How do I prepare to own a horse?

Question

we are preparing to get our first horse, we are beginning owners. what are important things to know about handling and caring for a horse (besides feeding)? also - any opinions on a morgan/quarterhorse mare (11 y/o).

Answer 1

you need to spend some time at a livery Yard or riding stables caring under supervision with other peoples horses.
as for the horse is it quiet suitable for a novice how many hands is it?

Answer 2

Having a horse is really rewarding and a lot of fun. Ask around to learn. Assuming you don't already take lessons you will need to find a good instructor. They will not only be able to help you ride and train the horse but they'll be able to advise you on stabling, feeding etc.
Important things to know about include things like grooming, shoeing and worming. Speak to your vet, instructor, farrier or anyone else who is knowledgeable.
Read up on horse care. There are hundreds of books about horse care and you will find some useful information in these.
You'll need to know about tack and rugs. Depending on how you plan to keep your horse (stable kept, field kept, part stable part field?) you'll need different rugs. You'll need at least one (preferably two) waterproof field rugs and a summer sheet or fly sheet. Other rugs you might need are a stable rug and a sweat sheet/ cooler rug. Visiting a tack shop or talking to an instructor/ stable manager will help you to decide what rugs you want. The horse might come with rugs anyway and this will be a big help.
The horse might also come with tack. If not you'll need a bridle and saddle. Find a good saddle fitter and spend time choosing a well fitting, quality saddle. Make sure that the bit you use offers you the best control and your horse the best comfort. The previous owner will definitely be able to advise on what tack the horse needs.
Horses need to be turned out in a field as much as possible. Make sure that the field has enough good grazing and a shelter, either natural (trees, hedges) or man-made. Your horse will need water in the field.
Horses need to be wormed regularly. If she is being kept at a yard they might have a worming rota already and I think that usually it is recommended that all horses on a yard are wormed according to this although I'm not 100% sure that this is correct.
It is important to groom your horse for a number of reasons including to help circulation, coat condition and to make your horse more comfortable. You'll need to pick out the hooves every day and brush the whole coat. You can buy grooming kits containing all the essential tools and you can buy extras when you find what you need.
Good luck with your new horse

Answer 3

It would be nice to know specifics about the horse you're looking at. Is she trained well? Has she been ridden regularly for several years? Is she suitable for beginners? There is a whole list of questions on buying a first horse at this link: http://liverystable.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=66

You need to plan a space for her to live in. Some horses live fine with cattle (your first question mentioned you live on a farm), but other horses will chase the cows and harrass them and they should be kept separate. A horse generally needs a few acres of pasture to graze, and then supplement that by feeding hay if the grass supply gets low or if it is very cold outside (not sure where you live--eating hay keeps horses warm during winter months). I don't like giving horses too much grain because it can make them too ornery to behave when riding. If you aren't going to race her or if she isn't underweight, then I would only feed a little grain as a treat. Never give a horse a large amount of grain all at once. Grain can be compared to humans eating maple syrup....if you get too much, you will be SICK! Horses founder from eating too much grain, it makes their hooves grow and their feet too painful to walk, and sometimes they have to be put down. So keep grain locked up out of reach of your mare.

As far as saddling, bridling, and beginning riding, there are many books or videos that would show in pictures the proper way. But it's too difficult to answer on this website. You need a friend to show you how. If you're in Iowa, e-mail me and maybe we could go riding together.

Other than that, keep asking questions on specific things you want to know. It's too general to ask about caring for a horse. You need first-hand knowledge from watching someone handle a horse and explain to you the basics, before you ever attempt it yourself. Contact a trainer in your area, or just find a neighbor who knows what they're doing. Good luck!

Answer 4

You will learn by asking questions (your vet, blacksmith and feed dealer are good souces of information), reading books and websites on equine care, and by trial and error (not too much of that, I hope). If you know of someone experienced who would like to board their horse at a private stable, you could offer to board one horse for free or at cost, if the owner will share their knowledge with you.

As far as buying a horse, if you are not experienced, make sure you not only have a vet do a pre-purchase exam on the horse you are considering, also pay a trainer/riding instructor to go with you when you try the horse. The vet will let you know if there are any physical problems with the horse, the trainer/instructor will be able to help you determine the horse's suitability for you and your riding skills.

Answer 5

Ask a vet or a farrier to give you a run down. Have a teenager from you're local 4-H chapter or FFA come look over what you have. They can tell you about your fencing, your feeding area (never feed on sand!), your equipment, how to tie a leadrope so the horse won't endanger itself, how to properly clean their feet, how to load and unload from a trailer. Talk to a local riding stable about lessons for you and your horse. Talk to your local Agriculture extenion office (USDA) they have great resources. Also, check out the library. I found the kids section books cut through the crap and get right to the point. They are helpful and very easy to understand. Good luck!!

Answer 6

One, you need a shed for it to get out of the weather. For a starter it not have to be great, maybe a roof a one side to the north/west or main wind for your area. You can have two sides, or close it in with an opening at one corner. Try to find a high spot for this, as it help keep the floor/ground dry. They make some Tough Rubber type feeders not cost much and just feed in one of those. Old bath tub make a good water trough. I set it up using 1-2 landscaping timbers cut for a nice high and set in a little concrete in a 1 foot hole. They love pulling the Cork on the tub, so, you may want to plug from the bottom. But, have easy to unplug so you can wash it out regular. We never had much trouble with it freezing and just add water when it did. They make a heater, but, again the horse will play so, I never used one. Ask around the local Co-Op (Farm Supply) about feed. They not need a lot but they love Oats and Sweet-feed. Need to find a good source for Hay and good quality hay, not Fescue. Many people that bale for cows may have Fescue. Ask around where you see horses for a good hay source. Farm Supply will also have other supplies like Wormer and Shots. If, you never give a shot, when you see your Vet (Need one of these too) ask him/her to show how to give shots. Even if you never do it, it not hurt to know how. Another thing to ask about is a good Farrier (Horse Shoe putter onner, lol). Horses are not rocket science, we can make it technical or easy. I have had as many as 7 at one time, kept a few for friends.
Good quality hay, dry shed (Poop/mature cleaned out regular), Oats/Sweet-Feed, clean water, shots, worm regular, and a few peppermints in your pocket. Never had a problem.

Spend time reading up. Search "Horse Care" and other words. The more you know the better care you will provide and the better you respond to emergencies. A good Vet is priceless when he/she will educate you instead of bankrupt you.
Many links like this;
http://www.acreageequines.com/HorseCare/
Also your County Extension Office may have good information for free. Sometimes they know where to find Hay too.

Answer 7

Do you have a barn and pasture? If not you need to find a boarding stable. What is she broke for, western or english? You need to find out and buy a saddle for whichever she is. You need to find a farrier (someone who will shoe her). You need to buy a curry comb, soft brush, saddle pads, saddle, and bridles. Does she use a bit or a hackamore? You need to buy the right kind of bridle for whichever one she is. You should look into different kind of feeds and see if you need to buy hay or the stable supplies it. You should look up different illnesses horses get like Colic, they are very serious and you should know the symptoms in case your horse comes down with something you can figure out what it is quickly and get the right kind of care for her. Good luck hope I helped some!