The Equinist: Articles and Commentary by Susan Kauffmann

Congratulations! You are thinking about buying a horse, which is a fun and exciting prospect. The fact that you have chosen to read this article bodes well, as it indicates that you want to make an informed, responsible decision in your purchase. That tells me that you are also likely to be an informed, responsible horse owner, which will allow you and your horse to have a happy, safe and healthy experience together. Here is some information to help you choose the right horse for your needs -- enjoy! A) Determine your goals: ·         Do you want to show? If so, at what level? If you have big ambitions for the show ring, you will need a big wallet to match. Horses with the breeding, conformation, talent, temperament and training to succeed in the show ring cost plenty. Don’t fool yourself into thinking that you can buy a promising youngster and train it up yourself unless you are highly experienced and skilled. Most people require the help of profes...

Conformation refers to how a horse is built and how his parts fit together. It affects balance, movement, athletic ability and soundness, so it is an important consideration when buying a horse. You are much more likely to have a mount who takes to its job easily and remains sound if it has good conformation for the type of work it will be doing.  Though there is some variation in what is considered desirable in different breeds, it is a simple fact that form follows function, and function follows form. This means that well-functioning bodies will necessarily have a certain form, and the form they actually have will determine how well they function.  Please be aware that conformation is a huge topic which can only be touched upon in a class like this. It takes years of study to become a truly good judge of conformation, but you can learn to look for certain good points and weak points. However, it is important to realize that there is no such thing as a “perfect” horse, and so...

Today’s tough economic reality means that more and more people are being forced to give up their horses. With so much stock on the market and fewer buyers, prices have plummeted, especially in the mid-to-lower range bracket that most of us shop in.  In some cases, people are literally giving away perfectly good horses, and equine rescue organizations are overflowing. It would therefore seem that if you are looking for a horse, now would be a great time to pick up a bargain. However, when it comes to a cheap or free horse, the old adage of “buyer beware” still applies, because if you’re not careful, that “bargain” horse could end up costing you plenty.             Before heading out to pick up a low-cost or free horse, the first question you should ask yourself is whether or not you are financially able to care for the horse.  Experienced horse people know that the purchase price of a horse is only the tip of the icebe...

In this new series, readers can write to me with their horse-related questions, and I will do my darndest to provide a solid answer, either from my own lifetime of experience or research I have conducted for veterinary-reviewed articles. If I don't have an answer, I will utilize my world-wide network of expert contacts to try to get one for you. To contact me, click on the link that says "THE EQUINIST" under where it says "About Me" on the lower left side of the main page, and you will find another link that says "email me". Question: “Pony too Pricey?” My 9 yr. old daughter is “horse crazy”, and I kind of like the idea of getting her a pony. My wife, however, insists that the pony would cost too much. What are the real costs involved in keeping a pony? - Stan G., TX Answer: Well, Stan -- t he best horse-themed t-shirt I ever saw required no words: it was simply a picture of a horse standing on top of a pile of money, eating it! As ...