Going horse shopping for that perfect horse can be stressful and scary at times. Finding that right horse takes a lot of time too. I remember when I went looking for my perfect first horse. In my eyes all the horses I saw were perfect but you have to remember that when it comes to buying your first horse, the horse's looks only go so far. So if you’re thinking about buying a horse and you consider yourself to be a beginner or first timer then here are a few tips that will help you avoid being put into a situation where you end up with an animal that’s not suitable for you.
1. Take riding lessons.
It is very important that you have some horse experience before getting your first horse. Horses are big animals that could drag you around if they wanted to which could cause you to get hurt if your not careful. Taking riding lessons will help you learn to control and understand horses and how they work. Everyone who buys a horse should have some basic knowledge on how to care for a horse, control a horse and how to ride.
2. Take an experienced horse owner/trainer with you.
This is very important especially if your new to the horse world and you're not quiet sure what you are looking for. An experienced horse owner or trainer will know what to check for. For example she will check if the horse is sound, healthy and rides well. These are things that can easily be missed if you aren’t yet familiar with what to look for. If you’ve been taking lessons ask your instructor to come with you if you know of no one else.
3. Ask about the horse’s history.
This is an important step because I have off the track race horses and it's good to know their past history and pedigree. You can ask questions like how long have they owned the horse? Why are they selling the horse? Does the horse have registration papers that will be signed over to you upon the sale? You can never ask too many questions. If the seller doesn't say much, or hasn’t owned the horse long enough to provide this information, find out if there was a recent or previous owner you can get in contact with.
4. Handle the horse when you get there.
If the seller suggests having the horse all ready to ride when you arrive, ask if they could wait to tack up the horse until you get there. You’ll want to see how the horse acts coming out of the stall or pasture, being led around, and getting groomed and tacked up. If the horse is giving its owner trouble before it even gets the saddle on, you may want to move on and keep looking.
5. Find out who they use for their veterinarian and farrier.
Ask about who they use for their vet and farrier and get in contact with them so that way you can ask questions about recent or past health issues. Make sure the horse is up to date with its shots and coggins. Ask the farrier about the horses past hoof care and if there has been issues in the past with the horse.
6. Ask the seller to ride the horse first before you.
If you find that the seller is hesitant about on getting on first don't even think about getting on. This shows that the horse is unsafe and it's not worth getting hurt over. So, in other words move on to a different horse.
7. Keep your options open.
Really make sure you clearly think about that perfect horse before you get it. If you go home after looking and your second guessing your choice take some more time. Like I said finding that perfect horse takes time and patients never rush into your decision.
8. Never quit learning about horses.
I've learned so many new things over the years and it has helped me be a better horse trainer and owner. I still take lessons and I've been taking lessons since I was 6 and I'm 18. So always continue learning because you can never learn too much when it comes to horses!
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