To Buy or Not to Buy?

I am regularly coming across adults who, having been successful in their careers , have decided that they can now at last afford the time to indulge in their lifelong dream of owning their own horse. They are generally somewhat surprised at my reluctance to fast track them towards horse ownership, as unlike most, I don’t “just happen to know of the perfect……” and feel it rather necessary in fact to counsel them for the road ahead. Don’t get me wrong  it `s not that I don’t believe that horse ownership is without doubt the most absorbing , therapeutic , healthy, challenging , lifestyle change you could wish for …but like all good long term relationships …….it doesn’t just happen!

We have all made mistakes! Added to that we can all be unlucky at times but that aside what we are all looking for is the equine partner that “ gets us out of bed in the morning “ and especially important is to ensure we have the support mechanism around us to help us to develop further and then enable us to fulfil our goals.

                                            Goals?

Some people assure me their goals are so small they are not worthy of consideration…” I simply wish to ride and enjoy the companionship of my horse”….exactly…but can you convince your horse that he wants to be your companion?

                                Feature- Goal number One!

             Support mechanisms come in various shapes and sizes?

                                                     The Wrong Ones

Your Mother- who remembers you enjoying your first pony and would love to see you as relaxed and happy again as you were then “You deserve it dear” she says. This level of support is always welcome but will not be much help to you on a frosty November morning when your “Lolliop replacement “ is dragging you to the field and has just removed several layers of skin, trampled you to the floor and has now made any notion of working for the rest of the day a joke!

Expert Friend- Has ridden all her life knows all the pitfalls and if it had n `t been for her own bad back, difficult marriage , 5 children, bad luck would  have been without doubt up there with the Greats! The fact that she isn’t makes absolutely no difference to the tone in which she speaks to you should a problem arise. However said expert is sadly never available to “step in, help out, ride and sort out” despite all claims prior to purchase.

Husband/Partner

Deeply suspicious and full of negative reasons why you should n `t buy … but as you say “They would be would n `t they!” so let `s not listen to them! We know they will come round in the end when they see how deliriously happy you are and how much nicer we are to live with!

The Right Ones!

When did you last ride? Honestly? Exactly! The first thing you must absolutely do is book yourself into a reputable Riding School for a course of lessons. It doesn’t matter that you have been trail riding every year for the last 20 years it is NOT the same thing!

When you have completed your obligatory lunge lessons and the ability to walk with your legs together has returned and you are still keen…then may be after a few more weeks demonstrating small levels of control ie stop, go, turn left, turn right, changing gear and on the biggest selection of different types of horse possible.… maybe now is the time to start discussing your desire to own a horse.

The First Step;

Goals and Aspirations;

If I had a pound for every new Client I have taken out Horse Shopping who tells me they only want to hack- don’t want to spend too much……etc. You find them a sweet but let`s face it “ordinary horse” priced well for its job because the “Queens Flight” could land behind it and it wouldn’t notice. Three weeks later I have a call for some lessons. All very good , ideal to check up on the progress made and then to my horror discover its head forced into its chest because they now want to ride “on the bit” and try a bit of dressage…..poor sweet horse is now oddly enough not feeling quite so “sweet“ about life and has thrown into the equation a few opinions of his own on the subject and might not even want to be the easy hack he once was if he has to go along looking at the ground!

Rule Number 1- Horses for courses!

Self improvement is to be admired but must not be at the expense of our trusty and loyal friend. The development of the horse and rider is a long road .No part of the spoken or written  word should ever allow you to think otherwise and “The Superstar Talents of this World “are just that- but they also know there are no short cuts they just don `t take as long  about it as the rest of us!

What next?

Sit down with your instructor/ trainer/ mentor whoever you trust who has the required knowledge to guide you. Start heading towards discovering those desired goals!

Be Honest!-What is it to be?

Hacking only? Riding Club? Dressage- RC Level? Dressage Affiliated? Eventing Intro Level? Family Horse?

Where does your heart lie?

Think hard about what you really would like to do and then discuss it in detail with someone who knows your abilities and what is reasonable.

We all have dreams – it is healthy!

Plan towards your “Golden Goal”

Once you have the courage…  reveal your wildest dreams…..

What about the Horse? 

Only now can we start to talk about the sort of horse appropriate for you because you have worked out what it is you want to do with him/her!

Size/ Age/Sex/ Colour/breed…..How can you know?

Write yourself a priority list;

What is an absolutely non negotiable must-have?

Start writing- then re write it…….there is not a perfect horse born yet- you have to reasonable!

When you have written and re- written your list about ten times let your adviser/mentor/ instructor see it, they will then rip it apart and tell you to go and do it again……and finally…. you will come up with a list that is both reasonable and realistic….hopefully!

Now all you have to do is find it/him / her!

Where Should I keep my Horse?

Management of the Horse

70% riding starts on the ground!

If you have no idea how to look after a horse who do you decide should do it for you?

You might think that would be a simple process- delegation. Surely  this is what business people do - all the time….Yes but not when it comes to looking after their favourite project .This they must see to themselves because it just would n `t be done the way they would want and after all there are so many books on the subject it cant be difficult to learn. Just needs a little application……… …..

More disasters occur from new owners getting off on the wrong footing and making elementary management mistakes before they put a foot in the stirrup!  Once horse and rider feel insecure whatever the reason it is a steep hill to climb to restore that trust again .For some it never happens they simply skirt around the issue and never come face to face with the sad fact that the relationship got off on the wrong footing.

 Bad luck? Doubt it.  Planning ahead and trying to prevent any negative situations arising in the first place is essential-there will be enough outside influences out of your control that you will have to deal with without you leaving any of the controllable ones to chance!

How can you do this if this is your first horse? You can `t!

  Only experience can tell you what not to do.

 In the past nobody rode or was introduced to horses without a highly competent professional with either a military or an agricultural background to guide you. Those that did n `t employ their own Stud Groom attended well run riding schools again with traditionalists at the helm. We did n `t stand and “discuss” an opinion on feeding/ management we knew “The knowledge“ came from centuries of handed down and inherited hands-on experience gained from the Cavalry and from those working horses on the farms.

How things have changed! Now our horses` nutrition is decided not by those experts with centuries of experience but by nutritionists working for feed manufacturers who employ marketing machines to blind us with science and convince us well meaning owners that the “only” feed to give their horse is theirs…….Never in the history of the horse has it been fed so much for doing so little….”Cool mix!” What `s wrong with No mix! The first Rule of Feeding as learnt in the Pony Club was

 “Feed According To Work done”

Most novice riders ` horses barely raise their heart beat, they do not need feeding as if they are about to run the National- Good Forage (hay)……essential!

 Get that bit right and top up as appropriate!

If your horse is to be kept on a well run yard with experienced Staff then no doubt this would be exactly what would happen.-sensible dietary management to take the edge off the horse until he has settled into his new surroundings, regime and rider.

Sadly the less experienced rider can be seen to be more worried about the rug selection and supplements than getting the horses` basic feed ration correct.

Even if you do have your own stables and facilities it is well worth writing into your expenses at least one months “hand holding time” where you can have the support you need from your trainer/mentor/instructor. This will help to reduce the chances of starting out on the wrong foot and you will be able to be guided in all the areas of your new horses` management. Each horse is an individual as are we and it `s only experience that is able to easily identify the different needs of different horses.

Even the different sexes can require different handling and management-

Now that doesn’t take a lot of believing!.

Long Road!

So he could look better at the moment? He will but with correct work!

 We all want our friends to be wowed by our new purchase but would n `t it be better to wow them with our continuous progress and enthusiasm as we feel and see changes taking place along the way?- and all our own work! …... Ok with guidance….

Money- How much will I have to spend?

The answer to this question is very dependent on the “Wish list that you made earlier”

What is at the top of your priority list?

Premiums

Listed below are the things that cost extra;

Safety

Age a) Youth- potential

b) Age-experience

Quality

Movement

Exceptional jump

Boldness

Cuteness (I make no apologies- it sells!)

Soundness

It `s not by mistake that I put soundness last as I know that some people don’t even wish to know if their potential purchase is sound.

 After all a vet might find something wrong!

So does your dream horse have any of the above mentioned? I guess one at least?

Now back to the list!

Work out what your maximum budget is……..

This must include;

One months “Hand Holding”- Price- Ask your trainer

Vetting- Varies but around £200

Insurance- One or half a year for the full value is recommended-horribly expensive but possibly worth it

Tack - Variable £100 bridle

 Quality Saddles from £1000 upwards

Rugs a selection but 3 to start is adequate- £200

Transport home -How and from where and to?

Horse! - What have you left?

It is always easy to beg and borrow kit to get started with. However borrowed rugs are one thing but a saddle is very unlikely to be doing you or your horse any favours for the long term so a saddle chosen for you and your horse is essential at the earliest opportunity.

Are you still keen??

What is it you are prepared to compromise on?

Safety tends to be high on the priority list for first time buyers and let `s face it NOT first time buyers!

Age/ potential- is at a premium because it looks like it just might be a future star……

Quality can have its quirks and can sometimes fly in the face of safety!

Excellent Movement- can take a lot of following and this can feel unsafe if you can t!

Exceptional jump- ditto the above!

Let `s not under value safety but never forget safety comes through obedience and the quality of the handling, starting and training. Not because it is steady , green as grass and has never to date ever moved off a straight line-  regardless of whether you `d like to. One day he might just decide to!!

Horses must be rideable!

The degree to which you need their co operation depends on your ability and aspirations but rideable non the less for them to be safe!

You should by now have a feeling for the horse taking shape on your list.

You probably now need to buy a few lottery tickets to make available all of your options but as we started out saying if you are prepared to compromise you can get what you want .It is where you decide to compromise that is crucial.

AGE

There was a time when a horse over nine in this country was aged and virtually unable to be sold. Thank goodness those days have gone. In a country that prides itself in not rushing our young horses when were we supposed to produce these horse to their peak if we weren’t to start them before they were 5 years old and yet sell them before they were ten? Now we cherish our older experienced horses and this is definitely my recommendation for the aspiring but slightly financially cramped!

Vetting

Of course you need a competent vet to be able to judge whether a horse has acceptable “changes “ due to age and also you must be realistic about what you really want the vet to check him out for. Don’t tell the vet to vet him as a three-day eventer when you only want to hack. Equally when you wish to continue your training and this is to involve a lot of work in the arena constant turning may not be ideal for some of the problems of old age. Others on the other hand may have an extended life if kept on a forgiving quality surface. All the aspects of the job to do and management regime have to be taken into consideration to know how best to find the suitable horse for you.

Summary

I will, I can and I shall!

I hope that with a little more thought, education, awareness and planning more of you will enjoy long term fantastic relationships with horses entirely appropriate for your needs.

Happy Horse Hunting!