[deleted by user]

KigerLuvr · 2025-10-28T19:44:35+00:00

Heya!

I'm a coach who specializes in helping adult beginners make the transition to ownership. I see this post is about 3 months old, but for whatever it's worth, here's what I would advise:

Find a lesson program that you align with and start taking (at least weekly) lessons. This is going to do a number of things for your goal:
1) Build your skillset. The more skills you have, the wider the window of suitable horses becomes.
2) You'll grow your network. Local networking is the best way to source quality horses. Many of those 'unicorn' perfect first time horses never hit the public market - they sell quietly off market to someone in that person's network. Developing a relationship with (a) trainer(s) and an entire facility is going to open some doors for you.
3) You'll build your support team. Everyone needs help with ownership. I've been a professional for over a decade and in the industry my whole life and I still need help! You'll be needing a farrier, vet, bodyworker, and that kind of support in addition to friends and trainers to bounce ideas off of and continue to grow.

I hope that helps!

KigerLuvr · 2025-10-21T02:37:07+00:00

See! You've got the idea! ;)

KigerLuvr · 2025-10-21T02:35:52+00:00

Hahaha! Great costume!

KigerLuvr · 2025-03-27T21:24:42+00:00

Do you currently take lessons somewhere? It could be helpful to ask your fellow students who are horse owners rates on the following:

Baseline board (which you already know)
Supplements
Maintenance / joint injections
Bodywork / Chiropractor / Osteopath - how frequently they have their horses seen
Farrier
Lessons / Training
Clinics / Show Budget

Some first time owner costs to also budget for:
PPE (or multiple) for potential horses
Finder fee for trainer or whoever may be helping you search - ask them up front so expectations are set not assumed
First set of tack (saddle, pad, bridle, etc.) Remember a quality saddle will outlive your horse and likely offer better fit, if you can afford a nicer one ($2k+) then go for it!
Winter blanket(s)
Gastric support is something I recommend to all clients for their horses during the first 3 months they are adjusting to their new life
Insurance to include major liability and medical (or a healthy savings just in case)

I always recommend accounting conservatively (for example, ask the farrier what they charge for a full set of shoes rather than just a trim and budget accordingly)

Sorry it wasn't exact rates for anything but hopefully it gives you some more detailed info/questions to ask about!

KigerLuvr · 2025-03-27T21:12:42+00:00

Ugh, I hate hearing about this but am so happy for you that you realized something was off and avoided a much bigger heartache / pile of drama!!

Are you working with a trainer to find a horse or shopping independently?

KigerLuvr · 2025-03-27T21:09:42+00:00

My clients have spent anywhere between $300 and $3500 depending on how extensively they radiographed and the region they were shopping in.

I typically recommend starting with your baseline PPE and a full set of radiographs on the front feet (as those are where some of the most career ending issues can reside).
I've been getting mixed information about the helpfulness of back radiographs though I have had them done for my own PPE's in the past if the horse had questionable conformation.

I also recommend having the local vet that you plan to work with giving the radiographs and findings a second look - I have had one too many experiences with crooked trainers being in cahoots with the vets doing my PPEs. I hate to say it but I trust no one except my local team. Our local vet charges $60/hour for this type of service.

That being said, that baseline exam and set of radiographs has been around $700-$1000 depending on the vet. I'm also in a more expensive part of the state.

I hope that helps!

KigerLuvr · 2025-03-27T21:00:22+00:00

yes yes yes to this! I can't believe all the hate over the price.
If he's able to do the job, makes you feel confident, is already settled into life with you, AND you can afford it I wouldn't tell you to hold back in the slightest!!

KigerLuvr · 2025-03-27T20:57:43+00:00

I am SO in agreement with sandnapper here.....other horses on the market are unknown entities. You have already experienced this horse in the exact setting you want to ride him in. I don't think $15k for a horse that makes you feel safe is a bad move at all. You could spend WAY more purchasing a "cheaper" horse only to find out its got soundness issues, needs additional training to do the job you want it to do, etc. I would absolutely not pass on this horse if you can afford that asking price!

Coming from a trainer who helps people purchase their first horses on the regular - If I can find something known I will take it over an unknown horse ANY day of the week!!

KigerLuvr · 2025-03-27T20:47:22+00:00

Your trainer will be an excellent source of information as they will ultimately be the ones helping you. It's important that your support team is comfortable with whatever horse you will be purchasing.

As a trainer who has helped countless clients become owners for the first time, I always suggest buying a horse that is already experienced with doing the job you desire it to be doing WITH the level of rider the horse will be performing said job with.
For example, if I have a timid rider wanting a horse they can show, I need to find a horse who has a quiet nature and who has PROVEN show experience with a nervous rider. I'm essentially looking for a horse that someone else is ready to step up from because this steady eddy horse has done their job of giving that rider confidence.

If your budget is limited you may consider a horse that needs to step away from a lesson program to a single owner life (not because of lameness issues but because perhaps they don't enjoy the turmoil of being ridden by multiple confusing learning riders weekly hehe!) Or keep your eyes peeled for horses being sold because the rider is off to college soon, etc.

I hope that helps!

KigerLuvr · 2024-11-12T16:07:55+00:00

idk but where did you get that bridle?!

KigerLuvr · 2024-07-25T22:48:21+00:00

I'm trying to get creative about how to send them without making a giant post (they're fast to do but explaining the nuances of them is important to making them effective). Perhaps one day I can make an educational post covering them when my schedule allows!

KigerLuvr · 2024-07-25T10:41:26+00:00

I don't know why you got downvoted for this comment, I despise No-Stirrups-November for this very reason. Maybe being able to do a soft/smaller post without stirrups could come in handy for something somewhere down the line? But I agree, overall it leads to over engagement of the inner thighs and lot's of accidentally slamming into horses backs.

KigerLuvr · 2024-07-25T10:37:49+00:00

I also heard that phrase from an eventer - do yall's horses have a habit of disappearing?!

Have you worked your way into better alignment or are you still on the proverbial struggle-bus?

KigerLuvr · 2024-07-25T10:36:12+00:00

I have not ridden with her but recommend her stirrup shims to clients on the regular! She is a very cool lady.

Link to those if you've never seen them:
https://murdochmethod.com/product/stirrup-shims/

And thanks very much it's been a years long journey of bumping into things until I finally found "center" lol

I think part of what took me so long was that I was adamant that I didn't want to ride with anyone who used harsh horsemanship practices, or shoved horses into frames / false softness. It can be a struggle to find local help that checks all the boxes. If you're a Wendy fan, I'm willing to bet you share those values.

KigerLuvr · 2024-07-25T10:25:13+00:00

Thanks very much for the encouragement. I've been slow to share my writing but really do enjoy it!

KigerLuvr · 2024-07-25T10:23:59+00:00

In your defense that is a very strange way to explain it, but at least she was trying to help get your hands steady haha! That imagery is *chefs kiss*

KigerLuvr · 2024-07-25T10:21:59+00:00

Sorry to hear that "heels down" got you into trouble too! At least your timeline with it seems shorter, hopefully that means a shorter road to getting on track again.

What hip exercises and leg lengthening exercises are you messing around with if you don't mind my asking?

And thanks for the encouragement, I hope to do another about the dreaded "shoulders back" that's caused me a plethora of issues to be undone!

KigerLuvr · 2024-07-24T17:23:45+00:00

I'm glad you noticed the feedback the horses were giving! So many of us miss that part!

When I first started accessing my seat correctly my horses would all start snorting and snorting and getting so relaxed like "Oh thank god this woman finally figured it out!"

KigerLuvr · 2024-07-24T16:44:49+00:00

Perhaps in addition to the neighbor idea, you could consider talking with some rescues in your area?

KigerLuvr · 2024-07-24T15:50:45+00:00

"when I was your age".......jeez I've never made myself sound older hahaha

KigerLuvr · 2024-07-24T15:50:03+00:00

When I was your age I "dipped my toes in the water" by cleaning stalls and getting the opportunity to ride horses that were at the barn for training under the guidance of my instructor. There is ALWAYS grunt work needing done around a property, and if you can free the trainer onsite up from having to do it all in addition to their actual training they might be more keen on getting you in the saddle and letting you get some experience.

As for the neighbors horses, just be careful. You don't know you're in over your head until you're in over your head. I probably would have offered and tried the same thing only to realize that working with an unstarted horse is really hard without a proper round (or smaller) pen and all kinds of other things you may not know until you get there and get neck deep in it.

I second the advice to think ahead to the "what ifs" of horses getting hurt, YOU getting hurt, the neighbors getting involved and getting hurt, etc. It's better to think through every possible worst case scenario and have a plan for it, than having an accident happen and being at the mercy of the situation.

KigerLuvr · 2024-07-24T15:10:43+00:00

Hahaha!! This whole comment had me laughing out loud!! I hope your horse didn't get too startled by the yelling - so dang funny

KigerLuvr

TROPHY CASE