Finding your “Perfect” horse
Written by: Kay Cox-Eveleigh
Believe me everyone wants to find a perfect horse. But realistically let’s try to help you find the horse that is most “perfect” for you. It helps to have a few rules when you start your search and I always tell people who ask that if in doubt, find a qualified trainer in your area who can help and give you advice. As to the simple rules, here goes:
1. Be honest with yourself about your riding ability, don’t “over horse” yourself. If you want to do something or participate in an activity that you are not yet ready for, wait to buy a horse. Find somewhere to take lessons to learn that skill, then go search for your horse. You may even be taking lessons on him!
2. Once you have decided what kind of horse you want to look for, look at some horse ads so you can set a shopping budget for yourself. These ads will give you an idea of current pricing for the type of horse you are looking for.
3. Unless you are looking for a horse that you will ride in a competition, or shows that require a certain height, breed registration, or color you will have a much broader field of horses to choose from. I always tell my clients who don’t have showing requirements to never look at a horses’ color, size or breed, look at the horses heart first. Some people instantly want a certain color or only a great big horse, etc. Check the horse out first, and then make a judgment. Believe me there are lots of beautiful horses out there that are not right for every person. There are lots of plain horses out there that are great! So let the vanity go.
4. When you go to look at a horse don’t be hurried. Have the owner handle the horse from handling on the ground to riding it. Then you do it also. If you can’t handle the horse things are not going to change when you get it home. If in doubt of the abilities of the horse, or yours, take along a qualified person when you go. But take someone you trust who isn’t afraid to say, “I don’t think this is the horse for you”, or vice versa. Also check the horses’ conformation and general health. Ask yourself if this horse is suitable for how you are planning to use him. Is his temperament compatible with your abilities and how you are going to be riding? Remember this is an expensive decision and you want to make the best one you can. Sometimes a seller is willing to lease a horse for a trial period, but most don’t so don’t expect that. If you have doubts don’t rush into a purchase, even if the seller says there are lots of people looking at the horse. There are lots of horses out there, don’t buy because you feel pressured.
5. When you do find a horse to purchase, make sure the purchase agreement is well understood by both you and the seller. Miscommunications of sales terms can lead to hard feelings or worse. So I recommend a written and signed agreement.
6. Now that you have gotten this far. Let’s take a minute to talk about where you are taking your “perfect” horse. A safe home is the best home. Remember if you are moving this horse to a new location he is going to have to settle in. He will be taking in his new surroundings and he may be a little anxious. Have as horse-safe an environment as you can reasonably arrange for him. If you are unsure about this once again go to your local trainer or knowledgeable horse-person for advice. Don’t take him to his new home and instantly change his diet, horses can get sick as a result. It is best to wean him through the change should you decide to do so. Also, don’t just throw him out to pasture with a strange group of horses. Horses have a “pecking” order and if he is to be with others introduce one horse at a time over a period of days until they can all get along.
7. If he is going to be a kids’ horse or be around kids then you need to check that out before you purchase him. Kids can be noisy and careless around horses (if they aren’t little riders themselves) and that also applies to dogs or strange pets like goats or llamas. Horses do not automatically know everything and strange things often are frightening to them.
So these are the very basic rules that I start with. Hope this helps. Never be afraid to ask loads of questions as this will help in your decision making process. I want everyone to find the right horse for them. Their “perfect” horse!
About the author: Kay Cox-Eveleigh is a John Lyons certified trainer in Ramona, California. To contact Kay, email Littlehoofs@aol.com or phone (760) 788-1603.
