Advice for Aspiring First Time Horse Owner

[Miss_Millie]

Hi everyone

I would really like to eventually own a horse, and financially I think I will be in a comfortable position to do so in a few years, but I don't feel that I have enough knowledge in terms of horse care/ day to day stuff and am wondering how to fill the gaps?

To give you an idea of my background, I have been riding since I was five, but had a good chunk of time away from horses when I went to uni, and got back into riding a year and a half ago when I was helping someone local to ride their mare. I feel that I'm confident around horses on the ground and at my riding school as a child/teenager, I helped out with the mucking out, rugging up, turning out, tacking up etc - I also helped with these sorts of tasks with the mare mentioned above.

There are so many things I don't know about though - what/how much a horse should be fed, how to look out for potential health problems, shoeing, how do I rig up a horse trailer and load a horse safely...probably so many other things. I have just started having lessons again to get back into the swing of things - I can walk, trot, canter, have jumped up to 3ft - would say that I'm a confident rider but haven't done anything fancy, and don't aspire to anything big in terms of competing or anything like that.

I would honestly just love to have a horse that I can form a strong bond with, brush every day, go on lots of hacks, maybe do a small cross country course now and again but overall I have no interest in competing and just want to ride for leisure, be out in nature with my horse and have the enjoyment of forming an amazing bond with a horse that I can call my own.

I've wondered if a part loan or a loan might be the next step, but I'm worried that it could knock my confidence rather than helping me to improve and learn about horse ownership. During my time with the horse mentioned above, it was very up and down because I didn't feel that her owner 100% trusted me and sometimes I felt like I was walking on eggshells and getting passive aggressive signals at times.

I'm quite a reserved/shy person and am not particularly good at sticking up for myself, so I worry about the politics of loaning or sharing a horse. I do of course appreciate that it is a huge responsibility looking after someone else's horse, and that someone is trusting you with their very beloved animal. Is there any way that I can go from where I am now to horse ownership without having to loan inbetween? Are there perhaps some courses that I could do to fill the gaps in my knowledge and increase my competence? Sadly I don't have any friends or family with horses, so am very much learning off of my own back

If anyone has any more suggestions then they would be so appreciated, thank you.

 

[CMcC]

When I bought my first horse (swiftly followed by companion pony) I didn’t really have a clue. I was lucky enough to be able to keep them at home, but did do a couple of months at livery to start with, and learnt basics of feeding and mucking out etc. I had a good instructor who gave me advice. But generally I muddled through, read lots of magazines and books (Before the internet!) I didn’t get a trailer until I had owned horses for ten years, but went and did a towing course even though I didn’t need to pass test.Asked advice when I needed help.
I am sure I made a lot of mistakes but everyone survived.
Don‘t over think things, common sense and support from friends/professionals.

 

[Carrottom]

I used to have lessons at a riding centre that also did livery. They were also a training centre for BHS exams. I did the stage one exam course at the same time as buying my first horse, then kept him there on livery. By this time I knew the staff week enough to be happy asking for advice to continue learning.

 

[Miss_Millie]

When I bought my first horse (swiftly followed by companion pony) I didn’t really have a clue. I was lucky enough to be able to keep them at home, but did do a couple of months at livery to start with, and learnt basics of feeding and mucking out etc. I had a good instructor who gave me advice. But generally I muddled through, read lots of magazines and books (Before the internet!) I didn’t get a trailer until I had owned horses for ten years, but went and did a towing course even though I didn’t need to pass test.Asked advice when I needed help.
I am sure I made a lot of mistakes but everyone survived.
Don‘t over think things, common sense and support from friends/professionals.

This reassures me, thank you for the advice. I think keeping on a livery yard to begin with sounds like a good idea, you must learn a lot from being around experienced horse owners - similarly I would like to keep my future horse at home in the long term, as we are looking to buy a house with a few acres in the next couple of years. I'm thinking to buy a bunch of BHS books and read as many as possible on all subjects I feel unsure of.

 

[Miss_Millie]

I used to have lessons at a riding centre that also did livery. They were also a training centre for BHS exams. I did the stage one exam course at the same time as buying my first horse, then kept him there on livery. By this time I knew the staff week enough to be happy asking for advice to continue learning.

I wish that the riding centre I went to did the BHS exams, but from what I can see on their website they don't (I will check with someone in person though) - the stage one exam sounds like it would be very helpful.

 

[Griffin]

I loaned a horse on full livery before I bought my own. I had done BHS stage 1, stable management (and obviously ridden for a while), so I had a rough idea of how to care for a horse. However, loaning a horse on full livery allowed me to learn how to care for him in a supported environment. I used to ask the grooms if I could watch what they were doing and talk to them about it. Then I would have a go myself!

I will say with horses that you are always learning new things. I still keep my own horse at a livery yard because I trust the yard owner and I know I can always ask them for advice and help. Sometimes, it will be big things e.g. when my horse had a huge reaction to a fly bite. Other times it will be little things like 'which rug would be best overnight?'

I would also say that you don't form a bond overnight. I think it probably took me about six months to form a proper bond with my mare. She was very wary and it took a long time to build her trust but now we're proper team.

 

[Wishfilly]

I wish that the riding centre I went to did the BHS exams, but from what I can see on their website they don't (I will check with someone in person though) - the stage one exam sounds like it would be very helpful.

Most riding schools don't run the stage exams themselves, because being an exam centre is different and requires a large range of horses/ponies. If they are BHS registered, they can still train you for the exam, or through your progressive riding tests. You could then choose whether it's worth actually travelling to sit the exam or not. There are also workbooks for the stage exams which you can buy which cover most of the theoretical knowledge for the syllabus (e.g. feeding, saddle fit, fittening work etc).

Alternatively, you may just be able to pay for some stable management lessons without doing an exam syllabus as such.

The syllabus for the stage exams has changed since I did a few, but do bear in mind they are aiming to prepare you to work with horses, not for ownership as such, so sometimes in the exam (especially Stage One) the answer is "check with someone more experienced/check with the boss"- which doesn't always work if you are a solo horse owner keeping a horse on your own land. There did used to be a BHS course more aimed at leisure horse owners, but I am not sure if they still run it.

I think as a less experienced owner, keeping a horse on your own land is not going to be the best idea. You'll need at least two, a knowledge of how to manage the land, a knowledge of how to maintain fencing, a knowledge of when to call the vet (or you'll end up with a LOT of call out fees), contacts and storage for hay(lage). And IMO it is really hard work keeping a horse without stables, and without access to somewhere to ride in all weathers. I think it's a great long term aim, but I would budget for at least a couple of years on livery. It'll be a good way to make more horsey friends, too and have access to facilities you probably won't have at home!

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

This reassures me, thank you for the advice. I think keeping on a livery yard to begin with sounds like a good idea, you must learn a lot from being around experienced horse owners - similarly I would like to keep my future horse at home in the long term, as we are looking to buy a house with a few acres in the next couple of years. I'm thinking to buy a bunch of BHS books and read as many as possible on all subjects I feel unsure of.

What you will learn on a livery yard is that here are as many ways of keeping a horse as there are livery customers! And they all think their way is the best/only way. My advice is to read as much as you can about all the things that you feel that you need to know, maybe take the BHS Horse owners' course and don't bother with loaning/sharing unless you know the owner extremely well, you could find yourself just learning how not to do it!

 

[SBJT]

What you will learn on a livery yard is that here are as many ways of keeping a horse as there are livery customers! And they all think their way is the best/only way. My advice is to read as much as you can about all the things that you feel that you need to know, maybe take the BHS Horse owners' course and don't bother with loaning/sharing unless you know the owner extremely well, you could find yourself just learning how not to do it!

This!! ? it drives me bananas as a first time horse owner. I’ve learned to trust myself more as the years have gone on.

 

[mossycup]

The BHS challenge awards would be perfect - less pressure than the stages exams but a comprehensive learning programme with different levels of achievement

 

[lookingforadvice]

Unless your planning to keep your horse on your own land, I would definitely advise you to find a good livery yard with a friendly atmosphere. Go and view some Livery yards before buying the horse.

It’s so handy having lots of horsey people around, and you know your not on your own if something goes wrong.

 

[tristar]

when you get a horse, look after it according to the type or breed of horse it is, and the individual it is, and the kind of management plan you will need from day one.

 

[Baywonder]

As a pony mad and pony less child, I read every single thing I could get my hands on to do with horses - books, magazines etc (no internet back then - I'm showing my age!). I had weekly riding lessons, and in between those, I would try and cadge a ride or help out with any horse or pony owner who was willing to let me do it. I also did pony camp at the riding school, which covered all the horse care etc.

Then I bought my very own as a teenager. It was scary and exciting at the same time. I asked the yard manager advice about feeding my pony, and I learnt a lot from her in the early days. Other liveries were really helpful too, and soon my confidence grew to a level I was happy to be at.

It might be worth asking around your local stables or riding schools about doing voluntary work - that could be another option for you to gain a bit more experience.

This forum is great at providing advice too. You have already taken the first important steps by asking questions before you start on you horse ownership journey. And remember, there is no such thing as a daft question - it is better to ask and be sure, rather than take a flyer on it and suffer the potential consequences.

And yes, as others have pointed out, livery yards are full of different characters, and everyone thinks they know best!

 

[ownedbyaconnie]

Your first experience owning a horse can be quite simple if you buy a suitable first time owner horse. My connie mare is a dream first time horse in terms of stable management. She gets fed a token minimal sugar feed, wintered rugless, is barefoot, is good for farrier, loads herself, can leave her for a couple of weeks and get on and she won't be any different etc. She is not however a dream first time owner horse in terms of ridden.

"Green on green makes black and blue" i.e. a green rider should not buy a green horse. Which is precisely what I did but I had a really good support team and I was more than happy to take things very slow and steady. I wouldn't recommend, it's been a tough couple of years where I've had the old sulk at watching friends get on and just ride and have fun whilst I've been trying to undo years of bad/non existent schooling whilst motorbiking round corners in canter hanging on for dear life.

Make sure when you do go buy a horse that you take someone experienced that knows your riding ability (i.e. an instructor). I would strongly recommend having a horse on part/full livery if you can afford it, or at least a very supportive DIY, for the first few years.

As for in the mean time I think a part loan would be very beneficial if you can find the right one. I've always accepted straight out of riding school riders and am happy to teach them the care side as long as they are willing to learn/accept that what I say goes (i.e. one kept putting a stable fleece on my unclipped very fluffy pony at night and in the morning she would be sweating).

Best of luck, prepare to lose your time/mind/disposable income.

p.s when budgeting your monthly expenses, at least double if not triple the figure you think you will spend.

 

[windand rain]

Read, ask questions listen to advice but only do what seems right to you. Keep shouting violence and beatings out of your vocabulary. Always be firm but fair in handling. Horses are not humans they need security and to trust you won't be changing your mind constantly as the mood takes you. If you insist on good manners today you must insist on the same tomorrow. Consistancy is key. Feeding is relatively easy read everything on the bags before you buy and regardless of type keep to low sugar, low starch, quality protein and if needed oil. Dont get suckered by fancy pictures or brand nutritionalists. If your horse seems unwell get a vet it might be nothing or something and might cost a bit until you learn what is and isnt worthy of a visit. Ask questions of farriers, vets, dentists and instructors but again if it doesnt sit right think about it and decide what you feel is right. I am probably a bit of a cynic but after 60 years of horses some unscrupulous people are just after your money. Keep up to date with routine vaccinations, farriery and dentistry and problems will be much reduced. Mostly finding the right horse for you, common sense and thoughtfulness should bring you great joy. There is nothing better than the huge learning curve horses bring even after all the years I still learn something new every day and am very open minded about progress and researched change

 

[baran]

And forget about bonding. Horses don't think in these terms.

 

[Errin Paddywack]

Long time I knew someone who bought her first horse, a nice chunky sort about 14.2/15 hhs. She bought a sack of feed and fed it to the amount advised on the sack. Pony didn't need hard feed and went totally loopy. Took off with her one day and she ended up going head first into a hedge. She broke both wrists. Learnt the hard way to ignore recommended amounts to feed. Just grass and hay till you know the animal and its needs.

 

[Cutgrass]

Have you got a local RDA? They have sharers who look after their horses, so you could have a share but one with lots of support from those on the yard. You all usually chip on with helping with other jobs, horse and ponies too, so it's a fab way to boost your knowledge and experience while also supporting a good cause.

 

[Annagain]

I would love a sharer like you - honest about how much you know; keen to learn more; and, above all, concerned about getting it right. Just because your last share didn't work out, don't rule it out. As others have said, finding the right yard (for the first few months at least) is key to making it work for first time owners so they can show you what to do and be on hand if things go wrong. 95% of it is common sense though so I wouldn't overthink it. The fact you want to get it right means you will.

 

[Orangehorse]

Lots of good advice above. Certainly read plenty of books, and that includes fiction, a lot of my knowledge came from reading Pony books!


Libraries usually have a few to borrow. Basic stable management, handling advice doesn't change. But agree, with a new horse start off with grass and hay only, in fact many of them can do quite a lot of work with that.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

Have you got a local RDA? They have sharers who look after their horses, so you could have a share but one with lots of support from those on the yard. You all usually chip on with helping with other jobs, horse and ponies too, so it's a fab way to boost your knowledge and experience while also supporting a good cause.

They don't all do this!

I am closely involved with a local RDA group and have taken children from school to another one - the only thing they had in common was that they were both run from a RS, neither had sharers.

I can recommend volunteering with a RDA group to increase your horsey experience, though.


When you start looking for your first horse, I suggest looking for a ride and drive experienced horse. I have owned a few inc, the first horse that I shared with my sister. He was almost totally bombproof and taught us a lot about stable management and they have all been brilliant to hack both alone and in company, with calm temperaments. As someone above said take someone experienced with you when you go to view but make sure that they are looking at the hrose 8for you*, not thinking of what they could make the horse into.

 

[9tails]

This!! ? it drives me bananas as a first time horse owner. I’ve learned to trust myself more as the years have gone on.

Nod and smile, then do it your own way. I learned early on to stay away from the old birds who liked to gossip over coffee. I agree with @baran about bonding, my horse likes me most and that's the best you should hope for.

 

[oldie48]

Looking back to when i bought my first horse aged nearly 50, I am shocked at how little I knew but we survived! More than 20 years down the line, I still don't know everything and I never will, but I am never afraid to ask for help. I sat in with pony club kids doing stable management for their B test to learn the basics, just wacked a few pounds into the club funds to say thank you, probably couldn't do that now but having some proper stable management lessons really helped. Getting the right first horse and being on a knowlegeable supportive yard for the first couple of years was also key, you just don't know what you don't know and handling school horses is so different to handling your own as no-one is licking them back into good manners when you are not there. Nothing beats experience but the only way to gain experience is to do it! Good luck.

 

[Quigleyandme]

I think it is like parenthood; you feel ill prepared and clumsy and scared that you’ll cause irreparable damage with your ignorance but in no time at all you are doing fine. Listen to and trust your gut instinct over “experts” if you suspect any change in your horse’s behaviour is because he is poorly and assemble a good team around you and your horse of instructor, vet, dentist, physio, farrier and saddle fitter.