Sunday, February 26, 2012

So, You Want To Buy A Horse - What Do You Need To Know?

By Harriet Harman


Before going to the great cost of purchasing a horse, you want to gauge how good a rider you are , and just how much do you actually know about horses and horse care. Make no mistake, you want to truly be truthful with yourself as this is a huge commitment. Ask what size and age of horse would work well for you also.

OK you have just fallen madly in love with a flashy looking equine and now what? What do you want to achieve and is THIS the horse for you? Are you going to be hunting, driving, barrel racing, trail riding or jumping? Are you going to ride at all? It's possible to get horses simply to drive.

What about this horse's temperament? Quiet, feisty, in your face, amenable, or grouchy? If you are not happy with horses, do not get a forceful horse, as you will find it controlling you and not the other way round. If you are planning to just trail ride, don't buy an eventing horse.

If you don't have horse experience then do not buy a young horse and try and train it. Two beginners who do not know much do not make a good mix. Wait till you have more experience or pay the price for your mistakes - like wounds to you and your horse because you did not know precisely what you were doing.

Take an experienced chum with you to test out horses. Better they help you appraise the horse so you do not wind up over horsed (purchasing a horse that is far too much for you to handle). Your experienced mate can also ride the horse for you to appraise if it might work for you. If the prevailing owner is riding the horse, and they insist you don't need to try the horse - run, don't walk as far away as you can, and keep looking.




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