I'm going to sound like a complete idiot...

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Raych

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Okay, so i'm 15 and have a very non horsey family but have been riding for almost 7 years.
I'm looking to buy a horse, have loaned for a short while and help out at the riding school a bit.

Well I would just like to know a few random questions:
1) When buying a rug, what do the numbers stand for? like 1200 and 100g
2) Basically i need some info on rugs, like what to wear and when etc.
3) Different horse boots, do all horses have to wear them all the time (in work)?
4) What are the initial essentials for buying a horse ie; rugs, saddle, bridle etc.
5) how much does it cost to get all the initial essentials (roughly)
6) buying tack, who fits it? etc

Sorry, i would really appreciate any advice, i am not someone who knows nothing about horses, i have just been embaressed to ask these to people previously.
and im sure you have all been here at one point, being curious about a first horse.
Hoping you lovely people can give me a hand though :)
 
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Raych said:
Okay, so i'm 15 and have a very non horsey family but have been riding for almost 7 years.
I'm looking to buy a horse, have loaned for a short while and help out at the riding school a bit.

Well I would just like to know a few random questions:
1) When buying a rug, what do the numbers stand for? like 1200 and 100g
2) Basically i need some info on rugs, like what to wear and when etc.
3) Different horse boots, do all horses have to wear them all the time (in work)?
4) What are the initial essentials for buying a horse ie; rugs, saddle, bridle etc.
5) how much does it cost to get all the initial essentials (roughly)
6) buying tack, who fits it? etc
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1. 1200 is the dennier - how tough it is (like tights) - the higher the dennier the tougher the rug. 100g is the amount of filling is in the rug - the higher it is, the warmer it will be.

2. During the summer a horse shouldn't need a rug, except maybe a fly sheet. During the winter you'll need at least one turnout (more like 2 or 3 so that they can dry out) and at least one stable rug. This of course depends on how much clipping needs to be done. The more hair off, the more rugs on.

3. My horses don't wear boots as they don't need them, although I might buy some knee boots for Jazz as he trips. The boots you need/use depends on what the horse does wrong (i.e. brushing, over reaching, speedicutting etc)

4. Depends what you want to do with the horse! A companion needs little equipment, a 4* eventer needs a bit more ;) I would say that you'd need bridle, bit, saddle, boots (if needed), martingale (if needed), breastplate (if needed), rugs, mucking out equipment (wheelbarrow, fork, broom, shovel), grooming kit, tack cleaning kit. The list is pretty endless.

5. Depends on the quality. Be prepared to pay A LOT. My saddle (2nd hand leather) was £450, bridle was £50, 5 point breastplate was £90, stretch and flex boots £35, grooming kit £25+, tack cleaning kit £10+ I've probably forgotten LOTS and LOTS but there's lots you need.

6. Bridle etc doesn't needed to be fitted by a pro, but someone who knows what they're doing. Bridles come in three sizes to give you an idea (pony, cob and full) but they need to be adjusted to the horse's head. The bit needs to be measured and a good fit is essential. Rugs are done by eye and trial and error, although measuring from the middle of the chest to the back of the quarters will give you a rough idea. Saddles MUST be fitted by a pro.

Hope that helps!
 
Raych said:
Okay, so i'm 15 and have a very non horsey family but have been riding for almost 7 years.
I'm looking to buy a horse, have loaned for a short while and help out at the riding school a bit.

Well I would just like to know a few random questions:
1) When buying a rug, what do the numbers stand for? like 1200 and 100g
2) Basically i need some info on rugs, like what to wear and when etc.
3) Different horse boots, do all horses have to wear them all the time (in work)?
4) What are the initial essentials for buying a horse ie; rugs, saddle, bridle etc.
5) how much does it cost to get all the initial essentials (roughly)
6) buying tack, who fits it? etc

Sorry, i would really appreciate any advice, i am not someone who knows nothing about horses, i have just been embaressed to ask these to people previously.
and im sure you have all been here at one point, being curious about a first horse.
Hoping you lovely people can give me a hand though :)
Click to expand...

Hello since no one has replied I will. The numbers stand for the weight of the rugs. I tend to work around the weathers but if your learning trial and error also works! If its warm yet wet depending on how wet i may put a sheet on or nothing. In the stable if its cool at night a little light weight sheet or stable rug and a cooler rug after bathing etc etc. In winter I rug fully in the field and put boots on with a heavy weight turn out and in the stable depending if they are clipped or not i put 2 rugs on and or a duvet. As long as they are warm. You havnt said whether your clipping or not and what kind of horse it is. I would rather have a warm horse than a cold one loosing condition. Boots are completely up to you i wear brushing over reach and tendon boots for jumping obviously boots for travelling but when you buy your boots just go for a basic set all round unless he needs overreach boots on the front feet. you need a bridle rugs saddle head collar and spares grooming kit small first aid kit equipment for you feed supplements if needed etc. It can cost alot to get the essentials im guessing a good few hundred but shop around for second hand good quality stuff. I would buy tack second hand or if you can afford it new and they will fit it for you.

To be very honest however and not trying to put you off I would seriously learn abit more about general stable and horse managment before getting yourself into the situation of buying a horse. Its harder than you think and if you have a non horsey family then it is even more difficult. Anyway hope this helps and best of luck!!
 
Hi, good advice above!

One thing I'd say about the rugs is that you'd need to ask the previous owner. My yearling doesnt NEED rugging when shes out in her field, she lived out all last winter without anything (and she was at a charity so if shed needed it they've have done it). However, this winter cos she'll be in shes got a rug to dry her off and a stable rug.

If they've rugged for many years then you'll need rugs in various thicknesses up to there top weight.

Have you got a good saddler near you? Mine are invaluable for questions like this. Good luck!
 
If you don't ask, you don't learn!:)
The complete idiots are the ones who think they don't need to ask.

Good advice above.

Mine would be to read everything you can get your hands on:)
 
cooliorulz said:
To be very honest however and not trying to put you off I would seriously learn abit more about general stable and horse managment before getting yourself into the situation of buying a horse. Its harder than you think and if you have a non horsey family then it is even more difficult. Anyway hope this helps and best of luck!!
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And to be very honest this is the point of my post! I need to learn, i have alot of books and very helpful instructors, but have not really had the oppurtunity to ask such questions.
I'm asking on the forum as you are all knowledgeable and will give me the guidance to find the information i know i need before purchasing.
And answer the specific questions i feel the need to know, rather than scouring over books 4 times to get what i need :p

thank you for your answers and advice x
 
Raych said:
Okay, so i'm 15 and have a very non horsey family but have been riding for almost 7 years.
I'm looking to buy a horse, have loaned for a short while and help out at the riding school a bit.

Well I would just like to know a few random questions:
1) When buying a rug, what do the numbers stand for? like 1200 and 100g
the bigger number ie 1200 is the denier and it reffers to the fabric, so the higher the number the stronger and more waterproof the fabric is, the the smaller number is the pollyfill so a light weight rug is around 0-170g filling and them medium 170-300g and then heavyweight 300g +

2) Basically i need some info on rugs, like what to wear and when etc.
my horse wears lightweights from around sept-oct then middle weights november then heavyweights dec-march then middle weight again april then may-jun lightweights and usually none july-aug

3) Different horse boots, do all horses have to wear them all the time (in work)?
lots of diff types most common is brushing boots, my horse wears them all the time, really depends on you horse to which boots

4) What are the initial essentials for buying a horse ie; rugs, saddle, bridle etc.
haynets, feed bowls, buckets, simple first aid kit, feed, hay, bedding, headcollar, grooming kit, rugs i would say 4 minium (depending on your horse) saddle, bridle, bit, girth, reins, matringale (depending on horse)feed bins, storage boxes, cant think of anything else....

5) how much does it cost to get all the initial essentials (roughly)
depending on whether you want sythetic tack or leather....
with leather tack and quality rugs and with everthing listed in the last answer (not including bedding,feed,hay) i would say around £900-£1000, but with synthetic tack and budget rugs i would say around £600

6) buying tack, who fits it? etc
you can have a specialist from a specific saddle company but usually your local tack shops will have a fitting service

Sorry, i would really appreciate any advice, i am not someone who knows nothing about horses, i have just been embaressed to ask these to people previously.
and im sure you have all been here at one point, being curious about a first horse.
Hoping you lovely people can give me a hand though :)
Click to expand...

hope this helps :D
 
you sound eactly like me last year same age and everything lol i found i learned loads just from chatting to my horsey friends also all the info and help on here is great :)
most ponies come with tack and a wardrobe of rugs and maybe even boots too :)
also ask the owner lots of questions eg what they are fed and what rugs they wear and when whether they live out or are stabled etc
 
Last edited:
Raych said:
Okay, so i'm 15 and have a very non horsey family but have been riding for almost 7 years.
I'm looking to buy a horse, have loaned for a short while and help out at the riding school a bit.

Well I would just like to know a few random questions:
1) When buying a rug, what do the numbers stand for? like 1200 and 100g The weight of the filling, which usually denotes the warmth (but not always!).
2) Basically i need some info on rugs, like what to wear and when etc. That will depend on the horse, the condition he/she is in, and where you live, plus whether horse is clipped or not (dependent on the work he does).
3) Different horse boots, do all horses have to wear them all the time (in work)? Nope. Depends on what the work is that you're doing. Some neds never wear them. Dizzy is a bit of a dingbat to wears them just to protect herself from herself lol. Don't buy boots 'till you have your horse :D
4) What are the initial essentials for buying a horse ie; rugs, saddle, bridle etc. Again, depends on the horse :D. Basics are usually: headcollar; lead rope; bridle; bit; saddle; girth; stirrup leathers; stirrup irons; grooming kit (everyone has their own, but at least a soft brush for the face, a stiffer brush for the dried mud areas, and a hoof pick); a lightweight rain sheet (lots of uses!); feed bucket; water buckets (ours have two) - Note: buckets that go in the stable must not be the flippy handle type; a first aid kit (equine).
5) how much does it cost to get all the initial essentials (roughly): I got things from a saddlers - was over £300 and that didn't include saddle or bridle etc.
6) buying tack, who fits it? etc: bridle you fit yourself :); by word of mouth find a good saddler for the saddle :)


Sorry, i would really appreciate any advice, i am not someone who knows nothing about horses, i have just been embaressed to ask these to people previously.
and im sure you have all been here at one point, being curious about a first horse.
Hoping you lovely people can give me a hand though :)
Click to expand...


Keep asking hun :). When we got Little Cob nearly four years ago, I thought I knew a lot (worked with horses years ago), but there's nothing like having one to remind you of all the bits you didn't know you didn't know! If you get on a good yard, that will help immensley.
 
My buying list for a new horse... (If I had no stuff

Saddle (Anything from 150 quid for a second hand saddle to 10 grand for a hermes one... somewhere around 450 to 1500 is realistic)
Bridle Buy english if you can better an English second hand than a foreign new (£100 ish new)
Bit £10 -£70
Girth £30 to 200
Boots optional depending on the horse (£10 - 200)
Grooming kit - dandy brush, body brush, hoof pick, mane comb curry comb (as a starter)
Haynets can manage with one but a few is easier (£5 each)
Feed buckets again 1 will do but 2 or 3 make life easier (£1 to £12)
Rugs - stable and turn out - as cheap or expensive as you want
If you want to go out and about
travel boots
first aid kit
Cleaning stuff for tack
Water bucket
Bedding/feed/hay etc

Have I missed anything

There are other things you can buy but TBH you probably won't manage without all that is on this list... unless your horse is particularly hardy and lives out 24/7

Blitz
 
No such thing as a dumb question!

All good advice is above so nothing to add there just bank on it being more expensive than you figure and don't forget the things like insurance, yearly jabs, farrier, dentist, saddle fitting etc etc factor it all in then add some for emergencies (not trying to put you off at all).

Try to find a good livery yard to keep said horse at tell them you are a new novice owner and then ask questions, watch everything you will learn so much.

Also as you have found there is a lot of good advice on here again don't be afraid to ask.

Good luck and enjoy!
 
Well done for asking for advice! I would definately look at doing something like the BHS horse owners certificate or similar as this will teach you a lot. Definately keep reading. The BHS manuals are good, like the 'complete manual of stable management' or the stage exam book guides, get the ones by Hazel Reed as these explain things better than the blue BHS produced ones. These books will give you the basics then I would look in more detail at things like feeding (as BHS can be quite old-school), behaviour, bits-their actions and effects etc. Also it is always worth learning about what illnesses/injuries etc horses can have and how to treat them/what to do in emergencies.

You never stop learning with horses!
 
Chavhorse said:
No such thing as a dumb question!

All good advice is above so nothing to add there just bank on it being more expensive than you figure and don't forget the things like insurance, yearly jabs, farrier, dentist, saddle fitting etc etc factor it all in then add some for emergencies (not trying to put you off at all).

Try to find a good livery yard to keep said horse at tell them you are a new novice owner and then ask questions, watch everything you will learn so much.

Also as you have found there is a lot of good advice on here again don't be afraid to ask.

Good luck and enjoy!
Click to expand...

I am aware of all these yearly/monthly things, i was just asking about some questions i have been pondering over for a while.

Also (other posts), alot of people at the riding school (especially in my pony club) have all had first horses there, and everyone is really helpful. But i just needed some specific advice first. thank you so much all of you :)
 
Others have answered your questions - but wanted to add, as still remember buying my first horse having had loans/shares etc, that the PC manual of horsemanship was the single most important source of info for first few months! Has all the info in there on bits and bobs you need but don't remember having to do before - like rugs as had always loaned natives who didn't need them lol!
 
All above is good advice. I just wanted to say good luck with it all and I know how you feel. I have a non-horsey family too but a few years down the line, they're all pretty willing and capable :p It will help so much to have all your friends from PC and your RS helping you, also if you have an instructor or someone you can talk to if your concerned about anything. Like others have said, whatever you think it will cost, it's almost guaranteed to be more :rolleyes: but so worth it!! :D
 
Some good advice here :) as MrsM said, you have no idea how much you don't know until you actually get a horse, and spend 3 full days in the tack shop buying the things you forgot! I know how you feel, I got my first horse at 14, I'd been riding for 7 years and came from a mostly non-horsey family too.

As far as buying tack and rugs goes, speak to the people you buy your horse from - they'll be able to tell you what he/she has been ridden in and what rugs he/she has, as well as what size they are. If the horse's tack and rugs aren't included in the price (which they may well not be), the sellers might give you the option to buy them.

It's good if you're going to be on a biggish yard, means there will be plenty of people around who you will probably find are more than willing to help out. I recommend the BHS Horse Owners' Certificate, I did mine before I had a horse of my own, and I learned a lot in the process of studying for it (including what questions to ask when viewing a horse). The lovely people on this forum will always be here to answer questions as well :)

Finally, buy a GOOD BOOK. Someone above suggested the Pony Club Manual of Horsemanship, I don't have it but have heard good things about it. I've got the BHS Complete Manual of Stable Management, I got it before I got my horse and I'm still referring to it more than 8 years later! I hope some of my rambling reply was useful lol.

Good luck, and make sure you keep us updated xxx
 
Numnahs seem to have been missed off the lists everyones been posting. You need a minimum of 2. I think 4 is more manageable, but my horse does get quite sweaty!

Don't forget all your stable yard equipment, wheelbarrow, broom, water buckets (2), washing down bucket, feed buckets (2), fork/rake, hose, hay nets (2 or more!) saddle rack, bridle hook, first aid kit.

Ebay is a good source for some items and don't be scared to ask all your horsey friends and aquaintances if they have stuff they don't need, I always have stuff that I'm not using and in my experience most people are pleased to pass items on to a good home either free or very cheap!

Good luck
 
Join the pony club.
I have the pony club mannual and it is fantastic. Its perfect for someone your age. It doesn't need to be read cover to cover you can just read the bits you need when you need them as its put into easy to find relevant sections.
Never be scared to ask-no one is born knowing everything.
After 25+yrs in horse I still ask and the day I stop asking will be a sad day for whatever poor equine is in my care!
 
Wow you guys are good!
As there is nothing else to add, I would recommend you get/read the
-The Pony Club Manual of Horsemanship, any edition really, it will give you basic advice on basically everything!
- 201 Handy hints for horse riders
-201 more handy hints...
especially if you are trying to save money! Good luck!
Have you got a horesy firend/neighbour who could give advice etc?
 
Yeah i do have one horsey friend who owns a horse who has offered to give me all the advice needed :P
Thank you guys so much.
One problem, is i might end up buying froma dealers who will rarely sell tack or rugs, so that will all needed to be sorted out extra.
Anyway thanks again guys, you have all really helped :)
 
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