![]() Try to test ride the horse twice on two different days. Have the owner ride the horse first so you can see how he moves and behaves, and then ride him yourself. Tell the owner you would like to watch the horse being caught up (if he’s out in the paddock), groomed and tacked up, rather than having him ready to ride when you arrive. Don’t be afraid to ask the owner why the horse is for sale – getting an answer such as, “He’s too keen to be a western pleasure horse,” might mean he’s not suitable for you, either. ![]() The test rideīe sure to bring along your coach or other knowledgeable horse person when you first ride a sale prospect. Auctions are a risky place to find a first horse and should be avoided. It is important to include your coach or other experienced horse person in this decision some facilities offer 30-day trials to ensure a perfect match. If you are not intending to show heavily and just want a loving companion for hacking and having fun, adopting may be the answer. Horse rescues often offer lovely, kind older horses looking for a caring home. There are also plenty of online sales sites which give you the advantage of viewing videos of lots of horses in your area, which will save you some travelling. Horse shows are a great place to shop, as you can actually see the horse performing in a show setting away from the security of his barn, see how he loads onto the trailer, stands to be groomed, mounted, etc. Ask friends who ride, or your instructor, as they often are the first to know about available horses. Visit local barns and check out their bulletin boards scour the local papers check horse magazines and their online classified sites. And never, ever, buy a young, unbroken or really inexperienced horse thinking that you will “grow together.” The old expression “Green plus green equals black and blue” is absolutely true! Where to look? Never begin your horse hunting by being really rigid with your criteria, such as “I will only buy a Palomino,” or “Nothing but a red dun with a dorsal stripe for me.” The old saying “a good horse is never a bad colour” is accurate – that lovely 15-hand Quarter Horse might be perfect for your needs, even if he is just a plain bay.įor a first horse, a minimum of 10 years old is a safe bet, but never discount horses 15 or older as long as they have been well cared for. On the other hand, don’t buy that cute little pony that you will be able to wrap your legs around next year if you have a growth spurt. While a 17-hand warmblood who is a lovely mover might look like a great dressage prospect, if the chances of you topping 5’ height-wise in the next few years is slim, you may want a mount better suited to your stature. You might keep your new animal at a friend’s farm, or board him at a public boarding stable (see “Housing Options” article). If you are very lucky and your parents have a rural property large enough for horse-keeping, that is one option, but it also involves the greatest amount of labour on your part. If someones says their horse is suitable for an intermediate rider, and you are a true novice who has just begun working at the canter or lope, for instance, this is not the right fit for you. Take an honest look at your level of riding. Have a price range in mind and stick to it. This will be up to you and your parents, but prices can range from as little as $1,000 to $10,000 and way beyond for a suitable “starter”. Or if lowlevel eventing is your goal, a reliable packer who has been outgrown physically or ambitiously by his rider might be a good choice. Talk to your coach about where you see yourself in terms of riding in the next year or two and find horses that fit the description for example, if you want to try your hand at speed events, perhaps a solid old western games campaigner would best suit you. ![]() What you need is a solid old schoolmaster – a reliable pony or horse, possibly with a bit of age on him and a whole lot of years trucking youngsters around safely. If you are a beginner rider, do you really need a grand prix horse or an off-the-track Thoroughbred? Of course not. ![]()
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