What type of riding horses do you own? What would you recommend for a beginner with six acres?

Anonymous

First thing you need to do is make sure your property can be used to house horses safely and comfortably, before you go buying anything. Do you have a barn with stalls that are large enough to hold an average size horse? Remember, horses need at least 3 feet in stall or paddock space for every hand they are over 15 hands tall. Horses with special needs, including mares with foals, pregnant mares, and stallions need more than that. Is your property fenced for horses, and are the fences made with horse safe materials? Do your pastures/turnout areas have adequate drainage, and is shelter available for horses in case of bad weather? What's your water situation like in the barn and outside? Do you have automatic waterers available, and if so, have you made provision to keep them from freezing during cold weather? Is your barn wired for electricity? Do you have hot and cold running water available in either your barn or in the wash/feed/and/or tack rooms? Do you have a heat source for your tack room? Where do you plan to store essential items like feed, hay, supplements, etc? Does your barn have a loft? If so, how accessible is the loft from the ground floor? Is there a permanent ladder to the loft? Six acres is enough land for one horse, but not more than that. All horses need a companion of some type. Have you thought about what kind of companion you will provide for yours? All of these questions require time to answer, but they must be answered BEFORE you start looking for a horse to buy. And NEVER, EVER buy ANY HORSE sight unseen. You always need to have a professional with you when you go to try a potential purchase horse. Also, never BUY ANY HORSE without having the animal thoroughly examined by YOUR VET, NOT THE SELLER'S VET. Pre-purchase exams are a potential LIFESAVER for you, and they should NEVER be neglected.

pomygranite

I have a Finn, a Quarter Horse who I don't ride and Storm, an ex-racehorse who I ride a few times a week. I'd suggest you get quite a lot of lessons prior to buying your own just for your own safety and enjoyment, it's easy to think horses are generally lovely and well behaved when you're riding other peoples but usually, their good behavior is due to owner knowledge and discipline. But when it does come to buying your own it really depends what you're after and what you're willing to do upkeep wise, there's many beginners horses of all breeds out there, so decide on what your levels upkeep are. My two horses are an excellent example of this: my QH needs no extra feeding, no rugging, never needs a vet, isn't hotheaded at all to deal with. My TB, on the other hand, needs feeding, rugging, gets itch if I don't take precautions, windsucks and racks up the vet bills, but I don't mind all the upkeep he requires because as a riding horse he's exactly what I want (not to mention he's lovely). Also, when you view a horse to buy get someone knowledgeable to go with you each time, so many people go through multiple horses trying to find their right first horse, so doing everything you can to limit the chance of that happening is so beneficial.

Anonymous

Disclaimer! This is not meant to be mean at all!! I’m sorry if anything is worded badly/comes off wrong First of all I understand where your coming from! I wanted one badly when I started! But, the best option is to lease and take lessons. You will learn SO MUCH! This will prepare you to train and handle your own horse much better - because you have that experience. Looking back (after leasing and riding etc) I’m so thankful for getting this experience. It’s much better in the long run for you and your future horse. If you do lease etc. and feel prepared... Quarter horses are excellent horses. Great build, all around can be used for mostly anything! Throughbreeds are also good! Their canters can be harder to sit though! Tennessee walkers are great too. Things to avoid when looking for a first horse! Do not get an unsound horse! This will cost you. Make sure to get a vet check on the horse. Young horses can get wild!!! Look at a variety! Don’t just get stuck on one. Hope this helped!

Kat Heart

Lessons first and then you can decide what qualities you are most comfortable with, and you can ask your trainer to help you find a horse that would fit you. Breeds are a good place to start, but each horse has its own rules and personality. If you are a beginner then you want someone to meet the horses with you that will know red flags to look for. I usually prefer American Quarter Horses, but I have had to help friends retrain QH's and other breeds that they bought thinking that it was a good fit for them because they thought it was a good breed. They are like dogs and people, each horse is different and they will all surprise you if you make assumptions. It's not always easy to sale a horse. Sellers (big barns and privet owners) will lie about medical and behavior issues to get them sold. You want someone with you that can check for soundness, age, and behavior cues. And always get a vet to check them out (I prefer to use my personal vet instead of the owner's vet).

Judy and the Beast

I would suggest a few years of weekly riding lessons to learn the basics. While you have a trainer, ask them for help in finding a good horse for you. A solid older horse makes a super mount for a beginner and is very useful for your first 3-5 years of riding. In my opinion it takes around 7-10 years to develop to an intermediate level. Older horses are often more confident, quieter, and more patient with standing around and waiting for you to get organized. You may want to keep that horse for the first few months at a lesson barn where you can take lessons on your new horse. It is important to deal with the issues you will certainly have while under supervision of an experienced person to nip them in the bud. And, you will get trained on the proper discipline and response you should have when the horse has an issue. I've seen a lot of beginners take home a perfectly good and well trained horse and have things unravel at home. It is because the beginner is making a lot of BIG mistakes and not even aware. Personally, I think the best trainers for basics are dressage or hunt seat instructors. It may take a couple years to setup your 6 acres for the horses. Don't rush yourself. Focus on your horse education. It pays off. I have 4 horses (horses need company!). An Arab, a haflinger cross, a paint, and a thoroughbred cross. One horse is not started, one is for beginners, one for intermediates, and one for advanced riders only. I think most people would call me an advanced rider but I think of myself as an intermediate rider. Mostly because I'm no longer taking lessons very often and my old habits are creeping up on me!

Lucy

I wouldn't recommend a beginner to get a horse yet.