I'm interested in buying a horse, but have never owned one. What do I need?

Question

I'm interested in buying a horse, but I really need to know detailed information about caring for, buying, and anything else about horse. I'd like information about the cost of care of horses. I'd also like to know informaiton about learning to ride better and any helpful information about horses in general.

I have taken riding lessons for four years and I know some of the basics, but I want to know more.

Answer 1

First you need to determine whether or not you have the time and money to own a horse. On average in the US- a single horse will cost you about $4000 a year- in some parts of the country it can get lower or higher. This includes- hay, feed, vet care, farrier, gas to pick up horse supplies, tack, grooming equipment, horse dentistry, training, stable fees and much more not including the price of the horse itself or lessons..

Owning horses also takes a lot of time out of your life. From mucking stalls, to exercising, riding, feeding, grooming, and training. Most people organize their time to fit everything in and keep their tack area clean so they can be effeciant and spend more time with their equine rather than looking for that saddle pad or bridle they need. A lot of people even split costs by helping friends with something in exchange for their help.

I would recommend that you get with your vet and trainer and discuss the possibilities of getting a horse. Also get with your family. Do they support you getting a horse? If you were to be injured or hurt would they help with the care of the equine? and if you have children or a job- would they spare time to pick up a few things that you may not be able to do?
While you are looking take more lessons and always have a vet check done before you even discuss a purchase with someone. Take your time and find an equine that will be healthy and sound and be able to meet your horsemanship goals. Most of all try and have fun. Horses are so much fun and sometimes people lose sight in why they started riding because of the stress and money it takes.

Answer 2

Buying a horse is the cheapest part of horse owning...

The Buying:
If you are a little unsure, ALWAYS bring someone you trust who has a good eye for horses, coaches are always willing to go with you to look at horses. The coach can help you pick out a horse that suits you are the style in which you want to ride. And they will also stop you from wanting EVERY horse you see, and make you think really hard as to whether the horse is truly right for you.

Caring...
Unless you have your own farm, you will need to board the horse out. I do not know your area, so it's hard for me to even start to give you an estimate. But anywhere as low as 200 to as much as 1000 a month. Since you are asking how to care for a horse online, even if you DO have your own farm, I do not suggest you keeping the horse are home just yet, until you can learn how to properly care for it.

Weather...Depending on where you are, how cold or hot it gets. Where I am, my horse has 3 thick winter blankets on when she's outside, 2 when she's inside. She's an OTTB and she does not grow much winter coat and she gets cold. We also have an indoor arena, so I wouldn't want her to grow too much of a coat so when I ride and work her, she won't be a slick ball of sweat. Thick blankets usually cost at least 100, and thin summer sheets around the 30-50 mark. But the really NICE ones can cost a whole lot more. However, if there is no indoor arena, and the breed of horse you have will actually grow a thick winter coat, there is nothing wrong with leaving them blanketless.

Hooves....Farriers are needed on average every 6 weeks. Depending on whether the horse needs shoes or not, the price can vary from 30-150.

Vet....Before you even buy the horse, you will need to get a vet to do a prepurchase examination, some may suggest xrays. After that, horses need yearly shots(flu, west nile, tetnus, rabies, etc etc), and most working horses will need their teeth done(by a vet or specialize professional). And sometimes, accidents happen, or the horse can get sick suddenly(usually colic).

SOME horses may need massages/chiropractic/accupuncture/accupressure/bowen etc etc, also depending on what you want to do.

Tack...The new horse will need a saddle that fits it properly(fitted by a saddle fitter is prefered), and a new bridle. Which then you will need bits, girth, and any other gadgets that you think you need.

I think that's about it. Too tired to really think of anything else...Good luck with finding a horse. I got my first horse when I was 14 :D

Answer 3

Well, you obviously cannot ride the mini lol because you are 19. It will be a good idea to do pony rides so the mini will get some exercise but if you want to know a good tip, the child cannot be over 50 pounds because it can harm the horses back if it is over that limit of weight. Minis are really cute, and they are a good start before owning a real horse (like a big one like mini) because the Minis show what it is like to own a horse because it is just the amount of responsibility. You can also ask a local horse vet that is near you, you will get more and better information! Have fun with him/her!!!! Also, to add on to that, make sure you have enough time and good money to own a horse, because the vet bills, the farrier, the dentist, the tack, and everything else can be very expensive! Make sure you have enough money for a horse! Extremely expensive!!!

Answer 4

I definately think that you should take more lessons, maybe more often, and a good way to learn about looking after horses is to help out at your riding stables at weekends and evenings (riding stables always need help, just ask).
Maybe after you've done this you could get a horse on loan or share, this a way of having a horse but without the huge time and money commitment.

Never rush into buying horses, there is so much that you need to know about everything so definately get as much experience as you possibly can. I've been riding for 13 years and I'm still not knowledgable enough to get my own.

Answer 5

others have covered this pretty thoroughly..but..

1. maybe see if you can volunteer at your local stables, get a feel for the general care and maintenance schedules needed for horse care, from mucking out to health care and dealing with health problems.

2. a horse is an expensive beast to own as others have said, so you need to carefully plan how you're going to afford it. both time and money wise.

3. when buying, take someone very experienced with you, either a trainer, friendly stable owner, even a friendly vet!

4. you'll need to consider whether you can keep your horse at livery or on your own property. obviously on your own property would be great, but not everyone has acres of land and the money to build lovely warm stables! livery's will vary in rent depending where you live, a DIY livery would be cheaper than a livery that has stable hands to do the dirty work for you. but of course they will charge you for keeping the horse there, and vet call outs will send the bill to you!

5. equipment, you need to get a lot of stuff to keep horses, and none of it is cheap!! especially saddles, bridles, rugs etc.

6. remember a horse can live for 40 years or so, and after 25 the health problems can mount up. i used to ride a lovely little 26 year old welsh section B, she was a sweet heart, loved to jump, but was limited because she had the beginnings of arthritus in her knees.
as it's your first horse, i would advise a slightly older more solid horse rather than a fresh young thing.

Answer 6

It's good to hear someone who is really interested in researching their decision before taking action.
If you have been taking lessons for four years and are still passionate about them it sounds like you would be a good horse owner.
Many of the things you are asking about depend a lot on which part of the country you are in. For example, on the east coast and california keeping a horse is 5 or 6 times more expensive than in the western "cowboy" states.
Just to give you an idea of what my year looks like:
Paid $1500 for two horses (unbroke)
Hay per month in winter: $100 (pastured in summer)
Shoeing: $60 every 8 weeks per horse (trimming is cheaper if you can keep your horse barefoot)
Board: $75 per month for two horses
Vet care (shots and worming) per year: $100
Medical supplies: $100

You might want to talk with some of the people who board horses at the stable you ride at to get an idea of what it costs in your area.
Would also recommend talking with your riding instructor about what kind of horse you want and what would suit you.
Learning to ride better just comes with time and instruction.
Good luck

Answer 7

If you have taken lessons for four years, but only know some of the basics then I suggest you either.....
ask for some lessons that deal with care, handeling, and feeding
ansk your instructor about the cost
ask your instructor to help out around the stable
go somewhere else that can offer this
buy a horse encyclopedia....there are 100's of them and they are all pretty much the same
make a good horsie friend that can help you out

tell you instructor that
"I want to start looking for a horse in ____ months.....what do you think?.....what do I need to work on?......Can I have some lessons on care?.....will you help me find a horse when the time comes?"

Answer 8

Your best bet is to go to the library and check out books on horses and horse care. Another way to learn is to buy horse magazines such as Horse Illustraded or Horse and Rider, check at your local book store if you are in USA. There are many books and magazines on horses and horse care.

Google the breed of horse you are interested in and learn all you can.

Research, research, research..................... talk to a veterinarian that works with horses.

Another way to learn is to visit a stable where horses are boarded and lessons are taught. Talk to the owners you meet. Most are friendly and will answer your questions.

Visit horse ranches, if there are any near you.

Good luck!

Answer 9

You should find a riding barn in your area and take some lessons. I would take lessons for at least a year first.

Price depends on what you want to do with you horse. If you don't know what discipline you would like most you will find that out through lessons.

I cannot stress enough the importance of lessons for the health and well being of both you and the animal.

Good luck!

Answer 10

Vet Check-Up:$100-$200
Farrier:$20-$40
Training:$500-$1,000
Boarding:$100(cheap)-$800(way expensive)
Feed:$20-$200
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Grooming:$30
Lead Rope:$9
Saddle:$100-$600
Reins:$40-$200
Halter:$9-$20
Bridle:$20-$200
Horse Treats:$5-$10
Toys(I suggest the tongue twister lickit):$10-$20
Hay:$20-$100
Grain:$40-$100
Sweet Feed:$50-$150
Saddle Pad:$40-$100
Bit:$100-$200
Feed Buckets:$10
Tack Bucket:$15
Hose:$10
Cross Ties:$9
Lunge Line/Whip:$20
Blanket:$50-$160