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A Horse of Your Very Own

10/18/2019

Owning a horse of your very own can be a very special experience and a lifetime goal. Before you decide to take this very large step, make sure you know everything that goes into the process of researching, buying, and owning a horse.

For many, a dream come true is owning your very own horse. Believe us, we understand that. But, it's not just beautiful fall days filled with glorious rides through your favorite fields and feeding them a few lumps of sugar. There is so much that goes into the purchasing, owning, and caring of a horse. As much as we support the decision, we stress that it's not for everyone. Please take the time to consider this blog as you are deciding to or thinking about buying your very first horse.

Think about it this way. Treat buying a horse like you would any big investment. You must take the time to research, understand the strategies of buying a horse and talk with those who have had serious experiences of their own when buying horses. You don't want to make the mistake of buying a horse that's wrong for you, get frustrated, and then give up on the horse and the dream of owning one. As much as you love them, buying a horse isn't the correct path for everyone. It's a huge emotional, time-consuming, and expensive commitment.
The Book Work

Be very honest with yourself when it comes to how you will be using your horse and the temperament you will need. Don't take on the challenge of overcoming a wild steed or a young hothead that you can't control. Be honest in the amount of time you can invest in spending with, caring for, training, and riding the horse. These are beautiful living creatures that need constant care. Understand the cost of owning a horse, beyond the purchasing price. Will you have a stable and pastures of your own with all the amenities, staff, veterinarian care, and safety precautions that the horse will need? Will you board the horse? What about the care there and the training they offer? Never go over your budget or underestimate what the horse will cost you. Remember, this is a decision that could stick with you for 10, 20, or even 30 years. Only when you can meet all of these and your requirements should you buy a horse.

Stick With The Pros

If it's your first time buying a horse or even if you're still new to the game, put yourself under the tutelage of an experienced horse person and bring them along with you. Bring them with you when you're looking, when you think you've found the right horse, and when you've made the final choice and are buying. Never buy a horse without seeing it and inspecting it first, and never buy a horse online. The experienced horse person can check the horse over and look for things and see things that you might not know or recognize to look for. They can ask more questions and even some you might not know to ask yet. They can shield you and help you deal with an unpleasant or overly aggressive seller. They can also watch you with a very keen eye as you take the horse for a test ride. They can see if the horse is the best fit for you and if you are the best fit for the horse.

Do Your Homework

You don't just need to check the paperwork, lineage, passport, veterinarian documents, and the personality of the horse, you need to do just as much extensive research on the seller of the horse too. Ask around in groups of prominent owners and sellers of horses, do research on Google, and try to connect with others who have worked with your potential seller in the past. It's easy to be charmed by a convincing seller and get wrapped up in any fabrication that they can weave. You want to make sure their reputation is accurate and one you can depend on. This way you know that what they have to say about your horse is accurate and that they've treated it well. Also, do your research so you know if you're buying at the appropriate price!

We love horses, we love owning horses, and we love caring for horses. But we know the work that goes into this every day. We want you to share this magic with us, but be prepared to face the realities too. If it's not quite time for you to own a horse, you know the best place to horseback in South Carolina! Right here at Middleton Equestrian Center! We can't wait to see you on your next ride!

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Storms and Saddles

10/1/2019

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With hurricane season officially kicked off in the Lowcountry, it's time to prepare not only your homes but also your barns and think of the best plan of action for your animals when a storm is heading your way!

It's not new news that Hurricane Season is officially here in the Lowcountry! Now that we have made it through our first hurricane, it's still incredibly important to stay prepared and on alert until the end of the hurricane season. It lasts through November and even though that's just a few more weeks, that's still plenty of time for anything to start brewing. As a horse owner, it's just as important to prepare your stables and grounds and have an evacuation plan for your horses as you would be for you and your family.

We wanted to share a few helpful hints on how to prepare for a hurricane, how to evacuate, or how to hunker down when you're a horse owner or own a farm of your very own. The first important step is to make sure that you stay informed, make educated decisions, and be prepared to decide anything at a moment's notice. Thanks to incredible Apps and advancements in storm tracking, it's much easier now to understand a storm than ever before. But no matter how intelligent our weather systems might be, the power of mother nature will always win.

The first step is to prepare your barns and grounds. You need to invest in these steps if you are evacuating or hunkering down. Don't wait until the last minute to start preparing. We recommend planning before hurricane season even begins. This way you're prepared no matter what happens!

Make sure all of your horses are up to date on all of their vaccines.
Establish a relationship and create a plan with your community sheriffs, animal control, and other farms around you. This helps just in case disaster hits. If a farmer has stayed and you've left they can act as a good eye for you. Disaster relief will come in the form of your police department and animal control both during and after the storm. Make sure they are familiar with you and your animals so they know to keep an extra eye out just in case the worse does happen.
Make sure your horses have multiple forms of identification. Each horse should have two permanent forms of identification. This could come in the form of a microchip or a brand. They should also have temporary identification that can be worn on them or carried with you that has both yours and their information on it.
Have an emergency waterproof care kit that's full of basic medical supplies prepared and ready to go at a moment's notice.

If a storm decides to head your way, it is your personal choice to stay or evacuate. Once you have prepared for the storm, and you decide to evacuate, there are still some important steps to take care of before you get on the road.

It is recommended to get on the road ahead of the storm and the traffic. If you can, leave three days out. This can avoid those horrible traffic jams, make it easier to travel with large cargo, and helps avoid putting any extra stress on the animals or you.
Have multiple evacuation plans in place with a large shelter or barn waiting for you at the end of your destination is key. Having multiple plans in place helps when a storm likes to change its path. This gives you more choices to stay out of the way of the storm's path.

If you decide to stay, it's best to take your preparation stages to the next level. Remember to put the safety of yourself, your employees, and your animals first. Make sure the decision to stay has been made with good intentions behind it. Sometimes if you can leave, it's better to take that opportunity than not.

Remember flooding and storm surges can be the most devastating when you least expect it. If you're in a flood zone prepare for that. Use sandbags and other damming items to protect your barns and other buildings.
Don't let the horses out of the barn until the storm has passed, and flood waters have receded. Have extra bedding on hand to make sure they stay clean through the storm and have a place to go when nature calls.
Make sure you're prepared with extra supplies, food, and medical equipment for the animals and anyone staying on the property. Make sure you have a ton of extra water stored safely, along with extra hay stored in loft areas to be kept dry.
Have a generator on hand ready to go with plenty of extra batteries, flashlights, and any other important tools to help during the storm and after. This could include a chainsaw, axes, rope, etc.
Remove anything from the walls or ceilings of the barn that could fall and hurt the animals.
Having a strong and reliable staff on hand just in case the worst happens is always a help. They can keep the horses calm and cared for through the worst until the storm passes.

No matter what you decide to do during a hurricane, always make safety your number one priority. We hope that these tips help you stay prepared for this hurricane season and many more to come. We will see you next time!

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Middleton Place Equestrian Center Blog

A Horse of Your Very Own

Storms and Saddles

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