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Horses

You may be interested in horses for several reasons, including sport, recreation or showing. If you are new to the world of horses, you will have a lot to learn at first. From choosing a horse to becoming adept at caring for it, the skills you will need as a horse owner are diverse and challenging.

Choosing a horse

As you begin looking at horses to find the best one for you, ask the current owner some important questions. What is the age of the horse and what has it been used for in the past? If it has had any injuries, ask specific questions about the injury such as where it occurred, how severe it was and how it was treated. Check to see if the horse has any bad habits such as kicking or biting and if it gets along well with other horses. If the horse is registered, ask to see its papers. Questions like these will give you a better idea if the animal is right for you than just going by your gut feeling or the way the horse looks.

You will also want to handle the horse yourself. Horses that allow you to pick up their feet and touch their belly, nose, and ears will be much easier for you to learn to groom and saddle. If you know how, ride the horse and get a feel for its response to your commands.

It is always a good idea to hire a veterinarian to examine any horse that you are close to buying. A vet will examine the animal’s lungs, mouth, and hooves, and check other vital signs to find out if the horse is in good health. Horses are a big investment and you want to make sure that you know as much as possible about your new horse’s health before you make the purchase.

Breeds

Over 100 horse breeds exist today, but these can be divided into 3 general categories: ponies, light horses and heavy horses. Ponies are the smallest of the 3 and are generally used for children to ride and for agricultural labor. Light horses are a bit larger and are used for sporting competitions such as racing and jumping. Heavy horses are big and muscular and were bred for labor. Specific breeds are characterized by their markings, color and size.

Some horses have a reputation of being good for children. Ponies are good for young children, but a child will outgrow it in time. Although horse may be too large for a child at first, if you are thinking long term it is probably the better choice. The best horses for children have a lot of experience with people and are friendly and relaxed. Some breeds that are recommended for children are the Appaloosa, Shetland Pony, and Caspian Horse.

Cost

Owning a horse is expensive. The horse itself may cost $1,000 or more but there are many other costs to consider as well. You will need basic equipment such as a bridle, saddle, halter, brushes and a lead rope. Once you have purchased your horse, you will have operating costs like monthly board, food, shoeing, and veterinary care. If you plan to transport your horse you will need a trailer and if you are not comfortable taking care of or riding horses, you will need to invest in lessons. Horses require a large commitment; make sure you are prepared to devote a significant amount of time and money to your new animal.

Care

Though horses vary in their individual requirements, caring for a horse is not simple. You must take care of his feed, exercise, training and grooming on a regular basis.

Horses must have good quality feed and hay in order to thrive. Hay should be green and soft and have a fresh, clean scent. Make sure that it is not moldy as this can kill your horse. You can use store bought feed or allow your horse to pasture. Horses that are used for working or competition may need other supplements as well. Common supplements are molasses and soybean oil meal. Also, your horse may need extra food in the winter to help him stay warm.

Horses that are kept inside need to be exercised at least an hour per day, but those kept outside will get enough exercise on their own. Your horse also needs to be conditioned for the type of work that you want him to do. Conditioning includes walking and trotting, along with times of scheduled rest for recovery. Specific conditioning depends on the nature of the work or event that you want your horse to complete.

Grooming your horse is very important. Horses that are kept in a stable should be groomed daily; horses kept in a field should be groomed regularly as well. An obvious benefit to consistent grooming is cleanliness, but it also promotes good circulation and helps stop disease. Grooming your horse is a good way to assess his health and well-being and will even increase the bond between the two of you. Your horse should be shampooed and brushed to remove dirt and bring out the natural oils in his coat. Clean out any rocks or dirt from your horses hooves on a daily basis as well. If you plan to show your horse, more extensive grooming will be necessary. Show horses may have their manes braided and their tails thinned for a softer look.