first horse bought! (pending vetting)

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SKW

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Hi everyone, I just thought I'd introduce myself and ask for a bit of advice. I have just bought my first horse (at the grand old age of 28 - me not the horse), assuming he passes the vetting. He's an allrounder with a lovely temperament, and I'm very excited.

I've made myself a list of things to make sure I've got before he comes home. Is there anything I've missed?

grooming kit (needs topping up)
haynets
buckets
first aid kit
headcollar and leadrope
lunge line
saddlecloths
boots/bandages
hi-vis tabard

Once I know he's passed the vetting so I know they will be the right size, will also need:
stable rug
turnout rug
bridle + bit
saddle (to be fitted once he arrives)

He will be on part livery so I'm going to check that I don't need a wheelbarrow and shovel etc.

Is there anything else? Also, do you have any recommendations on a good first aid kit/things I should include in it.

Sorry for the long post!!!
 
firstly, congrats on your first horse, we will need pics asap :)

for your first aid kit, i would go for:

bowl
cotton wool roll
gamgee
self-adhesive bandages i.e vetwrap
hibiscrub
scissors
wound powder
wound cream/gel i.e dermagel

oh and a torch is always useful in winter when its dark, just in case :D

theres probably loads of stuff i've forgotten, but others will be happy to advise :D
 
Your list seems like you've got everything you need on it.

For you First Aid kit I would recommend:

Vet-Wrap Bandages
Poultice (ordinary one priorty, hoof one as well if possible)
Poultice boot
Dressing
Hibiscrub
Iodine
Wound power

And one of the best wound sprays I've ever come across is Vetricyn, but it is quite expensive, so you could get a cheaper wound spray instead (cause I know some wounds don't get on well with the powder)
 
my essential first aid kit - as in stuff I use for pretty much everything and anything consists of hibiscrub and aloe vera gel. There are of course other things you need for a thorough first aid kit e.g. vet wrap, animalintex, cotton wool roll padding for bandaging, gamgee, bowl which can be easily disinfected, big plasters, blunt ended curved dressing scissors, even down to duct tape for hoof abcesses etc. I can't think of everything off the top of my head! but hibiscrub and aloe vera gel are things I'd really struggle regularly without. I believe you can buy basic complete first aid kits if you want one for now but I've found over time you end up building your own up out of the things you need/use and know work well :). ETA I really don't like wound powder for most types of injuries and my vets have always advised me against using it - instead opting for a gel/spray replacement on all the wound types we have had - but it has its uses for certain specific injuries and is a bit of a personal choice marmite product perhaps!

I'd also ask his owners what bit - and what size bit - he uses now and if he goes well in it stick with it/ very similar. Realistically coming up to summer you shouldn't need too many rugs perhaps a waffle/cooler, a flysheet & mask, and a rain sheet if he needs them :). I find whether you need a flysheet or not depends both on the horse and the area you are keeping them in.

You will end up with a kit that suits you and him overall with a little trial and error but overall the things I can recommend are -
buckets - both feed bucket and stable bucket buy the flexible sort (obviously in different sizes!) they last longer. Smaller style rigid plastic buckets are good for topping water buckets up though :).
leadrope- makes sure its a decent length and thickness - much easier to use day to day :)
head collar - buy the more common/popular buckle style rather than that weird thread through catch as they are much easier to undo at the field etc.
boots/bandages - personally I'd probably opt for boots at least while you get going, and I'm sorry I don't know your level of experience :o but just to add as it is important, that bandaging if used, must be done correctly.

Does he need some travel gear, even if its just to come to you? If you don't want to invest in travel gear if not planning on travelling regularly or if he doesn't like travel boots then theoretically depending on horse and transport you can boot up with 'normal' boots all round like brushing boots etc. However I do think its important that they have some sort of tail protection. I prefer tail guards to tail bandages as they are easier to put on, offer a decent level of protection, and tail bandages can in theory cause nasty damage to the dock if of (the now standard) elasticated type and put on too tightly - imo a tail guard is a safer and better choice :).

Congratulations on the new horse, fingers crossed for vetting! :D
 
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Hope all goes well with the vetting! :D How exciting!

My First Aid Kit has been acquired over time, buying stuff when I need it mainly.
The things I use most are:
Hibiscrub
Derma Gel
Animalintex/Gamgee/Vet Wrap

Rugs will depend on the individual horse. But you won't need any heavy ones as we are coming into summer - a rainsheet & lightweight stable rug will probably do. Bear in mind you may need a fly rug.

Get the same (or similar) bit to what he is ridden in now. I'd ask the seller what size bridle you need as he may be between sizes. You may want a martingale or breastplate?

Stirrups, stirrup leathers and girth as these wont come with your saddle.

Think you've got the basics covered :) Any pics of him? :D:D
 
Good luck with your horse.

Just a silly thing but....

I decided to get a new horse, tried loads, found one, did a bit of shopping for him and then he failed his vetting.

Next time around I got very superstitious. I didn't buy anything until the next one passed his 5 stage vetting, which he did and then I hit the tack shop.
 
Thanks everyone - that's all really useful advice. The vetting is tomorrow so fingers crossed! I haven't tempted fate by buying anything yet, so there will be a big shopping spree if he passes!!
 
Ooooh how exciting!!
I think you should add a fleece rug to your list. I don't know about anyone else but my fleece rug is one of my most used rugs! It's great for layering under stable or outdoor rug, on its own, as a cooler, for travelling. So useful :).
I hope he passes for you, happy shopping!
:D
 
Tut, tut - everyone has forgotten THE most important piece of eqiptment needed. CAMERA. We will be expecting pics of him with his nice new wardrobe :D

Good luck and I hope he passes his vetting with flying colors :)
 
Hollycatt said:
Tut, tut - everyone has forgotten THE most important piece of eqiptment needed. CAMERA. We will be expecting pics of him with his nice new wardrobe :D

Good luck and I hope he passes his vetting with flying colors :)
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I'll second that! :D:D

Things I couldn't live without will have to be:
Baby Oil. Sudocream. Hibiscrub.

Maybe get some flycream/spray for that list too-we might get some heat back - finger crossed :p
 
Congrats - how exciting. We must see pics!

Your list looks great but you will prob find there are bits and pieces you need along the way. I am a year into first horse(for 15 years) ownership and still finding I need to pop out and top up my kit. Horses are like that!

Let us know how the vetting goes and we hope to "meet" him soon.

x
 
Aw, congratulations!

Really, I wouldn't rush off any buy anything until he's passed! Honest!

And once he's passed don't buy anything but the basics. A head collar and leadrope, water bucket and a haynet is all he needs the first night.

Many tack shops are really expensive so you'd be far cheaper buying things like lunge stuff, boots, reflective stuff etc online. Plus you won't know what size for most stuff.

Basic first aid kit is just a bandage, some antiseptic cleaning stuff and cotton wool/sponge. Rest can be collected over time.

Good luck with the vetting :D
 
Also i have a lunging bridle, just a cheapy leather or webbing on with a snaffle on to lunge in or if feeling fresh going out to feild. Saves time from taking reins off riding bridle and changing bit. And plenty of over reach boots and a spare headcollor and lead rope or two. Its amazing how many people just have on and if it somehow breaks then they are stuck.

Good luck and enjoy.

Xx
 
Hmmmm so the vetting wasn't entirely straightforward but also not totally dire. Essentially the vet (who is a friend) picked up a very subtle unevenness in gait in one of his hind legs. It was no different after flexion tests than before, and she says likelihood is it may just be a minor gait abnormality, but she can't say he isn't slightly lame on that leg. She reckons it was very subtle and a lot of vets may not have noticed it. He also has a scar on that leg which has been there since before the current owners had him (4 years ago). Other than that his movement was free. She said that an insurance policy would probably exclude the leg, but that she is happy to do a scan of the tendons fairly cheaply, and that if that was clear she would see no reason for any exclusions to apply. and that if clear then more likely than not it will not cause any issues in the future. Argh, dilemmas!!!! She said that if you look hard enough, you can probably find an issue with most horses. I'm tempted to get the scans and take it from there, but I'm just aware that this will be my only Neddy, and I don't want to set myself up for any problems. Sorry for the long rant, feeling a bit glum!
 
Totally agree with your vet about the leg problems with a lot of horses if you look hard enough. Yep get the scans dome.
 
didnt read all the replies so sorry if this is a duplicate but....

INSURANCE - after just getting a bill for over £3500 after my horse had sudden colic and had to go in for an operation I was very glad to have him insured.
 
Hmm spoke to an insurance company today and not great news. Essentially he is 1/10 lame behind. Vet says it is very subtle, and possible that another vet may not have picked it up. Was no different after flexion test than it was before. May just be related to a slightly odd gait as opposed to a true lameness but can't say for sure. There's a cut on that leg, over the tendon, and the vet suggested scanning the tendon to make sure that was ok. However insurance company has said that as the horse would still be 1/10 lame, even after scanning they would exclude the whole leg. I really love this horse, but I don't want to end up with issues. It's going to break my heart if I have to walk away, but the horse is only 8. Wondering whether to get a repeat vetting, though my vet isn't convinced it'll be any different. She does think he'll probably be fit for purpose though (RC and low level eventing).
:-(
Didn't realise finding a horse would be quite this stressful...
 
So sorry to hear your news :( I think it depends on your attitude to risk. If he injured that one excluded leg........... On the other hand he may never have a problem. Where I live no-one has horse insurance and everyone self insures, though fees are a lot lower.

Good luck on whatever you deceide.
 
SKW said:
Hmm spoke to an insurance company today and not great news. Essentially he is 1/10 lame behind. Vet says it is very subtle, and possible that another vet may not have picked it up. Was no different after flexion test than it was before. May just be related to a slightly odd gait as opposed to a true lameness but can't say for sure. There's a cut on that leg, over the tendon, and the vet suggested scanning the tendon to make sure that was ok. However insurance company has said that as the horse would still be 1/10 lame, even after scanning they would exclude the whole leg. I really love this horse, but I don't want to end up with issues. It's going to break my heart if I have to walk away, but the horse is only 8. Wondering whether to get a repeat vetting, though my vet isn't convinced it'll be any different. She does think he'll probably be fit for purpose though (RC and low level eventing).
:-(
Didn't realise finding a horse would be quite this stressful...
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Hello and welcome to the forum - you're in the same neck of the woods as me! :)

I personally wouldn't buy an 8 year old with exisiting problems to be my only horse. You may be heart broken now to walk away from the purchase, but think about what may happen if this is a permanent progressive problem. I know that you may buy a perfectly fit and healthy horse for them to fall over in the field the next day and be permanently injured, but hard as it is to accept, there are plenty more horses out there at the moment that don't have a pre-existing condition. Good luck with whatever you decide. xx
 
Very true niki^ it is hard to walk away at first however esp with your first horse you want it as painless and stress free as possible!!
 
I've decided not to take the risk, so my hunt is back on! Thanks for all the advice, and the kit advice will come in handy when I eventually find my new friend!!!
 
Hey SKW, just thought I would add my purchase and vetting experience, as I had a similar quandry. My vet also picked up a very slight stiffness (although after the 2nd flexion test rather than throughout) which she said was very slight and could be down to the fact that she was very unfit and had been out of work or could be something that could potentially get worse when she does get fitter. The vet herself told me that she needed to put down everything and make me aware of anything that she saw, however slight. After talking it through with her and my RI I decided to give the mare a shot and I am so so so glad I didn't let that put me off. She is also my first horse (as an adult) and is the sweetest mare I have ever met. A dream to handle from the ground. She has been well schooled and ticks all the boxes for allowing me to progress and get out and about doing local shows etc (once I get her fit of course :) ) I based my decision on the fact that she was very well priced (due to being fat, hairy and out of work) and was quiet and easy and all I wanted was something to have lots of fun on and to do low level competitions. Due to her price I didn't declare that I had her vetted to the insurance company. I have not regretted my decision, she is absolutely the right horse for me and shows no signs of stiffness while I've had her back in work (1 month). We have had to have the vet out already for something completed unrelated (her eye), so I guess you have to be prepared that something may go wrong whatever you end up with. But if I was sure she was perfect for me in every other way, I wouldn't let the slight lameness (if it was very slight) put me off and I would go with the scans see what they say. But if you have doubts in your mind, definitely move on, plenty others out there.

Probably absolutely no help whatsoever :D I am just so super pleased with my new mare and feel so happy and lucky to have found her :D:D

Good luck with the horse hunting, the right horse is out there for you.

Edited to add - sorry for the essay :O
 
It's a shame this one didn't work out :( but I think you did the right thing, yes something could happen to them as soon as you get them home, but you don't want to start out with a potential problem.

I got my first horse 5 yrs ago at the grand age of 37 (me not him :D) and it was the best thing i've ever done, the day he came home I was like an excited little girl :D I looked at quite a few and broke my nose and finger coming off one I tried :eek: I was looking for a native x under 16hh, then one day I forgot to narrow my search terms in horsemart and this 16.3 shire x came up 5miles from where I lived...............this was George and he has turned out to be 1 in a million, and I'm sure there is one out there for you too.

Good luck :)
 
1/10th lameness is a really tricky one, as that can be so many things including just being a bit imbalanced/weak on one side all the way through to more serious issues. I think a lot of horses are 1/10 lame at various points in their life!

But I think you are right to keep looking. It's hard to be logical when you fall in love with one and start dreaming of what colour kit to buy, but there are plenty of horses that will pass a vetting first time with no question marks (even though that's no gaurantee for the future of course!). For a variety of reasons, I ended up getting 3 vettings on a horse I really liked, he cleared one but failed 2 - an expensive mistake, I should have walked away after the first really !
 
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