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