by Stargazer, age 12

Do you dream of owning your own horse? The answer to that is probably YES. You love horses, and all you want is to have a horse to call your own. But are you really ready to own a horse? Though you may think you are absolutely ready for a horse, you may be surprised about how unprepared you are. Horses take a lot of time, money, and dedication. Before you buy a horse, you should think about the steps involved in order to make the right choice. If you take small steps and don’t rush into it, then you will definitely benefit in the long run.

The first step in buying your own horse would be to talk with your parents. Your family may or may not have the money to bring a horse into your lives, so you should be willing to listen and not throw a temper tantrum if they say no. Think about it: It’s not just the horse that you have to buy; you have to have the money needed to take care of it the next several years. You’d be surprised how much the costs can pile up. If you buy a horse when you can’t afford to care for it, then it will only result in heartbreak for you and your family.

The next step in buying a horse would to find a good trainer and take some riding lessons. Taking lessons with a good trainer will help prepare you for when you look at horses. If you have never ridden before, taking lessons will help prepare you to test ride the horses you look at. If you have riding experience already, then your trainer can help you find horses that fit your riding level. Having a knowledgeable horse person to come with you when you look at horses is an important step in buying a horse, and can help you make the right choice.

The third step in buying your horse is to find a good vet. Depending on where you live, they can be hard to find. Your vet should also come with you when you look at horses to check them over. Unless you are looking for a rescue, you don’t want to buy an unhealthy horse!

The fourth step in buying a horse would be to find where to keep your horse. If you do not have the proper facilities to keep a horse at home, then you will need to look into a boarding stable. Your trainer can help you find a good stable. It is important that the boarding stable is one you can trust your horse with. You don’t want your horse to be living in bad conditions. When looking at stables, you need to have an idea of whether you are going to be stabling your horse all the time, have him outside in a pasture all the time, or a combination of both. Which one you choose depends on how much time you are going to be able to spend at the barn, how much money you plan to spend, and what your horse can live in. Your trainer can help you determine this.

After you have completed these steps, you are ready to start looking for horses. Your trainer can help you choose the right kind of horses to look at. Although you might have your heart set on that black thoroughbred stallion, that horse may not be right for you. Keep your options open and don’t focus on color or breed, but temperament and suitability for you as a rider.

You want to make sure that your horse is the right size for you. If you are too small for a horse, then you should look at ponies. You also want to make sure that your horse is one that can do the type of riding you want to do. For example, if you are a more experienced rider who might want to show, then you should look into a more athletic breed that would do well in the show ring. If you are a beginning rider who wants a horse they can learn on, then you should look for a quieter horse or pony.

Once you have chosen some horses to look at, choose a day where you and your experienced horse people can go and look at the horses. When you get to the barn, give your horse a test ride. Also, ask to catch, groom, and tack up the horse you are going to try out. This will help you get a sense of the horse’s personality. You should also have your vet check your horse over for any problems. You might be able to fix some small problems if you can afford it, but if there’s anything too big, then its best to move on to another horse.

Once you have found your perfect horse, its time to gear up before you take your horse home. Invest in things such as tack that is the right size, halters, lead ropes, food (with help from the previous owners and your vet), and anything that you might need. Your trainer and vet can help you find what you need. Once you have geared up, congratulations! You are ready to take your horse home.

Buying a horse the right way takes time, but it is definitely worth it in the long run. If you aren’t careful, you could make a heartbreaking mistake. If you are smart and take the proper steps in buying your horse, then you will have a pleasurable experience with your horse.

NOTE: When you start looking for a horse, these are merely suggestions I have for a positive experience with owning a horse. You should definitely make sure you have help from experienced horse people.

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