We have all been there. We buy a horse and take it home and it doesn't match up with that vision we have in our head of what we thought it would be like owning that horse. Here are the top mistakes people make when buying a horse and what you do to fix it.
1. Buying an untrained horse. Many people buy an untrained horse because it's "cheaper". They plan to train it themselves. Because of the difficulty, time and knowledge it takes to train a horse, many new riders loose interst or get hurt. It's just not a good way to start out. Training a horse can take months and can be dangerous if you don't do it right or know what you are doing. How do you fix that? Don't buy an untrained horse. Begginning riders will be safer and happier enjoying a horse that they can enjoy as soon as they get it out of their trailer.
2. Impluse buying. Some buyers will be caught up in the moment and buy the first horse they see because it's "cute" or they like the color. The buyer doesn't think about what they want to do with the horse but just know they want a horse. How to fix this? Make sure that you first know what you want and will be using the horse for. You don't want to buy a fast barrel racing horse if all you want to do is trail ride. Also you will want a chance to try the horse out. Make sure that you are asking a lot of questions on the history and current status of the horse.
3. Buying at an auction. You have to have a really good eye to know how to find a good horse at an auction. For most people, it is hard to see at an auction what horse will be good for you. Some horses will freeze up and sadly some horses are even drugged. A short preview of a horse is not enough time to make an important decision on whether or not you should buy it and if that horse is a good fit for you. How do you fix this? Stick to buying from reputable trainer- someone that you see has a great training program, one that you know has a lot of experience in horses, and someone that you can trust. Take the time to make the decision on what horse to buy. If you buy the right horse, it will pay off in years of enjoyment and not frustration and regret.
4. Buying "too much horse". Some people buy a horse thinking that if they buy it, they will automatically be propelled to a certain skill level. If you buy a high-performance horse you might not have the skill level to be able to ride it. How do you fix it? Make sure you buy a horse to match your skill level.
5. Not thinking of the time and cost of horse care. Horses cost time and money. There is no such thing as a free horse. Many people get a horse without calculating the cost of owning a horse. Horses require hay, grain and other supplements. Horses require time to care for it. Horses require time to ride. Horses require veterinary care. How do you fix this? In order to get the maximum amount of enjoyment from your horse, make sure that you have an objective in mind when you buy the horse. Why are you buying it? What are you wanting to learn or do with your horse? How much time can you devote to your horse and your horsemanship skills? How much will it cost to buy the hay, grain and veterinary costs. Thinking about these and other quesitons will help you determine whether you are ready for a horse.
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