Buying Your First Horse
Tips to Make Your Purchase a Dream Horse Not a Night-Mare
If you are a first time horse buyer, here are a few simple tips to avoid the purchase of your very own night-mare.
Recently I was invited by a friend to visit the farm where she stables her horse. The farm is a beautiful property with lots of grazing area, riding trails and a well maintained outdoor arena. After several hours walking around and interacting with the horses and owners, it suddenly occurred to me that something was amiss with one horse. I asked the owner of the six year old for a closer look.
Visually the animal was in very good shape, but it twitched as my hand moved down its right front leg. Upon further examination of the leg I noticed several old contusions (indentations) eight inches above the knee. I placed my hand on the area and the horse reacted by biting me. The owner said that the horse did not like being touched there. I found this quite disturbing, but continued with my examination of the front legs. I have seen this type of injury before. The contusions caused by one thing – BARREL RACING. These injuries can cause serious long term problems if left untreated.
Are you considering purchasing a horse for pleasure riding? Here are a few tips.
- Ask for the horse's ownership history – you want to know who the previous owners are and what the horse was used for, be it pleasure riding or competition.
- Ask for the name of the Veterinary Service – you want to know the health history.
- Ask a second Veterinary Service (of your choice) to look at the animal
- Ask for the name of the Farrier – you want to know of any hoof problems.
- Ask if the horse has any bad habits – you don't want any surprises.
- Watch the horse walk and trot – you are watching for limping or stumbling.
- Look at the front teeth - this will help you determine if the horse is young or old. It is common for older horses to develop wave mouths and other problems as their teeth wear out.
- Check the front legs above the knees – you are looking for any kind of tenderness and old contusions.
- Check the back legs – again you are looking for any kind of tenderness and old contusions.
- Check the hooves – you are looking for cracking, over trimming (trimming past the white line) and old injuries just above the hoof.
Here are few common horse traits encountered after purchase and the corrective measures you can take. Above all be patient! The horse is in a new place with new people and horses around him. It will take time to ajust and he needs to get to know you.
Balk – fear - review forward work in-hand and longeing. This lets the horse see you and get to know you.
Biting – fear, resentment – handle lips, muzzle and nostrils daily. This will reassure the horse that you are not going to hurt him.
Bucking – resentment – work with the horse in-hand and longeing. Spend extra time in the stall with him. Talk to him, let him hear your voice.
Can't Catch – fear, resentment - work with the horse in-hand and longeing. Spend extra time in the stall with him. Talk to him, let him hear your voice.
Kicking/Striking – fear, threatened, resentment – work horse in-hand and longeing. Talk to him, let him hear you voice. Do not clean stall with horse inside of it, you will only make it worse.
Never raise your hand or yell at him. This is threatening and he will lash out with hooves and teeth. Your horse wieghs five hundred to one thousand pounds and can inflict serious injuries to you without effort.
