How to Pick Out Your First Horse

Buying your first horse is complicated. It may take more than one horse to find the horse perfect for you. But, in time you will find your special friend. It may take you through twists and turns, but don't give up! Have fun along the way, and enjoy.

I wrote this hub so it is easier for first time owners to pick out a horse. Some of them don't know what to look for and need help. So here it goes!

Before you own your first horse you need to be ready! You need to know as much as you can, for you and your horses total hapiness. It is very important that you buy a horse with money and knowledge. Click the link below for a list of what you need to know.

Finding a horse for sale can be complicated. There are many ways to do it. The two main ways are to know a firend or use the internet. You can also go to festivals and shows, where horses are for sale.

Know Someone: The more horse-people you know, the closer you are to finding a horse for sale. Get close to boarding centers and organizations to get a horse. Talk to friends with horses- chances are they know someone who wants to sell a horse.

Use The Internet: On the internet you can find horse rescues, horse breeders, and horses for sale website. If you want a website I reccomend dreamhorse, equinenow, and horseclicks. Before you pick out a horse you like and the owner to contact follow basic add rules:

• Make sure the Horse's add has no spelling or grammar letters.
• Make sure that the horse is trained in your discipline, and it is not green or untrained.
• Make sure The Horse is Below Five on the calmness scale.
• Make sure to not judge the horse by color.
• Make sure the horse's location is not out of the 25-mile range.

If you find a horse that you think is okay then you can move on the the next step.

When you see a horse you like you must contact the owner. You can contact by e-mail, phone, or letter. Make sure to add a few things in your letter including:

• Your Name
• Your Phone number and/or e-mail adress
• Your age and expirience with horses
• Your Discipline and what you would use the horse for

You should also ask lots and lots of questions such as if the horse is vaccinated, if it requires shoes, if it has has or now had health issues, if it has any issues with grooming, etc.

When you have ask questions and sent the letter, then you can calmly wait for a reply. If the reply seems alraight go ahead and set up a date to go see and ride the horse. This is a must-do for buying a horse. If you can't see the horse in person give up.

Make sure the date is good and you don't have a strict schedule that day, then go aahead and move on to the next step.

When you go see a horse there is alot to do and alot of people to bring. This is the most important part of choosing a horse. Be very careful with it, and make sure everything goes how you want it to go. Bring many people to the Horse, and show them it. Try to bring:

• Family
• Friends
• Horse Experts
• Your Vet

When you see the horse make sure you can:

• Catch the horse
• Groom the horse
• Tack up The horse
• Lead the horse
• Ride the horse at a walk, trot, and lope (Make sure the Horse is responsive and follows commands)
• Unsaddle the Horse

Now, take the horse away from the barn, and walk it back- make sure it is not barn sour. See if it has manners, and it walks back to its home.

You can also test it's spookiness. All horses will be wary around new things (instinct), but some freak out. Test plastic bags in the wind, and items going around it's body. Introduce it to something new.

Make Sure you do everything, and the owner lets you do it. If you cannot- don't buy it. If the Horse has any bad habits- don't buy it.

If you like it the first time, you might want to plan a suprise visit. Horses have good and bad days, so you may want to see it again. It's best to plan a suprise visit. Also, some sick owners might give their horses calming medicines before your ride.

After all this, you may be ready to move to the next step.

If the horse is perfect, then feel free to consult the people you brought and buy the horse for an acceptable horse. Make sure to aquire all the vet papers and any other information.

After you bought the horse you can take it home, but taking a horse home and acclimating it to its surroundings is another story.