subject: Horses for sale – 5 things to consider before buying a horse [print this page] Horses for sale 5 things to consider before buying a horse
Buying a horse is a very exciting prospect and for many a lifelong dream. Riding through the countryside with just your horse for company or the thrill of winning your first show is something that can't be beaten.
However, before you dive into the world of horse ownership, it is important to consider the following issues:
Time
Budget
Monthly costs
Ongoing long term care
Ambition
Time Considerations
Horses need looking after every day and when there is six foot of snow on the ground or the gale force winds outside, your horse will still need caring for. Horses require a complete lifestyle change as they will need visiting twice a day, whatever the weather. They prefer routine so at the weekends there will be no more lie-ins as you will have to get up as early as you do on weekdays to ensure they are fed and watered at their usual time.
Even small jobs take time and you can expect to spend a minimum of an hour in the morning and an hour at night caring for your horse. This doesn't include the extra time spent grooming or actually riding. Plus there is always the possibility that something could go wrong and generally this always happens when you are already in a rush.
Horses still need looking after when you go on holiday so it is important that you find someone who you can trust to care for them while you are away.
Throughout the year a horse will need to be seen by a farrier on a regular basis and will also need vaccinations and dental checkups. Most of these have to be done on a weekday, so you will need to consider who will be around to get your horse in, supervise them during the appointment and then turn them back out again. This could mean taking days off work or paying someone to be there when you cannot.
Budget and Monthly Costs
When buying a horse, it is important to set yourself a budget and stick to it. Decide what you can afford and don't be tempted to let your heart rule your head. There is no such thing as the perfect horse, so decide what qualities you want in your horse and realise that good horses do not come cheap. Always view a wide variety of horses for sale before you settle on your chosen horse as it is easy to fall for the first one you see, instead of choosing the most suitable.
The monthly costs of keeping a horse can run into hundreds of pounds and you need to factor in that you will need to pay for livery, bedding, feed, worming, foot trims, dental check ups, vaccinations, vets fees and any competitions or lessons that you might have each month.
Long Term Care
Horses can live for 30 years plus, so it is important to realise that buying a horse is not a short term commitment. You need to decide what you will do with a horse once it is too old to be ridden or if your circumstances change.
If you buy a pony and your child outgrows it, you will need to consider what you will do with it.
Ambition
You need to be realistic about what you want to be able to achieve with your horse. There is no point buying a top quality show jumping horse when you have just started out riding. Always get an instructors opinion when buying any horse to ensure that you will not be over horsed.
This is especially important when buying a childs pony. View as many ponies for sale as you can and try them out in as many different situations as possible to ensure that the pony is truly safe for your child to ride before parting with any money.
What next
Buying a horse can be one of the most rewarding decisions you can make but get it wrong and it can be expensive and heartbreaking. Make sure you buy from a reputable supplier and don't let your heart rule your head. Get it right and the day you bought your first horse will be one of the happiest memories of your life.
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