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Are You Ready For Your Own Horse, Part I
By Mary Jo Zanolli
Buying your first horse can be a wonderful and exciting experience, providing that you are ready to own your own horse! There are several things that should be considered before beginning to look for a horse. Riding ability, horse knowledge, finances, and time are the most important factors to honestly evaluate before making the final decision about horse ownership.
It’s a good idea to spend at least 2-3 years taking riding lessons before considering getting your own mount. Ideally riding lessons will consist of time spent both in and out of the saddle. Learning to groom, tack, and untack the horse is just as important as learning actual riding skills. Spending time with the horse on the ground teaches basic horsemanship and safety skills, including learning to read equine body language, learning about tack and equipment, as well as equine anatomy and conformation. A rider should be able to walk, trot, and canter his horse safely, as well as handle his mount outside on the trail.
Money and time are two other considerations when evaluating if you are ready for your first horse. Besides the actual purchase price of the horse, there are almost unlimited other expenses. These expenses include regular hoof care (every 6-8 weeks), regular deworming and vet care (usually at least 2 times per year). You will also have to consider if you will board your horse or if you will be able to keep your horse at home. If you elect to keep your horse at home, remember horses are really herd animals and don’t do well by themselves, so you will now need to keep at least 2 horses! Equipment is another big expense that adds up quickly- halter, buckets, flyspray, brushes, saddle, bridle and blankets only begin the list. It is also a good idea to continue to take riding lessons with your new horse, so be sure to factor in lessons and training fees.
The amount of time you will need to own your own horse varies depending on if you will board your horse or care for your horse yourself. If boarding, remember that even though daily chores such as feeding, turnout, and mucking may not be required of you, horses need to be groomed and ridden regularly. Horses that are boarded should really be groomed and exercised almost everyday. If caring for your horse at home, daily chores such as mucking, turnout, and multiple feedings per day can quickly become a full-time job!
If, after considering all the above, you are still convinced horse ownership is the right step for you, then congratulations! Horses can be an incredibly rewarding and enriching part of your life. If you are not certain that your own horse is the right step for you, consider taking more riding lessons or even leasing a horse. Eventually you will be ready for a horse of your own! n
(Next time, what to consider when looking for your first horse and where to find your first horse)
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