FIRST HORSE Ideas and tips to think about before buying your first horse
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FIRST HORSE
Ideas and tips to think about
before buying your first horse
Horse Owners of the Southern
Mount Lofty Ranges
FIRST HORSE
Many Australians have a strong affection for all horses, and many people, especially young
people, would like to own and ride their own horse. People should be prepared to accept
the many responsibilities of horse ownership before deciding upon the purchase of a
horse. There are many good books and Internet sites providing information, which can be
overwhelming for a new horse owner. This booklet is a checklist of key points to consider:
Do I have the time to care for and ride a horse?
Yes, I can care for a horse on my own property, or a property I am about to purchase.
Yes, some time but not a lot.
erhaps chose an agistment centre that provides feeding and other services or plan to graze
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the horse in a well managed pasture.
No, not much time.
Choose an agistment centre that provides full services, including horse exercising if needed
or consider just paying as you go for rides at riding centres or training clinics. Time share
arrangements or leasing may also be an option.
What do I want to do with my horse?
High input
Equestrian sports or racing which require a horse (and rider) to be fit and trained, which
means access to regular exercise and facilities to train. The ability to stable a horse needs to
be considered.
Medium input
Activities that require moderate fitness of horse & rider, e.g. riding club program and weekly
riding lessons.
Low input
Trail riding, riding socially with friends.
Basic needs of a horse
u Ready access to food and fresh water to maintain health and vigour.
u Freedom of movement to stand, stretch and lie down.
u Regular exercise.
u Social contact with other horses and people.
Accommodation that neither harms nor causes undue strain, and provides adequate
u
protection.
Protection from disease and regular inspection to assess the need for attention to feet,
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teeth and worm control.
u Rapid identification and treatment of lice, injury and disease.
© HorsesLandWater, 2009.
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FIRST HORSE
There are three main ways to keep a horse
High input Low input Medium input
L ow input system (paddocking, no hand feeding) –does not require stables or yards or a
daily input of labour, but does require pasture management throughout the year.
Medium input system (paddocking, hand feeding) – has stables or yards for routine
management – e.g.horses may be stabled when the paddocks can’t cope, ie, too much
water leading to waterlogging or too little cover, which leads to erosion and excessive
dust or mud.
High input system (yarding) – has stables or yards where horses spend the majority of
their time, and may only spend a few hours a day in the paddock or being exercised.
Keeping horses on your own property
Every Council will have regulations relating to horse keeping. The requirements will depend
on the zoning in which your property is located. In many areas, horse keeping is a “non-
complying” development which means that you will need to apply to Council if you wish
to keep more than one horse per 3 hectares. If you are purchasing a property that has been
used for other purposes e.g. vineyards, you may also need to apply for a change in land use.
Contact your local Council Planning department to find out what is required.
Additional useful information can be found in the HorsesLandWater Management Guideline
found on www.horseslandwater.com
Keeping horses on a property owned by someone else
Keeping a horse on a property owned by another person is called agistment. As a horse
owner, you pay a fee for the horse keeping services provided. It is important to inspect the
property first and discuss aspects such as feeding, veterinary call outs, how horses will be
kept (e.g. in groups in paddocks or individual paddocks) It is very important to make sure
that there is an agistment agreement signed, so both you and the land owner are aware of
your responsibilities, fees and any additional charges.
Your local saddlery, fodder store or shopping centre noticeboard often have notices relating
to horse agistment available in your area. If not, place a request notice in these locations
yourself.
© HorsesLandWater, 2009.
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FIRST HORSE
Checklist for selecting a property
for agistment or purchase
All facilities Paddocks
Safe, secure fencing and gates Rotational grazing
Daily supervision Fertiliser program
Shelter and shade Weed control program
Continuous clean water No poisonous weeds
Parking Few, if any, other weeds
Tie-up and saddling areas Minimum 70% pasture groundcover
Safe exercise area Minimum pasture height of 3cm
Solid-surfaced, flat vet/farrier platform Manure management program
Knowledgeable property owner Little fenceline tracking and few bare
Consider: areas
• costs Safe access (ie safe terrain, no loose
• location stock)
• your time (labour involved) Not subject to waterlogging
Creeks, boggy and dangerous areas
Yards fenced off
Between 45 m2 and 100 m2 No slope steeper than a car can handle
All-weather surface
Shelter against the elements Additional services and facilities
you may need
Stables Rugging
At least 3.7m x 3.7m and 4m high Local riding/pony clubs
Guttering Training facilities
Adequate ventilation Instruction
Kick-proof panelling Safe trails
Parking for floats
Both Secure feed storage
Daily manure removal from stables Secure tack storage
and yards Wash bay
Manure management Toilet
No stormwater intrusion into stables Lunch shelter
or yards Farrier on call
Regular feeding routine of at least two Vet on call
feeds a day Care and facilities for injured or sick
horses
Consultation over agistment
arrangements
© HorsesLandWater, 2009.
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FIRST HORSE
Where are you going to ride?
The level of enjoyment and safety you have with your horse will also depend on what
facilities are available for exercising your horse. Horse keeping properties may have riding
arenas and round yards (which need to be well fenced and surfaced to prevent waterlogging
or excessive dust) paddocks and private trails
Most people rely on public land to exercise their horse.
This includes:
Beaches
Forests and national parks
Community land controlled by Councils
Marked public trails, which often include firetracks and unmade road reserves
Roads and streets
Check with your Council as to what regulations Having marked and maintained recreational
may apply to riding horses on your local beach. trails which permit horses are an important
community facility.
ermits will be required to ride on ForestrySA land and some beaches.
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Contact the Land Manager for information.
For information on horse riding and road safety visit www.horseroadsafety.org.au
© HorsesLandWater, 2009.
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FIRST HORSE
Tips for working out a budget
Agistment
Basic fees and fees for any additional services e.g. extra hand feeding if it is required.
Teeth
Need to be checked every 6 -12 months by vet or horse dentist or more often if there
are problems.
Worming
A regular de-worming program using commercial products combined with good
management practices such as rotational grazing, keeping eating areas clean, and a
good manure management program.
Vaccinations
Tetanus & strangles need to be kept up to date. Ask your vet if any other preventative
vaccinations are required.
Hoof care
Hooves should be trimmed or shod every 5- 8 weeks. Problem hooves may require
more attention.
Insurance
Optional (for horse and rider), but worth considering public liability, insurance for
veterinary expenses, theft of float or tack and personal accident. Many organisations
offer members special packages.
Transport
If you intend to travel to club activities or competition, remember to include the
capitol layout and running costs for a suitable float and towing vehicle. Commercial
transporters and float hire are options.
Equipment
Initial costs for basic necessities include a bridle, saddle, and saddle blanket, grooming
brush, feed tin and water container. Care is needed in saddlery selection, as a poor
fitting saddle, bridle or bit can cause problems. You will need riding clothes (track suit
pants will suffice initially) but an Australian Standards Approved helmet and good
quality riding boots are essential.
Club & coaching fees
Look to join a club that will help provide support, instruction and general advice
to help you on your way. Regular coaching sessions or attendance at periodical
instruction clinics is also a worthwhile consideration.
Land Management
Budget in costs for weed control, fencing and pasture management.
© HorsesLandWater, 2009.
6
FIRST HORSE
Selecting a horse
Get advice from an experienced horse owner to
help select the right horse.
Make a few notes about the kind of horse you
might be looking for:
Sex & age
Size & breed
Select a horse for the job you have in mind for
Temperament & colour him. A good temperament will facilitate ease
of training and enable him to be ridden in a
Previous history/experience wider range of situations.
Proximity to where you live
Some tips for looking at a potential horse:
Always take someone experienced with you.
Make sure there is somewhere safe for the horse to be ridden.
Watch the horse being caught & saddled.
Make sure the owner rides first (don’t get on if you don’t feel safe)
Get your experienced friend to ride next (you may not even need to get on!)
See the horse in all paces, walk, trot, canter & gallop.
Watch its behaviour when ridden on a loose rein.
Maybe ask to see it do what you want to do e.g. is it good with flags if you want to do
mounted games.
See the horse loaded onto a float.
Check paddock manners & on the ground manners (does it respect human’s space? Can
its feet be easily picked up? Does it tie up quietly..
See that the horse leads and lunges obediently & quietly.
Ascertain horse’s behaviour on its own & in a group.
Check that the horse is available for a trial (test period).
Consider a veterinary health check
Ask about shoeing, inoculation & worming schedule.
Check on feeding requirements (is it a “good doer” or expensive to feed?)
Take a video for checking when you get home, show to your coach etc.
Get your friend to check the conformation, plus any lumps, bumps or scarring.
Note any special gear used on the horse, ask questions if you don’t know why!
Note the general condition of the property and how the horse has been kept.
Do go back for a second or a third look.
Place a deposit if necessary & get a receipt.
Thoroughly check horse’s history, previous owners, reason for selling etc
Don’t let yourself be pressured – there is always another horse.
© HorsesLandWater, 2009.
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FIRST HORSE
After the purchase
I f agisting, check rules & conditions of the property and the conditions are in writing
before the horse arrives. This includes emergency plans for fires, floods or disease
outbreaks.
If returning to your own property, have a yard ready.
etting your horse home; use commercial horse transporters, make sure your float is
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roadworthy or hire a float.
ave experienced & knowledgeable help to load and transport the horse (use a
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commercial transporter the first time if you are not sure).
ive your new equine time to settle in, don’t expect him/her to be instantly laid back &
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calm.
eep separate from other horses for 7 -10 days for biosecurity reasons, de-worm before
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letting out with other horses
sk your experienced friend to help you with feeding requirements, saddle, bridle & rug
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fitting. Some saddlers also provide on site fitting services, ask about these if needed.
E nsure dental checks, worming, shoeing, vaccinations & insurance are up to date as
required.
rganise a coach to provide you with some lessons as soon as possible to iron out any
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early problems, especially if this can lead to an unsafe situation.
S tart a regular routine as soon as possible which includes regular feed and yard cleaning
times. This will help your horse settle in.
Enjoy your horse!
Before bringing a horse home, know what the Arranging a series of lessons with a coach can
property emergency plans are for fire, flood or help sort out any early problems and help
disease. build a partnership with your new horse.
© HorsesLandWater, 2009.
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FIRST HORSE
Horse keeping routines
One of the most significant changes after purchasing a horse is to incorporate horse
keeping requirements into your daily routine. Regardless of how your horse is kept, or who is
responsible for each task, there are some essential health and welfare activities which should
not be overlooked.
Daily horse inspection: Give the horse a “once over” visual examination to make sure there
are no obvious injuries, shoes are still in place, the rug is still well fitting, that all feed provided
is eaten up.
Daily “living quarters” inspection: Even paddocks need regular inspection. No sharp edges
on feed bins or troughs, no wire left on the ground, fences checked for breakages. Be aware
of the quality of the pasture: grass height (at certain times of the year it has very little feed
value), emerging weeds, prevention of erosion or dust may require decisions to be made in
relation to shifting the horse to another paddock with fresh grazing, fencing off wet areas
with electric tape.
Water troughs: need to be checked daily. Even those described as “automatic fillers” can
malfunction and dry up quickly.
Feed: Not all grass can support all horses all year around. This is a common myth, especially
for new horse owners not familiar with the needs of different breeds of higher care horses
e.g. thoroughbreds, aged horses, or horses with higher work loads. Supplementary feed, e.g.
hay, may be required for at least a few months of the year. The primary horse carer will need
to be aware of how much each horse is eating daily.
Shelter: This can be natural (e.g. mature trees) or artificial. Shelter is required from the sun as
well as the rain.
Manure management:
Management of manure includes
daily collection, storage and disposal
if stables and yards are involved.
Harrowing, slashing, rotational
grazing and cross-grazing with
cattle or sheep are part of good
management practices if paddocks
are involved. Build up of manure
leads to an increased flow of
nutrients into water courses during
heavy rain events, and inhibits
a successful integrated internal
parasite (de-worming) program.
© HorsesLandWater, 2009.
9
FIRST HORSE
Does your horse live in a healthy environment?
Ongoing enjoyment of your horse will be enhanced by keeping him as healthy as possible all
the time. Often, many smaller health issues are quite preventable through management of
his living environment.
Some common problems which can be avoided are:
ust related health problems. Includes respiratory tract problems such as coughing and
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related airway infections. Horses kept in dusty environments which can include dusty
bedding, being fed on sand or worked in dusty riding arenas will be more likely to contract
respiratory problems. Dust is also an environmental issue which can also annoy
neighbours living nearby.
Mud related health problems. Includes greasy heel, mud fever and related skin problems.
Skin that is constantly damp or dry and cracked will attract bacteria or infections. It is a
common problem in horses left standing in mud for several days over winter, failure to
care for horses who are hosed down or washed frequently or horses with a large amount
of hair around the hooves such as cyldesdales.
Mud also often means that your paddocks are becoming “pugged” which means water fills
the holes left by hooves & slipping horses pulling up grass roots (skid marks) resulting in
loss of top soil and nearby watercourses becoming more turbid.
vergrazing. This is the single most common problem on horse properties in near-city
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(peri-urban) environments. Paddocks bare in summer and with large bare patches in
winter are prone to erosion and weeds.
Overgrazing also forces horses to eat less desirable plants which may lead to toxins
accumulating e.g Salvation Jane poisoning accumulates in the liver over several years and
inhibits a successful de-worming program as horses are forced to graze close to their
droppings.
Horses are also kept on land which is too steep leads to additional injuries or early onset
of orthopaedic conditions such as ringbone.
“Tracking” along hillsides and long skid marks ripping up valuable grass roots are two
signs of horses on land which is perhaps too steep.
ices & bad habits: This includes wood chewing, digging holes & fence walking. Some of
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these problems also lead to environmental damage including erosion or e ): often brought
on by too little excercise, locked for too long in too small a yard, horse not able to have
access to ‘play’ with other horses. De-worm before letting out with other horses.
© HorsesLandWater, 2009.
10FIRST HORSE
Will the “green grass” kill your horse?
Horse owners are often unaware of what plants
are in the paddocks in which their horses live. This
includes plants which many hang over fences
from adjoining gardens or properties or seasonal
plants.
Initial symptoms of poisoning include sudden
death, depression, weakness, weight loss, muscle
tremors, scours or staggers. Avoid toxic poisoning
through taking the time to have the plants in your
horse paddock identified and undertaking a weed
control program.
If you are unsure what a plant is, take it along to an Some species of weeds are toxic to
horses.
officer at one of the centres run by the Adelaide &
Mt Lofty Ranges Natural Resources Management
Board.*
Three common toxic plants commonly found in paddocks throughout the Adelaide
Hills include Cape Tulip, Salvation Jane & Cape weed. Most garden plants are also toxic
to horses and in small amounts may cause a competition/racing horse to return a
“positive swab”
CAPE TULIP
SALVATION JANE /
PATERSON’S CURSE
© HorsesLandWater, 2009.
11FIRST HORSE
Where to go for further information
Horse Owners of the Southern Mount Lofty Ranges
www.horseowners.info
A community group promoting land management practices and recreational trails.
New members welcome.
Horse SA
www.horsesa.asn.au
Horse Keeping
www.horseslandwater.com
Land Management Information, free field days and courses
www.amlrnrm.sa.gov.au
RSPCA (SA) Inc
Phone: 1300 4 RSPCA
www.rspcasa.asn.au
© HorsesLandWater, 2009.
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