Hey all - buying a horse

[LWolf]

12. Horses:

I can't say anything about goats except that they need exceptionally good fences, and you don't want them in an area with trees or shrubs. Horses, though, I've had all of my life.

It's a good idea to have some goats on hand when you get a horse, unless you are getting more than one. They are herd animals, and a lone horse is usually a less-happy, more stressed horse.

For horses, you need SAFE fences. Fences that they can't take down, and won't injure themselves on. There are all kinds of fences out there; I prefer pipe to wood. It doesn't rot, it doesn't break or splinter, and weathers all the weather just fine. You can use t-posts and wire, if you use tall t-posts and run a hot-wire to keep horses off of the fence. Otherwise, t-posts aren't the safest.

Horses need shelter, need fresh water available 24/7, and hay at least twice a day; approx 20 lbs per day, depending on body weight. Grass hay is better than alfalfa. A salt block; possibly a mineral block depending on your area. Our area is deficient in selenium, which means our hay is also deficient, so we provide a plain salt block AND a selenium block. Generally, a horse in good health on moderate exercise won't need other types of feeds or supplements, except for psyllium 7 days per month to prevent sand colic.


Yearly, or twice yearly, vaccinations, regular worming and feet trimming, regular dental checks, and the willingness to pay the vet to come out any time the horse needs it; I've had the vet out for abscessed stone bruises, an injured stifle, and a rare virus in the last 5 years.

A clean feeder to keep feed off the ground helps.

I prefer to give my horses more room than many; if you are going to keep a horse in a small corral, then it will need more exercise. If you've got the space, give the horse more room.

Pick up manure daily. Do a visual inspection at both feedings to check for anything "off."

The horse itself? That depends on your level of experience and the kind of riding you plan to do. It's better to pay more upfront for a well-trained, more experienced horse than get a green horse or a horse with issues, unless you know how to train that horse yourself. Here are some things I know: Color doesn't matter. "Pretty" doesn't matter. Conformation, soundness, and mind are what matters.

For a first-time horse owner, who wants recreational riding, the best all-round horse I know is a foundation quarter horse.

The worst would be the arab, based on strong-mindedness, high intelligence looking for trouble, and uncomfortable gaits.

Be sure to see your prospects several times, in different settings, caught and handled by different people, if necessary. Anything a seller says the horse can do should be demonstrated: tying, feet, loading, as well as riding. And, of course, a thorough health and soundness check by a good vet.