| When choosing your first horse, there are things that | | | | horse. These people have years of experience |
| you need to know about horse psychology. As an | | | | regarding different riders and the horse that would be |
| example, horses are prey animals which means that | | | | suitable for them. They probably know where the |
| their whole life revolves around not ending up on a | | | | good horses are that are currently for sale. |
| predator's dinner table. Understanding this mindset will | | | | 2. THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A FREE HORSE. |
| help you understand why a horse acts the way he | | | | Beware, the free horse. It might sound ideal in the |
| does. Horses are often afraid of the silliest things that | | | | beginning, but if you are not experienced in horse care, |
| make absolutely no sense to us, but makes perfect | | | | training or behavior, this can be a very costly mistake. |
| sense to them. | | | | Free horses are usually a problem that someone is |
| Horses like humans, have different personalities. Some | | | | trying to offload. Horses that are healthy,well trained |
| are nervous, some are sweet and some are just | | | | and suitable for beginners are extremely valuable and |
| downright mean. When you are thinking about | | | | no one is going to give them away. Many free horses |
| choosing your first horse, you must consider your | | | | are diamonds in the rough if you know what you're |
| personality and how well you will get along with the | | | | doing. |
| prospect in question. If you are a timid rider, then a | | | | But that's the key, if you have never successfully |
| nervous horse is not for you. | | | | trained a horse, you will probably end up with a |
| Horses read body language to determine the status of | | | | behavioral problem that you can't fix or worse that is |
| their surroundings, and if a horse sees that his fellow | | | | downright dangerous. You will end up spending a lot of |
| herd member (you), is nervous or upset then he is | | | | money (more than if you just bought a horse) in |
| going to pick up on that and become nervous himself. | | | | training and or vet bills. Horses with medical issues quite |
| This will cause him to spook at things that he normally | | | | often are given away as well. |
| might not get upset about. His nervous behavior will | | | | 3. Buying a young or untrained horse is not a good idea |
| make you nervous which will make him more nervous, | | | | for the same reasons mentioned for not getting one |
| thus creating a vicious cycle. | | | | for free. Young horses are very reactive and can be |
| There are three things you must know when choosing | | | | dangerous if not started correctly. You also can't begin |
| your first horse: | | | | training a horse under saddle until they are |
| 1. If you are an inexperienced equestrian, hire a | | | | approximately 2-3 years old, which means you will be |
| professional. If you are considering getting a horse, you | | | | waiting awhile to be able to ride. When you choose |
| should already be taking lessons. Talk to your riding | | | | your first horse, young or untrained horses should be |
| instructor. Most instructors are more than happy to | | | | eliminated as a possibility. |
| assist you when you are ready to choose your first | | | | |