From: Christi
HI! My husband gave me the best Christmas present ever-- A HORSE-- actually, permission to buy a horse. What do you recommend for a 26-year old female beginner? I've always wanted my own horse but my experience is limited to a few trail rides a year. I will of course be taking at least a few lessons before buying. Also, until we relocate, our pasture is only about 1/3 of an acre. Should I rent a pasture to turn him out in once a week or should I board him where there is more room or what?
Congratulations -- both because you'll be getting a horse, and because you're smart enough to want to be prepared. Preparation makes ALL the difference between a dangerous, frustrating experience and a wonderful, joyful one. I'd tell you to read my own book -- I wrote it for people in your situation exactly -- but since it won't be available for another few months, here's my advice in the meantime.
My advice is this: first, don't be in a hurry. You know you'll get a horse eventually, but don't start shopping just yet. You're right, it's a very good idea to take lessons first, and I suggest that you take lessons for about six months before you begin horse-shopping. You're going to need to know how to ride, but you'll also need to know more than that -- if you're going to own your own horse, you'll want to know about horse care, nutrition, grooming, shoeing, routine veterinary care, exercise and conditioning, etc. The more you know before you have your own horse, the happier --and safer -- you both will be! And the longer you take lessons and the more you learn before you get a horse, the more likely you will be to get the RIGHT horse for you.
Take lessons -- as many as you can, with the best instructor you can find -- and read a lot. It's the best possible preparation for horse ownership.
Find a good instructor and learn as much as you can -- this is the person you'll be working with once you have your horse, and this is also the person who, together with a good equine vet (and your instructor will know one), will help you find your new horse. (for more information about choosing an instructor, see my article in the January 1996 issue of PRACTICAL HORSEMAN)
While you're taking lessons and reading, look around to find a good boarding stable -- I know you have your own place, but you'll probably want to keep your horse at a boarding stable for a few months, until you feel very secure handling his routine care, and until you can make your own arrangements with the farrier, etc. It will also give you time to learn what sort of stalls, fences, aisles, etc. are safe for horses, and time to get your own place ready. And you may find that you prefer to board him -- unless you are at home all day, it's often more practical to board a horse out than to keep him at home, where you have to worry about property maintenance, manure disposal, and so on.
Probably the most useful books for you to begin with are the first two volumes of the United States Pony Clubs (USPC) Manual of Horsemanship. The USPC is an educational organization that teaches riding and all aspects of horse-care, and these new manuals are wonderful. Begin with volume I, and then move on to volume II -- they're well-illustrated and easy to read, and very, very comprehensive. They tell you what to do, how to do it, when to do it, and why to do it! The author is Susan Harris, and any bookstore or tack shop should be able to order these for you. I was one of the editors, so I know exactly how good these books are.
My last piece of advice is this: before you take your first lesson, buy a riding helmet -- one that's ASTM/SEI approved -- and wear it every single time you ride. Most riding injuries involve the head, and most of them occur at a standstill or at a walk! Part of being a good horse-owner is taking sensible precautions with your horse (don't let him get near barbed wire, for example) and with yourself (wear that helmet EVERY time you ride).
Keep in touch -- hope this helps!
- Jessica
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