Getting Your First Horse – Choosing a Beginners Horse
So you are thinking about getting your first horse? There are a lot of things to consider before buying a horse. Some people think that you can just buy a horse and put it out in a pasture with grass and water. This is far from true. You will need to think about where you will keep the horse, how much time you have to dedicate to him, your ability and your finances.
Grazing Muzzle
While it is true that horses can live on grass alone without grain, they need the right amount of grass. If they don’t get enough, they can lose weight and be too thin. If they get too much, they may founder. Founder occurs when a horse eats so much that they get fat and are unable to walk due to pain in their feet. If you do not have enough grass in your field, you will need to feed your horse hay. This is also a requirement in the winter when the grass dies. If there is too much grass available, or if your horse has a tendency to gain weight easily, you will need to restrict the amount of grass the horse has available to eat. One way this can be done is by using a grazing muzzle. A grazing muzzle has a small hole in it, so the horse can only eat small amounts of grass. If your horse has never used a grazing muzzle, they have to be introduced to it slowly; otherwise they may not know how to eat with it.
Another thing to consider is your ability. If you are a beginner, it is best to get a horse that is experienced and knows its job and is not nervous or easily frightened (spooky). Well trained horses are often called schoolmasters and horses that do not spook are called bomb proof. Older horses tend to make better beginner horses than younger ones. Good beginner horses may also be called family horses. It is best to find a horse that is very forgiving, which means they don’t get upset, if a beginner makes a mistake.
Another thing to consider is how much you are willing to spend. Prices for horses can range quite a bit. Flashy show horses cost thousands of dollars, while less flashy horses do not cost nearly as much. The horse’s amount of training is also a factor in price. The more training a horse has, the higher the price. A horse with very little training will be cheaper, but it will not be good for a beginner.
When you shop for a horse, it is best to take someone with you who is experienced with horses. You should also arrange to have a pre-purchase veterinary exam done to ensure that the horse is healthy and sound. Often times, there will be things that are found in these exams, but you need to ask yourself if the things found really matter to you.
As you can see, there are a lot of things to consider when buying your first horse. I have just touched on a few. Before getting a horse, take some time to do some research. It will pay off in the long run.
