Hello! Call me Breyerhorserider. I own 4 horses and a gigantic piece of land, along with a big barn. We are selling one of our horses and getting a new horse next year. You have the exact same experience as me, even though i'm a little older than you. I have been through, and done it all when it comes to buying horses. I made mistakes. Here's a few tips to avoid making the same mistakes that I made.
1. Don't buy a wild horse. Even if their cute, if you ever see them rear or buck in the pasture, don't get them.
2. Test ride them. You want a horse that is good away from other horses. You want to be able to walk, trot, and canter for at least 2 hours without the horse acting up, and listening to you.
3. Clean the horse. Pick the horses hooves, brush the horse and tack the horse up a couple times to get used to the horse. Don't buy a horse that can't pick up their hooves easily.
4.LOOKS DONT MATTER!!! As long as you don't get a pony, (which always looks cute and end up terrible), don't worry about size or color, or if you don't care about shows, it doesn't matter if the horse is registered.
5. Mind the horse's age. Never get a horse that is too young. People usually want to buy a younger horse so the last longer, but a 20 year old horse will last almost as long as a 10 year old horse if you take care of it well. I would suggest since this is your first horse, getting a horse aged 9-25.
6. Keeping a horse. Keeping a horse has more responsibility than you think. You need to build a paddock, a riding space, and a barn in good condition for a horse for those bitter winters. You have to buy a good fitting saddle, bridle, girth and boots, as well as your own safety equipment. Farrier and vet bills pile up. Leave at least 3000$ per year for the farrier and vet. You also have to buy food, like hay and grain, which can cost another 1000$ per year. They say 1 horse per acre, well usually, but 2 quarter acre pastures is good too. You have to make sure you brush your horse every day.
7. Buy a horse that fits you! What do you want to do with your horse? Shows? Pleasure? Trails? Choose the horse that suits your discipline! Keep this in mind when buying your first horse.
Thank you for reading! I hope it helps! Bye!
Nov 13, 2011 Rating
Hi Ally by: Unicorn
The first thing I'd like to say is, welcome to the real horse world. You've never really experienced horses until you've owned and taken care of one yourself. So congratulations on being able to get your own horse! You are indeed blessed! It's important to have an experienced person that can help you. A good instructor is worth their weight in gold. They can help you if things go wrong (horses get sick or injured) and also help you to keep things going right. Also, pick the right horse. obviously, if you're not terribly experienced, you want a well-trained horse and a horse that's a nice ride and suits the purpose you have in mind for it. Consider health issues as well. An inexperienced horsekeeper would be much better off with a "good doer" who gets fat easily and doesn't have health problems. You don't want to get stuck with an asthmatic horse or one that is prone to laminitis. They're best left to experienced horsepeople. Horses are a massive commitment. Horses need to be fed every single day; in the rain, in the cold, in blistering heat, on Sundays, during the holidays, very early in the morning before going to school, when you don't feel like it, when you plan to go to a movie - they still need to be fed and cared for. You can't just pack them away in a wardrobe when you're done with them. You probably already know this, but it bears repeating. Horses can live for 30 years or more, so unless you sell it, you're stuck with it for a long, long time. Make sure you can commit to being responsible for a living thing for that long. Lastly, I hate to say this and it's a nasty thing to remember, but they die. Ultimately the joy of having your own horse and befriending it is worth the heartache when they pass on, but it happens. Have a fantastic time with your new horse. Always wear a helmet. And remember that you're a very very lucky girl! Have loads of fun! Unicorn
Nov 13, 2011 Rating
Ask your instructor(: by: Hannah
Hey! I totally agree with the "I need this for my life to be complete.." part. I keep trying to convince her of that too, but she doesn't believe me yet:P If you're wondering whether or not you should get a horse, I would ask your lesson instructor (if you're still taking lessons), because I think they would know more than anyone since they've seen your ride and they have a lot of experience. Good luck! :D
Nov 12, 2011 Rating
??? by: lily
I think you could be ready because you could get a great beginners horse but i do not think you have enough land (to us it is 5 acres minimum) we have 15 acres and during winter there is not enough food for 3 horses! Although were you planning to feed them?
Nov 10, 2011 Rating
Advice for Ally by: Rose
You sound ready!!I think you are!! But, if you don't plan on jumping alot, and if you don't plan on running alot, don't get a horse that loves o run! Hope this helps!(and remember to do reserch on the horse you plan on getting so it will be just right for you!)
