Ask Martha

Dear Martha:
     I had a good barrel horse that I recently lost to an accident.  Now I’ve got to find a new one. How do I go about looking?
                                                                                                                      Laura
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 Dear Laura:
     I’m so sorry to hear about your horse. When looking for a horse, you will need to think about what style of horse you get along with best.  Some quiet riders get along with an aggressive horse and some (usually the more aggressive riders) get along better with a horse that needs pushing. Before you start looking, know the type of horse you are looking for and also ask yourself some other questions.

    DO YOU WANT AN OLDER HORSE OR YOUNGER ONE?
     The older horse is patterned and seasoned, but usually requires more attention and maintenance. The younger horse has more years ahead but you get the trial and error that goes along with a youngster.
    HOW MUCH CAN YOU AFFORD TO PAY?
     Your goal is to find the best horse you can for the amount of money you can afford to pay. Be wary, though, of telling people, “I can afford to pay a certain amount for a horse.” After you do that, most of the horses you will see have that price tag. When you go to look at a horse, let the owner ride and make a run first. Take a video of it, if possible, so you can study it later. Watch as the owner warms the horse up, makes a run, then brings him back through the pattern at a trot or walk. If you’re a seasoned rider, and the horse looks promising you can make a run to see how he feels to you.  If possible, try several different horses before you make a decision. Study the horses and try to decide which one suits you best. In my book, RUNNING TO WIN, I listed thirteen questions to ask about a horse.
They are:
1.      How long has he been barrel racing?
2.      What and where has he won?
3.      Any bad habits such as biting, kicking, rearing, or bucking?
4.      Any bad habits on the barrel racing pattern?
5.      Does he haul well in a trailer?
6.      What is his feeding schedule?
7.      What type of shoe does he wear and why?
8.      What kind of headgear does he use and why?
9.      Does he have a negative Coggins test?
10.  If he is a registered horse, are his papers in order?
11.  Has he ever been sick or crippled?
12.  Does he crib?
13.  Does he frequently colic?
      When you narrow your choice down, have the horse vet-checked. Make sure you really like any horse you buy. If you don’t like him now, then you probably won’t like him any better later. Don’t buy on the rebound just because you lost your horse and want another one. Take the time to make sure your new horse is the one you
want. I hope you have a lot of success with finding a new horse.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           MARTHA

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