 'dead to the leg'. You can |
| boards in livery yards and tack shops. | | | | always increase the leg aid, but it is preferable to do |
| Horse and Hound is a very popular source, and has a | | | | this than having the horse shoot off with you! As in |
| large number of horses for sale. However you do | | | | walk work a circle on both reins. Does he drop out of |
| need to be quick off the mark - if you wait a couple of | | | | trot as he bends? Does he try to go forward into |
| days you will find the best ones have been sold. Horse | | | | canter? Would you be happy with this behaviour? If he |
| and Hound do carry their adverts on their internet site, | | | | is very strong, be prepared for him to be even |
| and there are also many other sites offering horses | | | | stronger when you get him home - an energetic horse |
| for sale. | | | | may well have been lunged before you came to see |
| For a first horse or pony word of mouth is always a | | | | him and may be even fresher on other days! |
| good option - your local riding school or livery yard | | | | If you are happy with the trot try a canter on each |
| may know of ponies or horses in the locality which | | | | rein. He should make the upward transition smoothly |
| may suit you and which are going to be sold, however | | | | when you ask him to do so. |
| this may not be the quickest option. | | | | If you want a jumping horse make sure you try him |
| Be prepared for it to take some time to find your right | | | | over a fence. Is he eager or does he need a lot of |
| partner. | | | | encouragement? |
| Before you start looking at the adverts and especially | | | | Try to decide before you visit the horse exactly what |
| before you go to see that first horse, be absolutely | | | | you are looking for, and what you are prepared to |
| clear in your own mind: | | | | work with. And try to keep sensible. There is no point |
| - What is an honest assessment of your riding ability? | | | | falling in love at first sight with a beautiful animal you |
| - What do you want to do with your horse? | | | | cannot control - or one which is reluctant to jump |
| - What is your budget? | | | | when that is your reason for buying! |
| When you start going out to see horses bear in mind | | | | This is a partnership which you will have for some time |
| that you have to kiss a lot of frogs before you find | | | | - your partner should be chosen very carefully to |
| your prince! Finding your ideal partner for the next few | | | | make sure he is compatible with your level of riding, |
| years will take time and cannot be rushed. Make sure | | | | and what you want to do. Common sense should rule |
| you are totally honest and keep the answers to the | | | | here - not your heart! |
| questions in your mind - many a person has been led | | | | When I go to see a horse, should I see him ridden first? |
| astray by falling in love with a totally unsuitable mount. | | | | DEFINITELY YES! If the owner says there is no one |
| Remember, it is not fair on either you or the horse if | | | | available to ride him be very wary. It may be that he is |
| you end up with an animal you cannot control or if you | | | | too difficult for anyone there to ride. Only attempt this |
| want to jump and the horse has a total aversion to it! | | | | is you are a very experienced rider - otherwise be |
| And remember, keeping a horse is an expensive | | | | prepared to walk away, or at the very least try and |
| business - there is no point overstretching yourself to | | | | arrange to come back when you can see him ridden. |
| buy him if you are going to need to buy tack as well. | | | | The current owner should ride a routine similar to the |
| Keep a clear head - and let it rule your heart! | | | | one described above to enable you to assess the |
| When I go to see a horse, what should I look for? | | | | horse's way of going, and how he responds. If he |
| Make sure you see the horse in the stable - don't rely | | | | makes upwards transitions easily for someone else, |
| on any statement that he has 'perfect stable manners', | | | | but not for you, this could be something that can be |
| ask to see for yourself. Ideally watch him being tacked | | | | addressed with some lessons. However, be aware - |
| up - does he stand quietly? Horses which behave well | | | | there is a saying that a horse's ability sinks to match |
| when being ridden sometimes try to kick or bite in the | | | | those of its rider. Just because the horse you have |
| stable, when being tacked up, having rugs put on or off | | | | fallen in love with makes flying changes on demand for |
| or just when you go to fill a hay net. A horse which is | | | | its current owner, it may not make them for you if you |
| difficult in the stable will make your life difficult as the | | | | cannot ride at that level! Your new perfectly schooled |
| owner, and if you are going to keep your horse at | | | | dressage horse cannot be depended on to teach |
| livery will not make you popular! | | | | And finally |
| Look carefully at the horse for any signs of sweat | | | | It may take a few months to find the right horse, but |
| marks. Some sellers lunge or vigorously exercise their | | | | be assured that the wait will be worth it. One thing is |
| horses just before a prospective owner turns up at | | | | probably certain - that palomino mare you had pictured |
| the yard making them seem a much quieter ride than | | | | yourself riding away on into the sunset may well turn |
| they really are. You can also ask about the level of | | | | out to be a bay gelding! But whatever size, colour or |
| exercise he has been used to - if he is used to being | | | | sex you end up with, if you have taken your time |
| exercised more than you will have time for you may | | | | choosing you will have a wonderful partnership. |