Non Negotiable's and Horses
Helmets- Wear One!
Riding with a helmet, in my opinion, should be one of those things that are considered a non-negotiable. Get on my horse, you wear a helmet, no negotiating this one.
Looking For A Horse To Lease Or Buy
Before you can look for a horse to lease or buy you have to know what you want. You need to chose what your non-negotiables are going to be in your selection process. One most likely will be a price range.
Other non-negotiables will be things like is it appropriate for the discipline you want to do? Is it sound without shoes? This might be on someone's list because they can't afford the extra expense of a horse that needs special shoeing.
If you plan on showing or trail riding one of your non-negotiables will be that the horse needs to load and travel safely on a horse trailer.
If you want to compete in a certain breed show circuit, obviously you will have to buy a horse of that breed in order to participate. Which does narrow down your options, but if that is the goal you have in mind it is worth the extra time looking.
Non-Negotiable's When Looking For A Boarding Barn
When selecting a boarding barn you should have certain things on a list of non-negotiable's, each person's list will be different of course.
If you don't get off work in time to ride during daylight hours you need a barn with a lighted arena or better yet an indoor. If you are a pleasure or trail rider, having access to places to ride directly off the property might be non-negotiable.
Maybe it is important to you that someone lives on the property and be able to check the horses at night if they hear something odd, or someone will be right there in the event of a weather emergency.
If you are an adult amateur or a parent who purchased a horse for their child being at a farm with a trainer or instructor may be nonnegotiable for you. Or at least be allowed to bring in a trainer or instructor, you need to look into it because not all barns allow it.
Are You Looking For A Social Circle At The Farm?
If you are looking for a social circle of people to ride with, finding a farm with like-minded individuals that have similar goals to your own might be non-negotiable.
There Are Even Some Not So Serious Things You May Want To Consider As Non-Negotiable's
Is your dog the sidekick that you want to be able to bring to the barn with you? A barn that allows dogs is going to be one of your nonnegotiables I'm sure!
Maybe you have always had to carry your tack and equipment back and forth from the farm, so one of your nonnegotiables would be that you either get a tack locker. Or even a place to keep your tack trunk.
Having A List Of Non-Negotiable's May Seem Like It's Overkill, It's Not!
Whether you are horse shopping, looking for a barn to ride at, looking for a boarding facility, or trying out a new discipline. Knowing what is important to you will help you find the right place or horse or trainer, whatever the case may be.
Knowing what is most important to you and the things that you are not willing to budge on will save you a lot of time and energy in the horse world.
The Horse World Is A Big World To Navigate?
Maybe you start out with a list of non-negotiables and as you move through the horse world you learn that you like something different. Or that maybe you are willing to give on one little detail if something else is just right.
Starting With A List Of Non-Negotiable's Is A Good Place To Start
Even if you end up changing your priorities, it is better to have a firm starting point to go on. You can always adjust from there as you learn on your horsemanship journey.
Never stop learning, that should definitely be a non-negotiable!
