Things To Do Before You Get A Horse

1. Purchasing a fence for the pasture. Before you buy your first horse, you have to figure out where the horse will be kept and allowed to roam. If you are going to allow the horse to roam your pasture, then you need to purchase a fence for the horse’s safety. Vinyl fences are affordable, low maintenance, aesthetically pleasing, safe, and durable.
2. Buying a horse that has been trained. Beginners should buy a horse that has been trained by a professional. Training a young or inexperienced horse can take months and these horses can be unreliable. Keep yourself safe by purchasing a horse that has been trained.
3. Purchasing an older horse. Do you have a fantasy of buying a young horse that you can train and bond with from the beginning? Young horses are undisciplined and can be unsafe, especially with children, so consider buying a mature horse that knows how to handle most situations. Many healthy older horses can be ridden well into their senior years.
4. The purpose of the horse. You should be aware of the reason that you’re buying a horse. Is the horse a pasture horse, wanted for trail riding, going to be a show horse? This will definitely affect your decision.
5. Have the horse examined by a veterinarian. It would be horrible to buy a horse and then find out that it isn’t healthy, needs surgery, or has a fatal illness.
6. Ask for a trial run. Make sure that you ask the seller for a trial period of a few days. During this time you should do all of the things that you’ll have to do with the horse after you purchase him such as riding the horse, tack him up, give him a bath, and spend time with him in his stall. If the seller won’t give you a trial period with the horse, proceed with caution.
7. Don’t settle for the first horse that you find. Finding the right fit might take time, and you should enjoy the process of purchasing your first horse.
8. Take someone with you when first meeting the seller and the horse. Do you have a riding coach or know someone with years of experience with horses? Ask them to tag along. Everyone can use a second opinion.
9. The time and money that is a part of horse care. Make sure you’re ready for this huge responsibility.
10. Have fun. This should be a fun, exciting experience.