Buying a horse is not a decision that should be made lightly.
While you may be a huge horse-lover, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you should own one.
You need to carry out a great deal of research to discover whether the type of horse you have in mind is suitable and if you have the time to take care of it.
If you believe you’re ready to take the leap, this blog will come in useful.
Here are a few helpful hints on what it’s like to own a horse and what you should be making a note of before bringing your new companion home.
Don’t impulse buy
While you may be completely taken with the idea of buying a horse, you need to be confident that this is an idea you’re happy to live with for the next few decades.
Only then would it be the right time to start searching for horses either online or from a professional seller.
Never buy a horse without riding it first and asking the relevant questions. This will ensure the horse you have chosen is appropriate for you.
Train your horse
Untrained horses are much less expensive, which can be of benefit to beginner riders; however, you must be patient, as basic training can take months before the horse is safe to ride.
You could plan to carry out horse training yourself if you have the dedication to keep it up.
After all, this is all part of the fun of owning your horse, as will develop a close bond during the training process.
Ask for a trial period
Never be fearful of asking the horse owner for a trial period over a couple of days.
Most sellers wish for their horses to go to good owners, so asking the question proves that you’re not making a rash decision.
If the horse you chose isn’t the right fit for you, they may be able to help you find a more suitable horse based on your specific requirements.
Be aware of costs
Horses cost a minimum of around $5000, however, if you’re planning on entering competitions, you can expect to pay significantly more.
Don’t forget that it’s not just the cost of the horse that you’ll need to consider, you’ll also have to think about regular expenses.
Here are some of the common monthly costs of horses:
- Boarding
If you don’t have enough outdoor space at your property, you will need to hire stables for your horse, which often comes fully inclusive of general care including feeding, mucking out and grooming.
- Lessons
If you haven’t yet learned how to ride a horse, you may need weekly or monthly lessons to feel confident as a beginner on horseback. Having a private instructor on an ongoing basis will improve your technique and iron out any issues as soon as they arise.
- Vets
As with owning any pet, you can expect to pay out large amounts for veterinarian bills. Horses need to be handled carefully during vet visits and require multiple vaccinations every year for general health and worming every eight weeks or so. Don’t forget to also save cash for emergency treatment.