What is the one bit of advice you'd give to a first time owner?

henmother

henmother

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Hello all. I'm looking to own/full loan my own horse next year, depending on how much my condition improves. I'm doing as much research as I can and know I will need to be on a yard that will suit my situation - paraplegic but starting to walk short distances with elbow crutches. There is such a wealth of wisdom out there , you all have been there and done that and can pass it on, so please, pass it on. All comments gratefully recieved.
 
henmother said:
Hello all. I'm looking to own/full loan my own horse next year, depending on how much my condition improves. I'm doing as much research as I can and know I will need to be on a yard that will suit my situation - paraplegic but starting to walk short distances with elbow crutches. There is such a wealth of wisdom out there , you all have been there and done that and can pass it on, so please, pass it on. All comments gratefully recieved.
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Best of luck - this all sounds very exciting :).

I am sure you know this, but make sure you are on a yard with assistance in case you are struggling physically, and that is easy for you to get around on crutches, etc.

The only other piece of advice I will give you is to find a yard with a knowledgeable and caring YO . . . fellow liveries may want to give you all sorts of advice, etc., but pick and choose and be circumspect. Make the YO your ally.

Oh, and have fun and enjoy :).

Best of luck.

P
 
I have never been connected with anyone in your situation but common sense (hopefully!) suggests making contact with trainers, RDA centres etc in your area who do have the expert knowledge and be guided by them before you even start looking for your horse.

Best of luck and do let us know how you get on. I am sure you will have 100% support from everyone on here.
 
to understand that just because someone else does it to/has it on/feeds their/rugs up in how many rugs on their horse doesn't mean it will suit your own one.

if it isn't broke don't try to fix it.

I have six and what works for one of the doesn't work for another because they are completely different in their own rights.....small example we brought two full brothers back in may, both are fully clipped, one if a furnace and is has only been in a fleece down to 9 degrees at night and lower a t/o medium with no neck his brother on the other had is colder and is in a full necked heavy stable because he is stone cold in the mornings with anything lighter on.

good luck and hope you have fun:)
 
Thankyou, from some of the horror stories I've read on this forum finding a good yo might prove more difficult than finding a good sane and sensible horse! Especially as some yo's seem to present as normal and pleasant until you're moved on!
 
Thanks sports horse, I've been in touch with my Rda and without going into specifics I really don't think I'd get the level of satisfaction I need/want. I'm very interested in natural horsemanship and hopefully will be in a position to do lots of groundwork next year. I have a lovely lady local who i'm keen to work with. Its not just the riding side I miss, I yearn for the bond.
Agreed slightlyconfused, I know people who have to have the latest in everything, but it doesn't add anything to the quality of the horses life.
 
henmother said:
Thanks sports horse, I've been in touch with my Rda and without going into specifics I really don't think I'd get the level of satisfaction I need/want. I'm very interested in natural horsemanship and hopefully will be in a position to do lots of groundwork next year. I have a lovely lady local who i'm keen to work with. Its not just the riding side I miss, I yearn for the bond.
Agreed slightlyconfused, I know people who have to have the latest in everything, but it doesn't add anything to the quality of the horses life.
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also tack wise my brother is classed as disabled.....has C.M.T...... and rides in flexi stirrups and cages to help with the shock absorbsion and as his ankles are mostly fused and full of metal screws the cages stop his feet from going through the stirrups........our yard is very supportive of him and love seeing him on a horse but I have been on others where they make snide comments about how he rides........he has better balance on a horse than he does on his own two legs.

all of our horses, including the tb, look after him so much but with myself or my sister they can be feisty and upfor it because they know we can handle it.

if you want any advise on how to teach new horse different aids (we taught one of ours that whip tapping behind the leg meant move over, on the bum meant go faster as brother legs don't always work well) let me know.
 
Funny you should mention flexi stirrups slightlyconfused, i'm ordering a pair and leathers too. I have a long whip too. I'm building up my arsenal :D
I can just imagine the nasty comments some people might make about your brother, i'm fully expecting them myself. What with me being a fire hazard in my wheelchair, and how can i look after a horse in a chair. Thankyou for the offer of advice, very kind of you. I know i'll have many challenges ahead but a horse falling on top of me hasn't beaten me so i doubt anything else will. My spine is held together with big rods and screws, tell your brother we are members of the metal elite :D
 
Just want to say that I hope you achieve your goals and enjoy being an owner of a horse or pony.
My advice would be to listen to others, but then make your own decisions, you know your own capabilities.
Find someone you trust to advise you, and consider joining a local Riding Club to meet other riders and get to know more people in your area who will be able to share local knowledge with you.
You may also be able to ask other posters on here about yards in your area.
 
My advice is you know your own horse best (or you will after a while) and use that knowledge when you don't agree with what others are saying and that includes vets! But if you are unsure never be scared to ask for advice. People love to give advice when asked and would rather that than see a horse not getting the case it needs cos the owner isn't sure. Learning to care for horses takes a while so u keep on learning as you go. There is no shame in asking for help! I do. . Often!!! Enjoy, you'll love it!! ;-)
 
Every day is a school day for me. I love to hear different peoples opinions. Everyone has their own way of doing things and i want to know them so i can pick the best way to help and suit me. All information is good information. I have some good horsey friends, and will be picking their brains frequently too. Can't wait to get stuck in, i'm always thinking if ways to do jobs , in my position. I'm determined, my horse is my goal and my reward.
 
Take your time to buy the right horse for you and your needs, try them several times and think how they will react if you suddenly go downhill while halfway through doing something with them. I'm not totally reliable with my walking and have fallen right over while leading horses before. Luckily they just wait for me to pick myself up again (no spooking or running off in panic) and my grey is particularly good as she lets me lean on her if needed - the long mane is so useful sometimes.

Wright down exactly what qualities the horse needs that you cannot compromise on. It really helps you to clarify what is essential, what would be nice and what doesn't matter.
 
Faracat i'll be making that list and will have some pretty specific requirements, non spooky being one of them.
I wonder whether i'll find the horse, or how? I know some, not all , can be economic with the truth when selling, my worst fear would be ending up stuck with a spooky bolter/rearer :( How do you know for sure that it is what it says on the tin so to speak? I won't be rushing into anything and will have to forget my heart and think only with my head. I'll be taking advice from horsey friends too, as well as a full vetting!
 
My advice to you is the same as to any would-be first time owner - Don't over-horse yourself! I think in your situation that is even more important. I would always recommend a nice sensible ride and drive cob, aged at least 10, as a first horse.
Not all RDA groups are the same, so it might be worth you looking a bit further afield - unfortunately you are too far away from me or I could have pointed you in the direction of a very helpful group.
All the best and enjoy your search.
 
Most important lesson I've learnt through sharing is 'she won't break/she's tougher than she looks'.
I can be a bit soft so its good to know!

Have you pm-ed Ebonyallen? I think she has a prosthetic leg so maybe able to offer advice about training and best tack to use? She seems a lovely person from reading her posts so might be able to give ideas?
 
henmother said:
Faracat i'll be making that list and will have some pretty specific requirements, non spooky being one of them.
I wonder whether i'll find the horse, or how? I know some, not all , can be economic with the truth when selling, my worst fear would be ending up stuck with a spooky bolter/rearer :( How do you know for sure that it is what it says on the tin so to speak? I won't be rushing into anything and will have to forget my heart and think only with my head. I'll be taking advice from horsey friends too, as well as a full vetting!
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I think it's all about putting out the 'horse search feelers' in the right places. I think all horses can be trained to suit the aids you give, but it's more finding one you feel happy, comfortable, not nervous around. Depending on what sort of activity you are looking to do I'd advise wanted adds on place like British dressage for either a very sane schoolmaster or para horse - one on there recently very reasonably priced, but worked with some very disabled riders! - depending on your budget contact the known para riders and trainers.....they may know something that would suit your needs!
 
If you are considering a loan do make some enquires with rehoming organisations, they will be able to give you a good understanding of the horses and ponies needing to be rehomed, and whether they are right for you.
 
henmother said:
Funny you should mention flexi stirrups slightlyconfused, i'm ordering a pair and leathers too. I have a long whip too. I'm building up my arsenal :D
I can just imagine the nasty comments some people might make about your brother, i'm fully expecting them myself. What with me being a fire hazard in my wheelchair, and how can i look after a horse in a chair. Thankyou for the offer of advice, very kind of you. I know i'll have many challenges ahead but a horse falling on top of me hasn't beaten me so i doubt anything else will. My spine is held together with big rods and screws, tell your brother we are members of the metal elite :D
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We joke that if we are ever short of money one month we will just lop off a foot!!!:D
Will do.

It's just a different way of riding that 'normal' but a lot don't see it. All of mine are trained to stop by sitting deep and light pressure on reins, or his older horses who he can't rude anymore because of a whole didn't story including lami was taught that if the reins go slack he stops as my brother sometimes has trouble gripping the reins.
 
With any first time owner my first piece of advice is to listen, digest and throw out any thoughts advice and ideas that are not pure common sense to you. When choosing a horse make sure it is suited to your needs and you are allowed to handle and if possible ride it as many times and in as many situations as you can think of, a decent seller wont mind. Make sure you get one a suitable size so try not to go too big a small chunky, properly trained to be easy to handle will be much easier all round than a 17hh warmblood. So all in all make up your own mind what you believe in and stick to it and keep warm and well so you can really enjoy your friend
 
There are no stupid questions - ANYTHING you are stuck with you can ask about, its better to ask how to do things right than do wrong by your horse
Good luck with everything x
 
If I were you I would be looking for a good instructor as soon as possible. If you can find someone who is keen to help you, as enthusiastic as you are and you feel confident with, they will be invaluable when it comes to finding the right horse for you, the right yard and also to keep you going in the right direction once you have the horse. If you have friends who ride go and watch their lessons or chat to instructors and ask if you can watch them ride and teach to see if they have the right feel for you. A knowledgable person who is on your side can make a huge difference and can often see what is best for you when you cannot see it yourself. I have long term health problems and having been through several instructors I have a couple of good ones who don't patronise me but do encourage me and pull the plug when I push myself too far. My idea of my dream horse is a long way from what my ideal horse is so having someone who can point that out can be very useful.
Good luck, you have a very exciting and fun journey ahead of you. Just out of interest, what area are you in?
 
Windand rain I will definitely be looking for something around 14/15h. Something native possibly, a good hardy cobby type. I have no desire for anything big or flashy. The smaller the better, I might get into ponysquashing :D , happy hacking, schooling, bit of jumping is all I want.
I want to learn and care for the horse the very best I can, and if I can't do it have someone on hand that can do what I can't. There'll always be one person out of the gang that will insist they know better but its going to be, for me, about taking all of the ideas onboard and choosing the advice that will be best for my horse. We all have to start somewhere. LynH I have friends with horses/yards who would help me out, advise me too. It is so exciting, something positive for the new year, will have to break the news to my boyf as he is now horsist after the accident. Since it happened I've become friends with a girl in a very similar situation who owns her own horse and really has been an inspiration to me. I'm in the North East. My dream is to own a horse, finding the ideal one will be a journey.
Come the new year, when my consultant gives me the all clear, i'll start putting some feelers out for yards/horse.
Thanks everyone for your advice and encouragement. I was never expected to get out of my wheelchair, i'm now learning to walk, nothing is impossible, you just have to find a way round the mountain. Thankyou.
 
ask for all the advice you can get - from as many sources as you can find. Work out which 3 or 4 sources are best/most reliable and turn to them first.

Read, read read and read some more - there's no limit to how much you can know!

and finally, if in doubt about the horse's health/well-being, speak to your vet!
 
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