Island Life Magazine Ltd August/September 2007 | Page 82

life EQUESTRIAN British Horse Society Buying your first horse? DECIDING to care for any animal requires careful consideration and that’s never truer than when buying your first horse – whether it’s for you as an adult or your child’s first pony. With vets’ bills, stabling, shoeing and insurance costs and the time commitment for mucking out, feeding, grooming and riding the animal each day, caring for a horse is a massive undertaking and first owners need to ensure they have the time and financial resources necessary. Loaning or sharing is an option for those who can afford to keep a horse but can’t afford the initial purchase, but it is important to ensure that you have a proper loan/share agreement drawn up, which states what you can or can’t do with the animal, where it is to be kept, what tack/rugs it will be loaned with etc. There is an example loan agreement on our website – www.bhs.org. uk, that you can adapt to your individual circumstances. Where to keep your new horse is an important consideration. Visit different riding schools and livery yards in your area to find out what services and facilities they offer – the closest or cheapest may not always be the best option. With your first horse it is important to have experienced horse owners around who can offer advice and assistance when necessary. Some riding schools offer livery in exchange for using the horse in riding school lessons (this is usually 82 called working livery) – this can be a good option if you are limited for time or experience as the riding school will help care for, and exercise, it. Do’s and Don’ts for buying your first horse: DO ensure you have done your sums and can afford to keep a horse DO ensure you have somewhere suitable to keep your horse DO be realistic about your level of experience and the sort of horse that will be suitable – a just backed 4 year old or high level dressage warmblood may not be the right decision! DO ensure you have some stable management experience before you buy your horse and know the basic principles of feeding, worming, shoeing, bedding, tack fitting etc DO take someone very experienced with you (preferably a qualified, registered instructor) when you go to view a horse – they can give you an impartial opinion on whether it’s the right one for you DO have the horse vetted before you purchase it DO ensure you have third party liability insurance as a minimum. The BHS offers its members £10m of personal liability insurance which covers all the horses you own, ride or loan – contact the membership dept for further details on 01926 707750 DO ensure that if you are loaning or sharing a horse that you have a proper loan/ share agreement drawn up with the owner DO ensure that the horse you are buying has a valid passport, make sure you see it before the purchase and take it away with you when you collect the horse (and don’t forget to send it in to the passport issuing organisation to get your details added as the new owner). For more information about horse passports go to the welfare pages on our website – www.bhs.org.uk. DON’T buy an unseen horse or order one from the internet! Too many people have been caught out and the horse that is delivered is not the one they thought they were buying! DON’T ‘over-horse’ yourself – be realistic about your capabilities and experience DON’T go and see a horse without an experienced person to advise you DON’T ride the horse before you have seen it ridden by the seller DON’T believe everything you are told DON’T be rushed into making a decision DON’T necessarily buy the first horse you see DON’T buy a horse without a valid passport, buyers have been caught out with “I’ve applied for a passport, it’s in the post and I’ll forward it to you”, and then the passport doesn’t appear DON’T be a time waster – let the vendor know if you can’t make a pre-arranged appointment to view a horse, and if you don’t like the horse when you see it, tell the vendor straight away A first owners pack, offering useful advice on owning and keeping a horse, is available free from the BHS. For more information log on to www.bhs. org.uk or call 01926 707791. Island Life - www.islandlife.tv