Advice needed - first timer!

[Charliepup123]

After years of riding as a teenager I had a few years off when studying & working full time and saving for a deposit on a house. I'm now in a position where I can comfortably afford a horse, I've started having lessons again at a local riding school to improve my riding and confidence with a view to eventually getting my own horse one day!

I have a stupid question which to most may sound silly but just need to get it out of my system!

When you buy a horse with regards to feeding, am I right in thinking you would ask what the horse is currently being fed and maintain this with any changes introduced gradually? I'm sure its a silly question but its not something I have had to think about in the past as I always just fed what I was told to by the owner and didn't really have to think about it.

I don't come from a horsey family and don't have many friends who are horsey either - having my own horse is something that has always frightened me but I don't want to let that get in the way of my dream!

 

[Amye]

Yes basically, unless you think the feeding is completely off. Any big change in feed could cause problems so it is always best to introduce new feed slowly.

I bought my first horse a year ago and this is one of the things I worried most about! As like you I had only ever been told 'this horse gets X amount' and never had to think for myself. My boy was only on grass and hay with previous owners. Came round to winter and I had to try and work it out for myself haha.

Don't worry too much about it though, you can ring feed companies for advice and ask around your yard! If you get a good doer (like me) then it's quite simple as they won't need much feed. You could always ask for advice at your riding school too

 

[Charliepup123]

thank you I did think realistically you would just ask the current feeding regime and be sure to introduce changes slowly if required but sometimes I doubt myself! I worry soooo much the thought of getting a horse excites me but also worries me! Therefore I want my first horse to be kept at a livery yard to make sure the help and guidance is on hand should I need it!

thanks again

 

[Amye]

thank you I did think realistically you would just ask the current feeding regime and be sure to introduce changes slowly if required but sometimes I doubt myself! I worry soooo much the thought of getting a horse excites me but also worries me! Therefore I want my first horse to be kept at a livery yard to make sure the help and guidance is on hand should I need it!

thanks again

Don't worry I understand that! Before I got mine last year I was excited but so nervous about getting a horse. I'd always had someone to ask what the horse needs doing or anything before and when you get your own they are completely your responsibility!

I got a couple of horse care books before I bought one to help. I also bought a horse with tack so I didn't need to worry about getting that fitted straight away. Everything else I found online, asked people at my yard when I had bought him or just worked out for myself. Staying at a livery yard definitely helped, even if you feel silly asking questions it's nice to have someone around for advice!

I worried about rugs and stuff at first but I just ended up buying him one of each and used my common sense. If I was really unsure I would just ask someone what they were doing, but baring in mind then some horses need to be more rugged up than others

 

[Shay]

BHS do a certificate in Horse Ownership if that appeals to you? And definitely starting at a good livery yard is a massive bonus as there are people around to stop you making any catastrophic mistakes!

 

[abbijay]

The only silly questions are the ones you don't ask!
Have you considered loaning as a supported first step into horse ownership?
I initially took my boy on winter loan from a trekking centre. I was also nervous of getting it right and liked the idea that I had an owner who was keen to support me if I needed it (even though they were 150 miles away, they'd answer my calls day or night). It gave me huge confidence.
It was a huge success too, I ended up buying him and he's now been my best friend for 7 years!

 

[luckyoldme]

You can also ring the feed companies, I found Allen and Page were very helpfull last year when trying to do the best for my oldie over winter. Their feeds are expensive, but i bought veteran vitality and was really pleased with the results.

 

[rachk89]

Yeah like everyone else has said introduce new feed slowly if changing. Although saying that I think I forgot to ask the dealer what my horse was being fed or at least I didnt buy anything different. But to be fair, he wasnt really being fed often by them except grass and hay, so hard feed was a luxury to him, not a daily thing. So the change there wasnt as big and didnt matter in effect.