Horse Ownership Costs
Posted by admin on Friday Aug 19, 2011 Under Horse care
How to Buy Equestrian Horses
Buying equestrian horses can be a daunting process particularly if you have never done it before. We will review a few basic guidelines about horse buying that should help you to make a good decision.
Let’s begin by discussing some of the positive actions you should take. Find out the horse’s birth date. You could simply ask how old the horse is but asking for a birth date might get you a more accurate answer. It shows you are expecting good information. A horse’s best years are from five to ten years old. If the rider is an inexperienced equestrian a gentle horse with a few years on him might be best.
Inquire as to the gender of the animal. The heat cycle of a mare can create temperament problems so a gelding might be a better choice.
If buying a registered horse is important to you be sure the seller can produce the proper documentation. If documentation is not available or does not exist the horse would be of lower value. Requiring registration papers is a matter of personal choice.
Inquire about the horse’s height and how much he weighs. A height of about fifteen hands measured from the ground to the withers is a good size for equestrian horses. A “hand” is four inches. The horse’s weight is less important because of the difference in body build of the various breeds.
Be sure to get the history of ownership and the reason for the sale of the horse. If the horse has been sold several times he may have a bad temperament or may be ill. Do some probing to find out if this could be the case. Ask for the owner’s opinion on how easily the horse could pass a physical exam. If you indicate you may want to get a veterinarian involved the seller might disclose some facts that he might not have otherwise.
Ask the owner if the horse has been trained and what the owner’s purpose for the horse has been. Your purpose in owning the animal should be the same as his. Are you in the market for a nice gentle trail horse or are you planning on doing some jumping?
The buyer of equestrian horses should avoid a few of the following errors. Do not turn down an older horse in good health because they make great horses for the inexperienced rider. A good horse can be used for pleasure riding even beyond the age of 20. Some folks think buying a young horse for a young rider is the best thing to do. This philosophy can have some bad consequences. Find a more mature and gentle animal with which to teach your child to ride.
Avoid horse auctions in general even if you are an experienced horseman. A horse can be medicated or sedated to temporarily hide problems. The auction surroundings do not provide a very good way to get to know your prospective animal.
Do not buy a horse with out first carefully considering the cost of ownership and the amount of effort you will have to put in. Other horse owners can help you estimate the cost of feed. They can also tell you how much they have spent on health care. Do not forget that someone will have to provide care for your animal if you are away from home.
Some equestrian horse buyers seem to want to pick a horse based on his coat color. Color should not be one of your top considerations. The suggestions you have just read should be your highest priorities.
A couple of accessories you should consider for your new horse are horse rugs and horse clippers
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