Hey all - buying a horse

[magical thyme]

43. as a lifelong horsewoman, a few suggestions

1. Check out local lesson stables and work off riding there. You will be able to learn about (get the inside scoop on) and meet local farriers, hay suppliers, feed suppliers, veterinarians, etc. You'll also get a real handle on the expense involved.

2. Don't buy "more" horse than you need to suit your real needs and life. You fell in love with a 17 hand horse. Horses in that size range cost more to feed, more to shoe, are more prone to soundness issues, need more space, are harder on pasture, need more fence, more of everything, sometimes lots more. It is as easy to fall in love with a 15-16 hand horse as to fall in love with a 17 hand horse. It's easier to stay in love with the 15-16 hand horse, who likely will cost less to keep, be sounder, less likely to break bones if you get in the way of a shod hoof, and may even be able to go barefoot.

3. How much land you need is partly a matter of how much of that land is usable and the quality of pasture. You don't actually "need" pasture, but it is healthier for your horse and easier on your wallet. I have kept 2 arabians on 2 acres of lush pasture, even with 24x7 turnout in the summer. In sparser land, 2 acres wouldn't suffice for a single horse for more than a few hours/day.

4. Check out your state laws on horse care; there may be laws regarding acreage, minimum shelter requirements and appropriate fencing.

5. Check out your local (town and county) ordinances and zoning on horse keeping. Some places require 5 contiguous acres minimum; others do not. There may be setback laws regarding fencing, manure composting, etc.

6. Manure disposal -- check out any ordinances as well as state laws. I spread mine in the summer; compost it in the winter.

7. Various breeds are known for certain good and not so good qualities. Learn those qualities and consider first hand what they mean. Go for the ones that *don't* fit the negative knowns. Arabians are very low maintenance; healthy, hardy, easy keepers that do well on hay/pasture only, tough feet can go barefoot. They also are very, very intelligent, can be very strong-willed and come in low energy (prone to fatness) and high energy (prone to crazy) types. Go for the low energy type; the high energy are simply too complicated to deal with in a home environment beyond pasture pet. Quarter horses have great dispositions and willingness, and the old-style were very good working horses. The "modern" type has been essentially bred for potential slaughter -- huge bo;dies on tiny feet that are prone to navicular disease. Paints and appaloosas may be a better choice. Thoroughbreds have tended to be overbred for racing, so insufficient bone substance for their body size, also known for papery thin soles on their feet. The best of them are old-style with more bone substance and quieter temperaments; they are generous to a fault and need to be protected from over-giving. They will run themselves to death in a 3-day event. They also are not usually easy keepers and require hard feed to keep in good condition.

8. If 2 horses are essentially equal, and one is shod and the other barefoot, get the barefoot. You can even learn to trim and maintain the feet yourself. It is healthier and safer for the horse, and far easier on your wallet.

9. I can't say what the best fencing is, but avoid tensile wire and barbed wire. They can't see the wire as well, and if they get hung up in tensile wire, it can cut right through their ligaments and tendons. I saw a gorgeous thoroughbred stallion that got caught up in barbed wire once. He was being starved and could jump the moon, but couldn't see the top line when he tried to jump out to get to pasture. There wasn't an inch on his body that wasn't lacerated. Electric rope and tape work well for lower cost or internal "rotation" fencing. Wood fencing is beautiful and expensive. A lot depends on your location and the lay of your land. On my roadside, I put in 4' 2x4 nonclimb on 4'6" posts, with electric tape at the top to keep them from leaning on the fence and keep outsiders from climbing into my pasture. My property is surrounded by woods and stone walls, so I just use electric tape on the interior part, since they aren't going into the woods without a damn good reason and nobody goes through there to bother them except the deer and coyotes.

You can easily spend more money on quality fencing than on purchasing your horse.