1.) What do 'you' look for in a horse?
2.) What do 'you' want in a horse?
3.) What draws your attention when looking at a
horse?
4.) What 'abilities' are you looking for in a
horse?
5.) What do you actually 'need' in and from a
horse?
6.) Do you know 'where' you are going to look for
a horse?
7.) Do you need or want a healthy, (physically) 'sound'
horse?
8.) Do you want a (mentally) 'safe
and sensible' horse? Know the background of the people who
raised the horse, if you can find that information. Look at the other
horses, and how they are handled. Do the horses look happy? Or, do
they have a look of void, in their eyes, starring, and looking straight ahead.
This will tell you that that horse has had some emotional or physical abuse.
Look into the eyes of the horse, to 'hear their story'. If you are clam,
and wait long enough, a horse that needs to be 'heard' may turn their eyes to
you to look 'into' you, to test whether you might understand them. Horses
have their own language, and can become shy or overwhelmed by improper handling.
I have seen many a horse that is crying for just a little kindness. Take
the time to study the eyes of the horse, just as you would study the eyes of
your friends or not so good friends. Can you see any similarity?
9.) Would you like a horse that is well
'trained'? Or, would you prefer having a 'natural' horse,
that can teach you something, if you have the patience to learn from them.
(see our 'Soft Touch' Natural Horsemanship Programs) A 'trained horse will
do what they are taught, and it is not always what you would expect. A
trained horse can slide to a stop, if you 'step onto the stirrup'. They
can trot at a 'whistle' -with one short blow. A canter at a long whistle
blow, etc etc. If you ride a 'trained horse, you better know what they are
trained to do. A trained horse might have difficulty doing anything other
than what they have been trained to do. They would have been 'corrected'
--perhaps harshly, if they did anything other than what they were being trained
to do. Do you want to ride a horse that has been 'trained' and/or
physically 'manipulated' so they carry their head below their chest, as in
'western pleasure'? What a shame that this horse can not even look
straight ahead. Would you want to ride a horse that has been trained to
'get on the bit' so the rider has to hold them 'tight' to keep them in a 'frame,
meaning riding squarely? What happens when you drop the reins of a horse
that is 'on the bit'? KNOW these answers before purchasing a horse.
A 'natural horse' can think for themselves, and for you, if you get into
trouble. If you treat a horse with 'natural respect' rather than the human
'expectations' of training, you may find that your horse will better take care
of you, but know that when a horse 'feels good' they can get playful or rowdy.
Know your horses. Get some real experience before purchasing any horse.
10.) Do you want or need a 'wise' older horse or a
young
inexperienced one? Know if you desire a pleasure horse
or one that can scoot. A western roping horse or cow horse is not for
beginners! Know what type of horse you are looking at before even trying
them. Have someone else ride first. Ask that rider to kick the sides
of the horse and cluck, to see what the horse will do. Do they stop
easily, or does the rider have to pull real hard to stop? #1. an abused horse
responds to what they have been taught. #2. a 'game' horse may like to
play rough.) Just because a horse is 12-15 yrs of age does not mean they
are quiet. How a horse has been brought up will reveal what they remember,
and how they behave. If you do have some 'real' experience, and know how
to work with a younger horse, then you can see that your own horse will never be
abused. (see our 'Soft Touch' programs)
11.) Do you want a 'young' horse to grow up with?
Be honest with yourself. What experience do you have? Have you been
working with or riding a horse that is older and sensible? If so, you do
not have the experience to own a very young horse. Do you know what a
young horse can do to you? Rear, kick, buck, sprint away from you then
kick up at your head! You can really get hurt, without the proper
experience. DO NOT purchase a young horse for your young child! This
is an accident waiting to happen. Get some 'real' experience handling some
tougher horses, before considering a young horse. And, be careful to not
overfeed them --if you do get a young horse and have little experience.
Feeding is a very delicate issue. If you do not feed them well, they will
not grow well. If you DO feed them well, you are creating a problem, as
they will have too much energy to easliy handle. they could get you hurt.
Make wise decisions.
12.) Do you 'need' someone to help you with your
purchase? Find someone who has years of experience, but
first look at what type of experience do they have? If you are looking for
a family horse, do not get a horseman who is 'training' oriented. They may
just look at the 'mechanics' of the horse, to see if they are obedient or not
--rather than looking at the personality. Know 'who' you get to help you.
Perhaps find someone that works with horses the way you would like to, and ask
them for help. Know that people in the horse business, usually want to
make a sale, and get their percentage. This is a known fact with the
owners as well. If that agent sells a horse for the owner, the owner gives
that agent a fee. Be sure that who is working for YOU --is JUST working
for you! Also, be sure that you can just stop in to see the horse you are
interested in at any respectable time. You want to be sure that there is
no difference in the behavior. Be sure to get the actual owner to ride the
horse first! get them to go places that a horse may spook. Ask them
to walk, turn trot and canter or jump if necessary. Pick something unusual
that they could sump over to see how much 'sense' the horse has. Can the
horse be ridden bareback, with only a halter and a shank? If the horse
will do all the above with just a halter, this is a very nice horse, especially
if they 'stop --if you are about to fall. Make careful decisions. It
is a known fact that some dealers will tranquilize a horse if someone is coming
to look at a horse. Have the option to return the horse within 10 days
--IF they do not work out. You may find a lameness that has been covered
up or you may find that this horse is scared to death. Tranquilizers cover
this up. It is best -when you are real serious about purchasing a horse to
have a good veterinarian check the horse over, and take the necessary tests etc.
What about the vaccinations the horse has been given. Check all this out
carefully.
13.) Who do you get for advise when purchasing a
horse? Find someone who really likes horses for who
they are as individuals, not as a breed. According to what you want in a
horse, you will need to find a 'real horseman' --not just a trainer. There
is a difference.
14.) Do you just want to help a horse that has
been abused? This can be very rewarding. It can also be
very expensive. If you just want to help a horse by turning them out on a
good pasture so they can live out their lives, (worming, grain, and blacksmith
--as needed etc.) --then God Bless you. There are many horses that are
lined up, going to the 'killers' --that do not deserve being there --not that
any do. Life can be cruel, and people have to just turn away at times when
there is no other option. Sorrowfully, many good horses are sold to the
killers for the 'fast buck' to pay bills etc., or because they do not have the
time to show the horse to new prospects, who could purchase the horse.
Shamefully, good horses die a cruel death, because there are not enough people
looking to own horses. It is a mortal sin (to me) that horses are 'traded
in' or sold, because they are too old, or they can not serve the owners as they
did in their younger years. Older horses make the best companions for
kids, and therapeutic programs, and they can be the safest, wisest horses to
keep. (I dislike the term 'own' because that is disrespectful. We
'own' nothing in this life, as we must all leave what is 'temporarily ours'
--one day.)
15.) What do I do when I can not keep the horse
any longer? Try to find someone who will purchase the
horse. You will get some of your expense. I highly recommend that
you investigate the new owner --before signing the agreement. DO NOT
believe everyone, that they have a child who would love that horse, and they can
not afford to pay much. They may be playing on your sympathy. They
then pack up the horse and take it with a bunch of others to the Monday 'killers
sale' and make $100 to $300.00 per horse. Add it up. Ten horses at
$300.00 a horse, is $3,000.00 a week. For what? Deceiving people who
have the best interest for their horses. There are tons of 'dealers' out
there that will even hire a youth, and give them $30. per horse. BE VERY
CAREFUL! Do NOT 'GIVE' your horse away! Lease that horse, with a
signed agreement. This way, --IF the horse is being abused, you can pick
up the horse, and try someone else who is more compassionate. Keep contact with
a lessee if they have your horse. Your horse will love seeing you again.
IF you sell that horse, there is NOTHING that you can do. Humane Societies
are not always the best programs. They CAN help in some cases, but not
all! Horses are still considered to be 'stock' --not pets, and this means that
they must endure what cattle must go through without legal intervention.
Do we even consider that cattle have personalities like horses? If we saw
those animals killed, would we eat meat? Therefore, horse killers have legal
rights, because they are 'stock'. Gruesome and sad facts. IF
you really do love that horse, and you have had them for a long time, and that
horse would not understand a new owner, then perhaps the best thing to do --for
that horse is to have a vet quietly put the horse down. They will simply
get drowsy, and go down slowly to their knees, and lay down. They then
take their last breath. IF well done, it is a beautiful ending to a
wonderful life. They will NOT have to face uncertainty or abuse, by being
re-sold again and again. Consider this option! KNOW that your
longtime friend is not going to be abused. DO THE RIGHT THING!
The dead body is then just a carcass. It will be hauled away and be
disposed. Your horse has a 'spirit' that will live on. Know that.
You may see them again one day. I believe this with all my heart.
PLEASE, be SURE that the veterinarian uses an overdose of tranquilizer, so the
horse is NOT coldly 'murdered'. That is an extremely difficult thing to
watch. Gently have your friend put down, if necessary. You will never
regret it. You WILL worry if you do not know where they are or what is happening
to them.
16.) Do you have
the finances for the 'unexpected' expenses of owning a horse? Do you know that a
horse needs to be wormed at least 3-6 times a year -according to their
surroundings, and/or other horses? Can you give the worm medicine, or will
you need a veterinarian to do this for you? Do you realize the expense of
having a veterinarian? Do you realize that in many areas, a veterinarian
will NOT come to you --IF you do not allow them to give the yearly shots they
say are needed? Do you know what shots are needed in your area, like swamp
fever, or rabies etc.? Check with a vet before getting a horse. A
good health check-up is almost a necessity when you have interest in purchasing
a horse, and that could cost as much or more than $200.00. What
about blacksmith or farriers? Do you know if the horse you are looking at
has good sound feet? Or does that horse have feet that will wear down
easily? Will that horse need horseshoes every 6-8 weeks? Do you know
the cost of shoeing and trimming a horse in your area? Do you know that
you can even get a blacksmith/farrier in your area? If you will be living
in a rural area, can you even get a 'good; blacksmith/farrier? What are
the extra fees involved in the extra distance for that blacksmith or farrier to
come to you? What about insurance for your horse, in case there is an
accident or death? Could you afford to have a vet if there was a
serious accident> Could you even get one? Where is the nearest horse
hospital? Do you know that an unexpected accident -like a kick, that chips a
bone could cost at least $1,500.00 for an operation? Do you have that
amount set aside, for 'just in case' money? How much is 'good' hay in your
area? Will you have to get it delivered? Or will you have to pick it
up? Do you have a truck? Or will you have to rent one? How
much would that be, and how much hay will it carry? Do you know how much
hay and grain your horse needs, and how much this will cost, monthly, weekly or
yearly? Can you afford to have a horse?