Buying Your First Horse

Prior to joining the Western Horseman staff, Fran Devereux Smith, an associate editor with the magazine, spent a number of years training horses and giving riding instruction. In writing First Horse, she relied on her teaching experience with riders of all ages and her work as a 4-H horse project leader. Fran has a broad-based background in the equine industry. A lifelong horsewoman, she grew up trail riding and showing horses regionally -- primarily in reining, western pleasure, horsemanship, and barrel racing, with some experience in halter and showmanship. A high school rodeo competitor, Fran also was a member of her intercollegiate rodeo team, winning a regional barrel racing championship and qualifying for the College National Finals Rodeo in that event and goat tying. Along the way, she was named Miss Rodeo Arkansas and won a girls rodeo association all-around title that same year. Since then, Fran has earned a state Quarter Horse association reining championship, showed in hunt-seat classes, and team penned. She has ridden trails in 20 states, worked some cattle along the way, driven a wagon team from time to time, and served as an officer or board member for several equine organizations. Book jacket.

A comprehensive guide to preparing for, finding and purchasing a great horse.

Keep your horse pain-free and performing his best! Introducing 27 simple body checkups you can do on your horse—Where Does My Horse Hurt? is a do-it-yourself method for determining when and where your horse hurts. With this easy-to-follow book, conveniently spiral-bound so you can lay it open on your tack trunk and follow the instructions as you work on your horse, you will: • Become familiar with your horse's normal range of movement so you can prevent minor issues from becoming major. • Stay in tune with areas of temporary or chronic discomfort so you can offer relief as needed. • Solve "mystery" or "phantom" lamenesses that come and go seemingly without reason. • Save thousands of dollars by avoiding expensive diagnostics that rarely get you answers. • Learn how to discuss potential problem areas with farriers, veterinarians, and bodyworkers. • Keep your horse actively and happily "in work" for more months of the year, and more years of his life.

A horse trainer and riding coach focusing on helping horse women rebuild their confidence, Anne Gage often gets calls for help from well horse lovers who thought they had bought the horse of their dreams, only to have it turn into a night mare. Buying the right horse for you is essential for ensuring a happy future for both you and your horse. It's easy to let your heart rule your head, and get caught up in the emotional excitement of choosing a horse. Your buying decision requires careful thought and planning. The tips in this guide will help you make smart choices while still having a fun. Tips in the Guide include: > Where to look (and where NOT to look) for horses for sale > Etiquette when looking at horses > Questions You Must Ask Every Seller > What to Look For When Trying horses > Basic Equine Body Language that Can Be a Sign of Training Problems > How to Take a Test Ride > Making an Offer to Purchase > Much more!

Discusses different breeds of horses and how to ride and care for them.

Have you ever wanted to have a horse of your own, but you have a lot of questions? This is the book for you! From the cost of owning a horse to picking the right breed of horse for you, this book covers it all.

Buying your first horse is a minefield, let this handy book guide the way. Owning a horse is a lifestyle, which is why it is so important to get it right. Buying the right horse can make all your dreams come true. But the wrong horse can make you miserable as you pour time and money into a living nightmare. Having come from a non-horsey family myself, owning a horse was a pipe dream I always wanted but was never sure how to achieve. But when I finally found myself in a position to be able to buy my first horse, I was lucky enough to be surrounded by knowledgeable and experienced people who were more than happy to help. But not everyone is this lucky. So this guide is for everyone who is thinking about buying their first horse but isn't sure where to start or what to expect.

Written with clarity and insight, Susan Williamson's equine knowledge will expertly guide you on your first horse ownership journey.

An exciting introduction to the world of riding for young horse and pony enthusiasts.

From the author of the #1 bestseller The Man Who Listens to Horses, a book for all of us seeking to strengthen our human relationships "Monty Roberts will make you marvel."—The New York Times Book Review In The Man Who Listens to Horses, Monty Roberts revealed the depth of communication possible between human and horse. Touching the hearts of more than four million readers worldwide, that memoir—which spent more than a year at the top of The New York Times bestseller list—described his discovery of the "language" of horses and the dramatic effectiveness of removing violence from their training. Now, the world's most famous horse gentler demonstrates how his revolutionary Join-Up technique can be used not just for horses, but as a model for how to strengthen human relationships. With vivid, often deeply moving anecdotes, Roberts shows how the lessons learned from the thousands of horses he has known can provide effective guidelines for improving the quality of our communication with one another—from learning to "read" each other effectively, to creative fear-free environments, and, most importantly, teaching belief in the power of gentleness and trust.