everything you need to know before owning your own horse

Cobi

Cobi

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Hi everyone. Apologies for the essay but want someone to talk too!!

I would like to know what the title reads! Everything I should know before owning my own horse.

I have a plan, one that may never happen but I would like to think it will. It won't happen til at least 2013 if then!

I started riding at 4, had a nasty accident at 18. Took 4 ish years off and this year came back into riding. Am 22 now. I would like a chunky Cob as feel safer with something to wrap my legs around! Also tall as I am 5.8. Anyway the horse can wait.

Basically dont know a great deal of stable/horse care management, have read up alot on here and elsewhere and I am enjoying my research into health issues etc. Have a share at the moment who I have learnt alot on regarding grooming and rugging, turning in/out, tacking up etc.

Where did everyone else learn the care side of horses? The stables I went to was lovely but all they did there was teach us how to be a good rider! They done everything else themselves, to save time I presume.

To cut a long story short I would like a list of things I need to know and things that can be 'taught' along the way. Sorry if i am rambling, its almost home time! :) thanks for any comments.

X
 
I learnt at a riding school, and later on at college. Is there a college or equestrian centre near you that does something like the Horse owners certificate?

Minimum I would say to know is
- treating basic injuries - or at least knowing when to call the vet!
- you know grooming, rugs and tack - have a look at ill fitting stuff so you know!
- feeding - what to feed - keep it simple! cob will prob just need forage
- worming - you can get a programme from the vet or use intelligent worming where you pay and they do poo samples and send you wormers
- shoeing - signs horse needs doing or trimming, again may be able to go barefoot

things you learn along the way - how to treat different injuries, what tack/bit suits your horse, what feed is best for your individual horse, more about horse behaviour

Get a good instructor, good vet and farrier. And then find someone with vast amounts of horse knowledge who doesn't mind you asking endless questions!
 
I agree with the college idea, you can do home courses for the basic info or do your Horse Management quals at an Equine College. However if you don't want to do anything like that, how about offering your services for free at a Riding School/Yard so that you can learn the ropes along the way?
 
Sometimes it makes sense to have your first horse kept on part-livery at a yard with a friendly and supportive yard owner. That way it can be less stressful and you can ask as many questions as you want and learn as you go along.

Good luck!

Oh yes...and the overdraft :eek:
 
It might be worth doing your BHS Horseowner's Certificate - not a qualification as such but specifically designed for the first time horse owner.
 
My daughter and myself had 2 shares before buying our first horse - did much more stable management than actual riding which was fine with the owners as they knew thats what we wanted - we were having lessons at a riding school and basically were paying to share to learn about general care and horse management etc
 
camilla4 said:
How to negotiate an overdraft!! :)
Click to expand...

BIG consideration !! lol

on a more serious note - I learnt much more than I care to mention by helping out at my local Riding school and then progressing onto helping out at the local RDA centre. I was more involved with the tacking up and care side - talk about learning on the job ! Fantastic peoiple and fantastic work!
 
I found a share horse and was lucky to find a friend who guided me through the first steps of sharing and then having my own horse - she was priceless :)

A few useful things I have picked up along the way:

Farriers know about feet, and are signficantly cheaper than vets. First call for lameness where you suspect feet, call your farrier. And thank them with chocolates/alcohol. Ditto a proper horse dentist.

Sometimes, much as you love your horse, you do have to tell it off. It's half a ton, you are not. Your safety always comes first. This is especially relevant if you get a cob with typical stubborn cob tendencies.

RE: Feeding: if you put in more than the horse uses, it puts on weight. Cut the food or up the work. You don't need to feed the 'recommended amount' of the feed bag.

Good sharers and/or people to help you out are priceless - if you find them, treasure them.

You will be skint, you will smell of horse wee, and your car will be full of straw.

A good pair of wellies and a good coat will be your best friends. Even if they're not particularly flattering.

It's a horse. It can survive out in a field in the rain. It probably doesn't actually need a fortnightly massage.

Everyone will have an 'expert' opinion on everything you do. As long as you know that you're doing the best by your horse, take a deep breath and let it wash over you.


I'm sure you could find a nice cob to share - offer your help and a small financial contribution, and find an owner who is willing to help you learn. My sharers were complete beginners but are really keen to learn and that's what really matters :)
 
I agree that the best idea is to offer to help at a riding school. Make sure it is a good one though you don't want to pick up any bad habbits! 2013 is long enough away that you have more than enough time to do the thing properly. I also think BHS certificate is a good idea, lots of centres do training courses in stable management. They are generally geared towards BHS exams but you don't actually have to take it if you don't want to, and they are a fantastic way to learn 'by the book'. Even if nothing with horses is ever 'by the book' it is generally a good place to start!
Good luck :)
 
1. Drop a heavy steel object on your foot. Don't pick it up right away. Shout "Get off, stupid! Get off!"
2. Leap out of a moving vehicle and practice "Relaxing into the fall". Roll into a ball, and spring to your feet!
3. Learn to grab your cheque book out of your purse/pocket and write out a £200 cheque without even looking down
4. Jog long distances carrying a headcollar and holding out a carrot. Go ahead and tell the neighbours what you're doing.They might as well know now.
5. Affix a pair of reins to a moving freight train and practice pulling it to a halt. And smile as if you are really having fun.
6. Hone your fibbing skills. "See hon, moving hay bales is fun!" and " I'm glad your lucky performance and multi-million pound horse won you first place - I'm just thankful that my hard work and actual ability won me second place" .
7. Practice dialing your chiropractors number with both arms paralysed to the shoulder, and one foot anchoring the lead rope of a frisky horse.
8. Borrow the US Army slogan; "Be all that you can be'...( but add) bitten, thrown, kicked, slimmed, trampled."
9. Lie face down in the mud in your most expensive riding clothes and repeat to yourself: "This is a learning experience, this is a learning experience ..."
10. Marry Money

:rolleyes: :D
 
Thank you all so much for all the info, it has really helped! I will look into a course and be on the search for a school to offer my help to, anyone know of any near Leighton Buzzard Milton keynes area that would be happy for me to volunteer to? Oh and i own ferrets so always smell of one so smelling of horse wee might be a nice change! Haha love the list there Rhino :-D
 
Moulton college does BHS courses I think. I assume if you can afford to buy a horse for yourself that you're too old for Pony Club.;) That's where I learnt stuff. The PC Manual of horsemanship was my Bible.:cool: Is it still on sale?
 
Hi Jinglebell thanks i'll look into that, yh am 22 so past pony club age unfortunately! Shame as it seems great fun lol
 
The two most important things I would say is you need to make sure you can afford to buy a horse and secondly that you have the time to keep one. Make sure you do all your calculations to ensure you can afford it.

The stable management you should be fine with if you already share a horse I learnt stable management from working on an eventing yard then I shared horses for a few years before buying my own horse. As well as doing a college course BTEC National Diploma in Equine Business Management.

I keep my horse where I had my last horse that I shared. When I got her I decided she would be my last share and when it came to an end decided to buy my boy. The reason for choosing this yard mainly was because he is my first horse and the people on the yard are so friendly and always willing to help. I think if you buy a horse you must make sure you have the help and support from other liveries if required. Most people are always happy to help and give you advice and of course this forum is fab if you ever have a problem to! ;)

Even if its just little things like deciding which rug to put on your horse or if they've injured themselves asking people how to treat it, etc. We have a few veterinary nurses on my yard so they always come in handy! I think the most important thing with having your own horse is if you are unsure about anything just ask.

As others have said make sure you get the horse insured with a good company and get a good farrier, vet, saddler, riding instructor , etc and you won't go far wrong. Also don't forget about all the equipment you require when you haven't got anything it will soon mount up! You've got to get feed buckets, hay nets, rug racks (if needed I find them useful), mucking out equipment, grooming equipment, tack, lunging equipment, first aid kit, rugs, numnah's etc, etc. Ebay is a good place to get rugs, etc and also look out for sales e.g. Robinsons have seasonal sales and is always good for a bargain!
 
There are some big tack shops round mk with big notice boards, i'd keep an eye out for people wanting help once you'be done some basic stable management at a riding school.

And having now had my first horse for nearly 2 years my words of wisdom are... however much you think it will cost double it and however long you think it will take triple it! If nothing else horses teach you budgeting and patience!
 
rhino said:
1. Drop a heavy steel object on your foot. Don't pick it up right away. Shout "Get off, stupid! Get off!"
2. Leap out of a moving vehicle and practice "Relaxing into the fall". Roll into a ball, and spring to your feet!
3. Learn to grab your cheque book out of your purse/pocket and write out a £200 cheque without even looking down
4. Jog long distances carrying a headcollar and holding out a carrot. Go ahead and tell the neighbours what you're doing.They might as well know now.
5. Affix a pair of reins to a moving freight train and practice pulling it to a halt. And smile as if you are really having fun.
6. Hone your fibbing skills. "See hon, moving hay bales is fun!" and " I'm glad your lucky performance and multi-million pound horse won you first place - I'm just thankful that my hard work and actual ability won me second place" .
7. Practice dialing your chiropractors number with both arms paralysed to the shoulder, and one foot anchoring the lead rope of a frisky horse.
8. Borrow the US Army slogan; "Be all that you can be'...( but add) bitten, thrown, kicked, slimmed, trampled."
9. Lie face down in the mud in your most expensive riding clothes and repeat to yourself: "This is a learning experience, this is a learning experience ..."
10. Marry Money

:rolleyes: :D
Click to expand...

Love it!!!! But so true!!!! :)
 
1. Drop a heavy steel object on your foot. Don't pick it up right away. Shout "Get off, stupid! Get off!"
2. Leap out of a moving vehicle and practice "Relaxing into the fall". Roll into a ball, and spring to your feet!
3. Learn to grab your cheque book out of your purse/pocket and write out a £200 cheque without even looking down
4. Jog long distances carrying a headcollar and holding out a carrot. Go ahead and tell the neighbours what you're doing.They might as well know now.
5. Affix a pair of reins to a moving freight train and practice pulling it to a halt. And smile as if you are really having fun.
6. Hone your fibbing skills. "See hon, moving hay bales is fun!" and " I'm glad your lucky performance and multi-million pound horse won you first place - I'm just thankful that my hard work and actual ability won me second place" .
7. Practice dialing your chiropractors number with both arms paralysed to the shoulder, and one foot anchoring the lead rope of a frisky horse.
8. Borrow the US Army slogan; "Be all that you can be'...( but add) bitten, thrown, kicked, slimmed, trampled."
9. Lie face down in the mud in your most expensive riding clothes and repeat to yourself: "This is a learning experience, this is a learning experience ..."
10. Marry Money

^^^
What she said. And be prepared to say ta ta to anything remotely fashionable, expensive, impractical. Unless it is for your horse as it is perfectly acceptable then. ;)
 
As well as the above I would say. Find a good yard with a good, knowledgeable YO/staff. Get an older horse, don't be tempted by a youngster. And be prepared to ask for help, we all need help at one time or another. Also do not assume a cob is an easy ride, my old lad was a cob and dear god he was anything but an easy ride! Think about what you want to do with it and then look around. Join a riding club, they will have non-riding membership, you will meet people and often hear of good horses for sale by word of mouth.

Finally whatever you do do not buy a Welsh D. They are lovely and I learned everything I know about riding on one but they are no way a novice horse, they are opinionated, stubborn and can be difficult.

Good luck and of course keep coming on here, you will get lots of opinions if nothing else!
FDC
 
RedNosedFany said:
As well as the above I would say. Find a good yard with a good, knowledgeable YO/staff. Get an older horse, don't be tempted by a youngster. And be prepared to ask for help, we all need help at one time or another. Also do not assume a cob is an easy ride, my old lad was a cob and dear god he was anything but an easy ride! Think about what you want to do with it and then look around. Join a riding club, they will have non-riding membership, you will meet people and often hear of good horses for sale by word of mouth.

Finally whatever you do do not buy a Welsh D. They are lovely and I learned everything I know about riding on one but they are no way a novice horse, they are opinionated, stubborn and can be difficult.

Good luck and of course keep coming on here, you will get lots of opinions if nothing else!
FDC
Click to expand...

I agree with not buying a Welsh D... they have bags of presence, character, are stunning but more often than not have their hoof firmly on the platform of world domination! (you do however get lovely ones that break the mold)
 
I spent a couple of years helping my friend with her horse - did everything including clearing her deep littered stable (she was on holiday and horse went out 24/7 in summer), washing, plaiting, grooming, feeding etc etc.

Took an evening course (lasted a year NVQ level) at the local equine college - this covered basic first aid for horses as well as cleaning and checking tack and bandaging, condition scoring, worming etc etc.

Always tacked up at the stables I was learning at. And did little jobs for free to get experience and "keep my hand in" as it were.

Then did a BHS owners course at the local stables before I bought my own horse.

Put my horse on part livery - loads of help from the YM and it was nice to know you could get advice when needed. I really appreciated it at the time -as the enormity of owning a horse that you are responsible for was quite overwhelming at first.

Seven years down the line and I have not regretted it at all and my experience continues to grow.
 
Wow so much info! Thank you all so much! I will stay clear of a welsh as thts what i had the accident on! Although he was a beauty! I will deffo be looking into a course, somehow i didnt realise they had such courses. I will be saving and would like an older horse as a youngster will probably be too much for me. Nice to hear you havnt regretted it catdragon. I hope i find my perfect cob and when its time i will deffo be coming back here to ask opinions!! And for anything else i need advice on... Thanks all !!! :-D
 
rhino said:
1. Drop a heavy steel object on your foot. Don't pick it up right away. Shout "Get off, stupid! Get off!"
2. Leap out of a moving vehicle and practice "Relaxing into the fall". Roll into a ball, and spring to your feet!
3. Learn to grab your cheque book out of your purse/pocket and write out a £200 cheque without even looking down
4. Jog long distances carrying a headcollar and holding out a carrot. Go ahead and tell the neighbours what you're doing.They might as well know now.
5. Affix a pair of reins to a moving freight train and practice pulling it to a halt. And smile as if you are really having fun.
6. Hone your fibbing skills. "See hon, moving hay bales is fun!" and " I'm glad your lucky performance and multi-million pound horse won you first place - I'm just thankful that my hard work and actual ability won me second place" .
7. Practice dialing your chiropractors number with both arms paralysed to the shoulder, and one foot anchoring the lead rope of a frisky horse.
8. Borrow the US Army slogan; "Be all that you can be'...( but add) bitten, thrown, kicked, slimmed, trampled."
9. Lie face down in the mud in your most expensive riding clothes and repeat to yourself: "This is a learning experience, this is a learning experience ..."
10. Marry Money

:rolleyes: :D
Click to expand...

^^^^^that!
 
bex1984 said:
You will be skint, you will smell of horse wee, and your car will be full of straw.

:)
Click to expand...

Ha ha...THIS, especially at this time of year!

Aaah, sigh, shame your not nearer me OP. I have too many horses and not enough time, I could offer LOTS of experience! :p
 
Ah tht is a shame starbar!! Haha like i said might be a nice change from smelling of ferret wee!! Haha
X
 
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