Wanting to buy my first horse?
belle asked the question:
My bf was raised on a horse farm, and we are considering purchasing a horse in the future. I am new to the concept, but I think they are beautiful animals and like the idea. What are some helpful hints for first time buyers/owners? I have ridden in the past, but they have been the super tame, overridden horses that you tour with for an hour or so. Needless to say, I’m due for a lesson! All info is appriciated! Thanks!
We haven’t determined a budget yet. I have been told to get one between 6 months and two years. I live in East Tennessee, and we will have land, but we haven’t determined the best “breed”. Are there better first time breeds?
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Tagged With East Tennessee, First Horse, Helpful Hints
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16 Responses to “Wanting to buy my first horse?”
I would suggest taking a year or two of lessons first with a reputable trainer, and while you are doing it, you can learn about emergency situations and how to take care of a horse.
What is your budget? I know you can get many bombproof horses around here for only 10-15,000, so you could also start saving up.
here’s just a few simple tips:
always stay calm around horses, don’t run around them or use loud voices and especially never hit them.
If you can, buy a good horse from someone you know.
Do lots of research like with books, stuff like that.
Find a trainer.
When riding, balance will override grip.
stay relaxed in the saddle and use good posture.
those are some very basic things.
wat galloping.gray and hunterjumpeholly said was right
i just want to add dont get a pony that will do everything for u automatically because they soon predict what u want and act up by bucking and just not doing anything…
hope that prevents that from happening to u
No “push-button ponies..or horses”
I would definitely consider taking some lessons. If you want to purchase a horse, I would buy an older horse that has ‘been there, done that’. After you buy a horse, it really helps to take lessons as well, as you learn and grow with your own animal.
Always test ride! Have a vet check out the one you are intested in.
i say adopt! you can’t go wrong with adopting an animal.
Please buy an older horse that has all its training done as a first horse. Nobody should start with a baby. Five or six is ideal. Take some lessons in riding and horse care before you buy!
Well, my advice to you is to find a barn that you like and take lessons for about a year or two. Also, work at the barn to get a feel for how much work horses really are. I have provided a link below that is all about the cost and upkeep of owning a horse. Hope this helps and good luck with everything!
I think you have been given some BAD advice. If you are not experienced with horses then getting a baby (anything under 3 yo) is not a good idea. You should try for a “been there done that” kinda horse who can teach you more than you already know. After you get some experience then you can tackle the green horse (over 1 under 3) I would leave little babies (under 1 yo) for the experts. It is very easy to ruin a baby either physically or mentally. Training is for experts - but with lots of work and asking lots of questions you could get the experience to raise and train a baby.
By the way the old saying “green + green = black and blue” is appropriate here (green horse + green rider). These young horses are cheaper because they have no training on them!! This is a good way to get hurt.
Good luck and good riding
I wouldent suggest getting a horse 6 months to two years you cant even start to break them until they are two years old. I would suggest not getting a horse younger than 8 when they are a little bit older they tend to be more settled and relaxed and less spookey and would be best for a begginer rider. good luck hope you find your dream horse.
My first horse was one from a farm but wasn’t that good. my first good horse was old but taught me he was very well trained and probably overridden some of my best horses have been in there teens. I would get one around 15 they are usally the better behaved ones. as for breeds I would say probably a bigger horse because they are usally quieter and genterler. small horses usally have the biggest attitudes and can be hard to deal with. if you want a horse that you could see over the shoulder i would suggest a Quarter HOrse or QH cross.
First of all, take lessons for the period of time you are wanting to get a horse in at least so you can decide weather or not you even like the idea of riding. After you get the basics down, ask your instructor if you could be able to ride multiple horses so you can get used to diffrent horses’ attitudues! It depends on what type of riding you want to do. I would most defintaly not sugest a high spirited breed such as TB or hanoverian, ect. for a first time horse. Depending on your height, a cob, quarter horse, calm arabian or a large pony may the way for you to go! I really recommend a Quarter horse because they are very agile and can do many disiplines.
Make sure that you or at least your boyfriend know how to care for the horse. Horses are not like cats are dogs. They have many more medical problems, they have to be exercised, and there are lots of different tricks on caring for them that you need to know. You must know how to pick feet and properly groom your horse. This must be done daily. And most of all you have to have money.
Step one: DECIDE WHERE YOU WILL BE KEEPING YOUR HORSE. Keeping it on your own property if you have enough land would be nice, but if you chose to board your horse at a stable you will be surrounded by people who know about horses and usually people who are willing to help.
Step two: MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THE FINANCES. You need to have money to have the horse’s hooves trimmed every 6 weeks, this is around $30-40. You have to worm your horse every six weeks. (wormers are around $10-15 and can be picked up at TSC or a local tack shop) You have to buy a saddle, bridle, saddle pad, halter, lead rope, grooming supplies, etc. This should add up to a couple hundred dollars. If you are boarding your horse at a stable you have to pay board. (I pay $310 a month, next month it goes up to $340) I you are keeping your horse at home you need to figure out the cost of hay.
Step three: BE SURE YOU WILL HAVE ENOUGH TIME. Horses take up a lot of time. If you are keeping your horse at home you will have to feed it twice a day and you’ll have to wake up early. You have to groom your horse daily. Your horse must be exercised at least 4-5 times a week for a good hour or so. Going on vacation? You’ll have to find someone to care for your horse every day while you’re gone.
Step four: EDUCATE YOURSELF. Be sure that you know how to care for your horse. You have to know how to tack up, know the basics of riding. Know how to tell the signs of colic.
Step five: FINDING A HORSE. Don’t just buy the first horse you see. If you think it’s the right horse look around and make sure you still feel this way. I would look at at least a dozen horses and make sure you test ride them before you pick one. For you I would recommend a Quarter Horse. They have a good mild temperament. My first horse was a Quarter Horse. I would also recommend getting a gelding over a mare. I find they are less moody, however this is just my opinion. You will also want an older horse. Maybe twelve years old at least. (This still isn’t very old as many horses live to be thirty.)
Step six: BUYING THE HORSE. When you find the horse that is right for you have it vet checked. This is absolutely necessary. Even if you are buying from a friend you trust there could be underlying medical conditions that the owner doesn’t know about. Listen to the vet and take his advice.
Have fun. i wish you the best of luck in finding the perfect horse for you. God bless.
There is no best “first time breed”. What you need is what is referred to as a “bombproof” horse…a horse that has been through it all and isn’t startled easily and will tolerate someone whose handling and riding techniques aren’t yet very refined. Generally, these bombproof types tend to be older - 9 or 10 would be a good age. There are a lot of nice breeds out there, but it is not imperative in any sense that you get any type of breed just because you’re a beginner. It might be best to get an older horse with some miles - a horse that was used by a reputable barn for lessons or was used by kids would be ideal.
Depending on what part of the country you’re in, some breeds might be easier to come by. If you’re out west or in the midwest, Quarter Horses are pretty plentiful. Here in NY where I live, there seem to be a lot of Thoroughbreds and Arabians. Both of those breeds have a reputation for perhaps being a little more “hot” or hard to handle than other breeds (like a draft horse, for example) but don’t get caught up with that. Bottom line, you need a well-trained, well-mannered horse, whether it’s a $10,000 warmblood or a $800 backyard horse.
If you really like horses and riding after spending a year or two with your first horse, you can always add to your horse family or upgrade.
Good luck - once you have horses in your life, you won’t have any idea how you got along without them!
I would never buy a horse that young as my first horse.From my personal experiences, I would get one that is at least 5 yrs old and I would suggest buy a quarter horse. Someone gave you bad information, suggesting you buy a yearling.
Since you are new to horses, never get a young horse thinking you will learn together, it doesn’t work. I would take some lessons and that person may know of someone with a dependable horse and it might give you an idea of the type of horse you want. The cheapest part of a horse is buying it. After that it just goes up from there. If they get hurt, plan on a minimum of a $500 vet bill or up into the $1000s. There is deworming, farrier, hay, feed, etc. I’m not trying to discourage you, they are just a lot of work and expense but they are worth it.