| In today's economy you can purchase a horse very | | | | her, with some outstanding bloodlines. She was show |
| cheap, but is it really wise? The cost isn't just about the | | | | quality and a dream to ride! |
| amount of money that it cost you to buy the horse. | | | | As high as the $5,000 may sound, it was a good price |
| There is much more to consider. We will cover one of | | | | then for a horse of this quality. However, (and I know |
| the most important areas you should think about | | | | you knew by now that something bad was coming) |
| before you make any kind of investment regardless of | | | | after riding this beautiful chestnut mare for a few |
| how little the initial cost. | | | | hours, she started to limp. In the beginning, I just thought |
| If you are looking at the low cost of buying a horse | | | | it was simply sore, tender hoofs because she wasn't |
| today as your chance to fulfill a dream that you or | | | | wearing shoes. |
| maybe your child has always had, you need to be | | | | After giving her time to recover in the pasture and |
| very cautious. | | | | having her shod, I took her out for another ride. You |
| Many people are giving horses away for free to good | | | | guessed it, she was back to limping once again after |
| homes, simply because they can't afford to feed them | | | | about a couple of hours worth of riding. |
| any longer. All you have to do is search online and you | | | | As it turned out, somewhere in her life, she had an |
| will find them easily. You should always look locally so | | | | accident that caused an injury to one of her front legs |
| that you have a better chance of knowing or finding | | | | that would cause her to never be capable of being |
| out about the horses first. If you know the person | | | | ridden again. These accidents are more common than |
| giving away their horse, or at least know someone | | | | many people realize. Did her previous owners know |
| who does know them, you may be safe. However, | | | | this? Sure they knew, but they took me to the |
| you should still ask questions concerning the horses | | | | cleaners big time and there was nothing I could do |
| health history. | | | | about it. I had no legal documents stating that this mare |
| With a horse it is not always obvious to the eye of | | | | was in good health when I purchased her. I was out of |
| someone inexperienced, whether the horse is actually | | | | a lot of money, but I did learn a good and expensive |
| in good health. There are injuries that could have taken | | | | lesson. It was a lesson that I will never forget. |
| place earlier in life that will cause the horse to be | | | | Be careful when you consider taking a free horse or a |
| incapable of being ridden. | | | | really cheap one, since they are so easy to find in |
| The horse may walk around in the pasture looking | | | | today's state of economy. Have a veterinarian check it |
| great, but if rode for any length of time an old injury | | | | out for possible soundness and health issues. Talk to |
| can surface. Without good sound legs, a horse can | | | | people who many know the horse if at all possible. |
| develop a limp from a previous injury that doesn't | | | | Ask about the horses medical history and any prior |
| show up until it is rode for a little distance. | | | | accidents that may have happened. Or else you could |
| Many years ago this happened to me. Back then | | | | find yourself with a beautiful first horse that can never |
| horses were much more expensive too. I paid a | | | | be ridden and could cost you quiet a bit in health care. |
| whopping $5,000 for a big gorgeous chestnut mare. | | | | It can hurt in the wallet and in your heart in the long run. |
| This mare had a great set of papers that came with | | | | |