Owning a horse- What you need to know

Owning a horse is a dream for millions of people. Who wouldn’t love to head out to a field each day to be greeted by a beautiful piebald, or a thoroughbred beauty? There is a reason horses are used for therapy and more. When given the correct time and care, they are gentle animals, with a soft, intuitive and curious nature. They communicate in so many ways that they are quite divine.

However, the realities of horse ownership aren’t cheap or always glamorous.  Here are a couple of quick questions you should ask yourself:

• What type of horse would be best for you or your child?
•  Where will you go to purchase the horse?
• Can you commit to daily care?
• Can you afford the general costs of the horse, plus emergency expenses?
• What equipment will you need?

Right Horse

When you are looking for the right horse for you, consider how you will be using the horse. Is it for you to hack and brush down daily, or you are intending to show your horse at a later date – all this will matter. Plus, you should be looking at how fast your children grow.  If the horse is for a child, then you should try and buy a younger horse so they can grow together.

Often, first time owners will opt for a horse that has already been broken in, meaning they are ready to be ridden and have been trained. If you are looking for a performer, you should look to get a horse who has a strong bloodline in the field. They will have been bred for that specific purpose.

Buying

There are a few options if you are intending to buy. One is a private sale, and the other is an auction. Both options have pros and cons. If you opt for auction, then you should take someone with you who is experienced with horses and have purchased from auctions before. With private sales, you typically get more time with the horse before making a decision, and you will have someone to contact should you need to so.

You could always opt to loan the horse, or go directly to a breeder and await a new arrival. But you should be aware that buying a horse can be complicated with agents, insurances, trainers and other advisors. There have been cases where things haven’t gone smoothly, and equine legal solutions have been required.

Never, ever skip the final examination. It might feel like it is an expense that you don’t want, but horses rarely have a money-back guarantee.

Daily

You will need to hack the horse often, keep up with training schedules, muck out the stables, have fresh hay, food and water at all times. Stables aren’t the cheapest option, but there is usually an agreement to be had and someone on site most of the time – which is ideal if you can’t do that.

General

Horses are beautiful creatures who often have buckets of patience and want to work with their owners. So take care of your new friend to the best of your ability, and you will have some wonderful rides.