How do you get on a horse?

Answer 1

Firstly you need to consider you actually have the knowledge, space, ability and time to care for a horse. If you don't have all of these things, then you really shouldn't have one. If you do, then the first step is probably to make some friendlyt contacts.

Buying horse by word of mouth can often mean you find more reputable dealers, and can have some history of the horse you are buying. When you hear of a horse you would like to go and see, go and see it. make sure you see it ridden, handled, and ask handle and possibly ride it yourself, if it appears safe. Always take someone with you, and don't be afraid to go back more than once. Ask lots of questions, especially about history and health. If you want a jumping pony, make sure you see it jumped, if you want something to hack out alone, watch someone take it upo the road alone, or for something good in traffic, ask ride out with them somewhere fairly busy (but not unsafe!) always wear a reflective jacket!

Once you have decided on a horse to buy, you need to consider the finances. Can you afford it? Should you try to haggle the price down?Ask what is included in the price, for example tack and blankets. Then consider if youm feel it necessary to have a vetting done or not, an experienced person wiull be able to help you decide.

Finally you must prepare your yard for the new horse. make sure he has a clean stable, and field, and when turning him out with others for the first time, keep a close eye on their behaviour,m he may be bullied. When he settles down, then enjoy him.

Answer 2

silly. ok if you have a saddle on the horse the you go to the left side of the horse and turn around facing the back of the horse standing next to the shoulder. Then put your left fot in the stirrup and hold onto the front of the sadde and bounce and pull your self up. simple as that.

Answer 3

Buying one is a popular choice. Advertising in the local paper or asking local horse trainers to keep an eye out for horses for sale are always a great idea when serching for a horse.

look on the pin board at your local shop or go on the internet and type in

horses to buy (in where ever you live)

Answer 4

Most people who aren't professional trainers or who haven't spent their life with horses don't know how to evaluate a prospect. If you buy a horse based on a 'feeling' or impulse decision you may come home with a horse that doesn't fit your abilities or personality - but by golly, he sure is a pretty color!

Bottom line for you is that you want to buy a horse you can bring home, ride and love. You also want to spend the least amount of money you can. Before you start shopping, educate yourself as much as possible by:

• Taking lessons
• Going to horse shows
• Reading
• Talking to people in the horse community
• Join a horse club
• Lease a horse

Allow yourself plenty of time to horse shop. Finding just the right one can take months or even a year. Armed with plenty of facts and research, you will come home with a horse you enjoy and love for many, many years.

This site is designed for both first-time buyers and more experienced ones. There's more horse articles about riding and health on the Horse Article blog.

If there's something you'd like to see added,write to meand let me know.

Whether you're looking to buy a quiet horse you can take on relaxing trail rides or one who can come home with blue ribbons or somewhere in between, I'd like to help.

Your Dream Owning your very own horse horse is a dream come true.

Figuring out how to find the 'just right' horse can be frustrating. Mistakes are expensive - emotionally, financially, and sometimes physically if you get hurt.

Before you start shopping, educate yourself as much as posible by:

• Taking lessons
• Going to horse shows
• Reading horse magazines and books
• Talking to people in the horse community
• Join a horse club
• Lease a horse

I've always stressed safety first when dealing with horses. Don't take shortcuts. In my 25 years of raising, training, giving lessons and showing horses, I've only had minor injuries like a smashed toe or sprained fingers.

My students never got hurt mainly because they trusted me to help them find the horse that suited their personality and the type of riding they wanted to do. They also listened to my non-stop 'safety-first' speeches for years!

Armed with plenty of facts and research, you will come home with a horse you can enjoy and love for many, many years.

Are you ready?

Basic facts about horses.

• They're big.
• They run first and think later.. and they run fast.
• They need space - lots of it.
• They need more care than a dog or cat.
• They require a large chunk of your time.
• They are expensive to keep.
• They need manicures every 6 weeks and don't care if they mess yours up.

Are you committed?

A TRUE LOVE AFFAIR

There's nothing that can take the place of a horse when you are a true horse lover.

• The way they look.
• The way they feel.
• The way they smell.
• Those soft nickers and high-pitched whinnies
• The feeling of flying when you ride them

Horses are an addiction! Once you have made the decision to get a horse of your own, please take the time to research carefully and thoughtfully the horse you are looking for.

I have seen many people run out and buy the first horse they find that's for sale and end up with one that they can't enjoy.

You want one that you can ride NOW. (Notice I wrote 'now' in red - it's that important!)

• Not one you are planning to be able to ride.. one day.. when you're more experienced..
• or
• Have more time to practice..
• or
• Whatever excuse you can think of..

There are lots of horses out there who will suit the level of riding experience you have. Search out one like that.BEFORE YOU GO HORSE SHOPPINGMAKE A PLANFor example, let's say you needed a new car.

Would you just stop into the first dealership or used car lot you see, walk in and buy the first car you test drive because it's got a great sound system? ~ or ~

You needed a bigger house because you have 3 teenage girls.

Would you buy a house with 2 bedrooms and 1 bath because you like the tree in the front yard?

Probably not....but..... What if you go to a horse auction with a friend "just to watch"?

You get carried away with the moment and next thing you know, you've got the winning bid on "Old Snort" because you like his color.

The next day, turns out your new prize only has 3 good legs.

~ or ~

Your co-worker's friend's cousin has a horse she really needs to sell fast at a 'good price' because she's getting divorced. So you figure this is the deal of the decade and buy him with only a quick look.

He's a hot barrel horse whose Indian name is "HE WHO SPOOKS AT SHADOWS" and you're looking for a nice quiet trail horse.

NOW WHAT DO YOU DO? 10 Things to do BEFORE you go horse shopping

Part 1Buying a horse is a big commitment in both time and money. The emotional energy spent is a large factor as well.

If you buy a horse before you lay the correct groundwork, you run the risk of coming home with a horse that isn't suitable for you. At the worst, he could be dangerous and at best, you could wind up spending a thousand dollars or more to get professional trainer to correct the problems.

Before you go horse shopping there are 10 basic steps to go through.

1. Take riding lessons for at least six months.Riding lessons will teach you the basics of control on your horse and the foundation for correct horsemanship. These lessons will teach you to ride and also how to safely groom and handle a horse. You'll also establish a relationship with a professional horse person in your area who knows you and who you can turn to for help if you need it. 2. Decide on the type of riding you want to do.There are many types of riding styles. The most basic are Western or English. Then you can break down those two styles into many subcategories. You don't have to make one choice exclusive of all others. Many people enjoy riding both styles and compete in both.

And you know what? It's perfectly ok to ride 'english' in a Western saddle and 'western' in an English saddle! I have a distinct tendency to use my English saddle more often because it is so much easier to lift. The smaller saddle pads are also a lot easier to wash!

Decide if you want a horse to trail ride and just enjoy having him or if you want to be competitive and show.

3. Your Horse's personalityThe type of personality you want for your horse depends a lot on the type of riding you want to do and also your personality. Some riders want a horse with a big engine and a lot of fire. Others like a horse to be quiet and laid back.

Use those six months of riding lessons to help you figure out what kind of personality you like. If you're already an experienced rider, take time to think about all the horses you've ridden in the past and what you liked and disliked about them. Remember, you can retrain a lot of things about a horse, but his personality isn't one of them!

It's usually easier to get a laid back horse to rev his engine than to get a hot horse to relax.

4. Decide on what breed of horse you most want.Once you've decided on the type of riding you're interested in and the type of personality you want your horse to have, the breed choice will become easier. Some breeds are associated with certain types of riding. For instance, a Thoroughbred or Warmblood breed are usually thought of for the Hunter/Jumper circuit or dressage. In the past, the Quarter Horse, Appaloosas and Paints were thought of for Western riding. Today, these breeds can sucessfully compete at all levels with the more traditional hunter type horse.

If you want a very smooth ride, look at the gaited breeds such as Missouri Foxtrotters, Tenessee Walkers or Paso Finos.

5. Decide on how big a horse you need.If you're looking for a horse for a child, buy a pony that your child can groom and handle now. A too big horse is intimidating for a young child to deal with.

If you're looking for one for yourself, consider the type of riding you want to do. Western styles of riding do not require a large horse and most of the stock type horses can carry a large adult even if the horse is 15 hands or smaller. A larger horse in a western class has an automatic disadvantage because he will have to work so much harder to shorten his stride. A big horse who is actually going slow is still going to pass the smaller horses and appear to be too fast.

If you want to show in hunter/jumper classes on the 'A Circuit', a 16+ hand horse is necessary to be competitive. However, if your plans are to learn to jump and go to smaller local shows, you'll save money by buying a smaller horse.

Typically, people tend to think you need a big warmblood to be competitive in dressage. That isn't always true unless you want to show at the top FEI levels. These horses are expensive and hard to ride for a novice or youth. A smaller horse of any breed with good correct gaits can be quite competitive.

6. Decide on the gender of the horse.A gelding or a mare should be your only consideration.

A stallion is difficult to handle and can be downright dangerous even if you are a very experienced rider. He isn't suitable unless you're in the breeding business.

Geldings make great riding horses and companions. Preferably he was gelded before his second birthday so that he never learned stallion behavior.

Mares sometimes get a bad rap for being difficult everytime she comes into heat. Perhaps some are, but there are many wonderful mares with very stable personalities. One of my very favorite horses of all times was a mare.

7. Decide where you will keep a horse.If you plan to board, check out several boarding stables. Your first choice is probably the barn where you've been taking lessons. Look at some others to have for back-up choices and as a general comparison.

If you plan to keep your horse on your own property, build a safe fence, a solid barn and know that your time schedule will allow you to feed your horse at least twice a day - every day - rain or shine, hot or cold, sick or healthy (well, you get the picture).

Find out any local and state liability regulations on keeping a horse on your property before you bring your new horse home.

8. Figure how much you can afford for the initial price of a horse.The original purchase price of a horse is a large upfront expense. Obviously, the more you can afford to spend on a horse, the more choices you'll have to look at when shopping. If you have this money saved up in advance, you'll have better barganing power with a seller. If you have to buy your horse on payments, you'll limit your bargaining power and choices because many sellers won't want to take payments. 9. Figure out your monthly expenses.Monthly expenses include board, lessons and supplements if you keep your horse at a boarding stable. If you keep your horse at home, you'll be buying feed, hay and stall bedding instead of a board bill.

There are reoccuring expenses that don't come every month but still need to be added up for a year's cost and averaged as a monthly expense. These include farrier visits, worming, vaccinations and vet care such as floating teeth and a Coggins test.

10. Tack and SuppliesPurchase the basic supplies before you get your horse so that you'll be all set when you bring him home. Brushes, shampoo, linament, leg wraps, buckets and a first aid kit are a good start on supplies to have ready.

An all purpose headstall and a few bits, saddle pads, a saddle, halter and a long lead rope with a stout snap are your basic tack supplies.

If you follow these 10 steps before you begin horse shopping, you'll be able to better focus on the horse that will be the best choice for you when you do begin your search.

Answer 5

Once you're in the saddle, grab the reins lightly and firmly. Be GENTLE on the reins. Sit deep and calm in the saddle. Press with your legs, cluck with your tongue, and say "walk" or "trot" or-my favorite!-"canter"

Answer 6

Collection can be somewhat complicated to explain. Contrary to what many people think collecting your horse is a leg, seat and hand thing. You need good leg and seat ablity to 'drive' your horse up to the bit. Apply leg to drive your horse forward, as the horse engages his hocks you should be able to feel it. Once his hocks have been engaged and are well under him keep him there with constant leg and seat. You should be able to feel this part in your hands as well. Take hold of his mouth softly. The key here is 'softly'. You don't want to hang on his mouth or jerk it in any way. This could hurt him and he will be reluctant to engage when asked again.

If you have done this correctly you will feel this, not just in your hands but a whole body feel. His mough should be soft and giving, as should your hands. It's important to keep the leg on him and reinforce this with your seat.

This is about as short as I can explain it. You actually could write an entire book on the art of collection. Some people work for years trying to 'get' it and then to perfect it. Do not be discouraged if it doesn't come right away. Collection is a higher level of riding but once you 'feel' it and get it, it's wonderful.

Answer 7

Purchasing a horse is the easy part. You also need a couple of acres to keep it and a barn and food and vet bills. So owning a horse may not be your best option right now. Consider this. Go to a stable in your area and pick a horse you like. When you have a little money request that horse when you want to ride each time. After awhile the horse will get to know you and the people at the stable will get to know you. They might let you help take care of the horse after awhile and, if you really enjoy it, maybe you could get a job there someday.

Think it over. This way you can get a close friendship with a horse but not have all the expenses of trying to own one. Then, someday when you can afford it, you will own one.

Answer 8

lead them with confidence they sense your mood

Answer 9

A Hinny is a hybrid cross between a male horse, stallion, and a female donkey, jenny or jennet.