Questions (10 points) about my first horse?

Okay hon, these are all questions that countless books are written about and this is the kind of stuff that you learn if you find a good lesson barn. I highly recommend taking a couple of years of lessons and leasing before you decide to purchase, horses are big, expensive, complicated animals that require a lot of responsibility and dedication.

1) when you get your first horse what are all the items you need for him/her? eg. leader rope, food, water trough e.c.t.?

Your horse will need all the gear and tack and feed. Halters/lead ropes, grooming gear, saddle, bridle, saddle pad/pads, bits, boots, covers, flysheets, winter blankets, feed buckets, water buckets, whip etc, you will need all the riding gear as well.

2) what is the best horse for a first horse?

There is no RIGHT breed to get for a first horse. As long as the horse you get is calm and experienced.

3) if i only have one horse, will she get lonely?

Your horse will need other equine company.

4) should i get one or 2 horses?

If you are going to board your horse and she will get turn-out with other horses then 1 horse will be fine. But if you are boarding her with no other horses around then you will need two.

5) how big should the yard be to have one horse?

As a general rule you need 1 acre per horse.

6) the barn, what do i need for the barn (i live in ontario) like.. how big a stall for one horse?.. should there be heat? if so what Temperature?

Heat is not necessary, you can always put a rug on your horse. Air conditioning might be needed for the summer time. The stalls should be 12' by 12'.

7) approx how much money will it be to start with a horse.

I really cannot answer this properly. It will cost A LOT though.

8) what is the best fencing to use?

Post and rail is the BEST fencing to use around horses, but any fencing will do a long as it is sturdy and not barbed wire.

9) what kind of food should i use?

You should ask the old owners what they fed the horse and then carry on feeding her that.

I started lessons when I was 18 bought my horse when I was 19.

Before I had my own horse I had a tack box, halter, lead, lunge rope, brushes, combs, shampoo, clippers, bucket, lunge whip, crop, hoof pick, hoof conditioner, and De-tangle spray.

The best first horse is a horse that isn't above your level. An older well trained mare or gelding under the supervision of a trainer or lesson instructor!

One horse... If you are keeping it at home alone then buy a pony or goat for companion.

How much land you'll need for the type and how many animals goes by state regulations.

Stall size varies. The stalls at my boarding barn are 10X12.

My boarding barn doesn't have a heater. It had horses that keep the inside warm. As long as there is a wind breaker for horses to stand behind they'll be fine.

Electric fencing is the most common. Or wood and electric combined. Never barbed wire!

Hay and horse feed.. Type and amount depends on your horses needs.

I can tell you are very inexperienced. You should take lessons for a long time. Then if/when you do purchase a horse it should be under the supervision of a instructor or trainer.

If you have been boarding and know how to take care of your horse completely then you can probably think about moving him home.

For my almost full broke registered mare I paid 4,500. Just the horse.

Tack(English) I paid 1,000 (Saddle, Bridle, Stirrups, Stirrup leathers, Bit and Girth)

Grooming items I paid around $50 (Mind you the shampoo, detangle spray and others are not a one time purchase)

Vet in spring and fall for Coggins, Teeth floating, sheath cleaning, and other essential shots! This cost me about 200 in the spring and fall.

Farrier is $35 and I don't get shoes on my mare.

Worming if needed (Fecal sample test $16 (1-2 a year)

Wormer paste $3-9

There are a lot of other expenses and even more if your horse is a hard keeper or has any sort of health problems!!! Not to mention if any training is needed.

1) when you get your first horse what are all the items you need for him/her?

You will need a lot for a first horse. Halters, leads ropes, bridles, saddle, saddle pads, blankets, fly mask, fly spray, horse shampoo/conditioner, grooming supplies, first aid kit for both you and horse, water trough, hay, treats, and much more.

2) what is the best horse for a first horse?

A good first horse is one who is laid back, calm and knows what it's doing. One that was traing properly and is good with first time/beginner riders.

3) if i only have one horse, will she get lonely?

Horses are herd animals, they need at least one horse living with them. My mare has been living alone for about 6 months now and I finally found cheap horses that are coming either tomorrow or Sunday and she will have two friends with her. I felt bad having her live alone, it's no way for a horse to live.

4) should i get one or 2 horses?

I would get two horses if I were you BUT only if you can afford it. If you cannot, then get goats or something.

5) how big should the yard be to have one horse?

Well I live in Alberta, Canada and you need at least four acres per horse. Check on Google to see how many acres you need per horse where you live.

6) the barn, what do i need for the barn (i live in ontario) like.. how big a stall for one horse?.. should there be heat? if so what temperatuer?

Well usually the barns are heated so your horse should be fine. You want a stall that's at least 5ft wide and that the horse can lay down comfortably in.

7) aprrox how much money will it be to start with a horse

Well you will have to buy the horse initially and you will have to pay for all of the tack, saddles, supplies and also the farrier, equine vet, vet bills, vaccinations and this all gets very expensive. It costs thousands of dollars every year.

8) what is the best fencing to use?

I like wood fencing. It's safe for the horses and they won't get caught up in wire and get hurt and you having to pay for the expensive vet bills in the feature.

9) what kind of food should i use?

What type of hay? Well I would say alfalfa hay or timothy mix hay. Something like that, but don't get the really rich hay.

Hey Ontario!

1) Lots.

Basic handling equipment: Halter and lead rope. (Bridle, saddle pad, saddle if you want to ride.)

Other accessories: Grooming supplies, hoof pick, cooler, turn-out blanket for summer (fly sheet), winter blanket, polo wraps, transportation boots and helmet... There's lots more too... (Cooler on is totally optional.)

Quality hay and water. Round bale feeder (cause they will tear a bale apart) and yes, a trough. A few toys to keep them entertained. (Also, don't forget the $30-$50 farrier fee per 6-8 weeks. And the vet check ups/needles.)

2) There is no "best" horse. Some people excel with retired school horses because they're completely bombproof. Some people re-train off-the-track Thoroughbreds and others prefer rescues. It's all experience level, where you want to go with this horse and what is a good match for the human and horse pair. (Avoid biters, kickers, buckers, etc at ALL costs!)

3) She will get lonely. Horses are herd animals, after all...

4) If you get one horse that is a good match for you, get a goat. They are cheap companions that many professional Thoroughbred breeders keep as company for their horses. Two horses can get very expensive! (And a pygmy goat is too cute.)

5) It is recommended to have 4-5 acres per horse.

6) Any shelter that protects from the North wind is sufficient. During the cold snap that our regions have been hitting lately, a barn would be nice. No heat is really needed, as long as it is properly insulated (the heat radiating from the animals will be enough). We kept three horses, a cow, a pig and half a dozen barn cats in our barn last winter and it was really warm in there!

7) Honey, it's an expensive hobby. A saddle alone could ring you up to $1,000... and what if it doesn't fit your horse? There's no for sure "price" in keeping a horse.

8) Electric. Dual electric strands. (They can get their legs tangled or get nicked. Wood fencing is expensive and doesn't really stand the test of time.

9) Very good quality hay. It should be green and when you crush it in your hands, it should have a sweet smell. Some people substitute alfalfa pellets or grain... Over here in Manitoba, we don't. Grain is a treat.

The best way to start out with horses is boarding one. Is there someone in your region that is willing to "rent" their horse part-time? Then you can pay a small(ish) fee and have all the luxuries of riding/boarding a horse without the monetary expenses and clean up! :)

My computer is about to die or else I'd write more. Hope this helps!

1. Basic things like saddle, saddle pad, bridle, halter, lead rope, whip, lunge line, martingale (if needed), turnout blankets (you'll most likely need to purchase several different kinds, depending on the climate of where you live), grooming kit, fly spray, water trough, muck buckets, pitch fork, and most other things are optional.

2. Definitely one that's well trained, calm, bombproof, and un-spookable. :)

3. Horses are herd animals, so it's good to have more than just one horse. But also, if you have two horses, you can run the risk of either them not getting along, or they'll get so attached that they'll be hard to separate. So there are its ups and downs. But remember, when introducing two horses, be cautious.

4. Definitely start out with one horse. Remember, it's a MASSIVE commitment, so diving right into two horses can sometimes be a bad idea.

5. At least an acre or two, in my opinion. But do keep in mind that in some states, the legal acreage to keep a horse on your property is five acres.

6. The stall can be pretty much any size, as long as it's not too small. At our barn, stalls are both 12x12 and 16x16. I'd say 12x12 should be the minimum. As for heat, I don't think you'd really need it (but don't take my word for it TOO much, I'm not used to a colder climate), but definitely purchase several types of heavy blankets, including the type that cover the neck.

7. This is the kind of thing that you should know before deciding to buy a horse. It all depends, but horses can be expensive as heck and if you're unsure of the costs, you should probably rethink buying a horse immediately. Especially if you're boarding the horse on your own property, it's an immense amount of work and expense.

8. Wooden boards, definitely. Like this... http://www.best-fences.com/wp-content/uploads/2010...

9. I like Nutrena. But if you find that your horses are having stomach issues, I'd recommend oats. Also, feed them a flake of alfalfa.

Before you really consider purchasing a horse any more than you already have, think about it... Have you ever taken lessons or leased a horse? Some of the questions you've asked are very standard things that most riders know years before having a horse of their own. And you will have to be out there, every morning and night, feeding, mucking stalls, repairing damages, and tending to your horses. Just a suggestion to think about it first. :)

Good luck with your horse and I hope that this helped!

well first getting your own horse is a BIG responsibility and i would loan one first, but if your sure -

1) grooming kit, head collar, leadrope, feed, feed bucket, water bucket, wheelbarrow, fork, hay, first aid things, rugs etc

2) The best horse is normally the most expensive, something you can try out and you know is safe

3),5), 6) & 4) only get one horse and keep her at a big livery yard where she will be with other horses and if you need any advice their are people to ask.

7) Well to buy a horse will cost you between £900 and £2000 and then there is livery, farrier, tack, vets fees and food to buy

8) depends but if you go to a livery yard it will already be there for you

9) food depends ask the horses previous owner

and i cannot stress enough how much of a responsibility a horse is and how expensive it can be.

Hi there

1) you will need a grooming kit ,a bit and bridle a saddle a halter or two, and a 6 foot leadrope and you can get accessories from your tack shop.

2) A older type of horse and or and calm sensible quite horse . also do a vet check and dentist check.

3) yes if you only have one horse and you are not with him/her all the time yes though you can have stable companion's like A goat or cat or something but its not Ideal.

4). I think two.

5) Depends if you have acreage you should have two acres per horse , or a suitable large stable with a field for turn out and lots of riding to exercise them.

6) the barn not sure I have no Idea of temperature in Ontario but if its cold rug them in the night.

7) Hmm I bought a really fantastic pony for 1500, though you can get them really cheap like 500 dollars or anywhere to 10,000 + to purchase but it all depends :)

8. Post and rail and / or combined with electric fencing (electric is the cheapest option), never barb wire dog wire can be used though it is a risk if a horse was to put there leg through the big gapes in the wire.

9) ask your vet it all depends on the horse and pony, and also use Google but hay is a must if there stabled with out a field to graze in

yes there is lots to know

avoid people in the horse Biz that have Brattitude problems (brats with there attitude often found in pc)

avoid people with jealously problems that want to bring you or your horse down.

give your horse or pony lots of love

and love it !!!

and also you must understand your horse or pony don't just assume its naughty when it starts playing up there is most often a problem physical or emotional in the horse, try to understand your horses point of view and be fair and gentle but firm with it.

also if you love your horse you wont do something to it you would not want to happen to you eg Rolker or hyperflextion (search it on youtube) Never Rolker ever !

and also do barefoot trimming its better for you and your horse.

gets your horses teeth done

love your horse don't give up on your horse or pony

its not all about the ribbons its about the bond between you and your horse remember that and if you ever want any tips after you bought your pony go to the link below it's my Chanel on you tube I'm more then happy to help anyone .

gotta say

anreteil..

you have a good answer ! and yes I forgot the helmet !

Well, if you need to know what you need for a first horse then I wonder if you are ready for one, since if you had any experience in horse care you would know what to do.

Ok.

Halter and a couple of lead ropes - in case of breakages.

Tack - not to be bought before you have the horse as it needs to be fitted to the horse perfectly.

Blankets.

Feed - according to the horse - if you are not sure take some measurements and photos of the horse to the feed merchants for recommendations. Also you would need metal storage bins for said food to prevent it getting damp and vermin.

Hay.

Hay net or rack.

Stable tools if the horse is to be stabled - broom, shovel, fork, wheel barrow or tarp that you can remove the dirty bedding on. Disinfectant.

Blankets. No heating - this is how stable fires start and they are deadly!

Grooming kit - to include several hoof picks (they have a habit of getting lost!), Dandy brush, body brush, Rubber curry comb, metal curry comb, stable rubber etc and hoof oil or fat and brushes with with to apply!

How the hell do I know what it will all cost?

You will also need a thermometer - and learn how to use it - to take his temperature at the same time every day for the first fortnight at rest so that you can determine his average temperature and then you will know when he is poorly in the future.

First aid kit and vet/farrier number.

Tack cleaning kit - and use it!

Fencing should be checked daily. Wooden post and rail are best but can be expensive to maintain especially if you have a chewer in the paddocks. Some barns have tape others have plastic rails which are good but you should never used barbed wire! Nasty injuries can occurr.

One horse is enough. You could get a calf for company - donkeys carry lungworm, goats are notorious houdini experts and need a lot of specialist care!

You should have at least 1.5 acres per horse and a field shelter - and you cannot keep a horse in your garden - that is full of poisonous plants and the grass would be too short and too rich for a horse. It needs to be proper grazing grass.

Looks like I have answered your questions out of order. Hope you can make sense of them!

Every one will have mixed opinions about what you will need for a horse, but maybe this will help

1. A tack supplier can help you with the tack you will need.

2. I always buy a horse from someone I know and trust. My first horse was great for women, children and trailriding, and had a good disposition and more than likely not get me hurt.

3. Lots of people have just one horse, but alot have more and they seem to buddy up.

4. There are different opinions on how much room, but I would say no less then 1/2 acre per horse, they need room for exercise and to graze. In Texas we have our 2 horses on 12 acres and feed them sweet feed every day, but in the winter we feed and give them hay.

5. Everyday you have a horse it cost you money, but it's worth it, if you love horses. You may want to go to your vet let them tell you how much shots, and routine exams are.

1.Lead and much much more

2.Older,bombproof

3.Not Necessarily

4.Not if you can't handle two

5.More than an acre

6. Stall should be at least 12x12 no you don't NEED heat

7.More than you make in A week

8.Wood

9.Whatever the horse is already being fed