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Five Horse Buying Mistakes
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Horse shopping is very exciting. If you're looking for your first horse (or second, or nineteenth), you want to choose wisely so you can stay safe, while still having fun. Here are some very common mistakes people make when buying their first horse.
Buying a Young Horse
For the experienced rider, bringing along a young horse is a very rewarding experience. Some may choose to train the horse themselves, while others may send a young horse to a trainer. However, a young horse might not be the best choice for a beginner rider. While many youngsters are willing and obedient, they lack the experience that helps them cope with the mistakes new riders inevitably make. Young, (or older, trained-late-in-life) horses are generally not as predictable and new riders are better off with an older, been there, done that type that they can enjoy right away.
Related Article: It All Starts Here - A Visit To A Racehorse Auction
Related Article: The Five Dollar Horse In The Shed
Related Article: Careers with Horses - The Bloodstock Agent
Passing Over Older Horses
While you don't want to buy a horse that is ancient, an older horse, in its late teens and early twenties can provide many years of safe fun and learning for a beginner. There is an exception for every rule however, and some horses are too hot for a beginner to handle no matter what their age. But, generally, older horses are more predictable and dependable.
Buying at Auction
It takes a keen eye and cool head to pick a good horse out of an auction ring. Things like unsoundness, poor health and bad manners can be masked. We'd like to think that practices like that are a thing of the past, but the reality is, unscrupulous sellers still do things to make undesirable horses look placid and well trained. Green horses and horses with behavior problems can appear better than they are in the small confines of the auction pen, leading a beginner to believe they are well-trained and quiet. It's wise to remember; most horses end up at auction for a reason. An experienced rider may find a diamond in the rough, but a beginner is wise to steer clear of auctions.
Buying a Horse for Its Color
'You don't ride the color' is an adage to heed when buying a beginner horse. You might dream of a pinto or spotted coat pattern, or a solid black or white, but color really should be the last consideration when choosing your horse. If you have two horses to choose from, and both are perfectly mannered and well trained, then of course, choose the one that is attractive to you. But, make manners, training, soundness and conformation your priorities.
Buying a Young Horse for A Child To Grow Up With
Some people like the idea of buying a young horse, even a weanling or yearling, for their child to grow up with. But, horses aren't like puppies, and a child will have much more fun with a horse they can learn to groom, saddle, bridle and ride right away. They'll also be safer with an older horse.
Image Credit: © Alain Lauga | Dreamstime.com |
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