Advice to new horse owner .... If only you knew what you know now!!

Don't take every piece of advice given. Those that spout info with ultimate confidence aren't always that well informed!
 
Get a good vet, farrier, EDT and saddle fitter.

The two main problems that I have witnessed with new horse owners could be solved with

1. Don't worry, just sit up and kick on.

2. As long as you and the horse get home safely, don't worry about X, Y or Z as there is always tomorrow to work on that.

I've found myself saying those two things countless times when escorting new owners out on hacks.
 
Faracat said:
Get a good vet, farrier, EDT and saddle fitter.

The two main problems that I have witnessed with new horse owners could be solved with

1. Don't worry, just sit up and kick on.

2. As long as you and the horse get home safely, don't worry about X, Y or Z as there is always tomorrow to work on that.

I've found myself saying those two things countless times when escorting new owners out on hacks.
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Thanks Faracat :)
 
1) Don't buy everything to match...in a short while everything will be brown anyway:eek:

2) Your horse won't melt- so don't sit at work worrying about him should it start to rain/snow etc.

3) Your horse doesnt have to be clipped- even if every other horse on the yard is.

4) The most important thing to feed your horse is decent hay- plenty of it, enough to last all night.

5) Ask for help, if you need it- from someone competent. Yard 'know-it-alls' tend to know bugger all - they just think they do;)
 
I would say listen to all the advise, read all the books then take the bits out of it that work for you...there is very rarely a clear cut right and wrong way of doing things, quite often its just personal preferance. Also get a good farrier, vet, dentist, back person, saddle fitter etc by recommendation.
 
Make sure you trust your pony, cause when you have your own horse you end up very close! I've seen alot of problems be fixed just by riders trusting their horse :)
 
Dont buy a grey!
Fly spray is useless and expensive!
A horse is always cheap for a reason.
Dont buy a horse to bring on unless you are a million percent sure you can or will have the help :)
 
4 golden rules.

No foot no horse - horse's feet are in my opinion the most important part of their body. Make sure you have a **** hot farrier. Price in my opinion doesn't matter.

Teeth- make sure you have your teeth checked regularly (at least yearly) by a qualified and trusted Equine Dental Technician. My boy is only 4.5 but is being visited 4 monthly due to his previous owners neglecting his teeth.

Saddle - make sure you get your saddle fitted properly and their back checked. Their backs are very precious. Make sure you get saddles annually flocked as horses change shape all the time (especially youngsters - Obie's is being flocked every few months).

Natural - let your horse be a horse! Feed naturally (ad lib hay - preferably from the floor), and put them out in the field with other horses (after all they're herd animals) for as long as possible with other horses. A solitary lifestyle in their stable is NO life for a horse, and a lifestyle I despise.
 
I wish I'd known how long it would take to find the right horse!

When I took the decision to buy a horse of my own, I expected the search to be exciting, and that I would find a suitable horse pretty quickly. I never expected the frustrations, and disappointments, or that a year later I'd still be looking!

But take your time, it is better to wait and find a horse that is right than to buy quickly and get one that isn't right. I've looked back on most of those disappointments and realised that it was all for the best, the right horse will come along.

I guess it is like the saying marry in haste repent at leisure but with buying a horse.... :D
 
Keep your holiday photo's nicely framed and visible - you probably won't get another holiday for years!

Don't be afraid to ask for advice,

Go on recommendations for back men, farriers, vets, dentists etc, if they are that good people will be happy to tell all their friends about them.

Good tack is a good investment, and keep checking it for wear and tear.

And the most important thing? Just have fun!
 
All of the above
yes be open to advise But with a pinch of salt
Never be afraid to ask questions How else will you learn and not every question has one answer.
Enjoy every bit, from getting hot to being frozen. sopping wet or sore. Falling off and rubbish days. Dressing up being nervous at shows. If we all got it straight away there wouldn't be any fun in it.
Enjoy your horse, respect them and cuddle often. We expect a heck of a lot from them :D
 
When I got my first horse I wish someone had told me...

It is far far harder than you think.
Listen to your horse rather than all the gob*****s on the yard.
Grow a very thick skin to protect you from bitchiness and toxic friendships.
Let your horse be a horse. It's not a child and it won't melt in the rain.
Don't overfeed/overrug.
Don;t skimp on bedding - many people do at the expense of good foot hygiene.
It's ok to make mistakes as long as you learn from them (and you will, so get used to it!)
It will take you longer than you think to 'bond' with your new horse.
When dealing with horses you often take 3 steps forward and 2 or even 3 steps back.
NOTHING happens quickly. You will need patience and determination.
A yard where your horse is happy and content is far better than a yard that is convenient for the owner, and makes for stress-free horse ownership!
 
Breathe, don't dwell on the bad days - horses will be horses and we all have moods, don't listen to scare mongering at yards or try to appear to know more than you do - we are all learning and people are more willing to help those who don't try to know it all, and don't run before you can walk.

Also - vetting and trusted friend who won't spare you're feelings when you're looking are a MUST.

But ultimately - remember to enjoy getting to know your new friend - its an awesome process and lots of fun... and if its not fun - move on.

xx
 
- "No foot no 'oss, so get a good farrier and look after them

- don't be pressured into competing if you don't want to - be a happy hacker if that's what you want to do

- don't put up with a lousy livery yard

- "the best whip is in the corn bin"

- make sure saddle fits and get it checked regulalry by different person if possible

- get a good vet and stick with them, and listen to their advice

- get a good horsey friend who'll stick with you and listen to all your raves and rantings about your horse!! and offer constructive and helpful advice when needed without interfering

- get a good trainer for when (not if) things go wrong; who'll give you confidence and not knock you down

- buy the best feed and hay you can afford: not to do so is false economy

- treasure your horse and treat him/her like your best friend; one day all you'll have is the memories and a few photos

- if things don't work out, you are responsible for passing on your horse to the best possible home you can find for him/her

- if your horse gets old, or sick, or in pain, and you have to make a tough decision, then don't pass this responsility on to someone else or sell on; grit your teeth, say your goodbyes, and do the decent and humane thing
 
MiJodsR2BlinkinTite said:
- "No foot no 'oss, so get a good farrier and look after them

- don't be pressured into competing if you don't want to - be a happy hacker if that's what you want to do

- don't put up with a lousy livery yard

- "the best whip is in the corn bin"

- make sure saddle fits and get it checked regulalry by different person if possible

- get a good vet and stick with them, and listen to their advice

- get a good horsey friend who'll stick with you and listen to all your raves and rantings about your horse!! and offer constructive and helpful advice when needed without interfering

- get a good trainer for when (not if) things go wrong; who'll give you confidence and not knock you down

- buy the best feed and hay you can afford: not to do so is false economy

- treasure your horse and treat him/her like your best friend; one day all you'll have is the memories and a few photos

- if things don't work out, you are responsible for passing on your horse to the best possible home you can find for him/her

- if your horse gets old, or sick, or in pain, and you have to make a tough decision, then don't pass this responsility on to someone else or sell on; grit your teeth, say your goodbyes, and do the decent and humane thing
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Some nices pieces if info there thanks also noticed your from Devon too!
 
Buying your horse is the cheap bit; it is the maintenance that costs! Shoeing, vets, rugs, tack, insurance, and on and on and on….

I heard a vet on the radio say that if you cannot afford insurance (or at least putting money aside for vets bills) then you cannot afford a horse.
 
Safety first! Take time to do things properly when handling your horse or other equipment. It's surprising how quickly an accident can happen when you cut corners or rush things (and in the end it takes you far longer to sort out the mess than if you do it properly in the first place).

Stay in your comfort zone when handling/riding your horse - if you are learning something new, think and plan carefully and in manageable steps so as not to scare yourself or your horse. Don't overdo it! :)
 
Dont try to rush things, it is easier to make slow progress than have to start over if your or your horses confidence takes a knock. Dont listen to anybody that tries to tell you things are moving too slow, its about you and your horse, not anybody else. Also, get used to finding bits of bedding, hair and hay everywhere,and get removeable car seat covers!
 
- You do not need the most expensive, saddle, bridle, rug- blumming creature will probably just trash it anyway.
- Horses need to be OUT in a FIELD(not 2m square grass box) with other horses- its what they do and stops em from going mad (learnt that one the hard way!)
- Always go with YOUR gut instinct over and above any advise, no one can possibly know your horse like you do.
 
All the advice above is great, to add my twopenneths..

Go with your gut feeling.. I ignored mine a couple of times on advice of people who I thought knew better but guess what, they didnt!!

Plus its much harder than you think it will be but it is so worth it in the end :D
 
Thank you this is great advice as I'm a fairly new owner - most important thing I've found is bonding with my boys - so we have a nice trust respect thing going - just hope Echo remembers this when I pluck up courage to ride him:o
 
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