help!!

[Silver1]

I finally know for sure if i'm getting a horse, the answer is definantly, with out a doubt, yes. So now i'm saving to get things for the horse, so i would like, in order of importance, what to get, the tack isn't to important, I'm more comfortable with just a pad and bridle anyway, but what about stuff for caring for them? What is the best feed?

When i start horse shopping, i hope to get a dressage/trail kind of thing, i'm not very interested in jumping...

[Aztec]

Hello Silver,

With regard to feed it depends where you are going to get your horse from. The best thing to do would be to find out what the previous owners fed him on and stick to the same as that is what the horse would be used to. Obviously temperement would be an important factor also, if he is highly excitable then you would want a quiet mix, also there are allergies and things to consider. As i said the best bet would be to discuss it wiht the previous owner.

As to things to buy you are going to want water buckets, feed buckets (quite often if the horse is being sold because of lack of interest or financial problems these can be obtained with the horse!) Also grooming kit is important, make sure you at least have a dandy brush, body brush and a hoof pick.

Let us know how you get on!!

Aztec

[JackiAH]

Silver, if you ride with just a bridle and pad all the time it could (note the word could so I do not get eviscerated here... :) ) give your horse/pony a sore back.

When do you plan on getting a horse? How long have you been riding? You know, if you have only been riding a little while, you might end up buying an older horse that in time will become a bit too easy to ride. Just thought I'd add that!

Grooming supplies are very important. I'd reccomend getting good brushes, they'll last longer and will be nicer for the horse than if you get cheap ones (learned this the hard way... lol).

As far as feed goes, you need to figure out what the horse needs and if it has allergies etc etc. I remember once I gave Pal an apple by mistake.... and long story short he almost coliced(sp?).

Caring for the horse. Hmm. Well, you'll def. need your grooming supplies, bath stuff, and a few other odds and ends. Grooming is *extremely* important (well... with most horses at least)...

Ooh! I just remembered. Easy way to cut down on vet bills. First of every month you *have* to remember to worm your horse. It really helps them.

Hmmm.... Oh lol. Try and go internet shopping if you want to save money. At my local tack store a serengetti pad costs $50 *eep*; I found one on the net for $30. Boots and everything usually can be nice and cheap on Ebay, even if you get it new.

Jacki

PS LOL! I just have to say something, be VERY careful of what you buy. Just bought Pal a leopard print pad with matching polo wraps, trainer didn't like this... lol

[Silver1]

thanks for all the advice!
I ride on horses from 5 to 8 years old, so it's pretty hard to get any younger with out breaking the horse myself.

I've learned to do a lot of fun stuff, i can walk, i can trot, i can do shoulders in, i can keep a horse on the rail...which was hard to begin with, and i can turn on th erail (it's kind of hard, getting a horse to turn with out moving its back feet)

thanks for the advice on the worming, i'll look into it,

I have a saddle i like, the owner couldn't use it because the saddle is in terrible condition, i use it for a practice saddle at home (minus the horse) i was wondering if i could have it fixed? It's burst at the seams on the seat, and it's got some of the straps broken, but otherwise it's in excellent condition...

and about being careful of what i buy...

my trainer buys zebra pads, as well as blindingly colorful patterns, and your telling ME i should be careful? LOL!!!

[JackiAH]

LOL! Yeah, we have a bunch of those at our barn. This one poor horse, Cassy, is a white mare... And.... Her halter is *bright* yellow with silver sparkly stuff allllll over it! And her tail-bag looks like one of those little mermaid kiddie swimsuits. It's really funny!

My trainer made the odd mistake of letting my friend Audrie go out and pick out halter... lol!

Jacki

[Silver1]

omg!!! Really? Most of the horses have decent halters, but the pads :eek: you'll go color blind. When she showed it to me, she gave me the shocking news that she was going to use it in a show!!!

btw: What do you think of using 'horse glitter' at a show? I saw in add for it...just in the mane and tail...

[clip-clop-oops-crash]

poor suzie is a victim!! she owns a zebra print, tiger print, multicoloured check, pink tartan + actually 'luminous green' rug!!! he he - she also has a pink numnah......

[Somethingroyal]

I am the wors with all of the "unnecessities". I practically have my own tack room! Very, organized, but my trainer just gets sick of sll the colors. Nana looks smashing in Navy Blue though, so many times I use that. I also like the leapord print. As far as the glitter goes, I have it all, and while it does look "cool", at a show I prefer just hoof polish and a nicely braided mane and tail. Speaking of shows, Nana and I are at one this weekend, and we have won a flat class and a low hunter, and gotten a 3rd in another flat class. We have two medal classes to go, green hunter, and a set of under saddle classes. Nana is doing great though, and acting like a pro, which is what we were trying to achieve.

[Somethingroyal]

hope you do well:) We got a 3rd in green hunter- I am THRILLED!! She had a little slip on a lead change, so that was probably part of the reason we werent first:) But so far she hasnt spooked at all, and that was what we were worried about, b/c 4yo TBs and fast paced show atmosphere dont mix too well... We will be going to our first even on schedule then. Its the medals Im the most worried about, just because Im the defending champion of the bigger one, and there is a little pressure. It is only a C show, but our next one will be an A, so then we'll see how she fares against some bigger competition...