| Having a horse is fun, but a major responsibility, | | | | you will ride. That is a great solution if you have |
| so be thorough on your research of barns to | | | | limited time, because owning a horse, even when |
| board it at. It pays to choose a place that is close | | | | boarded at a show stable, is still very time |
| to where you live, has facilities that are well | | | | consuming. You must groom, saddle, ride, |
| maintained and most importantly, gives its horses | | | | unsaddle, wash then clean its feet every time you |
| proper care and nutrition. Each barn has its own | | | | ride. And, I used to let my horse out into the |
| atmosphere, is it one you can live with? If you | | | | paddocks and wait for him to have fun kicking up |
| want to participate in horse shows, it may be a | | | | his heels every day, instead of paying extra to |
| good idea to choose a barn that frequents the | | | | have the trainer do it for me. I spent at least |
| kinds of shows you want to be in. If you live in a | | | | four hours every afternoon at my stable since he |
| cold climate, make sure the barn has a large | | | | was my full responsibility, I owned him so his |
| indoor arena for winter riding. | | | | well-being was totally up to me alone. The barn |
| Do you ride English or Western? If English is your | | | | workers fed the horses, mucked stalls and kept |
| thing, then make sure your barn has jumps | | | | the grounds up. I kept the horse clean, healthy |
| available, and/or a dressage ring. I ride English, and | | | | and happy, as well as my tack spotlessly |
| my barn had a top show trainer in it, so if I | | | | maintained. |
| needed to prepare for a show, he was there to | | | | Keep in mind, horses have other bills that must be |
| critique my riding during lessons. I liked boarding | | | | paid, such as vet bills (worming, shots, etc) and |
| my horse at a place with a competent, | | | | farrier (horseshoes, hoof trimming, etc). These |
| experienced trainer, one that took the time to | | | | must be done on a regular schedule and not |
| explain the exercises and gave me quality | | | | ignored. Taking good care of your horse's feet is |
| instruction. Since I spent most of my money at | | | | of major importance so never skimp on cleaning |
| this sport, I wanted to make sure I was doing | | | | or trimming them. Also, buy shampoo and other |
| everything right. | | | | grooming products online to save money. If you |
| If you ride Western, make sure there are trails to | | | | don't have a locker in your barn, get a caddy to |
| ride on nearby your barn. And again, find a barn | | | | hold your grooming supplies, and keep it in the |
| that has a trainer suited to your style of riding in | | | | back of your car. Leaving it out in the open at the |
| order to get the proper instruction. Once you find | | | | barn invites trouble, in the form of others |
| a barn you like, whatever style you ride, spend | | | | "borrowing" things and forgetting to put them |
| time taking lessons there before buying a horse, | | | | back, so it's best to have a locking trunk or keep |
| just to get a feel of the place. If you haven't | | | | the caddy in the back of your car. |
| found a horse yet, trainers can assist you in | | | | If you plan to show your horse, ask your barn |
| looking. Ask around, and tell them how much you | | | | how much they charge to use their horse trailer. |
| are looking to spend on your first horse. Another | | | | Most barns will haul the horse for you, for the |
| great way to find a horse is during the summer, | | | | asking, as long as they have enough trailer space |
| many young horse owners are getting ready to | | | | for all the horses going to the show. Showing is |
| go off to college and need to sell their animal fast. | | | | addictive. Start at a small, local show and see how |
| This is a good bargaining time, if the seller is | | | | you like it. Then, if you do well and enjoy |
| motivated, you may talk the price down on his | | | | yourself, work your way up to bigger shows. |
| horse. Have them throw in the tack (saddle, bridle, | | | | Going to a horse show is a enjoyable family |
| etc) too, as part of the bargain. When I sold my | | | | event. Many people bring picnics to watch the |
| horse to go to college, I gladly gave the buyers (a | | | | show as their children ride. If you win a prize, it's a |
| well maintained show barn) all my tack since I | | | | bonus, but do it for the sheer pleasure of it all. If |
| knew he was going to be in good hands. It pays | | | | you show, make sure to wear the appropriate |
| to ask about the tack, to save on money, since | | | | clothing and boots. Advance preparation of both |
| having a horse is very expensive any way you | | | | the rider and horse is the key to a successful day |
| look at it. | | | | of horse showing. |
| Make sure the horse is healthy before committing | | | | Once you and your horse are settled in and know |
| to buying it. This is incredibly important. Make sure | | | | each other, you will make a good team and build |
| to have a vet look it over, and tell you what | | | | on your experiences together. Bring him treats, |
| condition he is in. Are his legs sound? Has he ever | | | | talk to him and give kind approval so he learns to |
| been lame? Has he had all his shots, and is he | | | | trust you. My horse used to whinny whenever he |
| disease-free? Also, make sure there are no | | | | saw me walking towards him. We were buddies |
| growths on his ears. A friend of mine bought an | | | | and I used to make him carrot cake every New |
| expensive show horse, only to find out he had | | | | Year's Day (he was a Thoroughbred and all |
| skin cancer on one of his ears. One of his ears | | | | registered Thoroughbreds share the birthday of |
| had to be partially removed, it was really sad. | | | | January first, whether they were born on that |
| Make sure the animal is completely sound and has | | | | day or not). He plowed through that cake in |
| a personality you can live with. | | | | minutes flat and looked for more. We were a |
| One way to try out horse ownership is to lease a | | | | great team and I'll never forget him. These little |
| horse from its owner. Most barns have horses | | | | things make the relationship you have with your |
| that are up for lease, you can even get a half or | | | | horse all the more special. Owning a horse is a |
| quarter lease sometimes. Then, you help with the | | | | special privelege so enjoy each and every day |
| bills of the horse, but are not fully responsible for | | | | with him. Grow together, learn new things, and |
| it. You work out with the owner, and anyone who | | | | both your lives will be enriched and happy. I highly |
| may be sharing the lease with you, what days | | | | recommend it. |