Buying Your First Horse

Shopping for Horses

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Buying Your First Horse
Many first time horse buyers make avoidable mistakes when they go horse shopping. They buy horses that turn out to make horse ownership such an unpleasant experience that they give up horses altogether. Here's how to get off to a great start!
Submitted by L Greco, 1/14/2009

Buying Your First Horse
by L Greco (c) 1/13/2009

The first horse you own should be your best friend and teacher. Unless you come from a farm or ranch family, where horses and chores are already a part of your daily routine, your first horse is something special. And you will be venturing into an unknown territory because owning and maintaining a horse or pony for the first time will prove to have many experiences.

If you have to board your horse in a stable or on someone's farm or ranch, offer to help with chores, such as mucking stalls, cleaning water buckets, sweeping the barn, blanketing horses, picking hooves, grooming and turning out horses. Before buying your first horse, get involved in 4H horse projects and read alot of books about horses. Reading only increases your awareness and knowledge of what to expect. But it's the hands-on experiences that you'll need to expose yourself to. Finding an experienced horse person to guide you in your quest, someone who is willing to take the time to show you the ropes, will prove to be your best introduction to whether you really want to own a horse.

It's one thing to learn to ride, but it's another thing to be more than just an equestrian. Horsemanship is a major part of owning a horse and this is something every young rider should learn because having a horse is alot more than just riding.
Foals are cute and adorable. I've encountered people all the time, who want to raise a foal of their own, yet know nothing about horses. I have never sold a foal or young horse to anyone who is looking for their first horse. That's just asking for trouble. I recommend and look for the type of horse they need, if I don't have one in my barn.

Your first horse will be every bit of a teacher to you, as long as you buy a horse that is older and wiser. A gelding is preferred over a mare, and the size of the horse or pony should be compatible to your height and weight. Depending on the horse's background, a horse that is older than 12 years old and is being sold private treaty is the best way to look and buy. Private treaty means private sale between buyer and seller. Stay away from auctions no matter how tempting because you don't know what you are getting for your first mount. Ask alot of questions about the horse or pony. Has he been ridden by children? Has he ever been shown? Does he have good ground manners? Does he load easily into a horse trailer? What type of bit is used and what style of riding? It's best to have someone look with you who has experience with horses and an eye for knowing how to spot lameness, bad confirmation and can try the horse out before you get on.

Stay away from buying a green-broke horse unless you are prepared to go through the rigorous process of training. And training is repetition, a daily routine, where you have to know the mindset of a horse, it's capabilities and recognize when the horse is getting confused. My first horse was a green-broke Thoroughbred. I was fourteen years old and thought I knew enough about riding to take on this horse. I started riding lessons at age seven and showed at the stable shows until I was thirteen. I received blue and red ribbons, which indicated to me that I knew how to ride well. However, these were the stable's riding lesson horses, used to the routine of walk-trot-canter both ways and reverse came easily to them. In other words, the beginning years of riding, I rode dead broke riders that taught me how to basically ride, but gave me no challenges. A green-broke horse will give many challenges, as he is not familiar with everything. I was bucked off for three months, every time I asked this horse to canter. Apparently my signals to canter or lope were not the best, and I was confusing the horse.

I learned the right body movements to ask for in a canter and how to feel the horse underneath me. From that point on, I learned how to sit into that saddle and figured out the clues when a horse is preparing to buck you off. After that, I rode every unruly horse that was stabled in the barn, as I now had the skills to predict a buck and how to handle a horse that is bucking.

Being young I could tackle this sort of situation. And my passion for horses started long before I entered kindergarten. Being a horse trainer was my goal before I even purchased my first horse. Within two years, I had my green horse made into a hunter, as we bonded after the initial bumps and grinds wore off. He trusted me and I him. Trust is the main ingredient in training and enjoying a horse. If your horse trusts you, he will undoubtedly reward you in many ways.

Your first horse should be lesser of a challenge only because it will help you to focus on becoming a better rider. You want a horse that will respond easily to the basic commands of whoa, walk, trot, canter, reverse, and be able to work inside and outside the arena. Trail riding is a pleasure and that should be a part of your riding routine. Riding in an arena all the time gets boring and having diversity in your training environment makes for a better union between horse and rider.

You want a horse that is willing to move forward, lead without pulling, pick up his hoof without straining, and stand there patiently while you brush his mane and tail. Good ground manners are essential when you first start out. You want a horse that is not sensitive to the brush, nor balk at getting a bath. You want a horse that is easy to mount from the ground, will stand still while you adjust the stirrups and has an overall pleasant attitude. An abused older horse will pin back his ears at the signs of distress where a happy horse will easily respond to you.

If showing is your goal, you should look for a horse that has been previously shown. If the horse has been sadly outgrown, all the more the better, however, make sure that it's not just an expression to sell the horse. Ask as many questions about the background of the horse, and if you can't get any straight answers, chances are this horse was recently purchased and is getting re-sold quickly for some undisclosed reason. If you can't find a knowledgeable horse person to assist you in finding your first horse, ask a horse veterinarian to vet check the horse out before buying.

If you don't have someone else with you to ride the horse first, have the seller ride the horse and advise you of what they are doing to get the horse to pick up all gaits. Then get on the horse with the seller present to inform you if you are not doing something right. Be respectful to any seller who is being straight forward and honest with you. A seasoned horse person knows when a person is trying to cover up what they lack in riding or horse knowledge. Be upfront and honest about what you really do know and seek to learn. If the seller is curt and obviously pestered by your questions, move on.

A horse most suitable for a beginner is one that is fully trained in english, western or both and has been used for showing, trail riding, or lessons. A first horse is your teacher because when you do something wrong, the horse will let you know by standing and stopping rather than bucking you off. A beginner's horse will appreciate you for the attention that you give it, listen to your problems, be a shoulder to cry on and be there for you when your friends aren't. A horse will eagerly look for you each and every day, wanting that special carrot or treat, and snub you for more.

The perfect match for a young rider's first horse is one that has had different riders and appreciates having only one. The daily attention you give your first horse will never be forgotten and will be something he looks forward to. If you keep your first horse in your backyard make sure you know how to feed and properly care for him, keeping him in a safe environment with proper fencing and shelter in the form of a run-in shed or barn. Bear in mind, even horses don't like to be alone, and having a stable-mate gives him the company he needs when you aren't there. Whether it be an old retired horse, a small miniature or pony, a goat or even a pot-bellied pig, it will give your horse a distraction from loneliness.

The ideal situation in keeping a horse is plenty of room to run. Horses really do prefer the outdoors rather than being confined to a stall most of the time. If your horse has to be boarded out, look for places where he'll be turned out most of the day, instead of for short durations. If this is impossible, don't expect him to be as well mannered as a horse that has the freedom of pasture or turnout.

Before venturing into owning a horse, make sure this is what you really want to do, and dedicate the time and effort required in knowing good horsemanship, good horsekeeping and good equestrian skills. Horses are not something to be ignored when the newness wears off, but should be continually given your time and attention. You don't have to show your horse to reach certain goals but showing is one way of knowing your weaknesses and strengths in your riding skills. If you are competing don't be a poor sport, as winning isn't everything. If you lose it's usually because you lack something the winner had over you. Showing can be fun and a test of what you need to learn, or have already learned.

If you just want your first horse to be a good trail horse to enjoy, then make sure you have access to trails at any boarding stable, or through your own backyard. There are programs offered through breed associations that encourage horseback riding programs for a specific breed and all breeds. Trail riding with groups and clubs is another way of enjoying your horse and intermingling with others. Never be afraid to ask questions and seek out those who will guide you along your journey of owning a horse. It's a responsibility that requires dedication and discipline. So if you are not willing to give your horse the time and attention needed think twice before getting involved in this type of relationship.

If you are considering adopting a horse be aware of the rules of the person or entity you are adopting from, whether it be a horse rescue organization or humane society for the welfare of horses. An abused or neglected horse that has been rehabilitated appreciates kindness and will reciprocate as long as you show compassion and understanding. Don't take on a horse that is not recommended for your level of experience.

Remember your first horse will end up being your best friend and teacher. And he'll be forever grateful to have a loving home where he feels needed and wanted. You'll make many happy memories with the right first horse.

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By Jewel at 1/15/2009 7:57:36 PM
Buying Your First Horse
Great article with lots of truth. Pay attention all you novices out there!! No matter how much you love The Black Stallion (Book) owning a stallion is NOT for beginners. Neither is a high strung mare or highly bred young horse. Another comment I could add when you are looking is if you have any doubts about a horse ask to see it again, then show up early. I took several clients out to stables and they had what seemed like too good to be true rides. When we arranged a second appointment and arrived an hour early, it was to find someone flogging the "sale" horse around the ring in a dead sweat trying to work it down. It saved a novice horse owner a terrible mistake. Shame on people who do that but it does happen and you should be aware. Try a horse you are going to buy three or four times and have several other people, preferably at least one very experienced person, try it to. If the seller doesn't want that to happen then they aren't really interested in helping you make a good purchase and you should move on. The average life expectancy of new people to the horse industry is 5 years from start to finish. Those of us who have been many years in the business are always sorry when newbies hook up with the wrong sorts and their equine experience becomes an equine disaster. Horses are ruined, people are disheartened and sometimes injured and it does the industry no good whatsoever. Be an informed buyer and a smart buyer and if you don't know, be smart enough to admit it. Happy Trails.

By Lil at 1/14/2009 10:41:55 AM
The stories I could tell about first time horse owners!
My parents and I were down that road ourselves, when I was a kid, LOL. Can you say "el stupido?" Since then, I've seen many other new horse owners make the same mistakes! THAT is one of the reasons this website was started: to help novice horse people get off to a better start. As a riding instructor and horse trainer I could tell lots of stories about avoidable errors made by first time horse owners. *One of the best ways to avoid problems* is to get regular coaching from a qualified, experienced, kind coach/trainer! I had a client who purchased a young green horse and boarded the horse at my place while taking lessons from me on my gentle, broke horses. I worked very hard with her horse and had her horse about ready to win at the shows, when she decided she'd rather board a couple of miles closer to her house, and where there was an indoor arena. I had her horse all tuned up at that time and she felt confident she could ride her horse without coaching. Well, within about 30 days, that filly's skills had deteriorated to the point that she behaved like she didn't know anything, and the owner was scared of her. A horse's level of training will always revert to the level of the rider's skills. The owner got behind on her board bill at the fancy stable and ended up giving the filly to the barn owner. He sold her to a nice young man who retrained her. The young man told me that the filly bucked and reared when he started with and he couldn't tell that she'd ever been as trained as I'd gotten her. The lady who had owned the filly gave up on horse ownership despite it being "her dream." I would have helped her with her filly if she had asked, but she was too proud to ask for help after she took the filly out of my barn. Last winter, a family brought their 3 year old Appaloosa gelding to me to be given some wet saddle blankets. They had bought this young, green horse for their 9 year old daughter! They were first time horse owners. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the horse was actually pretty nice--cute mover, good tempered. They lived about 2 1/2 hours away, so didn't come up for lessons even though I said they could take unlimited lessons at no extra charge. 2 weeks or so after they took the horse home, the father called me up and accused me of not having ridden the horse. He said the horse had bucked with his daughter. At no charge, I drove down there to help. Turns out, their daughter didn't even have a place to ride--they expected her to ride the horse on the road. I had advised them to get her a round pen! Well, I was dismayed at their whole situation, but this post is long enough...

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