A new horse?

Question

how do i decide if that horse is right for me or not

Answer 1

Take your time in selecting a new horse. Talk to the local equine vets in your area. Tell them or the vet tech, is more likely, what you think you may want. Then ask them what they think is good.
Often vets know of horses that are for sale that have been taken good care of by their own clinic. They know the owner wants to sell. And especially good, they know the horse from treating it over time.
I have purchased several horses over my life and one thing I learned is that people who are selling a horse LIE!! I am so sorry to say it. But every single owner lied to me about the horse.
So whatever you do. Don't take their word for any meaning at all.
Have your own vet check the horse for you, not their vet.
Call some trainers in your area and take some lessons on the horses they have to see what you like about one over another.
Then when you see a horse that you think you may want to go see, call your trainer and have them look at the ad with you. Some they can decipher for you like the ones that say the horse is spirited...can decipher into the horse is a bucking bronc. They will be able to guide you into the best match for you. They may charge a fee to go out and give you a lesson on a prospective horse, but this is really money you want to invest.
I sold a wonderful horse last year. The man who purchased her came and just looked at her and watched me lunge her. In a few days he came back with his trainer and took a lesson on her. In a few more days he came back and took another lesson on her.
A few days later he came back on a surprise visit to just see her in her corral. a few days later he purchase her from me for exactly my asking price. Because he had learned that she was at least as fine a horse as I was telling him. But most important she was a great fit for him and what he wanted to do with her.
So that was a great lesson for me too in how it is really good to take your time. Don't rush to buy any horse. Check it out under various circumstances over several different visits. If someone else runs over and buys the horse out from under you...hey there are a zillion and one horses for sale everywhere you look. You want to enjoy this horse for a long time. And the purchase price of a horse is the less of all of the costs of owning a horse.

Answer 2

When deciding whether to buy, hire, or borrow, you need to consider your requirements and ask yourself the following questions:
How experienced are you>
What type of horse do you need?
How often will you ride?
What do you want the horse to do?
Must it be fit for competitive work, light activities, or long-distance rides?
Do you have somewhere suitable to keep the horse?
Will it be stabled, live in a field, or a combination of both? Horses that live outside must be hardy.
Will it be alone, or company? Most horses do not thrive when lonely.
How much will it cost to buy, keep, and transport? Can you afford a farrier and vetrinary expenses and afford any necessary equiptment?
Once you have answered all these questions here are some things to look at the new horse you are about to own:
Weight: Horses may be categorized as lighweight, middleweight, or heavyweight, according to their size, build, and amount of bone measured around the foreleg, just below the knee. Weight should not be confused with condition, since fat does not necessarily mean strong.
Age: First-horse buyers usually need a riding horse with experience. An older horse has more experience than a younger horse.
Temperament: A horse described as "lively"may be nervous and excitable: a "quiet"one may be lazy or sluggish. Ask about the type of bit that is used.
Vices: Do not go see a horse that is reported to rear or bolt. Occasional bucking from high spirits, or shyiing are more acceptable. Avoid a horse that weave, crib-bite, wind-suck, or pace the stall
Soundness: Find out if the horse has ever been lame, injured, or sick, and whether there are any physical defects that could lead to problems.

But the real important thing is that there is a bond. If you can't trust the horse and it can't trust you then it will never be a good horse. So spend some time with it and see the reaction.

Answer 3

Take an adult with you, such as a vet or owner, that knows a lot about horses. The vet will check to make sure the horse is fit and healthy, and ride the horse multiple times before any decisions are made. I almost made a few wrong choices, and ended up with a crazy horse that I LOVE. I am one of the few that REALLY know how to ride her and get from her what we want, but we have across-the-board blue ribbons in Dressage, Reining, and Contesting. We plan to add jumping to that list next year as well. I always figured I would like doing those things, but she and I have realized that we are true barrel racers, and love the rush we get from beating our PR time. She is the sweetest horse, and I just knew when I saw her that she was the horse for me. I looked at two other QH's at the barn, but she was the one who caught my eye right away. She is a bully and a real piece of work, but I love her to death. It may take a while to find the right horse for you, but don't lose hope, it will happen and you will know!!!


good luck!

Answer 4

Some good questions to ask yourself is what is your life style? What would you like to do? Jumping? Showing? Barrels? If you have never been around horses before, make sure you buy a horse that is very experienced, and has a calm spirit. I also recommend buying a lease horse first, that way you are able to back out if the horse does not turn out right for you, or if you are looking to be around horses more often but are not yet ready to own one yourself.

Good luck and happy trails!

Answer 5

First of all, what are you going to do with it? Do you show or do any rodeo events? If you show you don't want and horse that is meant for rodeo events and if you rodeo you don't want a show horse, see what I am saying? So, make sure the horse is meant for what you want to do. Also, what's it's temper? You mainly want a calm horse and but sometimes you may want a "hot". Hot is like they are friskily and kinda hyper. But, once again it goes back to what are you going to do on it? If your rodeoing you don't want a horse who is calm and doesn't like to run.
Also, how is this horse trained? Is it meant for an experienced rider or a beginner? If your an experienced ride you really don't want something that is meant for a beginner and can only do basic things. If your really serious about this horse you should ask the owner if you can sent up a time to ride the horse so you make sure the owner isn't lying about the horses level. That happened to me once. The person told us it was a beginner's horse and when we got him home he was hard to handle and did not listen to anyone.
Also, is this horse something that you can grow into or is it something that you can grow out or? Of course you want something you can grow into. If it's an older horse you may not own it for long but if it's a younger horse you two will grow into each other. Meaning, if it's an older horse the person before him may have rode him differently then you would and those habits are hard to break. But, if it's a younger horse they are easier to mold. OK, the final thing, do you really like this horse? Do you like the way it looks, the way it acts? or is there something that bothers you about it??? Good luck.

Answer 6

Well, depends on your experience. If you are pretty much a newbie, consider a gentle - tempered horse, such as a Quarter Horse or Morgan. Thoroughbreds and Arabians are HIGHLY tempered. Avoid them if you are not experienced.

Next comes your height. If you are a full grown adult, consider a horse that you are easily able to mount. If you are still growing, find a horse that you think you will grow into. If you don't plan to keep this horse forever, find a horse who is around your general height.

Next, find a horse who can relate to your time. If you are very busy, don't buy a high - maintenance horse. White and paints/pintos require a lot of grooming.

Consider your budget. If you want to show, you'll need leg wraps, the correct show tack, show outfits, etc. But a simple pleasure horse will only need its tack, grooming supplies (including a hose and washing supplies), and food.

I hope this helps, and there is still plenty more to know. Happy New Year.

Answer 7

Look for a horse that best suits your needs. If you have a trainer, take them with you. It always helps. If you try the horse out and you and the horse click, maybe see if you can take it on a trial and see how it does away from its home and in new surroundings. Get all the info you can, and don't just buy a horse because if their potential. I did that once and the horse and I had an awful relationship, definitely wasn't a "love connection". Always do a PPE too.

Answer 8

I would say most importantly is whether or not your skill level as a rider matches the skill level of training the horse has had? Many times people buy horses on emotion only, because it's pretty or because it's friendly or the right breed and they end up with too much horse to handle. Make sure you are being honest with your self as far as your skill goes and make that your first criteria when making the decision to buy.

Answer 9

Figure if you have the space, money, time, and abitlity.
Owning a horse is a HUGE thing. They require alot of money and free time. Also alot of space. If your just going to have 1 horse just a pleasure horse to. You'll need alot of money to keep him up. Its slightly different when your running a ranch that makes money off of their horses. He is going to eat alot and require alot of grazing and riding space. Your going to have to keep up with the vet bills and training him to ride to your commands. I would suggest you look over everything you can to really decide if you have everything your goning to need to own a horse. But if you do, then I would definatly suggest getting one. Horses are great! I dont have the space or money for one where I'm at but a local ranch I go to often always has time for me to ride. I couldnt love all horses any more and they are great companions.

Answer 10

this is too complicated for a simple answer

depends on your experience and your goals (showing or pleasure)
the cost of the horse
the age of the horse
the height of the horse (especially important if you are young and growing)
the temperment of the horse

you can always get a second opinion of your riding instructor or somebody you know and trust...

you can get a vet check and this is reccommended if the horse is more than $1000