Help, I am getting my first horse!!!!!!

[sexyspev]

Hello Everyone,

I am lucky enough to be getting my first horse, after 19 hard years of begging and pleading i have finally been granted permission from my parents, and their slightly mad best friends whose yard i will be keeping my new horse at, and I am actively looking now...
I just wanted to know if anyone had any amazing hints/tips of organising tack rooms, cleaning rugs etc, because the stables are brand new and obviously i will be buying EVERYTHING!!!
ANY advice very greatfully accepted, and of course i will be posting away as my hunt for my perfect horse continues,
Thank you
x

 

[tasteofchristmaschaos]

Choose a horse that lives out all year round, keeps weight on easily and goes barefoot happily - your pocket will thank you for it!

On a serious note congratulations on being able to purchase your first horse - it's a very exciting time and I wish you the best of luck.

 

[Charmaine18]

Oooooh, how exciting! I can't wait to be in your position.

Obviously I don't really have any advice for you since I've never had a horse either, but good luck!

 

[welshied]

I agree with tasteofchaos if you get something thats easy to keep you won't have to worry about getting it on the right diet etc

 

[Grey_Eventer]

im sure your YO will know of rug cleaners, vets, farriers, dentists etc. register your horse with all of these as soon as you find it as a) the vet will be able to vet your horse for you and if the horse needs any emergency treatment for any reason you can just call them.
i should think they also know about a rug cleaner? we get ours sent to someone at the end of the winter who also mends anything that is broken.
Good luck! you must be SO excited

 

[Annagain]

I know it's exciting but don't get too carried away right at the beginning, just buy the basics, especially if it's in the summer, and then get bargains as you see them. Apart from anything your horse could well change shape by the winter and any rugs you buy now won't fit!

 

[Magicmillbrook]

How exciting, ditto what others have said, dont get carried away, look for the right horse and have it vetted, if all goes well get it iunsured ASAP. Next most important thing is a good comfortable well fitting sadle and bridle, get a qualified saddler to help you here as getting it wrong could cost you a fortune, dont poo poo 2nd hand, good quality 2nd hand tack is better than cheap tat any day.

Other than that a good basic grooming kit in a strong box, 2 headcollars and lead ropes. 1st aid kit, water feed/water buckets, Rugs can wait until you know what and if you need them. All the extras could go on your xmas list.

I would also recomend the Pony Club manual, its a great all round reference book, ours is ancient and comes out again and again.

 

[Toby_Zaphod]

Congratulations & welcome to the 'Hard Up Club'.

As has been said, don't get too carried away buying everything now, just buy the essentials, you can get more things later.

Buckets, skips, forks, shovels etc buy from a builders merchants not a saddlery because they will be a lot cheaper & invariably better quality & harder wearing. This goes for any stuff for your horse because as soon as something is labelled 'equine' it will go up in price.

Buy winter heavyweight rugs in the spring/summer & lightweight summer rugs in the autumn/winter, you will save a fortune in the sales.

Don't be afraid of buying used items, some are almost new & again a lot cheaper. Ebay is a horseowners saviour so use it.

Above all have a real think before you buy anything..... do you really need it, or is it something that you just want. When starting out just buy what you need, buying what you want comes later when you've got all you need. Good Luck

 

[competitiondiva]

Welcome to the 'broke coz we own a horse club'!!!! And congratulations, I know how I was from the age of 3 to 14!!! My parents thankfully gave in then as they got the idea I wan't going to grow out of them by then!!! Boys definately took a back seat!!! Since then I've only been without horse whilst I was pregnant with my twins!! As soon as I could get back in the saddle I was!!

As everyone else says, start with the basics, find your local farriers, vets, dentists etc, speak to other yard owners and vets to find contacts, and get peoples reports of them too. Tack wise, depending on the horse you find it could come with or you could have the choice of buying tack, rugs etc with it, so don't go jumping out and buying these things first! Start to look for the right horse first, it's a buyers market, find out what there is out there. If possible find a local riding instructor who you may continue to use and see if they would be willing to view any horse with you (an experienced eye is always an advantage).

Good luck and keep us posted!!!