Horses are beautiful, majestic creatures. You’ve decided to give in to your inner child and buy one. However, there are many things you need to do before you bring your new pet home. Here are a few items that will make owning a horse an enjoyable experience.
Cover Yourself
Before you finalize your purchase, you need to purchase equine liability insurance. This policy covers all the aspects of owning a horse, whether someone else gets injured while riding or your horse escapes and does a great deal of property damage. It is an added piece of mind to know that, if an accident happens, it will be taken care of.
Give Me Shelter
Unless you have a barn of your own, you will need a place for your new friend to stay. Make sure the stable that you house your horse in is clean and has plenty of room to roam. It is also good if there are other horses around to keep it company. If you do own a stable, you will want to stock up on a few weeks of hay and supplements as well as get a trough, pitchfork, brush, buckets and other items to take care of it. Repair any loose fencing to ensure the animal will not get loose and wander off. You will need to find the number of a reputable veterinary clinic and keep it on hand in case of an emergency.
Play Time
When you get your horse home, you’re going to want to ride it. Once you determine which type of riding you will be doing, you can go shopping for the items you will need. Finding the right sized saddle is important for your comfort and your horse. A saddle pad, bridle, harness, helmet for yourself and stirrups can complete the ensemble for a day of fun out of the trail with your new friend.