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Essential Items for New Horse Owners - Be Prepared for Your First Horse

Posted by Lynnsy Diekman - Saddle Up on Feb 16th 2022

Getting a horse is always exciting, especially if it is your first one! As a first time horse owner, you are probably feeling many emotions. It is a fun process, but can also be stressful. Like any pet, a horse requires certain things and care to keep them happy and healthy. There are a few basic essentials you need to stock up on before bringing your new four legged friend home. Some of these items can be added or changed later, so don't be afraid to start off with something simple. Keep in mind, everyone has different opinions and preferences. It is important to go with what works best for you and your horse. 

First thing I would recommend is getting all the information you can from the previous owner. You need to see if they are on any special supplements or if they have any health conditions. A pre-purchase exam is always a good idea. This is when a vet will inspect the horse to see if it has any health problems, psychical problems, or if they need any maintenance taken care of.  Other helpful information to get is if the horse is up to date on shots/worming and even ask what bit they have been ridden in. You can never ask too many questions. This is a big investment and you want to make sure this horse is the right match and that you are more prepared if you end up purchasing it. 

1. Barn Supplies:

Before bringing a horse home, you want to make sure you have a place set up for it to live. You don't need a fancy, heated barn, but make sure you do have a stall with a run and preferably a shelter. Make sure you have sturdy fencing and that are no areas that the horse could injure themselves on. It is also important to make sure that you are allowed to have horses at your property. Sometimes, if you live in town, there could be zoning policies that won't allow you to have a horse. It is always a good thing to make sure of before bringing a horse home. 

Next, you are going to need food! Make sure you have hay for your horse and grain if needed. It is important to check what type of hay the horse has been eating. If the horse has been on strictly grass hay, then you should purchase grass hay instead of alfalfa. If the horse has been eating alfalfa or a mixed hay, then it is ok to go with that. If a horse has only been on grass hay, it can be hard on their stomachs to immediately switch to alfalfa hay. Also, if your horse is not used to grain, you can always add this later if needed. If the horse is on any current supplements, you can stock up on those before bringing them home, too. Try keeping things as close to their normal routine as possible. 

Make sure you have buckets, a water tank, and a feed bin on hand. It is important to not just put the horse's food directly on the ground because they can get sand/dirt in their belly. This can cause them colic, which is not good. Other good tools to have in your barn would be a wheel barrow and a pitch fork for hay. 

2. First Aid Supplies: 

First aid supplies and horses almost go hand in hand. They can certainly get themselves into situations pretty easily and quickly. When you are prepared, I feel like things are less likely to go wrong, but if they do you are ready for it! The essential items in your first aid kit should be vet wrap, bandages, gauze pads, wound cleaner/antibiotic cream, Bute for pain, and Banamine for colic or stomach discomfort. A pair of scissors can also come in handy for cutting bandages and a smaller towel is a good item too. The Bute and Banamine are a paste that you will have to get from a vet, but it is worth its weight in gold to have on hand. 

Something I always recommend when getting a new horse is worming it. You just never know what the horse has endured or if it is truly up to date on being wormed. There are many different worming options and a lot depends on the season and what worms you are targeting. You can ask your local vet which wormer they would recommend. This is something that you can get right at a horse supply store or from your vet. 

3. Halter & Lead Rope: 

Now that your all set up for your new horse, it is time to bring them home! A halter and lead rope is needed to go pick the horse up. Sometimes, the previous owner will just send you with a halter and lead rope, but sometimes they do not. It is good to pick one up on the way, just in case. There are many different options when it comes to halters. There are various sizes, styles, materials, and colors. Again, just start off with something simple to get you going. You can always choose a fancier one or different style down the road. 

The most common and easiest halter choice is a nylon halter. They have a buckle for attachment and you can easily put it on the horse. Rope halters are nice, but if you aren't familiar with tying the knots, they can be tricky. Make sure you know what size halter the horse would need. Most commonly you will find Arab/cob, small horse, average horse, large horse, or a draft size. They also make foal or pony halters if you are needing something like that. The previous owner can help you decide which size would be best. 

When it comes to a lead rope, I always suggest cotton. The nylon ones are very slippery and in the event that your horse pulls away, your hand can get burned. The cotton provides group and is a little safer for your hands. 

4. Grooming Supplies

Grooming supplies aren't something that you need right away, but it is a fun added feature to owning a horse. Again, there are many different brush options out there, so just choose which one you feel would work best for you and your horse. The most common grooming tools to get are a hoof pick, a stiff brush, a curry comb, a soft brush, and a mane/tail brush. These will get you started off with the basics and help keep your new steed looking their best! 

5. Riding Equipment: 

Picking out riding equipment is not going to be as easy as picking out brushes. There are so many different tack items that each does something totally different. Each horse responds differently as well, so it is not a one size fits all type of thing. At this point, it would be a good idea to seek help from your local tack store or even the previous owner to help you choose the right equipment. There are so many preferences and opinions in the horse world, especially with tack. It is important to go with what works best for you and your horse. 

To start, you will need to get your horse a bridle. You will have to buy all the pieces separate and then put it together once you have everything. First, you will need to choose a bit. Next, you will need to pick out a curb strap, a headstall, and reins. When choosing reins, be sure to feel the reins in your hand to make sure you are picking the ones that feel best to you. Otherwise, you can pick out things based on your style and color preference. You can add a breast collar if you would like, but you don't need one right off the bat. It is designed more for extreme trail riding and speed events. 

Next, you will need to pick out a cinch. There are many different materials and sizes. You will need to measure your horse to find out what size cinch it will need. We recommend your cinch sitting about 3-4 inches above the horse's elbow. 

Last, you will need a saddle pad and a saddle. These two pieces go hand in hand. You want to make sure you get a saddle pad that fits under the saddle you choose. When choosing a saddle, it is very important to make sure it fits your horse. If not, it will cause damage to your horse and put you in danger. It is a good idea to schedule a saddle fitting with an expert fitter to make sure you get the best option. Once you select your saddle, you can choose a saddle pad. The length will depend on the skirt length of your saddle. You can always ask your local tack shop for suggestions or even the saddle fitter. 

This is a basic checklist for first time horse owners. The most important thing is to do what is best for you and your horse, but also don't be afraid to ask for guidance. Horses are wonderful animals, but they are also big and free willed. They do require more maintenance and care than an average pet. It is just important to prepared, but also have fun! As always, we are happy to help with any new horse owner questions! 

(picture credit: https://petkeen.com/teach-horse-to-come-when-called/)