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Selecting A Horse
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 Owning
a horse is a big responsibility. It requires a commitment of both
time and money. The new owner should be prepared to spend time grooming,
exercising, and caring for the animal, or assume the responsibility
to see that the basic care will be performed daily. Unless the horse
is kept on the owner's property, travel time to and from the stable
must be considered. The costs of owning a horse can add up quickly
as you provide shelter, feed, medical care, shoeing, and riding
equipment.
Before buying a horse for their children, parents would be wise
to reinforce the child's commitment. Arrange with a local stable
for lessons for your youngster. Give your child the opportunity
to participate in supervised care of a horse for a month or two.
If the youngster "sticks" with the chores of horse ownership,
he or she is probably responsible enough to own one.
Before you purchase a horse, decide where you will keep the animal
and how much it will cost. In many instances the purchase price
is not as much as the annual boarding fee. If you live on property
that can support a horse - legally and physically - be sure that
you have adequate stabling. If you live in a cold climate, you might
want to consider boarding the animal, at least during the winter
months, at a stable with an indoor arena. Riding in freezing weather
is unpleasant and can even be dangerous for both horse and rider.
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What Kind of Horse Should You Get?
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Because riding is a team sport - of the horse and rider
- it is important that you buy a horse that suits the temperament
and style of the rider. A nervous, fearful rider should have a calm
horse that will not react in kind. A child should not have a horse
or pony that will bolt. An experienced rider will want a sensitive
horse that responds to the slightest commands.
Before you decide to buy a horse of your own, you should already have
some riding experience or have taken riding lessons. Once you understand
your riding abilities and limitations, you will be in a better position
to choose a horse with a temperament that will suit you.
You should also consider the type of riding you intend to do. "English"
riders may want a purely pleasure horse for riding "on the flat."
Other "English" riders may want a horse that will jump,
or even one that can be taken on the hunt field. "Western"
riders may want a horse to use for trail riding, working cattle, or
other "Western" show events.
Whichever style of riding you prefer, it is best if the first horse
you buy is already "schooled." First-time horse owners should
avoid younger animals that require a lot of training. An older horse that
already has the skills you need is usually a better buy for the first-time
owner and younger rider.
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Where Do You Look For a Horse?
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A good place to buy a horse is the stable
where you ride or plan to keep the horse. The stable owner has an
interest in keeping you satisfied, and knowing your abilities and
temperament he or she can suggest a suitable animal.
Riding instructors are also good agents for locating a suitable horse
since it is important to them that their students do well in competition.
Breeders are another good source. Generally they want to see their
animals well placed and will make every effort to provide a horse
you can enjoy. Most every breed has a registration association that
can direct you to breeders in your area.
A common source is the classified section of your local newspaper
or the bulletin board of your local tack shop. Here you have little
knowledge of the seller and little recourse should the horse purchase
prove unsatisfactory.
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Trying Out the Horse
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When going to look at an animal, the first-time buyer should be
accompanied by a knowledgeable horseman or horsewoman. There is
so much to observe and so much to ask that the inexperienced buyer
may have trouble remembering it all. Observe the horse in the stall
and pasture, and how it behaves when someone is loading, hauling,
and catching the horse.
Temperament should be most important to you - leave health to the
experts. Look at the horse's eyes and ears and general manner when
it is brought out. Does it look alert? Be sure that you look at
the animal in a well-lit place, preferably outdoors in the sunlight.
Watch the owner saddle up the horse. Does it stand quietly? Does
it kick or bite? Do not buy a horse with bad stable manners.
Do not get on the animal right away. Ask the owner to ride the horse
first. Watch how the animal acts when mounted - does it stand still
or does it dance around? Ask the owner to take the horse through
its gaits, the walk, trot, and canter. Does it look smooth? Does
it toss its head or fight the bit? If you are buying a hunter or
jumper or other specially trained horse, ask the owner to demonstrate.
If you and your adviser are satisfied that the horse is safe for
you to ride, it is your turn to mount. Once again, observe how it
reacts when you mount, and how it reacts to your commands. Try out
any special skills that the horse has. This is a major investment
and you should be allowed to test the animal thoroughly. You could
make observations on a second visit that you did not see the first
time.
Many times a brief trial period (7-10 days) can be arranged for
the prospective buyer. This allows the buyer to have the horse and
see if the two are really compatible.
Even if you fall in love with the horse, do not buy it before the
animal has been thoroughly examined by a veterinarian with experience
in performing purchase examinations. Long-time horse owners almost
always have a veterinarian examine any animal before purchase and
first-time owners should certainly do so.
The veterinarian will check the horse for:
- Age
- General condition - alertness, health of the eyes, ears, heart,
lungs, digestive system
- Health of skin and coat
- Soundness of musculoskeletal system - limbs evaluated, conformation
abnormalities noted, and the condition of the feet and type of
shoeing observed
- Internal and external parasites (worms, ticks)
Discuss exactly what the pre-purchase examination will include
so that the necessity of additional tests such as x-rays, drug tests,
or endoscopy can be determined.
After you have purchased your horse, your veterinarian is your best
source for information about vaccinations, parasite control, and
other routine health matters as well as emergency medical care.
One final point that all horse owners, beginners and experienced,
should remember is that a horse is a living being whose life and
welfare is in your hands.
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