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

madalicedj said:
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
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I agree with is 100% .

Learn to blank out the know it alls, the interferers and people who put a dampener on things (tend to be the same people).

Enjoy it, have fun and SMILE! We are very priveladged to have horses in our lives.
 
While you are looking to buy - DON'T overhorse yourself. No matter how 'difficult' the horses you are used to riding/handling, when you get one of your own, it's a whole different ball-game. For a first horse you need something which will 'teach' you horse-keeping and not take offence, or advantage, if (when) you make mistakes.
 
be prepared to look after your horse in all weathers - seriously.

If your horse goes lame, always check the feet first - approx 80% of all lameness comes from the foot :)

Buy lots and lots of hoof picks and lead reins -you can be sure that the one time you need one you can't find one :p

Buy nappies and espom salts - they best things for poulticing. Hot tub first (hot water and espom salts, and emerse (imerse?) foot in water for about 10mins) then wrap nappy around foot, duck tape, plastic bag, more duck tape, and vet wrap :)

Buy the pony club manual of horsemandship - very informative, very useful :)

Don't be afraid to ask for advice - horses are an art, not a degree :)
 
Forgive me, but 'pluck up the courage to ride him'! Have you not bought something you cannot wait to ride? Something totally suitable for you? If not, shame on the person that sold you him/her!
 
Same as I tell new teachers.
1) don't sweat the small stuff.Sort the big issues first the small ones will follow.
2) respect is a 2 way street, give and take.
3) Softly softly catch your monkey.
4) take your time you don't have to do it perfectly first time( or fiftieth)
5) take each day as it comes.

And from my own experience don't buy the stressy, neurotic WB who is obviously on the verge of a nervous break down. Still worked out for us, eventually

FDC
 
Don't buy plastic buckets - they may look pretty in all those lovely matchy matchy colours bur they break - easily - especially when it's -10! Guess who had to go out and buy the recycled tyre buckets today!
 
these come from my Dad

"Before you buy one, stand in the street and hand out £50 notes"
this is how poor you will be

"Before you buy one, dress in your riding gear and stand in a freezing shower"
This is how cold and wet you will get

"Before you buy one, roll around in a puddle then on the muck heap, then get in your car"
This is what you will look like, and what your car will smell like

Hm - tell my Dad isn't a fan?!
 
Ask if you dont know, but ask the right people. Vets, trainers and farriers know their onions!

Dont cut corners, its not worth it.

Make sure your nearest and dearest are will you all the way.

Love it! We are so lucky to have them, even if it doesnt always feel like it :)
 
Haven't read all the replies (I'm not really here :D), but I'll give you mine (they're silly.... :)) :

Accept that fact the 'Brown' is now Your Colour. Don't even bother thinking of trying to wear anything else (even if you do, it will end up Brown).

Horse hair gets everywhere (and I mean Everywhere...! :eek:).

Enjoy lie-ins whilst you can - they will soon be a dim and distant memory :D

Be prepared for people wiping their feet as they get out of your car :rolleyes:

Get something good to record all programmes after nine pm, because there is no way you'll be able to have late nights and still get up at the crack of sparrow's f*rt to see to your horse before work the next morning :cool:

Accept now that people will think you are barking mad/rich beyond avarice/a bit dim.

Hm.

Think that's all for now.

Back to work for me so's I can pay for the herd of hairies :D

Oh, that reminds me, it never, ever stops at just having one!!

:D
 
once you have vetted and bought the horse the best money you can spend is 2 to 3 lessons per week for the first 3 weeks with a good instructor and build a partnership,(lessons could be accompanied hacking, ground work, lunging, riding) ironing out any disagreements between you and the horse. and keep your bucket food to a minimum til you know each other. yes it sounds expensive but in the long run cheap, and eliminates posts like i cant get my horse to do..., i am afraid to ride him as i left him to settle and now he is hyper etc etc.
 
You need to like your instructor and feel you are improving - if you aren't - move on quickly.
Livery yard is where you go to relax, if you are not happy, say something, failing that, move.
Again, the ones who spout all the opinions and how high they jump are not the same people who actually know anything
Never cut back on the on going basics of back, teeth, good regular shoeing and saddle fitting. Ignore those who tell you are wasting your money
Treat your farrier WELL!
You do not need to go out and buy everything rug/piece of tack going straightaway - you will hoard horsey gear and spend money you dont have anyway so at least try to pace yourself to start with!
And best advice - there is no clear cut way of "turn out with x horses for x hours wearing this number of rugs" It will vary wildy from horse to horse to take time to learn about yours and do whats right for him. I would dearly love to be able to turn my old mare to live out but she is very firm in her desire to be stabled!
 
Many things have been said, and as I haven't read it all appologise for repeating anyone. My advice is;
Learn by watching others... some people are very knowledgable and just by watching them you could learn loads, some are not so knowledgable and you can learn by watching their mistakes.
Hands on = reading books is great, asking questions is fantastic and listening is brilliant but you have to do 'hands on' to really learn and to experience how things work for you and how things don't!!

Above all, BREATHE and enjoy it!
 
During your first spring and summer keep an eye on weight gain and associated problems, it can be hard to understand what feed and exercise regime keeps them healthy, perhaps ask the owner if currently at good weight and fitness level. I would also ask what the horse routine has been so that you can ease them into new surroundings a little easier by perhaps following that routine for a while... I learnt both of these things the hard way becasue bought from dealers but its all a learning curve
 
Here are mine (may repeat some!):

1. Listen to your horse, not those many people who WILL give you confusing unsolicited advice. It's your horse not theirs...on the other hand you will need friends, I mean real horsey friends who KNOW what they are talking about to help you! Choose wisely....
2. Look after teeth, feet, back.....be very sure your saddle is well fitting. They DO change shape, and saddles then need refitting/replacing.
3. Watch weight, and amend feed accordingly: this applies to grazing too.
4. Find a GOOD vet by word of mouth, farrier ditto (never expect either to turn up when they say they will)
5. Buy good waterproofs, you will need them. There is no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing :-)
6. Do not expect to ever have any money at any time ever again. Or be able to buy any "normal" clothes that cost more than a pair of decent jods....cos you won't.
7. Be prepared that thereafter your car will resemble a cross between a tack shop and a skip (you will be too tired to hoover it and too embarrassed to pay for it to be valeted), and that your washing machine may pack up from the hay/straw/hair blocking it up.

And my final gem.....never...never ...open an OS map whilst riding. It will be messy.
 
bumper said:
Here are mine (may repeat some!):

1. Listen to your horse, not those many people who WILL give you confusing unsolicited advice. It's your horse not theirs...on the other hand you will need friends, I mean real horsey friends who KNOW what they are talking about to help you! Choose wisely....
2. Look after teeth, feet, back.....be very sure your saddle is well fitting. They DO change shape, and saddles then need refitting/replacing.
3. Watch weight, and amend feed accordingly: this applies to grazing too.
4. Find a GOOD vet by word of mouth, farrier ditto (never expect either to turn up when they say they will)
5. Buy good waterproofs, you will need them. There is no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing :-)
6. Do not expect to ever have any money at any time ever again. Or be able to buy any "normal" clothes that cost more than a pair of decent jods....cos you won't.
7. Be prepared that thereafter your car will resemble a cross between a tack shop and a skip (you will be too tired to hoover it and too embarrassed to pay for it to be valeted), and that your washing machine may pack up from the hay/straw/hair blocking it up.

And my final gem.....never...never ...open an OS map whilst riding. It will be messy.
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Brilliant!! And so true!!!
As said, put your money into quality food and forage, and one really really decent rug - steer clear of gear-for-the-sake-of-it and gadgets, they rarely solve a problem and can create more. And enjoy yourself!
 
Make sure you spend plenty of time looking for the right horse for you. Don't just buy the first horse you see because you like the look of it! Be honest about your abilities and what sort of level you are at. Many people (especially those who are used to riding at riding schools) put themselves at a higher level than they actually are at and end up looking at and buying horses which are too much for them and then losing there confidence. Also, it is important that you can an experienced person with you (such as your riding instructor) when you go to look at the horse as they will know how you ride, and will be able to help you to decide whether or not the horse is suitable for you.
 
Hi All

Im so glad i started this thread as its lovely to hear everyones advice and tips. Having had horses as a child/ teeni have got back into riding following a 10 year gap and am looking for loan with view to but my first horse as an adult. Its interesting getting everyones perspective and truthfull opinions so thankyou once again. We could write a book with all these!!
 
My advise would be:
be prepared for them to take over your life..in a good way though..
owning is completely different to loaning..
be ready for nursing them through injuries etc..it's not as easy as you think!!
 
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