Ads
Safe Pets, Happy Owners. Shop For PetSafe Approved Supplies
petsafe.net
Durable, High Quality Pet Bowls Designed In The USA
petcomfort.com
Galvanized Outdoor Kennel For Sale-Great Kennels For Outdoor Dogs
k9kennelstore.com
When it comes to horses, they're like humans. Some are high strung, while others are content to sit around and eat. There are a few things to consider when purchasing a horse.
The first thing to consider is its intended purpose. Will this be an athlete or a pet? Some breeds are used for specific purposes, such as Arabian horses being used heavily in endurance and competitive trail riding. If a show horse is desired, a registered pedigree helps when signing up for competitions, and with a horse’s papers comes a club that supports specific competitions for certain horse breeds.
Conformation is the way a horse is put together. It helps to get a second opinion on this, be it a trainer, veterinarian or friend. Any second set of eyes will insure it isn’t being bought purely as an emotional purchase.
It’s also recommended to get a veterinarian to look at a horse and its records if they’re available – especially if this horse will be resold or used in a competitive setting. Even a pet will need to be inspected with care to make sure no injuries are being hidden from the new owner.
A lazy horse will not succeed on a cross country course, just as a hot-headed horse will not be a good fit as a beginner lesson horse. That being said, a potential owner needs to recognize his or her experience level. The horse should challenge, but not frustrate or frighten, a potential rider.
If the seller cannot guarantee a horse is child safe, it’s not for a child looking for that first horse. To understand what level a rider is at, lessons are suggested for at least a year so that the rider understands what being a horse owner means. Experience level doesn’t just mean a rider can get on a horse and get it to work. It also means a potential owner can handle the horse’s every chore and problem.
Horses, like people, need to play and let off steam. Because of this, they need space to run around and be a horse. It’s generally accepted that the average horse needs roughly one acre to itself. Multiple horses require multiple acres. Therefore, when purchasing a horse, this should amount to at least one acre of space to roam with water and hay available at all times – per horse.
Do not purchase a horse without at least a place to keep it; a back yard is not a suitable environment for a horse unless it is one acre with some sort of place to get out of the weather.
The first place to start is the money it takes to purchase the horse. How much horse can the owner afford? Is it a reasonable expectation to have for a beginner safe horse to have a price tag of less than $1,000? It depends on the market. If a horse isn’t available that ticks off every item of the checklist, don’t purchase it.
At the end of the day, purchasing anything is a risk assessment. Horses are no different. As a general rule, it’s best to at least test drive the horse as if it’s a car purchase. Go see the horse. Pick up its hooves. Have it under tack if you can. Do as much as you can. Try to see its faults, and decide if they’re worth working through. Ask for a trial period with the horse before going through with the purchase.
Once the decision has been made to purchase a horse, there are several options available to find one...
The natural diet of a horse is foliage. Grass and hay typically make up the majority of what goes in...
There are estimated to be over 50 million horses in the world today. Horses were once a necessary pa...
Horses can provide some of the most rewarding relationships to children and adults alike. These anim...
Sore throats are one of the more frequent symptoms associated with illnesses and medical conditions,...
Labradoodles are one of the most popular dog breeds in th US. This breed is a cross between a Labrad...
Caring for your new bird always begins with buying the right cage. Since birds fly sideways, not up ...
Bulldogs are very popular among Americans. They're known as great companions and have amicable p...
A wardrobe staple for decades, cardigans complete any outfit. Popularized by celebrities, politician...
Birds
Cats
Dogs
Exotic Pets
Fish & Aquaria
General Information
Horses
Rabbits & Rodents
Reptiles & Amphibians
Home & Garden
Health
For most dog owners, the care of any four-legged f...
While dog food is available in many forms, dry kib...
Highly friendly and intelligent, the cockapoo dog ...
Rabbits and rodents can be interesting and even fr...
Depending on where one lives, winters can be mild,...
There are many great reasons for getting an aquari...