The idea of buying a horse can arise both from the owner of a peasant farm, who wants to facilitate his work by means of horse traction, and from a person who has decided to go horseback riding or simply dreamed of periodically taking walks in the saddle of his own horse. In order for a horse to become a faithful helper in the first case and an object of pride in the second, it is necessary to choose the right animal.
Instructions
Step 1
If you want to become the owner of a riding horse, a representative of the Galshtinsky, Hanoverian or Trakehner breeds will be the ideal option for you. If you need a horse solely for performing agricultural-related work, you should not overpay and buy a breeding animal. It is better to give preference to the offspring obtained as a result of the participation of representatives of the Soviet heavy draft, Russian and Belarusian breeds.
Step 2
A calm and more reliable gelding (castrated horse), and not a freedom-loving and hard-to-control stallion, will be better able to cope with the performance of various works in agriculture and household plots. Mares are usually very capricious in keeping and caring for them. You need to be very careful with them. However, female horses have an undeniable advantage in the form of periodic reproduction of foals.
Step 3
When buying a horse, it is better to give preference to a young animal that has not yet been spoiled by improper upbringing. In addition, 6-7 month old foals are generally much healthier and cheaper than trained adult foals. The most favorable time to buy a foal is autumn. Cubs born in early spring are usually somewhat better developed than foals born in summer and autumn.
Step 4
Be sure to inspect your horse before purchasing. Start with the head of the one you like best. It should be in proportion to the body, with firmly set ears, wide open eyes, large nostrils, tightly closed lips.
Step 5
The next step is to examine the horse's neck. In general, this part of the body plays the role of a balance bar and a kind of lever for regulating the center of gravity of the animal. The ratio of its length to the horse's head should be 1: 1. For mounted individuals, it can be equal to 1, 5: 1. Pay attention to the junction of the neck with the head. If this part is long and mobile, it will be easy for the animal to control. The withers - the junction of the neck with the body, should be long and muscular. The horse's strength and speed of movement depend a lot on the back and loin. These parts of the torso should be short, wide and not sagging.
Step 6
The performance of the animal is determined by the chest. Prefer a horse with a wide and deep chest. Pay attention to the belly too. If it's big and lean, the animal is weak.
Step 7
An important selection criterion when buying a horse is its legs. Their excellent shock absorption is evidenced by the slanting shoulder (at an angle of 45 degrees to the horizon). Healthy hooves are easily recognizable for their inherent shine, lack of cracks and unpleasant odors.
Step 8
Before you buy a horse, be sure to lead and drive it. This will allow you to detect lameness, joint weakness and other defects that negatively affect the health and performance of the animal.
