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Finding Your First Horse, Part II
By Mary Jo Zanolli
August’s article focused on deciding if you are ready to own your own horse, and some of the financial and time commitments that go along with that decision. This month I will discuss some of the factors to consider when looking for your first horse, and also how to go about finding that horse.
Riding skills are something that are continually developed over a lifetime. A potential first time horse owner is generally still working on developing riding basics such as timing of aids, using the seat and back, and control of the horse at all 3 gaits. That is why it is important that your first horse is as schooled and trained as possible. The first few years of riding should be spent focusing on the rider’s position and control of the horse, so it is essential that a first horse has adequate training so the rider can continue to develop correct skills. As a general rule of thumb, there is an inverse relationship between rider ability and the horse’s level of training- beginner riders should have well trained horses to learn on, and green horses should have advanced riders to learn from.
The next thing to consider is what you want to do with your horse. Dressage, jumping, western, trail riding, and showing- the list of potential riding disciplines is enormous. Also to be factored in are age, sex, breed, height, and price range. Write down your ideals for all of these factors, but at the same time be prepared to be flexible with some of them. Now that you have a list of what you are looking for in a horse, you are ready to start seriously shopping!
Word of mouth is one of the best ways to find that perfect horse, but newspapers and Internet bulletin boards are also a great resource. Before going to look at a horse, call the owner and ask questions about the horse. Potential questions may be: How long have you had this horse? Why are you selling this horse? Has the horse ever had any soundness issues? Does the horse have any special care requirements? May I call the veterinarian to get a medical history on the horse? What kind of training has the horse had? If you are still interested in seeing the horse after having all these questions answered, set up an appointment to meet the horse.
Take a horse knowledgeable person (such as your riding instructor) with you when you look at potential horses. Make sure you watch the horse be haltered, led, groomed, and saddled. Watch someone who knows the horse ride it first, paying close attention to the horses temperament and attitude as it is being ridden. If it still seems like this may be the horse for you, then ride the horse to see if the two of you click. When seriously considering buying a horse, it is not unreasonable to ride the horse several times before making a commitment to purchasing the horse.
The final step of purchasing your first horse is a pre-purchase exam by a veterinarian to make sure the horse has no soundness or other limitations that would interfere with your riding goals. Once the vet gives you the green light for buying the horse, the last step is putting a purchase agreement together between you and the horse’s current owner.
Owning a horse is often a life-long dream for many horse lovers! Take the time to thoroughly think about what qualities you want in your horse. Even if you absolutely fall in love with the first horse you look at, ride more horses before making a commitment to buying the first horse, so you have something to compare that first horse to. Be patient, it may take several months or longer before finding your new friend, but the relationship you will develop with your first horse will be well worth the wait.
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