Posts Tagged ‘First Horse’

I am looking into buying my first horse. If someone could tell about an average cost, that would be awesome.

I would like to know what types of hay are the most nutritious for my 10 yr old mustang mare. Growing up, my family had horses, but i never really paid attention to what the different kinds of hay were. This is our first horse of our own, and we want her to stay healthy & happy. Please only answer only if you know what you are talking about. Thanx, Greatly Appreciated.

I’m planning on getting a horse, I would like to know what breed(s) of horses would be good for a first timer like me? I’ve ridden English saddle and i love it, which breed of horse would be good with that too? And also, what would sum up all of the costs in preparing for all the necessities in getting a horse?

Know any good books about horse care? I think I may adopt my first horse in a couple of months. I’ve never owned my own horse- just leased. I’m interested in books with a lot of good information and advice!

-Please note, i do not need you to explain basic horse care to me. I already know basic horse care. I’m more interested in finding a book that will help me understand advanced horse care- like arthritis and aging ect.

An equestrian horse can be a wonderful friend but purchasing your first horse can be demanding of your patience. Go slow and follow some of the rules below and your chances of making a good purchase will be better.

Here are some general rules to follow. Talk with the seller and find out how old the horse is. Horses best years are between the ages of five to ten. If you are new to riding, a more mature horse is a better choice.

Make an early decision as to whether you want a registered horse or whether an unregistered horse would be acceptable. This is a personal decision that is made primarily on budget considerations.

The size of the horse is important so inquire about his weight and height. A horse’s height is measured in “hands” where a hand is four inches. A good size for a pleasure riding horse is about 15 hands. Measure from the ground up to the withers of the neck along the front leg. Weight is not quite so critical. Some types of horses can simply be heavier by nature.

Ask how many people have owned the horse. Find out the reason for the sale. A horse with a bad personality or attitude problems is likely to be resold often. Do a little probing to determine if this is the case. Point out to the seller that you will require a vet exam before buying. This may uncover some problems the seller is not telling you about.

Determine if the horse has had any training and what the qualifications of the trainer were. Find out what the horse’s history has been as far as his use. Are you looking for a horse for competition jumping or everyday riding? You will find that you will spend less on a young, untrained horse because of the time you will have to spend with your new animal. This could be a good choice if your budget is tight and you have the background and time to spend with training. If you are a beginner and just getting to know horses you really should spend more money and get a well-trained horse. An older horse can be a wise purchase since they are generally less expensive but will most likely have been trained.

Here are some things you can do wrong when buying an equestrian horse. Don’t turn down and older horse just because he is older. They are typically more gentle and great for the new rider. You can ride a good horse until he is well into his twenties.

Never try to buy a young green horse for a young person. Your child should start with a more mature horse that is easier to ride.

Avoid auction horses. Horses sold at auction are more likely to have been sick or have been hard to ride. It is harder to research your purchase at an auction.

The horse’s coat pattern and color should not be the primary factor in determining which horse to buy. Fall back on the above rules first in picking a horse.

For more advice on horses please visit our website at: http://www.petinfoonline.com

Author: Reba J.
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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What are the specific things you look for in a horse that you go to see? What are things you ask the owner about their horse?

How can you, as a buyer, be able to tell how healthy a horse is before having a vet do a pre-purchase exam?

As a first horse, what qualities would you really look for?

So, you have a horse crazy child, and you are thinking about getting him or her that first horse. Whether you have experience with horses or not, finding the perfect horse for your child can be like finding a needle in the proverbial haystack. There is no shortage of horses and ponies that are advertised as “kid safe”. Unfortunately, the actual percentage of horses that are truly “kid safe” is very small. Here are some tips on finding that perfect horse or pony that will become a member of your family and take care of your precious little one.

First of all, consider the age and skills of your child. For a very young child who hasn’t had lessons in horsemanship, an older “babysitter” horse is a must. Often there is a misconception that like with puppies, young horses and children can grow up together. A young horse needs the guidance and experience of a trainer or very experienced rider. It takes many months, even years of training to teach a horse his job, and this is something well beyond the scope of an inexperienced child. A “been there, done that” type of horse is much better suited to a young or inexperienced rider.

I initially look for several things when considering a safe, kid’s horse. First of all, the temperament of the horse is crucial. Will he stand tied quietly (for hours) without getting impatient, pulling back, or jumping around? Is he calm under pressure, like loud noises, sudden movements, and being touched all over? He should be easy and safe to saddle, bridle, have his feet handled, easy to catch, and trailer load.

Then I look at his past history. What has he been used for? A horse that has had a lot of miles on him may be a good bet. If he’s been sitting in a pasture for much of his life, he doesn’t have the exposure to the many situations that an old veteran may have. I also look at his age. Not that there can’t be a great kid’s horse that is younger than 6, but it would be much less common. I don’t discount the older horses at all, even the much older horses. My daughters all learned to ride on horses that were 20 years old and older. These horses were worth their weight in gold, and they took care of my girls. In return, we gave them a loving home in their golden years with light work, good feed, and lots of love. We lost the last of these great horses at the ripe old age of 36. The criteria I mentioned before still apply to these older horses; you don’t want one that is highly spirited, and some are, even at 20+years.

Also of equal importance is the horse’s training. “Whoa” is much more important than “Go”. The horse should have a good handle, and he should be easy to stop and steer. A horse that is hard to control is not only frustrating for a child, but dangerous as well.

Then, I look at the overall condition of the horse. Does he have any lameness issues? Some very mild lameness in a kid’s horse wouldn’t necessarily be cause for me to rule him out. A veterinary inspection should be done prior to purchase to rule out any serious health issues. Lastly, and probably most importantly, your child should be comfortable with the horse and you both should feel safe with him. If possible, a trial period of a week or two would be ideal. That way, you can determine if the horse or pony is a good match for your child. I always encourage horsemanship lessons because knowledge and safety are the key to a great relationship with horses. When you find the perfect kid’s horse for your child, you will be amazed at the partnership and bond they will form together, and the peace of mind you will have knowing that your child is being taken care of by his equine friend.

Article written by Adrienne Pietrafeso. Adrienne and her husband Ron own Missing Creek Ranch Cutting Horses, raising, training and showing cutting horses with their three daughters in Colorado. Visit them at http://www.MissingCreekRanch.com

Author: Adrienne Pietrafeso
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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I’m picking out my first horse in two weeks. I’ve ridden before with other friends horse but all we do is ride around the pasture. And my mom said if i have my own horse i could do dressage and hunter/jumping.