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First Time Horse Owner...
 Absinthe .:.Pomeranians.:. February 16th, 2013 9:50:16pm 318 Posts |
Ok....so I would like to apologize in advance if this gets to be a really long post. I am a bit scatter brained and might wind up adding to it later as I think of things. Anyway...here we go! So my husband and I are looking into buying some property (about 4 acres) and he has agreed that down the road (and by this I mean probably a couple of years after we buy the property) I can own a horse. I've been riding/working around horses for 17 years so yes, I do know how to do the basics (feed, water, bathe, turn out, bring in, ride, groom, etc etc) and 90% of me is all super excited about the idea of owning a horse for the first time. I've leased but I have never had the privilege of being able to own a horse all my own. But there is 10% of me that is saying "what if you don't know everything there is to know before you commit to something like this?" Owning a horse is quite a bit different than a dog or a cat, and I just want to make sure I do know what I'm doing. I have been helping out at various barns over the years so I feel comfortable with keeping a horse on my own property in the sense that I know I can be responsible enough to actually take care of one. But what causes me concern is feeling like I don't know enough about emergencies. I haven't been exposed to that type of thing, like a horse showing signs of colic or any other illness. Or what happens if a horse comes up lame. Or anything else that for seasoned horse owners is no big deal (or maybe it is a big deal but they know how to handle it with no issue). The good news is if we do wind up buying this property we have our eye on, it's right down the road from one of the guys my husband works with and his wife has been working with horses (and even and equine vet) for years and so she would be just a quick phone call away. But I want to make sure I'm offering the best possible home for a horse before I just go diving in. I've been dreaming of horse ownership since I was a little girl and I don't want to screw it up. So any and all information/tips/suggestions/etc that anyone cares to offer up would be greatly appreciated! And remember, I would not be boarding my horse at another barn, so I'm really looking for people who keep their own horses at their property to help me out =) Thanks and again, sorry that was so long!!!!! |
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  Samantha - see page to know who to contact directly!February 17th, 2013 7:49:06pm 4,333 Posts |
You sound like you pretty much know everything you need to know to keep the animal alive and healthy. If your horse starts to show signs on colic (laying down and refusing to get up, etc.), becomes lame, gets tangled in a fence, etc. call a vet. Don't try to handle it yourself, ever. It might be expensive, but it could save the horse's life.You need to also find a farrier that will come out to you. And you should learn to give shots and wormings yourself. Also how to repair fences (and detangle a horse if needed, or get it out from under their shoe if they have one and get caught). But make sure you have a vet do your rabies shot since if you do your own shots you won't have records and if anyone ever gets bitten you need to be able to prove the horse has had it's rabies vaccine. |
 Absinthe .:.Arctic Fox Ambassador.:. February 21st, 2013 12:43:34pm 17 Posts |
Thank you, Sam! As far as a farrier goes, I will more than likely get the phone number of the one that trims/shoes my husband's friend's horses to see if I can get on his/her list of customers. As for learning to give the shots myself...I know everyone at the barn I'm currently working at in exchange for lessons knows how, so should I ask them to show me? Or should I try to go out when there is a vet present and have them teach me. Let's face it...that's one thing I want to learn how to do right the first time! "Well, I think so, Brain, but if Jimmy cracks corn, and nobody cares, why does he keep doing it?" |
| Samantha - see page to know who to contact directly! February 21st, 2013 2:35:54pm 4,333 Posts |
I would ask the vet to show you since he can also tell you how dosing works and such. Watching people at the barn give shots never hurts though! And worming is easy, just set the tube to your horses weight, stick it in where their bit goes, pointing towards their throat and depending on how big your horses mouth is push it back a little (without putting it DOWN their throat) and push the plunger. If it worries you or your horse resists get an empty tube and try it with applesauce. |
Absinthe .:.Pomeranians.:. February 24th, 2013 2:56:40am 318 Posts |
I was talking to one of my friends at the barn I work/ride at today and she said the same thing about the vaccines. And she also said she would teach me all about worming using molasses and practicing on her mare (which I think is a very nice gesture on her part).Thanks again Sam. Sadly I probably won't be seeing this dream come true for at least another year...maybe 2...but just the thought that it WILL be a reality is making me very excited. And I will probably pester you (and my barn friends) even more the closer I get to this becoming real! |
| Samantha - see page to know who to contact directly! February 24th, 2013 3:46:56am 4,333 Posts |
Well anything you need to know, feel free to ask :). |
Z.exious February 24th, 2013 3:52:49pm 400 Posts |
It can also be a good idea to attend some clinics--there are many that deal with emergency-type situations (colic is a common one), and they can train you to see the signs, and know when to call a vet. (: |
Absinthe .:.Pomeranians.:. March 3rd, 2013 7:34:29pm 318 Posts |
Z.exious that sounds like something I should definitely check out ^.^ |
Z.exious March 4th, 2013 5:21:50am 400 Posts |
Is there maybe a riding program you can affiliate yourself with? That's a good idea as well, maybe you can take a few lessons a month, mostly for the access to the knowledge a professional will provide ^^ Just toss'n out ideas 8D |
 Audacious & Blitz [Andalusians] March 4th, 2013 4:47:16pm 558 Posts |
First aid/emergency clinics are great on getting a handle on how to handle the minor stuff, and to know when it's major and you need to call the vet. First aid can cover everything from dressing wounds to taking temperature. Super handy. |
Midnight Velvet Friesians May 10th, 2013 5:43:47am 123 Posts |
I didn't know a lot when I first got a horse. I knew enough to keep them healthy but when it came time to train and tell them who is boss a 12 year old kinda gets a little lost lol. Its been 13 years of trial and error. In hindsight I wouldn't have it any other way. I am still learning too. And at times I question what I know and have to get a second opinion. Especially if I get impatient and lose confidence. Which I have just done today. But hopefully things will continue to work out. I am sure you will do just fine. I don't pamper my horses either. They live in the pasture with trees for shelter and they rough it like wild horses. A few of them are wild. Half Mustang. |
Narcosis August 30th, 2013 6:08:22pm 4 Posts |
A couple of points I didn't see brought up: You mentioned having only 4 acres, and in many places you need at least 5 for your first horse, then 1 acre per horse after that (and I believe it goes up with a larger herd), so you'll want to check on regulations for that. Also, you're going to want at LEAST 2 pastures so that you can rotate him/her in each. Colic isn't always unavoidable, but you can take steps to decrease your horse's chance of getting it. One of those things is limiting grass intake in the spring (the most obvious) but there are more, so I do suggest reading up on that. Get as much information as you can about different cuttings of hay and how many strands you want and what's going to be best for your horse given the amount of work he/she will be doing. Also, you'll need an enclosed building to keep all the hay in to avoid getting moldy. And you'll usually want to overestimate how much hay you'll need over winter... and maybe you know all of this stuff and I am just rambling on. lol... Best of luck to you! Oh, and p.s. if you are only getting one horse, it can get very lonely and depressed so the best thing is to also get another hooved animal like a donkey or a goat to keep it company. A lot of times you can find elder ponies that are free -- but they are usually more costly in the long run. Breeding Dutch Warmbloods **Soon to add Westphalians to the program** |
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