Preparations For Purchasing Your First Horse
By Spyricale
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11th Feb 2012 •
3,072 views
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18 comments
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Once you have discussed in-depth with your family regarding purchasing a horse of your own, and have succeeded in renovating a safe haven for your horse, gone over the finances, time commitment and purchased all of the necessary items, it is now time to focus on searching for a horse.
Location
You may think that once you have discussed everything with your parents that you can now hop on the computer and search for the horse of your dreams. But there are many things you must consider before you begin to search through those tempting ads. The first thing you need to converse about is the distance your family is willing to visit to find that "perfect" horse. You don't want to be searching the ads to suddenly find out that your dream horse is located on a totally opposite side of the continent. Most equine classified ad sites possess certain features that allow you to search for horses by breed, color, gender, age, weight, price range, and even location. Within a hundred miles of your area, if you want to look locally, or increase the distance if your family is willing to pack up and take the trip. We will discuss later how important it is to see your prospective purchase with your own eyes, touch it and ride it and also to assess its personality.
If your parents are, for example, willing to travel to the nearby states surrounding your own, you may search for horses in those areas accordingly. If you do your part to inform your parents and ask them where they are willing to travel to, you'll be relieving both yourself and your family from heart break and strain that would inevitably arise if you were to do your searching without informing them. Remember, your family plays a big part in this decision.
Evaluation of You and Your Possible Horse
You now know which areas to search for your special horse, but that isn't all. Not even close to what you need to endure before you can successfully begin searching. Again, you need to discuss with your family, or an instructor if you have been taking lessons, what is your level of riding, your reflexes, knowledge, and desires of your horse's temperament and ability. Many ignorant people have purchased a horse without taking the time to evaluate and think about these things, and end up either disliking their horse, going through chaotic disasters, or both rider and horse become very emotionally detached, depressed, and horrified by the thought of being with each other. This can and will eventually lead to riders and handlers being afraid of horses, and their particular horse creating unwanted vices, habits, and distasteful and even dangerous behavior.
Level and Capability
Have you been taking lessons? For how long? What have you done during those lessons that has led you to become the rider you are today? Are you afraid to jump, but are comfortable with walking, trotting, and a little cantering? Your instructor is an excellent source to refer to regarding these questions and what type of horse would be best suitable for you and your capabilities. Maybe you're a total beginner who hasn't had a lot of experience. In this case, I always tell people to go through at least two years working at a good stable and handling horses as well as receiving knowledge from more experienced people. In my opinion, you should be able to confidently and correctly walk, trot, canter, transition, back-up, halt, untack, tack up, and groom as well as clean up tack and manure. Someone is not always going to be there to help you, so you need to eventually learn how to do things on your own for both your sake and your horse. Assuming you are least an intermediate rider with basic knowledge considering horse care, this is the perfect opportunity for you to own your own horse.
Knowledge
No one in this entire world knows everything about horses, and no one should ever claim that they do, for it is virtually impossible. Many people are well-educated in the equine industry, while others are ignorant and tend to follow their own beliefs, and others will be open to any kind of help or knowledge someone may be able to direct towards them. The first and the latter is the best to be if you ever plan on becoming a successful horse owner. Talk with a good, knowledgeable equine person about what level your knowledge may be placed at. To own a horse, I always say that person must possess at least basic knowledge of what horses consume, what gives good nutritional value, what not to feed a horse, that, yes, it actually DOES drink water, how to identify colic and injuries, and when it's time to quit relying on your brain and ask for help. It's always good to do research and to study as much as you can; whether on the Internet, from books, or just asking questions when you're around good horse people. What does knowledge have to do with the type of horse you buy, you ask Very simple. Some breeds require much more maintenance and knowledge than others. Based on whether you are lower or higher on the knowledge scale, you should be able to truthfully search for your breeds accordingly.
Reflexes, Strength, and Fear
As you may already know, every single breed of horse is different in many ways. Some require advanced riders and trainers to handle and ride them, while others effortlessly babysit kids for hours while enjoying every second of it, and never give them any sort of trouble. The good thing is, there is no "one size fits all" with horses. This is why, now, we must discuss how strong your reflexes are, your strength, and how much fear of the equine species your mind holds. Are you capable of disciplining and successfully handling a hotter breed? Are you able to react quickly and properly to catch the horse in any misbehavior it might throw your way? Are you strong enough to be able to handle a much larger breed rather well? Yes, this matters greatly. I always say it's good for someone to handle a variety of different horses to get a secure feeling of what type(s) they are more comfortable with, and what types make them nervous and unable to perform at their best.
I've seen young girls on fiery Arabians who were stiff, quivering, and looking as though they were about to cry as the horse shies and spooks every possible second. These same girls are a hundred times happier on a placid, small Quarter Horse or behaving pony whose temperament and personality is bred in such a way that it matches and suits the girl's needs almost perfectly. Again, discuss with your family or instructor what kind of horse they think would be well-suited to you. Remember, as I always say, use your common sense regarding this matter as well. Read up on the different breeds and what they are capable of, what personality traits they are best known for, and what their common diseases, problems, genetic downfalls are so that you can be prepared for any of these.
You may think a black Arabian may seem very appealing, but a plain bay Quarter Horse may make your horsey dreams come true even further than you could have possibly imagined. A more advanced rider can easily handle a greener horse, while a novice rider would naturally be more comfortable with a well-trained school master and so one. Green and green always equals black and blue.
Disciplines and Performance
The next thing you need to consider is what types of disciplines you would rather participate in. This is very important to think about and discuss for many reasons. If you're a jumper, and you buy a cutting Western show horse that is in no way bred or trained for jumping, do you think that horse and you would match together very well? Most certainly not, unless you are willing to properly train it for your preferred discipline, and if the horse is built conformation-wise to withstand such a feat. But it's best for the first-time owner to buy one already trained and even competing in that discipline or style of riding. You may not be well-versed in conformation and abilities, so a great thing to do would be to take along a horse-savvy trainer or instructor with you to observe the horses either on the Internet, or if you travel. Ask them if the horse would be able to perform the duties and tasks you desire, and also ask the owners what the horse is best at and what they think it is able to perform in rather well. Again, remember to use your head and ask a legitimate trainer. Many owners deem a horse qualified for a certain discipline it is not at all trained or built for just to be rid of it. If you're a jumper, buy an athletic horse that is already trained in jumping or has previously competed in it. The best advice to follow for a first-time horse owner.
Height and Weight
The basic last thing you must discuss is your height and weight. Horses can and should only carry one-fifth (twenty percent) of their body weight. If you are a two hundred pound girl standing at five feet/eleven inches, would you purchase a twelve hand Welsh Pony? Most certainly not! There are many places on the Internet that will help you figure what breed of horse and its standard height and bone mass would best suit your own height so that you are both comfortable and happy. Make sure to research well, ask around, and ask yourself if you think your particular chosen breed would be comfortable carrying your weight. Your height only matters so that your legs aren't dragging the ground, and also so you don't look completely silly and mis-matched. People will and do notice these things.
Standard Preferences
You may now choose the color of horse you wish to own. Different breeds all come in different colors, so of course a piebald pure Arabian would never be possible, nor would a gray Haflinger. Be realistic with your choice of color, but make sure that this is the least of your concerns. Don't purchase a horse that grinds your gears or that you absolutely do not get along well with just because it's a pretty color. Research the available colors for your chosen breed, and pick accordingly.
Gender is also a big preference for many people. You may prefer a mare or a gelding, and these are always available. Do NOT, I repeat, do not look into buying stallions of any kind. Stallions for first-time owners and riders with little experience always clash violently. Not all stallions are fire-breathing dragons, certainly not. I have been raised around stallions and have worked with them ever since my mother felt I was ready and capable enough to do it. But, most have temperamental problems, go absolutely insane when mares (especially in season) are around, some are very dangerous and unpredictable, and you also have to watch out for the dreaded cryptorchids. I've dealt with a few, and trust me, it is nothing special to brag about.... Plus, shows do not allow kids under eighteen to show stallions that are over pony size. You would more than likely not be able to show your stallion. Geldings are a great choice for many first-time horse owners, and the gender I would recommend since even some mares can be very moody and, in rare cases, more dangerous than stallions.
Choose your horse's personality wisely. Remember to bring your experience, knowledge and everything else into making this decision as well. If you are easily frightened and lose your confidence rather quickly, a hot-tempered, witty horse is never the match for the likes of you.
WARNING
First-time owners should never purchase a younger, greener horse. Especially one that is under ten-years-old. Younger horses require more training, handling, and they are more prone to act up and misbehave. Plus, no horse should be ridden under the age of five (or six if x-rays prolong it), and you should never be supporting any owner that is willing to train, abuse, and ride a three-year-old that is already described as "dead broke". Major red flags there. Stay away. You want your first experience to be a good experience, and not resulting in a horse breaking down a mere few years later and becoming nothing more than an expensive pasture ornament.
All in all, make sure to carefully select your chosen horse, talk to the owners, and ask your family or instructor if that particular horse might seem to suit you well. As with anything else, don't choose and call on the first one you come across. Take the time to really look around in your designated areas, bookmark the ones you like, and move on to more. Always take the above abilities of yourself into consideration when purchasing a horse, and allow that to rule over anything else that might be appealing to you about a certain horse. It's always the matching process of horse and rider and how well it was executed that matters in the end. |
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ImaCoolCowgirl
Geldings are awesome. I love mine!
Geldings are awesome. I love mine!
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48 days ago
• 2,293 views
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Whispyy
Amazing article! More more more! XP I kept wishing it would never end!!
A lot of people needed to hear this, very well said!
Amazing article! More more more! XP I kept wishing it would never end!!
A lot of people needed to hear this, very well said!
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48 days ago
• 2,327 views
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Carpe Diem
GREAT article! I love it.
I never thought I would end up with an Arab, especially a mare, but at the time I was just stupid and blind. I wanted a horse, and I regret rushing into it, and now i'm being forced to sell her due to her problem and money. I really wish I would have waited, or at least done a trial. You can pound me for this, but it's okay because I will most likely agree with you. I thought I was going to lease her at first, but her owner dropped it on us that we were going to buy her a few days before she came. Her owner wanted to get rid of her.
If I would've waited, I could be with a beautiful, young and well-behaved Morgan gelding that I wanted really bad. But instead I rushed into buying a horse when I knew in the back of my mind she wasn't right for me, but it was being pushed aside by my other ideas.
Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't shy from Arabians because I know many very well behaved ones, but you have to make sure that they're right for you before you buy them.
GREAT article! I love it.
I never thought I would end up with an Arab, especially a mare, but at the time I was just stupid and blind. I wanted a horse, and I regret rushing into it, and now i'm being forced to sell her due to her problem and money. I really wish I would have waited, or at least done a trial. You can pound me for this, but it's okay because I will most likely agree with you. I thought I was going to lease her at first, but her owner dropped it on us that we were going to buy her a few days before she came. Her owner wanted to get rid of her.
If I would've waited, I could be with a beautiful, young and well-behaved Morgan gelding that I wanted really bad. But instead I rushed into buying a horse when I knew in the back of my mind she wasn't right for me, but it was being pushed aside by my other ideas.
Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't shy from Arabians because I know many very well behaved ones, but you have to make sure that they're right for you before you buy them.
Just a heads up everyone!
Thanks Spy for the article. :)
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48 days ago
• 2,303 views
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Dark Star
On the stallion thing, WHAT?! That is not true. My friend was 15 and showed her stallion in MANY shows, some high level. (He was a 7 year old 15.2 hand Peruvian Paso stallion) and they didn't say a word to them about it. He's a winning Dressage horse who was moved from our barn after he ripped through the stall door and got one of the Rocky Mountain broodmares pregnant. (The baby was still-born sadly)
Otherwise, this is a good article, I'd like to add one thing. Just because you get a horse from a friend, Do not think they will not lie to you about it.
My gelding, Archie, was a '11' year old 'deadbroke' Quarter Horse gelding when I got him. One of my friend's bred him and sold him as a 5 year old (After he was bred 4 times) to the people I bought him from (Also family friends) and the breeders told me after I bought him, He was a 15 year old paintaloosa proud-cut gelding. Those of you who knows my stories of my gelding know he is anything but dead broke, and not even in the same
On the stallion thing, WHAT?! That is not true. My friend was 15 and showed her stallion in MANY shows, some high level. (He was a 7 year old 15.2 hand Peruvian Paso stallion) and they didn't say a word to them about it. He's a winning Dressage horse who was moved from our barn after he ripped through the stall door and got one of the Rocky Mountain broodmares pregnant. (The baby was still-born sadly)
Otherwise, this is a good article, I'd like to add one thing. Just because you get a horse from a friend, Do not think they will not lie to you about it.
My gelding, Archie, was a '11' year old 'deadbroke' Quarter Horse gelding when I got him. One of my friend's bred him and sold him as a 5 year old (After he was bred 4 times) to the people I bought him from (Also family friends) and the breeders told me after I bought him, He was a 15 year old paintaloosa proud-cut gelding. Those of you who knows my stories of my gelding know he is anything but dead broke, and not even in the same catagory as the adjective 'sane'.
I must say, I'm 135 lbs and 5'10, and I have broke Shetland ponies, I trained a 13.3 hand 5 year old POA to jump, So just because you are a little big for them doesn't make a real big deal if you just trail ride occasionally. Now if you plan on showing, you do get points taken off if you are too big for them (Which is why I stopped 'showing' my gelding (Who is 14.3 hands).)
Overall a good article, though. IT was worth reading.
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48 days ago
• 2,292 views
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MoonBeam
Good article Spy! i know many people who seriously need to read this!
Good article Spy! i know many people who seriously need to read this!
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48 days ago
• 2,317 views
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Milly
Good article, I do agree with many of your points.
Although, the best advice to give is to get someone who has bought many horses. The wording in online sales is made to make the horse sound perfect. So if in doubt, contact the owner and ask those important questions like does it shoe, box and clip well.
It mainly depends on the horse, not all Arabs and Stallions are loonatics. You just have to know what your looking for, and someone who has bought before will know just buy it moving.
The best horse to get as a first time buyer is a cob, they are well mannered and don't have too much fizz :)
Good article, I do agree with many of your points.
Although, the best advice to give is to get someone who has bought many horses. The wording in online sales is made to make the horse sound perfect. So if in doubt, contact the owner and ask those important questions like does it shoe, box and clip well.
It mainly depends on the horse, not all Arabs and Stallions are loonatics. You just have to know what your looking for, and someone who has bought before will know just buy it moving.
The best horse to get as a first time buyer is a cob, they are well mannered and don't have too much fizz :)
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48 days ago
• 2,324 views
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Diddy
Wow, very well written! Love this :D
Wow, very well written! Love this :D
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48 days ago
• 2,534 views
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Horse Dreamer
GREAT! I ♥ed it, good work girl!
GREAT! I ♥ed it, good work girl!
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48 days ago
• 2,303 views
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Madeirey
So in-depth and everything! Love it! :D
So in-depth and everything! Love it! :D
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47 days ago
• 2,287 views
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Unbridled Sakia
Lots of great points! I agree with you 100%
Lots of great points! I agree with you 100%
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46 days ago
• 2,337 views
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46 days ago
• 2,309 views
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Lollipops
Amazing! Really good!
Amazing! Really good!
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43 days ago
• 2,314 views
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Moose
Good information! And good for beginners to read.
Good information! And good for beginners to read.
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39 days ago
• 2,330 views
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Horse Dreamer
Please, please keep doing this!
Please, please keep doing this!
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35 days ago
• 2,303 views
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Rusted Faith
Fantastic advice! First time buyers really need to be told this stuff, if they were told at the start it could have prevented so many problems.
Fantastic advice! First time buyers really need to be told this stuff, if they were told at the start it could have prevented so many problems.
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28 days ago
• 2,324 views
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happy day
Wow wish i would not of trusted my trainer 2 years ago when SHE found the 'perfect' pony for me!! i especially like the 4th paragraph a little bit of that started between me and my gelding!
Wow wish i would not of trusted my trainer 2 years ago when SHE found the 'perfect' pony for me!! i especially like the 4th paragraph a little bit of that started between me and my gelding!
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25 days ago
• 2,679 views
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ladykbug
i think mares are amazing
i think mares are amazing
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17 days ago
• 2,335 views
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Laugh and Ride
Great article! Great for first time articles
Great article! Great for first time articles
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Apr 7, 2012
• 2,498 views
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