There is nothing more exciting than welcoming a new horse to the family, but the process of finding the right one can be a daunting experience.
In this blog, understand the 4 main things to consider before purchasing a horse:
1. The breed
There are more than 400 different horse breeds and each breed presents its advantages and disadvantages. Before looking for a horse, you should do some thorough research to determine which breed best suits your needs.
To help you with your search, ask yourself:
How experienced are you both off and on a horse?
Do you want a horse or a pony?
What are you wanting to do on the horse (e.g. discipline)?
2. The height
Horses come in all different shapes and sizes.
When searching for a horse or pony, you need to make sure that it can carry your weight, if you are purchasing it to ride. Not only the height, but the build of the horse alone can determine how much weight it can carry.
Use this online calculator to find what size and build of horse can carry you comfortably.
3. Experience level
In the equestrian community, it is widely accepted that a beginner rider should never be paired with a green horse. This common rule ensures the safety of both the rider and the horse, as they are both prone to learning incorrect techniques and developing bad habits.
It is recommended that beginners start with a horse that has enough experience to guide them through the basics. So when choosing a horse, it is crucial to communicate your level of experience and preferences to find a suitable match.
4. Your goals
If you are wanting to compete at a high-level then you have to ensure that your new horse is compatible and has the ability to reach that level. And if you are just wanting a happy hacker, buying a premium dressage horse wouldn't be ideal.
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Of course, there are other important things to consider, like age, gender, medical history, previous owners, selling reasons, and temperament, so make sure you take an experienced equestrian to viewing with you to ensure all questions and queries are answered.
But for now, good luck on your hunt!
