What Advice Would You...

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...give a first time horse owner?

Mine would be 'The world is full of advisors, and it's mostly common sense when you own a horse'
My uncle a hunting man always told me 'Horses are a high risk commodity'.......that is his advice to me.....he was not far off!

What would your advice be? :)
 
You and your horse'and happiness are the most important thing. If other people are making you not enjoy things as much as you should, don't stick around any longer than necessary and find a yard that is right for both of you :) And grow a thick skin, you will need it at times haha
 
Aside from "brace yourself, your life will never be worry free again"?! :p

Your horse will try and hurt itself any which way it can - get used to it!
If you make too many plans something bad will happen!!
The bad days often outweigh the good days but the good days make it all worthwhile!
Don't take peoples' advice as correct, if it doesn't feel like the right thing to do with YOUR horse, it probably isn't!
Everyone's an expert on a livery yard, few of them actually are....
 
Each horse is different, what works with one may not necessarily work with another. Be prepared to have plenty of patience and to keep an open mind as there is always something to learn.
 
Remembering my time on livery yards, it would be 'don't overhorse yourself' as I saw it time and again with new owners and it sucked all the joy out of horse ownership for most of them.
 
As an old farmer friend used to say "If you've got livestock, you have deadstock".

It probably isn't what the first time horse-owner wants to hear but you do have to be prepared for the worst and make sure that you have plans in place to deal with it. Accidents and unforeseen illnesses can happen at any time, despite the best care.
 
I'd say - don't overestimate your experience. Just because you are in the 'intermediate' or 'advanced' classes at riding school, does not mean you are an advanced rider.
 
Share first. That way you can ease your way into owning a horse and learn the ropes without having the entire responsibility. Oh and ... keep up with your training. Even if a lesson on a monthly basis it all makes a big difference.
 
EQUIDAE said:
I'd say - don't overestimate your experience. Just because you are in the 'intermediate' or 'advanced' classes at riding school, does not mean you are an advanced rider.
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I actually totally agree with that! i used to ride in advanced lessons and was a helper at my riding school!! but when a horse doesn't know what its doing, you really start to learn how to ride properly! I started having lessons on my youngster last year and yes I can walk, trot and canter! but I'm learning a whole lot of new stuff! and this is after having my own horse for 15 years.
 
Luci07 said:
Share first. That way you can ease your way into owning a horse and learn the ropes without having the entire responsibility. Oh and ... keep up with your training. Even if a lesson on a monthly basis it all makes a big difference.
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This is really good advice. Sharing also gives you the opportunity to find out who the good local dentists, equine vets, saddle fitters, farriers etc. are, food for thought about what sort of yard, facilities and support might best suit you and the sort of horse you are looking to buy, and how much it all costs. Sharing also left me with very clear ideas about what kind of owner I did (or didn't) want to be and what my own personal standards are. Coming from a non-horsey family I dread to think how overwhelmed I would have been without sharing first.
 
jemima*askin said:
Purchase a copy of the Manual of Horsemanship. Read it.
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This.

Also,

. no question is a stupid question, if you don't know, ask, an open mind and willingness to learn is essential.

. every horse and person are individuals, what works for one will not necessarily work for another

. keeping horses is NOT rocket science, stay simple and use common sense.


Read this, although very much tongue in cheek in parts, it is basically spot on.

http://equestrianreality.com/2013/11/14/old-school-versus-new-school-horsemanship/
 
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Greylegs said:
Old quote from a book I have ..... "To own a horse is to know poverty"

... that's about it ....!!
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I agree with this strongly.

Try not to take things personally although that is harder for some than it is for others. I was getting wound up by one girl at my yard who was making it obvious she thought I couldn't ride my horse. But then I saw her struggling to ride her horse who is double the age of mine and is better schooled so I just laugh at her now. People who put you down are not worth your time.
 
Be aware that even those with years of experience can get it wrong and ask advice from the right people. Educate yourself-lots of information is freely available. Understand that your horse must come first-financially, socially etc etc.

I knew a woman once whose instructor told them at PC that her pony probably had sweetitch. She went round asking all the parents what they thought til she found one who didn't think the pony had sweetitch. The pony kept rolling with the child on board.......she wasn't going to ask a vet though
 
Don't expect them to be the perfect horse from day one, its too much pressure. Give them plenty of time to get to know you so you can build a solid partnership together over time.
 
You know your horse better than anyone else, so by all means ask for advice if needed but make a judgement based on your knowledge of your horse as only you will know!
 
Have a good instructor behind you, and make sure s/he comes along to the viewing(s). Choose a yard where you can have good, sympathetic support from the YM.

Note: I didn't do the first one for either horse acquisition...but I do have a good support network in place.
 
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