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Hullo hullo everyone! So there is a very good chance that I could be getting a horse before the end of the year / early next year! That being said (praying I haven't jinxed anything), I'm in desperate need of some new horse ownership tips and tricks that helped you guys out!
A little background info: The horse will be kept on our own property. Yes, I do understand the expense and commitment :) Yup, I do know how to ride,
The potential horse that I have been offered is an allrounder. She sports, jumps, hacks, campdrafts and reins (if memory serves correctly...) She is definitely not a push button horse, and has a tendency to hold her head high.
So I'm really just after some things you wished you knew when you got your first horse...
Can relate to anything, from riding to rugging, feeding to handling. Lets go!
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If you only have one horse play and talk to her so she dose not get lonely :') |
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Okey IÂ’ve got a few suggestions. Kudos to anyone who reads the entire thing.
1. Get your horse a friend. Horses are herd animals, so being alone like that generally doesn't go well. The was a guy who trained Race Horses near the one place I lived, and for companions for the horses he use Chickens. The horses were a lot calmer and easier to handle with having their chicken buddy.
2. If you havenÂ’t already; find yourself a good Equine Vet.
IÂ’ve had a few bad experiences with Vets so heres some tips.
Make sure the Vet will actually come out to you if you have an emergency.
IÂ’ve had a vet point blankly refuse to come out when one of horses looked to have AHS. If you can talk to some of the clients ones that have had good experiences and bad experiences with the said Vet.
Also, Make sure the Person isnÂ’t petty. IÂ’ve had another Vet refuse to come out to treat my blind horses when she had Colic because she didnÂ’t like my mother.
3. Make yourself up a Equine Med Kit (your vet should be able to supply you with the item needed) so you can treat for cuts, scrapes, Colic, etc until a Vet can get to you.
4. Food wise as a supplement I recommend adding Oil (i use Linseed) just to keep the coat shiny and to help with maintaining a healthy weight.
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1. Companionship. If you can, find other horses local to you and ride with them regularly. If you have horsey friends perhaps have one stay the night now and then. Good companion animals: Sheep, Goats, Chickens, Cows. Some horses will also get along well with a dog but obviously a dog is not suitable as a turn out animal.
2. Spend the first two weeks getting her settled and bonding with her. Riding can wait. If you know how to correctly join up I suggest doing so. A comfortable horse is more likely to be responsive and calm.
4. Always keep a well stocked med kit in the tack room or on the wall. Basics like antiseptic cream, bandages and sterile fluid should always be around. Horses are silly and curious creatures and injure themselves in the most ridiculous ways.
5. Horses are here animals but also like their own time now and then. It's tempting to hang around her All day when she first arrived but she may get irritated with you for it.
6. Horse. Toys. Seriously, life savers when you want to keep your horse entertained. Especially if she will be the only horse. Swedes on rope, treat balls, ice licks ect. Horses love to play with things.
7. Do your research when selecting a vet and a farrier. Ask around locally - riding yards and trekking centers will have good opinions. |
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I've been around horses my whole life and, like what everyone else said, they will need a buddy or someone who will talk and play with them so they don't get bored/start cribbing. |
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OOOHHH congrats on your new to be pon buddy!!!!
Here are some tips:
1) Get the pre purchase inspection. Even if the horse is cheap. It might save you an arm and a leg in vet costs further down the road.
2) Have a farrier picked out and ready to go. Believe it or not... a GOOD farrier/trimmer is hard to find. And the good ones rarely have room in their schedule. Find one BEFORE you bring the horse home.
3) Find a vet who is accepting new clients, does farm calls, and will come to your area. Also check reviews and make sure theyre someone you WANT working on your horse.
4) Find a reliable hay source. You will eventually need to hay your horse. Even if you have a lush grass pasture. Grass doesnt make it through the winter. And sometimes horses cant stay out on grass 24/7... which will lead me to my next post.
5) Have a dry lot or back up plan. Insulin resistance and Cushings is a REAL thing that effects a fair amount of horses, as well as obesity. There is a decent chance your horse can not be on grass pasture 24/7. Some horses may founder, and a bad founder case leads to euthanasia. Living in Ga (where lush grass grows most of the year) I've seen a lot of coffin bones rotate through the hoof capsule. (not my own horses). The horses must be destroyed if that happens. I'd look up the warning signs and become familiar with them.
6) Have a friend. Horses are herd buddies. Alot of them CAN NOT handle being alone for extended periods of time. They become depressed and neurotic. You are not a suitable buddy. (you cant be there 24/7). Alot of horses may become sleep deprived if they dont feel comfortable enough. And while something like goats/chickens may make an OK buddy to SOME horses (not all horses will accept other species as friends), another equine companion is best. Maybe pick up a little pony or something.
7) Have a diet planned out for your horse, and any supplements ready before you bring him/her home. Its absolutely fine to have your horse on mainly grass or adlib hay, but a ration balancer will be needed to keep nutrition in check. Also provide a salt block. Salt is a necessary part of a horses diet.
8) Provide a clean water source. It sounds easier than it is sometimes.
9) Provide shelter. I find a run in shed is adequate if you dont have a barn. But provide SOMETHING.
10) Have a plan for manure removal. If your horse isn't on multiple acres, youre gonna need a plan cause the poop builds up fast.
11) Have a disaster plan. What natural disasters hit your area most? Have a plan for evacuation and housing. Hopefully you'll never have to use it.
12) Check all your fencing. Horses are lards that are good at manipulating weak areas. Make sure its up to snuff.
13) Put together a first aid kit. I use mine often. Horses are great at finding ways to kill themselves. |
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Wow, you all have such awesome tips!
A good vet isn't a problem. Luckily for us, we are close friends with an equine vet! There are plenty of farriers around near us, now it's just to choose one. The mare I'm looking at is actually from my best friend, so I've met her before and ridden her for a short time. Also, super luckily, my Mum owns a First Aid business, so restocking kits shouldn't be an issue, besides the vet wrap and other horse unique items :)
Any tips on feed and rugging? I live in Australia, so it's often hot, but cold during winter.
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Ebstone Elites said:
Wow, you all have such awesome tips!
A good vet isn't a problem. Luckily for us, we are close friends with an equine vet! There are plenty of farriers around near us, now it's just to choose one. The mare I'm looking at is actually from my best friend, so I've met her before and ridden her for a short time. Also, super luckily, my Mum owns a First Aid business, so restocking kits shouldn't be an issue, besides the vet wrap and other horse unique items :)
Any tips on feed and rugging? I live in Australia, so it's often hot, but cold during winter.
hello fellow Australian XD
Make sure that you have a blanket for her so she dose not get sun bleached. Make sure you keep the grass nice and green and plenty of water in a troth. |
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I wouldn't worry about sun bleaching unless you're planning to show her in turnout classes. Depends on the breed. My welsh d is unrugged even through winter and maintained his weight well, where as my standardbred (a genetically mucked around man made breed) is rugged even when he is not clipped. Over rugging is worse for a horse then not rugging at all. Unless it is snowing, a horse with a full winter coat doesn't need to be covered from their ears to their toes with multiple and/or heavy rugs. |
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Fog Early followed by Afternoon Showers
