Horses are one of the most rewarding things you can bring into your life. They can also be one of the fastest ways to get hurt, spend a lot of money on something that wasn't what you thought, or end up with an animal that neither of you is happy with.
This isn't meant to put you off. It's meant to help you go in with clear eyes — because the people who have the best experiences with horses are almost always the ones who did the preparation first.
Get the paddock ready before you buy the horse
It sounds obvious but it's often skipped. Have your fencing checked and secure before any animal arrives. A horse testing a new boundary on the first day in an unfamiliar property is not the time to discover that one section of fence is weaker than you thought.
Have lessons before you have a horse
If you're new to riding, take lessons with a qualified instructor before you buy. Knowing your capability level honestly — what you can handle, what you can't yet — is the most useful thing you can bring to the process of choosing a horse. A horse that's perfect for an intermediate rider can be genuinely dangerous for a beginner.
Get professional advice on the horse itself
Before you buy, get a vet check. Get an experienced horse person to look at the horse with you — not a friend who loves horses, but someone who can assess whether the horse is suitable for your specific situation and experience level. A horse that looks beautiful and behaves perfectly at a stranger's property can be very different when it arrives at your place.
Give a new horse time to settle
When a horse arrives at a new home, everything is unfamiliar — the smells, the sounds, the other animals, the routine. Give them a few days before you ask much of them. The horse that seemed calm and easy in its previous home might be anxious and reactive when it arrives at yours. That's normal. Let them find their feet first.
The first ride at home
When you do ride for the first time at your property, do it in a safe enclosed area with someone experienced nearby. This isn't the moment to go straight out on the trail. Even a well-broken, quiet horse can react differently in a new environment.
Float safety from the start
Two things many people get backwards: when loading, secure the tailgate before you tie the horse. When unloading, untie the horse before you lower the tailgate. Getting either of these wrong can result in a panicking horse — and serious injury.
Before you tie your horse anywhere, make sure they know how to come forward off pressure. Some horses have been incorrectly trained and will pull back hard when tied. Test this gently first.
The most important thing
Never stop learning. Every horse owner I respect — people who've been doing this for thirty, forty years — will be the first to tell you they're still learning. Every horse is different. Every situation is different. Stay curious, stay humble, and find people who know more than you do.
Coming to a clinic is a good place to start that process. You'll see other people working through problems similar to yours, and you'll pick up things you didn't even know you needed to know.
Find out about upcoming clinics →