How to Buy Your First Horse
So your parents have decided your responsible enough to own
a horse? Or you’ve finally saved up on your own? Great! But before you jump at the first horse you see, there are many
things to consider first.
Before
even looking for a horse yet, ask yourself these questions.
-What
kind of riding will I do?
-Am I
financially prepared?
-There are a lot more expenses after
buying the horse
-What
type of horse do I want?
After
answering these questions, consider these qualifications for your perfect horse.
Gender
Generally, if you are inexperienced,
you will want to get a gelding or a mare. Geldings are more quiet than mares, but both are suitable. Avoid stallions for beginners.
They are hot tempered and tend to be more wild, especially when there are mares around.
Age
The prime years in a horse’s life are between 7 and 11 years old. Try to avoid getting any horses
younger then 7 as they are still maturing and may not listen to your aids.
Experience
What kind of experience do you have? If you are a beginner, you should start with a quiet tempered
horse who is responsive to your aids. Avoid horses who spook or are ‘flighty’ a lot if the times, as they can
be dangerous for beginners.
If you are more experienced, a horse with a little more ‘spunk’ may be right for you.
Color
Color doesn’t play
a big factor in choosing a horse then other qualifications. However, some colors aren’t right for certain areas. Albinos
and horses with pink skin are prone to catching a sunburn in hot climates, such as Florida. If you choose one of these horses,
make sure you use sunscreen on the areas prone.
Size
If you are 6 ft, you are
not going to want a small pony. Likewise, if you are 4 ft, you are not going to want a 17 hand horse. Find a horse that is
suitable for your size. A horse that is too big or too small for you will not allow you to give your aids correctly.
Health
Make sure you find out
if the horse is healthy and sound or not. If you can, it’s a good idea to get a vet to look over your potential horse
to be sure.
Take a Test Ride
Make sure the horse is
responsive to your aids and that you feel comfortable with him. If you intend on using him for jumping, take him over a jump.
Or around a couple of barrels.
Trial
Most horse owners will
allow you to take the horse home for a trial period. This is a good chance to see of you and your horse are really suited
for each other. This also gives you an opportunity to see if he was tranquilized, any stable vices he may have, and how he
adapts to change. If you find out he is not right for you, you can return him to his owner.
Where to Look
There are a lot of places
to look for horses for sale, such as:
-Classifieds
-Internet
-Horse magazines
-Associations
-Feed and Tack store ads
-Your riding stable
-Local stables
-Auctions
-Vet
-Adoption
And, finally, take an experienced horse person with you to look for your first horse. It can be a vet,
farrier, trainer, or even a friend as long as they know what you’re looking for. They may notice things you don’t
and ask questions you wouldn’t think of asking yourself.
And if you find your perfect horse, try negotiating the price. You may be surprised.