Anything I should know about owning a horse?

Question

I am lucky enough to be getting a horse!

I have been riding since I was 4 and now I am 13 and I am finally getting a horse!

It has been my dream forever and I'm finally getting one!

I know the basics obv. but I was wondering that anyone with a good experience could give me some tips?

How do I choose a good horse?

How do I know which one to choose?

Questions like that.

I've looked up stuff like that on the internet but half of it's really confusing and conplicated :S

Thanks...

I will reward a best answer soon :)

Answer 1

Man this sounds like I did when I got my first horse. I know its really exciting. Since others are telling you your not ready (in one word or another) I just wanna say, have fun and go with the flow. You've been riding since you were 4. Obviously your parents are going to be there to help you out. When going to pick a horse, I can not stress this enough... TAKE YOUR TIME! I know it stinks, because you want it NOW! Or atleast I know I did, but trust me just take your time in picking the right one. To choose a good horse, just go with your gut feeling. Wait for a horse that you just connect with. That's what I did and I could not ask for another horse and he just so happened to be FREE! He was not trained, but we connected so well I trained him myself and have never had problems with him. Personally I think you're gonna have this horse for a long time, so pick one you get a good feeling about! Good luck and have fun with your new horse!!

Answer 2

Always talk to the owner about the horse you are about to buy. Always have a vet check out the horse you are about to buy.

Ask questions like...can i pick all his hooves up to clean?

Does he load in a trailer? Is he trained to ride?

I would buy a horse that is not hot blooded, that means little Arabian.

Ride the horse just like you would test drive a car.

Then i would buy a book on horse care. There are many things you need to know about taking care of a horse. They are big animals but are just like gold fish-things need to be done to keep them healthy and happy. You new horse will have to depend on you-he can't do this on his own anymore in the wild.

Good luck. Oh and talk to as many horse people as you can.

Answer 3

I breed tennessee walking horses, and I love them so much.  They're incredibly smart, and the perfect first horse.  Very quiet, highly intelligent, and they take care of their rider.  Make sure to look at their feet, ask if it's hard to keep weight on them, why the person is selling, if they are willing to sell the horse's tack with the horse, be sure to haggle for the price (within reason) but only when you're actually out seeing the horse, be sure that you can trailer the horse from where he/she is currently to where you're going to be keeping them, if it's a gelding be sure to ask how long he's been one and if he was cut late (trust me on this), if it's a mare ask if she has really difficult heats where she tries to kill you, ask why the person bought this horse, if they've ever been stalled for any length of time, if they have any fear of other animals (cows, llama, moose, deer, goats, cows, did I say cows?), if they are an alpha or omega horse or they don't care, if it's hard to find tack for their size, what rider level has ridden them mostly, if they have papers, make sure to lightly pull on their nostrils to see how calm they are, put your fingers in their ears, check under their tail, run your hand EVERYWHERE, ride the horse, get off the horse, ride them again, let someone else ride them, etc.  That should give you a pretty good idea.  Using this model, I've had great luck with horses.  But then again, I am looking to buy in a great breed :).

I've bought two horses within the last year, and I still have many tips left over.  Im or email me anytime, I'll be more than happy to help you further.  I just love this breed and I promote it at every turn!

Answer 4

Just know that you're going to have to clean it's hooves, pick up the p**p and brush the it's hair, feed it well.

Answer 5

Besides care, health, and exercise, I suggest you purchase a horse that will do well in your particular level of riding and style of riding.  If your purchasing from a local farm or person etc. ask if you can perhaps ride the horse first. Pay attention to his/her temperament and how well they respond to you.  Also take in to account if you will be competing. Will this horse be living near other animals? If so, are they even tempered enough? Ask alot a questions. Owning a horse is a big responsibility.

Answer 6

Okay well, I'm 13 too, and I just bought my horse last summer. When looking for a horse don't just buy the horse because it looks pretty or whatever (which is kinda obvious) but realize that the horse is special and you should have some kind of connection with them. Always make sure you can handle your horse. When I bought my horse the owners had been riding him everyday, I can't do that just because of my schedule, but so every time I rode him he had tons of extra energy that I wasn't prepared for. So the point  is make sure you can handle your horse in every element. And do research and talk to the owners very thoroughly (what is his everyday routine and such) and make sure you have the time and money to devote to your horse, and you probably will have to give up some of your daily things to care for your horse because it isn't fair to him to leave them sitting in a stall while your hanging out with friends. well that's what I have to say, hope it helps!

Answer 7

Choosing A Horse

Selecting a horse is exciting, whether it is your first or your fiftieth. A new horse can open up a world of possibilities and fun, but it is also important to make sure that the horse will meet your needs as a rider. An ideal horse will perform well, stay healthy, and be pleasurable to work with, whether you are trail riding, using the horse for plowing, or participating in equestrian events like dressage and racing. Keep your needs and limitations in mind when you are searching for a horse to ensure that you get the perfect horse for you.

The first thing to think about is what the horse will be used for: pleasure riding, driving, dressage, jumping, eventing, racing, or working, for example. Next, think about the rider's experience. If you are buying the horse for yourself, ask for an honest assessment from your trainer about your level of skills and the type of horse that might be suited to you. If the horse is being purchased for someone else, especially a child, purchase a horse which will suit his or her abilities. You should also consider costs; horses range widely in cost depending on their level of training, breeding, and history, but they also cost a lot of money to maintain. Think about boarding fees, feeding, and veterinary care when purchasing a horse, and if you have never owned a horse before, ask horse owning friends about the costs of upkeep.

Also think about aesthetic and breed needs. Heavier riders will need larger, sturdier horses, while small and short riders would do well to think about ponies and small breeds. Certain breeds of horse have characteristics that are favorable for some activities: Clydesdales, for example, drive very well, while Thoroughbreds are built for speed. If you prefer a particular coat color or breed, consider this when looking for horses; if you want a Palomino, you will never be happy with a Paint.

Next, think about training. Many people prefer to buy horses fully trained, so that they can get straight to work. If you want to train the horse yourself, decide on whether you want a totally green horse, or a horse with some basic skills. Be aware that different styles of riding require different training: do not purchase a dressage horse for trail riding, for example, or a Western pleasure horse for English jumping. The older a horse is, the better trained and behaved it tends to be, unless it has picked up bad habits. If you are purchasing a horse for an inexperienced rider, you certainly want a well trained, well behaved horse.

Once you have thought about needs and training, start checking out horses for sale in your area. Make several appointments to look at horses, and do not settle for the first one you meet. When going to inspect a horse, look it over carefully. Inspect the way in which the horse is put together. Is the horse built well for the tasks you need it to perform? Take someone more experienced along if you are not familiar with what to look for. While you are inspecting the horse, look for a clean, healthy coat, bright eyes, and any signs of sores and swelling. Ask the owners about the horse's history, and keep an eye on the horse's behavior. A horse which stands quietly while being examined is a good candidate for purchase, while a horse which fusses, nips, or fidgets may be a trouble maker.

After you have met and examined the horse, spend some time using the horse as you would after your purchase it. Saddle it for riding on the trail or take it through a dressage routine in an arena, or harness it for driving or other work. While using the horse, watch for signs of lameness and poor behavior, and see how well the horse responds to commands and guidance. Be certain to ask the owners about how the horse has been trained and handled, and ask for some time to think the decision over. If you liked the horse, call the owners and ask for a second appointment, and bring a veterinarian along for a second opinion. If you are not interested, call the owners and inform them, as a basic courtesy.

Answer 8

Before you buy a horse, I suggest that you need to take lessons FIRST.  Establish a relationship with a trainer and have them go with you and help you find that perfect first horse that will suit you.