Buying A Horse For The First Time

Buying a horse is the cheapest part of owning one. Before you decide to purchase, know how much board and expenses will be at the facility of your choosing. Determine the cost of one year of ownership. Sound scary? Then you may not be quite ready to buy. If everything looks good, this guide will get you started as you look for your first horse.

buying a horse for the first time

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First, be sure you can afford to own a horse (buying is one thing, long-term care and maintenance is another). Consult with a trusted trainer or experienced horse friend and decide what type, age, and level of horse is right for you. Be sure to look at and ride more than one horse before purchasing. A vet check is highly recommended. Try to stick to your budget, but be ready to spend at least $1,000 more than planned.

Especially when you first get a horse, used tack, or a less expensive brand can be a great way to save some money. If things work out, set a little aside each month and save for that brand-new saddle down the road.

Read this important guide first if you love riding horses, have the time and finances to keep one, and are ready to start looking for your first horse. Horses are a serious commitment and one that you do not want to enter into without keeping your emotions in check and doing careful research.

What should you keep in mind when buying your first horse? Before you begin your search, you will need to determine what kind of horse you are looking for based on your budget and experience level. While you are searching for the right horse for you, make sure to prepare for your new animal by purchasing everything you need and lining up professionals. Lastly, be diligent when looking at any horse, spend time with the horse, and invest in vet checks and riding trials.

Be honest with yourself about your current riding skills. You may have taken lessons for years, but that by itself does not mean that you have the level of experience to train a mustang. Most first horses should be older, experienced, and dead-broke. You will want a calm horse that has seen it all and is forgiving by nature.

Buying your first horse is exciting, and you will be full of anticipation. In reality, it can take months to find the right horse. Be patient and set emotional boundaries for yourself. Leave the cash and the horse trailer at home to make it easier to use sound judgment. If you arrive ready to buy a horse, you are more likely to skip necessary steps and overlook potential problems. Owning a horse is a huge commitment and one that you want to enter into responsibly and confidently.

When buying your first horse, the benefits of finding the right type of horse suitable for a novice to learn how to ride cannot be overstated. Your first horse is going to set the bar for how quickly you progress, grow in confidence, and enjoy being an equestrian.

As a novice rider, do you want to buy a first horse that you can have fun on? A horse that you can learn and improve on? A horse you can build a partnership with? Following the steps outlined in this blog will help you find a perfect first horse to achieve your goals.

As a novice rider, learning how to ride in the paces; walk, trot and canter, without assistance, is a useful goal to start with. Other goals most adult riders have when learning to ride include being comfortable out hacking, riding your horse on the beach, and enjoying sponsored rides with friends. You may also wish to learn how to jump around a small course of fences, with the ambition of taking your horse to an unaffiliated competition within the first twelve months.

Mixing novice horses with novice riders rarely works out well. A novice horse will be unsure and will therefore require an experienced rider who is able to provide an education and build confidence. Young horses going through their adolescent years can also have a cheeky side to them, where they will avoid doing what you ask. As a novice rider, learning how to ride is already difficult, buying a young horse will only make the challenge bigger and potentially more daunting. As a ball-park figure, for your first horse, stick to eight years old and up.

Sometimes it is easy to inflate your experience and level of riding ability. When you are buying a horse, it is advisable to be completely upfront and honest. Most sellers will be looking to match their horse with a suitable new owner.

Your first horse is going to be a little older and experienced, with age and experience, sometimes come old injuries. The seller has no doubt been upfront and honest, however, they may not be the original owner and sometimes things get missed. A pre-purchase vetting will highlight any issues that may put you off purchasing and would become expensive to treat or manage later on. If you are insuring your horse, it is likely the insurance company will want to see a vet report.

Buying your first horse as a novice rider can and should be an amazing experience. But, can turn into a disaster if not done correctly. The advice provided should help you find a suitable horse. However, it is not a guarantee, as with most things, you can do so much to increase the chances of finding the perfect horse, but there is still an element of luck involved, therefore we wish you the very best of luck with it!

Sometimes asking around the local equestrian community where the horse is currently located, can give you an insight into any positive or negative behaviours. Consider asking at the local tack shop or pony/riding club to see if anyone has anything to say. It might just save you the embarrassment of thinking the horse you have bought is an angel at a show only to discover that it is in fact the opposite.

While having a horse in the family can be rewarding, being a successful horse owner requires a great deal of time, money and a lasting commitment to the care and well-being of the animal. The keys to a long-term, successful relationship with a horse are twofold: making sure you choose an appropriate horse for your goals, skill level and resources, and having the knowledge and understanding to properly care for your horse daily.

For most equestrians, the first step to horse ownership is riding lessons at a local barn, where children learn how to safely lead, groom, tack up and ride a horse correctly. While these experiences are a great introduction to horses and a way to gauge a child's long-term interest, they typically don't teach your child everything they need to be a successful horse owner.

Buying a horse can be quite a task for the first time horse buyer. It is very beneficial for the buyer to have some horse experience prior to ownership, perhaps by working at a stable or by taking riding lessons. Prior experience with horse management and handling will help the new owner become a responsible and educated horse owner. As a first time buyer it is wise to ask a more experienced horse person to help in evaluating potential horses. Some questions that should be considered prior to purchasing a horse include:

Safety should be paramount for the first time horse owner so a more mature and seasoned horse may be what is needed. An enjoyable and safe mount makes riding more relaxing and fun. The level of riding as well as the horse care experience of the new owner should be considered before buying a horse so that the rider will feel comfortable and safe. While a more experienced horse person may enjoy the challenge of working with a less finished horse; a young, inexperienced rider should not be paired up with a young, inexperienced horse. A small rider may not be comfortable with a very large horse and may be better suited to a large pony or small horse. Avoid buying a young horse for a young rider and follow a general rule of the younger the child, the older the horse.

The first time horse owner should decide in advance what type of horse is wanted. Is there a specific breed or sex of horse in which the new owner is interested? Some breeds tend to be more high spirited while others are known for their calmness and ease of handling. Geldings tend to have a more level mind while some mares can be difficult to handle during estrus due to hormonal changes. Stallions should never be considered for the novice owner as they can be very difficult to handle and unpredictable in their behavior. In the case of youth, even experienced youth, purchasing a stallion is normally not desirable as many associations or competitive events prohibit anyone under the age of 18 from handling stallions at shows or other events.

A decision must be made ahead of time as to whether the horse will be boarded at a commercial stable or kept at your own property. It may be easier for the new owner to board the horse at a local stable and learn how to care for the horse while in a supervised environment with professional assistance. For the first time horse owner there are many benefits to boarding at a nearby stable. These may include:

A new horse owner must prepare for the costs associated with ownership. Buying the horse is usually the least expensive part of horse ownership. Depending on the local area and situation, one may expect to spend at least $1,000 to $2,000 per horse per year on feed, health care, equipment, farrier and veterinary services over and above boarding along with other miscellaneous expenses. Be sure to investigate the cost of horse ownership in the area before making such a large and long term investment as a horse owner. Visiting with the county Extension agent or local horse professionals can assist with establishing a cost range. Setting a budget range before going horse shopping will help keep prices in check and avoid wasting time looking at horses well outside your price range. Additional costs associated with ownership include:

Horse ownership can be very rewarding with the appropriate horse and necessary budget. Time spent preparing for horse ownership is well spent if it allows for more enjoyment with the horse. Buying and maintaining a horse is a major commitment. The prospective horse buyer should consider the financial commitment as well as the long term commitment to the well being of the horse. If the commitment is there, then considering the points listed above can help make the purchase of your first horse a pleasurable experience that lasts for many year to come! 041b061a72