Introductory guide to Purchasing a Horse
It is important, when buying a horse, to do your research into what owning a horse involves including how expensive it is. Owning your own horse is incredibly enjoyable but it is a good idea to be aware of some of the costs and sacrifices you may have to make in your own life in order to look after the horse properly.
First of all you need to make up your mind about actually going in for a horse and talk to a trainer about your needs and exchange a few thoughts with him regarding the amount of investment of time and money required to maintain a horse. This is very important as after a year or so, you might feel that you are not be able to give your horse proper time.
If you ride horses and often visit ranches and stables, you can talk to a few coaches and trainers about your plans of buying a horse. These people usually know other clients who are looking to sell their horses and may negotiate the price for you and arrange a horse that suits your riding style.
You should learn the art of horse grooming and training and should also have some basic idea about horse health and well being. You should also be aware of what sort of first aid should be provided to horses in case of minor injuries. It might be a good idea to learn the local laws in regards to keeping a horse and realize what your responsibilities towards horses are. You should also familiarize with a good local vet and keep him handy for any eventualities.
Make sure you budget for horse feeding, saddles, stirrups etc, horse’s Medicare and training. Once you have narrowed your search for the horse to one or two prospects, you need to assess the horse on grounds such as the reason for sale, breeding and competition history, pedigree, any medical complications in the past and bad habits, if any.
Make sure that the horse suits your riding style, your height and your posture. After the first visit, take an experienced professional along with you to assess the horse and ask as many questions as possible.
Before riding it, you should let the horse acclimatize to the new environment for a week or so. Take it for short walks and observe his behavior. Make sure that the horse is not getting irritated and excited. Keep it in a peaceful area before taking it full throttle for a ride.
Buying a horse can be an exciting journey. It is also a tremendous amount of work but done right it is a rewarding experience.
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