 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
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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 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!
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!  When you come to visit us at Middleton to enjoy our beautiful land, take a ride on one of our majestic horses, and to enjoy the beauty of the Lowcountry have you ever wondered what makes up a perfect horse stable?
We pride ourselves on having the best horses in the Lowcountry and the best trails to enjoy the Lowcountry in a unique and beautiful way. But we are also very proud of the stables that our incredible employees that keep our stables immaculate and our horses happy and healthy. But have you ever thought what exactly you need to keep a stable functioning and up to everyday work? Some of these items might not surprise you, but some of them just might! A lot of what you need to have a functioning horse stable is very practical and might already be found around the house. A lot of it is inexpensive and will make life a lot easier. The current collection of items in your stable will keep you organized, help keep a cleaner barn, and keep you and your horses safe. Our employees make it look so easy! When you are getting ready to build or create your own horse stable avoid getting stressed and think about categorizing what you need into four different categories.
The list of items below is what we recommend you always have around, especially if you are a first-time stable owner! 1. Contact List Make sure you have all of your important contacts where you can find them. This includes your Veterinarian, back up Veterinarian, Equine Dentist, Farrier (someone who trims and shoes horses' hooves), transport in case of an accident, and all the numbers of your employees. Also, having a list of handy places that deliver food to your area doesn't hurt either. Caring for horses and their well being means long hours, and you will need to eat too! 2. Mini Fridge This might sound weird, but it's not used for what you think. A lot of medication and supplements that your horses might and will be taking throughout their lifetime need to be stored in a refrigerator. Keeping it on hand and close to your horses is best. 3. Coffee Grinder Again, this isn't used for what you think. Your horses might have issues swallowing large pills or supplements. You can grind them in the coffee grinder and add the powder to your horse's food or water. You can also turn the powder into a paste and use a syringe to put it into your horse's mouth. 4. Basic Medical Supplies Even if you aren't a vet or have a vet on staff, it is always important to have basic medical supplies and equipment on hand. Accidents happen and sickness can occur. A vet might not be readily available or close if your barn is in a very rural place. As you are stocking your barn in preparation check in with your veterinarian for the best suggestions for your store of supplies. 5. Hand Sanitizer This can be more beneficial than soap and water. It can be readily available and carried on your person no matter what a day at the barn could bring. From the birth of foals to trail rides, your hands will be clean. 6. Baby Wipes Everyone who owns or keeps a horse strives to keep them clean, groomed, and show ready. But try as anyone might, horses get dirty. Keep these on hand to wipe out basic dirt and gunk from your horse's eyes, muzzles, nostrils, ears and for touch-ups all over their bodies. 7. Wide Barn Aisles This architectural choice isn't just for you and the horses to use but also for tractors and vehicles to get in and out of the barn. Also, have large entrance doors into the horse's stalls ready to handle whatever mood the horse might be in when transporting them on or off these vehicles. 8, Non-Slip Floors This is a safety precaution for you, all barn employees, and those visiting the barn. Never have standing water around your horses either! 9. A Well-Stocked and Well prepared Tack Room A Tack Room is something that every stable should have. This room will store all of the "stuff" you will use to care for the horses that aren't already needed in their stalls. But some barns use it for storage of their trophies and other awards. 10. Bedding This doesn't mean blankets and pillows for your horse, even though they will wear blankets during cold weather to keep them warm, they will need bedding on the floor of their stalls all year round. The most common material to use is hay and shavings but you can also use wood pellets, paper, moss, hemp, and stall mats! The next time you come to visit us for a ride at Middleton, take a moment to really see what makes up the stable around you and all the hard workers keeping it clean and fun for you! |
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January 2020
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4280 Ashley River Road, Charleston, SC 29485
middletonplaceequestriancenter@outlook.com 843.556.0449 |
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