Are you on the hunt for your next perfect horse or pony ? There are many things you will need to consider during this exciting time . The last thing you want , is to find a horse you think is suitable , only to have problems down the track . Selling horses sucks , so pick a horse you will love for a long time !
Size
The size of your next four legged friend will largely depend on you- your size , experience and even age . Many kids move onto hacks when they become too old to compete on ponies anymore , but there are plenty of adults out there now competing ponies , in a range of disciplines . The rules of competing ponies against horses vary throughout disciplines and countries , so it does pay to check up on that before making a decision . That being said you might not even care about competition , which is great too and can make your decision a whole lot easier , as it isn ’ t dictated by rules ! The size of the horse or pony is important as you don ’ t want to over horse yourself with something much bigger than you need and you also don ’ t want to buy a horse or pony that you will outgrow quickly or will be far too small . Size is really important , as it is a big influencing factor on your performance and enjoyment .
Bred for the job
Whatever discipline you want to train and compete in , might dictate what breed of horse you want . Some breeds and bloodlines are bred specifically for different jobs , however this shouldn ’ t be the ‘ be all and end all ’ when choosing your perfect partner either . Horses are adaptable creatures and they can all be used for each sport , it really just comes down to your personal preference . Again , consider your own experience and riding ability when making this judgement . A hot headed warmblood or thoroughbred could excel in certain disciplines but if you are looking for your first hack , this may not be the right choice for you . Keep an open mind and don ’ t rule a horse out before you see it , just because of his breed .
Experience
Match your experience level with the horse you buy . If you are moving into a new discipline or moving onto your first hack , you will want to buy a horse that has done a little more than if you are a very experienced rider . It would be a big mistake to buy an inexperienced horse when you are inexperienced yourself unless you have a very good trainer who can help you train that horse , even then it is probably not the most ideal situation . Remember that the most important part of riding is the fun factor ! If you aren ’ t having fun , then what are you doing it for ? You will enjoy your riding and horse so much more if you find the right horse to enjoy your experience with . If you are an experienced rider then you will probably find great satisfaction in training a young horse through the levels .
How will you keep him ?
Depending on where you live , what climate and how you want to keep your horse , could influence your decision on what horse is best for your lifestyle . The horses ’ needs should always be your main priority , so it is only fair to find a horse that will fit in with that . If you live in a harsh climate and your horse will be living outside 24 / 7 then you might want to look at hardier types that will enjoy that kind of living . A sensitive horse , with a fine coat or thin skin is going to need some extra care in terms of shelter and covers . Consider what type of pasture you have available too . If you have lots of lush grass , a fatter horse is going to struggle to be healthy but a lighter type might thrive . In turn , if you don ’ t have much grazing available , remember that you will need to substitute a lighter horse with extra feed . Your budget might also influence this decision . Big horses will cost more to feed , shoe , cover- pretty much all aspects of their care will be more expensive ! Looking for a new equine partner is an exciting time for any rider , choose carefully and you will find a friend that will take you places you would have never thought you would go !