MIDDLETON PLACE EQUESTRIAN CENTER
  • Home
  • Book your ride
  • Trail Ride Info
  • Horse Shows
  • Contact Us
  • Ship-Ins

Middleton Place Equestrian Center Blog

A Horse of Your Very Own

10/18/2019

2 Comments

 
Picture
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! 

2 Comments

It's Back in the Saddle (Again!)

9/22/2019

1 Comment

 
Picture
One of the most important pieces you'll ever buy when owning a horse is its saddle. But with so many different types of riding, what saddle is right for you? 

When it comes to buying a saddle, it should never be something that you scrimp on. It is an item worth investing in since you'll possibly be spending a lot of time in it and it is a huge part of your safety while riding. But it can be daunting when it comes to buying a saddle knowing and deciding which one is the right one for you. The normal range you'll find on a basic saddle is between $100 and $500, but once it comes to custom saddles and custom needs, it could easily dip into the thousands. But when it comes to comfort and your safety, sometimes adding those extra zeros is worth it. Originally, a horse was ridden without a saddle, which was called bareback riding. Did you know the Chinese were the ones to invent the saddle? 

When you are in the market of buying a saddle, it needs to be fit to your shape, size, and style of riding you plan on doing. Have a saddle master inspect the horse you'll be using the saddle for too. The saddle master will need to know what disciplines the horse will be doing from general riding, to hunting, competition, and so on. There are so many options out there, but we hope this helps you narrow down your options! 
  • General Purpose Saddle
    • This type of saddle is perfect for a beginner or intermediate rider. It can be used for various types of riding and helps a new rider balance well in the saddle. You will find these on farms where they offer trail rides and also at riding schools. These saddles can accommodate so many different people and different levels of knowledge. 
 
  • Kids Saddle 
    • These saddles are used for young children riding small ponies. They are a very lightweight saddle and allows a young rider to be balanced in the seat and stay balanced. This saddle offers a handle they can easily grab onto and use for balance. These saddles are also made to fit a wide range of ponies. 
 
  • Australian Stock Saddle
    • This saddle is one of the most popular saddles for riders that spend a lot of time in the saddle and plan on doing all kinds of disciplines. It has a deeper seat, with a higher pommel that comes with a horn. It also has extra padding for the knees too. There is padding under the seat and an additional form of safety with an over girt strap. It comes with long ions to support your legs and feet which is perfect for long trail rides, too. 

There are Western saddles, which are used by actual cowboys. There are sidesaddles which were designed to keep women ladylike while riding in the middle ages. Other saddles include dressing saddles, jumping saddles, hunting saddles, and racing saddles. There are also certain saddles made specifically for long hours in the saddle and are a little more expensive than your basic saddles. Some of these include the Abetta Saddle, the Allegheny Mountain Trail Saddle, and the Tex Tan Saddle. 

We promise that it is worth the time to research your saddle and taking the time to find the perfect fit. You should invest just as much time researching a saddle as you would a car, a house, and anything that would keep you safe and comfortable. The next time you visit us for a day of trail riding, ask your trail leader about the styles and types of saddles found in our barns. They will be impressed with your knowledge of what you learned here today! 
1 Comment

    Author

    Middleton Place Team

    Archives

    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019

    Categories

    All
    2026
    Adopting A Horse
    American Quarter Horse
    Anna Sewell
    Authentic
    Barn
    Barn Care
    Belmont Stakes
    Belmont Stakes 2020
    Best Horseback Riding In Charleston
    Best Horseback Trails In Charleston
    Best Horse Trail Riding In Charleston
    Bits
    Black Beauty
    Blessing Of The Hounds
    Boarding Your Horse
    Board Your Horse At Middleton Place Equestrian Center
    Board Your Horse With Middleton Place Equestrian Center
    Bob Baffert
    Buffalo Bill Cody
    Burmese
    Buying A Horse
    Caring For Your Horses In The Winter
    Caring For Your Horse's Mane
    Caring For Your Horse's Tail
    Chariot Racing
    Charleston
    Christmas And Your Horse
    Chuckwagon Racing
    Clean Your Barn
    Cold Weather Care
    Corolla Wild Horses
    Covid 19
    Cowboy Mounted Shooting
    Deep Clean Your Barn
    Dennis And Cindy Thompson
    Derby
    Ecosystem
    Equestrian Sports
    Famous Horse Races
    Famous Horses
    Feed Bags
    Fox Hunting
    Green Energy
    Gypsy Vanner
    Gypsy Vanner Horse
    Halters
    Hippogriff
    Historic Horseback Riding Trails
    Historic Trail Ride
    Historic Trail Rides
    History Of Sidesaddle
    History Of The American Quarter Horse
    Holidays
    Holidays And Horses
    Hong Kong Derby
    Horse
    Horse Adoption
    Horse Agility
    Horseback Charleston
    Horseback Riding
    Horseback Riding Charleston South Carolina
    Horseback Riding In Charleston
    Horseback Riding Safety
    Horseback Riding South Carolina
    Horseback Riding Trail
    Horseback Trail
    Horse Boarding
    Horse Boarding In South Carolina
    Horse Boarding South Carolina
    Horse Care
    Horse Facts
    Horse History
    Horse In Winter
    Horse Knowledge
    Horse Mane
    Horse Ownership
    Horse Pulling
    Horse Racing
    Horses
    Horses And Thanksgiving
    Horses And Thanksgiving 2020
    Horses At Middleton Place Equestrian Center
    Horses In The Wintertime
    Horses In Winter
    Horse Sports
    Horse Supplies
    Horse Tail
    Horse Tracks
    Horse Trail Charleston
    Horse Trail Ride Charleston
    Horse Trail Rides Charleston
    Horse Trail Riding Charleston
    Horse Trainging
    Hurricane
    Hurricane Prep
    Hurricane Preparedness
    Jousting
    Keeneland Race Course
    Kentucky Derby 2020
    Know Your Horse
    Lexington Race Track
    Mane
    Man O' War
    Marguerite Henry
    Meydan UAE
    Middleton Place Equestrian Center
    Middleton Place Horses
    Middleton Trail Rides
    Misty Of Chincoteague
    Mounted Horseback Archery
    Movie Horses
    Mr. Ed
    Mythical Horses
    National Pony Express
    Natural Disaster
    Nature
    North Carolina
    Owning A Horse
    Pandemic
    Pegasus
    Preakness Stakes
    Preakness Stakes 2020
    Quarter Horse
    Quarter Mile Run Horse
    Queen Elizabeth
    Race
    Racing Victoria
    Renewable Energy
    Research Your Horse
    Resources
    Riding Horses In Charleston
    Riding Horses In Charleston South Carolina
    Riding Sidesaddle
    Roy Rogers
    Saddle
    Saddle Bags
    Sanitizing Your Barn
    SC
    Scurry Driving
    Seabiscut
    Seattle Slew
    Secretariat
    Sidesaddle
    Sidesaddle Riding
    South Carolina
    Stable
    Stable Care
    Steeplechase
    Steven Farley
    Sunland Park
    Tack Room
    Tail
    Thankful For Our Horses
    Thanksgiving 2020
    Thanksgiving With Your Horses
    The Black Stallion
    The Dubai World Cup
    The Grand National
    The Gypsy Vanner Horse Society
    The Kentucky Derby
    The Louisiana Derby
    The Outerbanks
    The Pony Express
    Tiz The Law
    Trail Rides Charleston
    Trail Riding Etiquette
    Trigger The Horse
    Triple Crown
    TV Horses
    Types Of Saddle
    Unicorns
    Walter Farley
    Why We Are Thankful For Our Horses
    Why We Love Horses
    Wild West
    Wild West Shows
    Winter For Horses
    Year Of The Horse
    Zodiac

    RSS Feed

4280 Ashley River Road, Charleston, SC 29414
​middletonplaceequestriancenter@outlook.com
​
843-735-0709
Please also visit: Middleton Place  | The Inn at Middleton Place 
Picture
Site powered by MadeSimply
  • Home
  • Book your ride
  • Trail Ride Info
  • Horse Shows
  • Contact Us
  • Ship-Ins