Just Bought Your First Horse, Now What Do You Do?

You have just bought your first horse, now what? Here are a few tips for after you have gotten your first horse home. If you have bought the horse to ride, do not take him home and hop right on. Just like people, or even more so, a horse needs time to get used to his new surroundings and a new place. The first thing you should do with your horse is straight from the trailer take the horse for a walk around his new area. Walk him in any and every spot where he will be staying. Let them smell, see, and hear all the newness. If you are going to be keeping a horse in a pasture with a barbed wire fence, make sure you walk the horse around the entire fence line. This way the horse will get a sense of where the fence is and not hurt himself by running through it.

The first few nights at his new home it is best to keep the horse in a barn or shed. Since the horse still will not be completely familiar with his surroundings, keeping him up will hopefully keep him from getting hurt by things he is not aware of. Make sure, however, to let him out in the pasture during the day when you will be able to watch him.

If you have brought the horse a great distance, do not take him straight off the trailer and load him up on feed. Giving him water is alright, but it is better to wait at least two to three hours before giving him food. If you are going to be putting him straight into a stall or barn, giving him a small amount of hay to munch on is alright.

If you get a horse that seems nervous or skittish around certain things, it may take you up to a week before you can actually get on and ride (especially if you are a beginning rider). If you do happen to get a horse that seems to shy at a lot of things, you are certainly better starting from the ground and working your way to his back. You are also much safer.

On the other hand if you have gotten a horse that seems calm and relaxed and not afraid of much, you should probably be able to ride him in a couple of days. However, you cannot just take him home and put him in a stall and not do anything with him for a few days. You must work with him every day. The horse must get used to you as much as you must get used to him. Before turning him out to pasture during the day, brush him, work with his hooves (pick them up, clean them et cetera), and lead him around for a while. Then before putting him up for the night, repeat the entire process with him.

Always stay calm around a horse (new or not). If the horse senses you getting nervous the he will also. Never act as if you are afraid of a horse either. This is one way to let the horse get the better of you. Remember, you are the boss not the horse. Do not hit him, of course, but you must let the horse know you have the authority over him. If you do not do this on the ground, you will never be able to do it on his back.

In conclusion, horses are fun and exciting. Your first horse is always exhilarating and new. But you must remember that just like when you are beginning anything you have never done before, you must start slow and easy. I hope these tips will help you with your new horse. Enjoy the ride.

Source:

Having horses for 20 years and experiencing much excitement with my first one