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What’s the
first thing that runs through your mind when you think of buying a
horse? I talk to many people whose first thought is, "Oh no!"
Although you may have a more positive mind set in regards to horse
shopping, buying a horse will definitely put you through a gamut
of emotions ranging from joy to bitter disappointment.
MM Training and Consulting will be offering a shopping guide
complete with a buyer’s checklist to help you make the right
decision when you buy a horse. This article is a brief overview of
the shopping guide. Although we encourage you to ask for the
help of a respected horse person if you lack confidence in your
horse shopping skill, everyone has the ability to buy a
horse that is well-suited for them. The trick is to be disciplined, take the
emotion out of the process and know your own strengths and
weaknesses as a horse person. BE DISCIPLINED Create two
separate lists. On one, list the things that you need in a horse.
On the other, list things that you want in a horse. Include breed,
sex, age, type, size, disposition, experience, confirmation,
soundness, movement, training and color in your lists.
Next, distinguish between what you need to have and what you
want to have. Once you’ve established the "need to have" criteria,
do not look at, read about, or talk to anyone about a horse that
does not match your “need to have” list. Only consider your “want
to have" list after all of the criteria on your "need to have"
list has been met.
TAKE THE EMOTION OUT OF THE PROCESS Once you’ve found a
horse you want to look at, establish some rules for your behavior
while you’re there. Do not approach the horse until the owner has
handled and ridden the horse for you, no matter how "cute" or
"sweet" the horse may seem. Stay objective and critical when it
comes to the horse’s confirmation and movement. Don’t be swayed by
a pretty color or flashy stocking feet. An unsound or poorly put
together horse will not be fun to own, no matter what color it is.
And, those flashy white feet won’t look so pretty if the horse
moves like a freight train.
KNOW YOUR OWN STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES AS A HORSE PERSON
Those of you who read our newsletter article,
What Color is Your
Horse…..Really?™ or have been exposed to the horse
colors through
one of our clinics or presentations, have a pretty good idea of
what we’re talking about here. Your personality color is going to
naturally mesh better with certain horse colors. (Remember we’re
talking about inside colors here, the horse’s personality type.)
If you’re a blue roan, don’t buy a blue roan horse unless you’re
prepared to step outside of your own color on a regular basis. If
you’re a beginning rider, go with a
gray horse, one that will be
tolerant and steady while you’re learning.
Ask yourself if you want or need a challenge or if you want or
need to build confidence, and buy a horse that can help you.
Remember, palomino and
blue roan horses take patience and
consistency, and red sorrels will require you to be a strong
leader all of the time. If you want a training challenge, buy
whichever color would be the most challenging for you, but be
aware that you need to have the desire, time, resources and
character to follow through.
If you’re a weekend rider, buy a horse that has "been there and
done that," a gray horse that will not require a lot of time and
consistency to be enjoyable. Buy a horse that compliments the
color of your personality, and you’ll find riding more fun.
If you make a mistake and buy the wrong horse, it’s not the end
of the world. Cut your losses as quickly as possible and try
again. We’ve all made the mistake of buying the wrong horse, but
learn from your mistakes and don’t repeat them.
Buying a horse can be a fun and rewarding experience. You can
avoid buyer’s remorse by being disciplined, taking the emotion out
of the process and knowing your own strengths and weaknesses.
Remember our advice, use our shopping guide and checklist and have
fun shopping! |
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