Buying a horse - what is most important to have before the horse comes home?

Question

Accepted Answer

Hi! How exciting, a new horse 👏🏼👍🐴 It is best to hold off on most things until the horse has passed the vetting, so that you do not buy a load of kit you then have no use for IF the horse does not pass. Will the horse be kept at livery or at home? If you are renting a stable, it is worth checking carefully whether the yard owners expect anything of you when it comes to tools, equipment, feed or bedding. What do you know about the horse so far? Do you know the type of horse you want and what you want to do with it? Do you have a plan for what you want to test during the trial ride? It is worth thinking all this through so that it is clear in your mind when the time comes. A stable first-aid kit, including a thermometer, is very important. Take your new horse's temperature every day, ideally in the morning, to keep a close eye on the baseline and any variation. Keep the horse separate from the others for the first while to avoid any risk of infection. Good luck with the trial ride! 👏🏼🐴