If you’ve been taking riding lessons for a while, you may be ready to invest in your own horse. Having a horse isn’t like owning a normal pet though. There’s so much more that goes into it than if you were bringing home a dog or a cat. Here are a few things you need to think about before buying a horse.
Have a Budget
You’ll have the initial cost of actually purchasing the horse, but there are a lot of other expenses you’ll incur beyond that as well. For instance, you’ll need to find somewhere to board the horse which you’ll have to pay for each month. You’ll also need to get horse insurance, and you’ll want to find a veterinarian to care for it. Make sure to get the proper equipment and food for the horse as well.
Choose a Breed
Just like dogs, not all horses are the same. There are many different breeds. The kind of horse you get should be dependent upon what you’re comfortable with. Some breeds tend to be calmer than others, so if you’re a beginner or plan to have children around the horse, you may want to choose a more docile breed.
Have a Place for It to Live
Before buying a horse, you’ll need to have a place ready for it to live. Some facilities offer complete care, which means they will provide all food and care needed. Other places will board your horse but require you to do all of the care. Either way, you’ll want to find somewhere relatively close to home.
If you get all of the details figured out, you should truly consider owning a horse. This is especially true if you plan to compete. Now all you need to do is find the perfect horse for you. I hope these tips for buying a horse help you in your journey to being a great horse owner!
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Meg is an author at Cinnamon Hollow. She writes on a variety of topics sharing tips and ideas for daily life.