| Every little girl and boy who takes horseback riding | | | | horse, and you're almost guaranteed to get what you |
| lessons from me wants his or her own horse. | | | | asked for. Unfortunately, the scams in this country |
| Sometimes their parents are amenable to such an | | | | aren't limited to credit card fraud and identity theft; they |
| investment, and sometimes they are not, but if you | | | | also extend to the equine industry. |
| think you might like to buy a beginner horse for your | | | | 3- Ride More than Once |
| child, it's important to think this decision through. Too | | | | You should never buy a beginner horse for your child |
| often, I see parents run out and buy the first pretty | | | | without riding it first, but I advise at least two or three |
| piece of horseflesh they find, only to discover later that | | | | rides before you offer up a check on a silver platter. |
| is was the wrong choice. | | | | One ride might be stellar, but your child might discover |
| For one thing, most parents of horse-crazy kids aren't | | | | in subsequent rides that the horse is harder to handle |
| very knowledgeable about horses in general. They | | | | than he or she previously thought. Other issues, such |
| don't know how to safely shop for horses, and they | | | | as lamenesses or bad habits, can surface after |
| don't know what qualities to seek out. Consequently, | | | | "meeting" the horse several times. |
| they come home with a dangerous or ill-mannered or | | | | In fact, I recommend putting a down payment on the |
| incapable horse that send their child home in tears | | | | horse and taking it to your barn for a week to "try out" |
| every night. To avoid this, it is important to follow a | | | | before paying for it entirely. Most reputable horse |
| few guidelines for selecting an appropriate beginner | | | | dealers are more than happy to accommodate this |
| horse. | | | | request, and it simply adds another layer of security to |
| 1- Get Advice | | | | the process. Generally, you'll need to give the seller at |
| Reading this article is a great first step toward | | | | least 50% good-faith deposit before you take the |
| choosing the best beginner horse for your child, but | | | | horse from their property, and you'll need to return the |
| you need more than words on paper if you don't | | | | horse in seven days if you don't intend to buy. |
| know the first thing about equines. A trainer, instructor | | | | 4- Conduct a Vet Check |
| or equine professional can make your buying | | | | Just because your trainer says that a beginner horse |
| experience much more pleasant, and you're far more | | | | is the perfect one for your child doesn't mean that this |
| likely to choose an appropriate animal. In most cases, | | | | should be the end of the road. Horses, like people, are |
| the trainer at your barn will be more than happy to | | | | susceptible to injuries and illnesses that often don't |
| assist you, but may charge a commission fee for their | | | | materialize for months or years. A thorough |
| time. | | | | examination by a veterinarian will turn up things like |
| Even if you don't know a qualified individual, however, | | | | navicular changes and parasites. Have your |
| there is guaranteed to be someone in your city who | | | | veterinarian conduct this examination (called a vet |
| knows about horses. Look through the Yellow Pages | | | | check) prior to buying the horse. |
| under "Riding Academies" or "Stables" to find | | | | If you've driven far to buy the animal, however, you |
| equestrian facilities near you, then contact the owner | | | | can always write a check contingent on a clear vet |
| to see if he or she can help. Again, you might have to | | | | check. This needs to be placed in writing so that you |
| pay a small commission, but it's worth it in the long run. | | | | can return the horse if there are any significant health |
| 2- Buy Close to Home | | | | problems uncovered by the veterinarian. |
| It is sometimes beneficial for an experienced | | | | 5- Pay Attention to Demeanor |
| equestrian to look for horses across the country, or | | | | Unscrupulous horse dealers will actually drug a horse |
| even on the other side of the world. When you're | | | | before showing it to potential buyers, creating an |
| buying a beginner horse for your child, however, look in | | | | extremely dangerous situation. When you're buying a |
| a small radius, and don't buy a horse you can't visit | | | | beginner horse for your child, you want an animal that |
| beforehand. Not only will this give you an opportunity to | | | | won't try to hurt anyone, and drugs can make the |
| "try out" the horse before purchase, but it is a lot | | | | feistiest, wildest, most unmanageable horse seem like |
| harder to get scammed by someone who lives | | | | a school pony. Therefore, horses who are overly |
| virtually in your own backyard. | | | | lethargic or dull-eyed should raise a red flag. |
| Additionally, you might also try to buy from someone | | | | If you think that something "just isn't right", don't buy the |
| you know, or based on a referral from a friend or | | | | horse until you've called out a vet. After the vet check, |
| family member. Working with people you know and | | | | ride the horse again to make sure that he wasn't |
| trust will take much of the stress out of buying a | | | | drugged the first time you tried him. |