Owning a horse for the first time can be an exciting experience, but it can also be very confusing to get started. Not to mention there are A LOT of things you need to take care of when you own a horse. Here’s the ultimate guide for everything you need to know about owning a horse for beginners.
What You Need to Know about Owning a Horse for Beginners
The first thing to know about owning a horse is that it’s an enormous responsibility. You need to make sure the horse has a nutritious diet, a clean environment, and plenty of exercise.
In addition, take care of any injuries if they occur. It takes around two hours per day to feed and groom your horse. And even more time if you take them for long rides or show them in competitions.
You also need to learn how to saddle up your horse, which can be challenging at first. Plus, there are many other things you’ll need to know once you start horseback riding: how to pick up their feet at the vet’s office and what kind of saddles and bridles work best for different riding events.
But don’t worry! Read on to know about owning a horse for beginners so that you aren’t left in the dark or frustrated before getting started with horses.
How to Pick the Right Horse for You
The first and most important step in owning a horse is picking out the right one for you. There are many breeds that come with their own unique traits. For example, some horses are better at leaping over obstacles or pulling carts, while others excel at trotting and cantering.
Before you pick a breed, figure out what your goals are as well as the type of terrain and climate where you live. You should consider all these factors helping find the horse that will best fit your needs.
Why To Get Your Horse Registered
So you want to own a horse? That’s great! But before you go fully owning your horse, it’s always best to register them.
Why? Well, many people buy a horse without realizing they have to register the horse with the government. Without registration, there won’t be any proof that you’re actually the owner of the horse. This can be problematic if anything were to happen and you need proof of ownership.
Registering your horse is also important because if someone found out you had one and took it without permission, then there would be some way for law enforcement to find and return it back to you.
You will need proof of ownership when trying to make any changes or updates, as well as transferring ownership. You don’t want to put yourself when something happens, like someone stealing your horse and not being able to prove ownership!
What Kind of Barn Would Be Best For You?
What kind of barn would be best for you? If you’re a beginner, a smaller arena would probably be a good choice. If not, a bigger one with more stalls is probably the way to go. You can also purchase a horse trailer or rent one from your local horse suppliers. Consider investing in a walk-in cooler if it’s an option, too!
The Care and Feeding of Horses, and Why It’s Important
The first thing you need to know about owning a horse is the basics of care. Horses are gigantic animals, so they need a lot of love and attention. You need to be prepared to have your day-to-day schedule revolve around your horse’s needs.
Horses need to be fed regularly, and if they eat too much grain or hay, they can develop colic or founder (foot problems). If you’re not sure how much food your horse should eat, contact your veterinarian, who can help you determine the right amount for your horse’s weight and activity levels.
Your horse also needs regular exercise, but take precautions when exercising them outside. You never want to put them in an overcast environment because they could develop hyperthermia (a high body temperature).
All horses need shelter from rain and sun; without it, they can become uncomfortable or sick. Make sure that there is enough space for your horse inside their shelter so that they can move around comfortably with no restrictions.
Ideally, horses should have 10 to 17 hours of grazing time per day, but this might not always be possible depending on where you live and what type of grasses are available at all times of year.
What Types of Vet Services Are Available?
Owning a horse can be expensive, both in the monetary sense and in the time you’ll need to put into caring for it. One of the most important aspects of owning a horse is that you take care of it medically.
When your horse needs vet services, what’s available? Well, there are many types of veterinary care available to suit your needs.
The first type is routine care, which includes things like annual boosters, deworming, vaccinations, dental exams, and trimming hooves. This exam should be done once every year or two depending on age and health conditions.
Another type of vet service is urgent care, which includes things like lacerations, wounds, fractures, injuries, colic or any other condition that may require immediate attention from a veterinarian. You should take this type of vet service as possible because they usually require emergency treatment.
Last, there’s rehabilitation, which includes treatments for illnesses or injuries outside routine care, such as arthritis or injuries that require physical therapy.
Types of Horse Riding and the Best Type for Beginners
There are several types of horse riding. Which one is best for you?
First off, there’s Western riding, which comprises cowboy-style riding. It involves the use of a saddle and English-style saddle pads. And then there’s dressage, which is a style that focuses on precise and clean performances and rarely involves jumping or other obstacles.
You may also want to consider whether you want to ride English or Western when it comes to your skill level and what kind of horse you’re looking to buy.
If you’re an amateur who has never ridden before, Western may be best for you because it doesn’t require as much control or finesse in the saddle as other styles do. But if your goal is to become a competitive rider in dressage competitions, English may be best for you so that you don’t have any difficulty adjusting to the extra weight in the saddle when competing against professional riders with decades of more experience.
Costs of Owning A Horse
For some people, the idea of owning a horse is nothing more than a pipe dream. When you look at the initial costs of owning a horse, it’s no surprise why.
Saddle – $400-1000
Stirrup straps – $40
Spurs – $100+
Bridle – $100+
Saddle pad – $50+
Groomer/Farrier Tool Kit – $200+
Dock line/lead rope combo -$25
Halter & lead rope combo -$60-150
Fly mask & ear plugs– $20
Rug/Blanket Combo– $250-350
Conclusion
Owning a horse can be one of the most rewarding experiences you will ever have. But it’s also an enormous responsibility. We hope this guide has helped you get started with the basics and make sure you’re ready for all that comes with owning your first horse.
There’s plenty to learn, but don’t worry. The more you know, the better prepared you’ll be and the more fun and rewarding it will be in the end! This guide will help you training your horse.