By KATHERINE LYONS
Reposted with permission from the author
BUYING A HORSE FOR A CHILD
If you are a parent buying a horse for a young child, do you have the skills needed to do most of the handling? This would include things like haltering, grooming, leading, tacking, blanketing, hoof and leg care, bathing, holding the horse for the farrier or veterinarian, taking the temperature, and trailer loading. These can be relatively easy with a calm, seasoned horse, but some tasks could be quite challenging with others. If you’re not confident in your abilities to handle a horse safely in multiple situations, it would be wise to stable the horse at a facility with trainers and others available to help. Horse people are extremely generous with their time and expertise.
When I bought my first horse, previously known as Rebel, I stabled him at a boarding facility bustling with activity. There were a lot of people around to witness his antics, and thankfully a few who weren’t too shy to tell me I was in way over my head. I was young and had barely enough money to pay the bills after shelling out his purchase price of $850, so hiring a full-time trainer wasn’t an option. Fortunately, there was a girl at the barn (I’ll call her Natalie) who could ride anything, and for some reason, she thought my naughty horse was a worthy challenge. Maybe she took pity on me. More likely she was taken in by his cuteness. Whatever the reason, Natalie agreed to ride my unruly steed, to see if she could stop him from rearing (oh, did I forget to mention he reared?). The first time she rode him, he reared so high that she slid straight down off his rump. The stirrups and leathers had come right off , with her feet and the rest of her body in tow! Somehow she landed on her feet, grabbing the stirrups in hand and laughing.
That was the kind of rider he needed! So we reattached those stirrups, she hopped back on, and she never fell off again. After a short time, Natalie had cured his rearing habit completely, and it never resurfaced in all the years I owned him. He still was no saint, and it took many years to make him into a solid citizen, but she got us over a hurdle I was totally unequipped to handle.
I’ve come to find that most barns have their own “Natalie.” You want to know that person… bring them Starbucks and pizza and tell them they rock!
Looking For a Top Competitor
If you’re an ambitious rider looking for a national or international competition horse, you want to be extremely specific about the type of horse you’re looking for. Be picky! Consider the attributes of the horse you’ll need in order to satisfy your riding and competition goals and write down everything you can think of. This should be a pretty long list. Make sure to include the qualities that would make an ideal match for your personality and riding style. Don’t be afraid to walk away from a spectacular horse that just isn’t a good fit for you. Do your research on the bloodlines, conformation, age, price, and other characteristics of the most successful horses in your discipline. If this is your first time searching for a horse of this caliber, you might be surprised to learn how much it takes to keep a top horse in good shape. Be realistic about your ability to keep up with the extensive management, financial expense, and time commitment a top-level competition horse requires. You’ll also want a larger budget for horse shopping itself, including travel expenses and pre-purchase exams. (More on budget to come).
Deal-Breakers and Must-Haves
Whether you’re in the market for a trail horse or a top competitor, it’s important to make a list of what you absolutely must have in a horse as well as what you absolutely cannot have. With this list at the front of your mind, you can more easily weed through horses without wasting too much time or energy, or potentially falling in love with a horse who isn’t a good match. Some of the most common criteria to consider are size, age, sex, breed, temperament, color, talent for your chosen discipline, and experience/training level. There could also be things that you specifically want to avoid based on your environment or personal preference. For example, if you plan to keep your horse at a boarding stable without regular pasture turnout, you must have a horse that is comfortable living in a stall. Or, if the only farrier in your area doesn’t have a forge or other fancy equipment, you may need to avoid horses that require special shoeing. (Don’t make the mistake of assuming you can change a horse’s shoeing technique; he may not stay sound).
I’ve seen people put all kinds of things on their deal-breaker/must-have lists. Some people don’t like cribbers (horses who clamp their teeth onto an object and suck air), or horses who pace or weave back and forth in their paddocks, but others don’t mind these things. Some prefer a horse they have to encourage to go (a “push-horse”), while others can’t stand that, and must have a horse with his own motor (a “whoa-horse”). Sometimes physical characteristics or past injuries or illnesses will go on this list. For example, an old tendon injury might be a problem for some, but not others.
If you are looking for a horse for a child or if you’re a less-experienced, timid, or fragile rider, one of your must-haves should be an age-appropriate horse (not too young). He should also have a calm, forgiving temperament. As I have said before, be honest about your strengths and shortcomings. Also, consider any physical characteristics that may impact your riding. If you’re “vertically challenged” like myself, you might not want an eighteen-hand horse, no matter how fabulous he is. Some people will notice that they are less comfortable riding either a narrow or wider horse. Certain horses feel jarring or uncomfortable. If you have a tricky back, hip, or anything else, make sure to put “comfortable” on your list.
Let’s face it, horses are expensive, and a huge commitment in time and energy. You’re going to put in a lot of effort for this horse, and I’m assuming (unless you’re a glutton for punishment) that you’re hoping for some pleasure out of the deal. That said, remember that certain items on your list may carry more weight than others. There may be times to consider being flexible on things like color, markings, breed, or bloodlines. For example, let’s say you have your heart set on a glowing palomino and you happen to come across a horse that is perfect in every other way, except that he is a bay. Considering how hard it can be to find the ideal match, I would caution you not to be too rigid on the cosmetic things. (Buy the bay!) Keep the big three—temperament, talent, and drive—front and center of your mind.
