Thursday 16th August, 2018
Horse ownership is a dream come true for horse lovers, and if you are in the process of buying a horse then allow us to be the first to congratulate you! Buying a horse is one thing, however, but caring for one is a totally different matter altogether.
Horses are exceptional creatures that can provide owners with companionship, joy and purpose. However, they also require a lot of care, from providing them with an adequate stable to feeding them, exercising them and caring for their health.
In this first-time horse owner guide, we have compiled a list of the top five first-time horse owner tips that you need to consider when buying a horse for yourself or for a loved one. This will help you to become the best first-time horse owner possible because horses deserve the love and care that matches the love and companionship they give to their owners so willingly.
The most important first-time horse owner tip is to do your research! As tempting as it is to scan the bargain pages in your local newspaper, buying a horse needs to be a far more thorough process. Do your research, taking into account your own level of skill and knowledge as well as that of the horse.
A novice rider would suit a steady school master rather than a hot-headed warmblood. You will need to both meet and ride the horse to get a feel for his character, as it is vital that you match each other in terms of temperament and talent. This will ensure that you and your horse can form a long and everlasting friendship, which is one of the best parts of buying a horse.
The next tip in our first-time horse owner guide is to get a professional opinion. You might think you have found the perfect horse, but it is important to thoroughly inspect and assess the horse before making any decisions. Your riding instructor is the best person to accurately assess the match with regard to your riding ability. They will be able to help support you in your decision and assess whether this is the right horse for you.
Another essential part of this process is getting your veterinarian to assess your horse’s health. A five-stage vetting is well worth the investment to reveal any potential illness or injury that wouldn’t be seen on first viewing. This first-time horse owner tip could end up saving you a lot of money in the long run!
Arguably, one of the most important first-time horse owner tips is making sure that when you buy a horse that you also consider their stabling needs. When choosing accommodation for your horse, you need to consider your individual horse’s needs.
You may choose to rent a paddock with a field shelter or a livery stable with grazing. At livery stables, you usually have the choice to have your horse in full livery (cared for by the yard manager), Part Livery (care provided jointly between owner and yard manager) or DIY (solely cared for by the owner).
If horse ownership is going to be a lifelong thing, maybe it is time to consider building your own bespoke stables. Here at Vale Stables, we provide a wide range of equestrian buildings from internal stables and timber horse stables to mobile field shelters and steel field shelters, that can be completely customised to you and your horses’ needs. We offer lots of customisable options from double doors and perspex windows to hay racks and cedar shingle roof tiles.
So, you’ve found the horse and the location, but what about the day-to-day care? The British Horse Society offers horsemanship training do help you brush up on your skills (or learn new ones!) You could also contact your local livery yard to ask if you can shadow their stable hands.
It is important to understand the time commitment involved when buying a horse. You’ll need to ensure that you or someone else is able to take care of your horse on a daily basis.
The last tip in our first-time horse owner guide is to consider the costs of buying a horse. Horse ownership can be a costly affair, so make sure that you can afford to care for a horse.
Take into account the regular outgoings such as feed, bedding, farriery, vaccinations and worming. It is important to try and have a buffer available should any unexpected costs arise.
Ultimately, when it comes to buying a horse, there are various things you need to take into consideration before making this decision. We hope our first-time horse owner guide, full of our top 5 first-time horse owner tips, helps you to make your decision a little bit easier. Remember, horses can be the most beautiful companions you could ever have, so don’t take this decision lightly.
If you have already purchased your horse or made your decision and need a lovely new home for your horse, get in touch with our team here at Vale Stables, and we can start designing your dream stable.
