Conference noted::equitation

    There are lots of good books around on general stable management.
    You might find some in the library but if you want to buy one your
    best bet is to go to a tack shop such as "State Line Tack Shop"
    in Plaistow (if you live in the Mass/New Hampshire) neck of the
    woods.  If I were you though I'd invest in a subscription to "EQUUS"
    magazine.  There's more information in this magazine every month
    than you'll find anywhere else.  You could also find someone who
    has a few horses (like a working farm) and ask them if you can hang
    around and help out.  You'll get most of the basics that way and
    I don't know of any experienced horse person who doesn't have a
    "gift of gab".  Most of all, if you intend to keep them at your
    own place make sure that you talk to other owners who keep horses
    cause unlike kids, there's no grandma's to send them to.  It is
    a big committment.  I'm glad to see you are learning first instead
    of the other way around.  It's easier on you and the horse this
    way. 
    
    Good Luck,
    
    Bob
    
    

    It's always fun to sit around and read a book about things you are
    dreaming of doing, getting, etc. It's called anticipation!
    
    I have in front of me three books you might consider. They are not
    expensive:
    
    1. "The Back-yard Horse" by Peggy Jett Pittenger. $3.00 dollars.
    Talks about feeding, pasture, stalls and stabling, mucking out,
    care of feet, teeth, grooming, tack, etc.
    
    2. "The Manual of Horsemanship" a Pony Club publication. $5.95 dollars.
    A three part book. Part 1 deals with equitation, part 2, saddlery,
    part 3 horsemastership including handling, stabling, feeding, grooming,
    etc.
    
    3. "Rider or Horseman" by Bobbi Coffin, ARCO Publishing. Two part
    book. first is unmounted which covers handling and taking care of
    the horse. part two covers riding the horse. This one is $8.95.
    
    Part of the fun of owning and taking care of horses is the building
    a varied equestrian library. Get them all and have fun.
    
    
    Good luck.
    
    bobk
    

    Hi
    
    I'm also a new horse owner.  I read the books and took a few riding
    lessons before buying my horse.  I think the best way to learn
    how to care for your first horse is to board the horse for a few
    months.  People that know horses definitly have the gift of gab,
    so if you are boarding your horse you have a built in group of
    people to go to for help.
    
    I was so green that after cleaning my horses bridle I couldn't figure
    out how to put it back together.  It's nice to be able to ask
    an experienced person in the stable.
    
    Mary Ann

    You didn't mention your horse background at all, how familiar or
    unfamiliar with horses, riding etc?  If you know someone that owns
    a horse or horses you might want to spend some time with them to
    learn things first hand (grooming, tack & equipment, first-aid,
    etc.)  I definitely suggest a few months worth of lessons if you
    have never ridden before, and you might even consider renting or
    leasing a horse for a period of time before jumping in and buying
    one.  Time and experience will help you pick the right horse for
    you, instead of getting something right away when you're all excited
    about it (you tend to overlook the bad points).  Many bookstores
    have a section on animals or pets, and I've seen lots of new horse
    care books there, but a tack shop might be a better source if there
    is one close by.

   If I may add my two cents - don't overlook that final vet check before
buying your horse.  If, after you've decided on an animal, and have asked
a more experienced horse person thier opinion, GET IT VETTED OUT.  I've 
been around horses a long time but still haven't got an eye for problems.
The cost, last I heard, is around $80.00 depending on the distance the vet
has to drive.  Believe me, in spite of how "nice" a horse owner may seem,
you never know when a major problem is covered up by Bute, tranquilizers,
or worse, nerve blocks.  Also, ask people in this notes file about good 
potential horses for sale - this could help you learn a lot more about a
horses disposition, quirks, etc...

    And, finally, I've made an observation:  if the horse is cheap there's 
something wrong!  Maybe this isn't always the case, but after looking for 
my last horse I couldn't believe some of the problems I ran into.  Most
owners told me outright what was wrong - but one lady had no idea her horse 
was lame (???).  I truly feel you get what you pay for. 

   Good luck!  Don't get discouraged when you start shopping around - you'll
find something nice,  it just might take a while.

    Hi
    
    First horses are such fun.
    
    Boarding is a good idea.  Maybe a leased horse (you care for it
    but don't buy it) is approriate.  You could experience what it's
    like to live with the beasts and get some idea of what kind of
    personallity you want in a horse ( i have one that is affectionately
    refered to as hemmoroid 'cause he's a pain in the - well you can
    guess where).  Kind of like dating before you get married vs mailorder.
    
    A piece of advice for horseshopping.  Before you buy any horse,
    go look at a couple of times.  The  first time, insist that it's
    owner or their representative ride it first.  If they won't, go 
    look elsewhere.  Some people are dishonest and some are ignorant
    of how a horse should behave.  I have unexpectedly ridden my share
    of rouges when out buying horses and it's not very pleasant.
    
    I also recommend a vet check - maybe not X-rays unless it's a real
    expensive critter.
    
    Good luck,
    
    Maureen
    

    RE;:149.6
    
    I second the Dragon Lady's comments, and would further emphasize
    NOT to get an unvetted horse unless you are willing to put upthe
    vet costs in taking care of a horse with navicular disease or bad
    feet specifically or bad health in general. Even a "low cost" horse
    ($1000 to $2000) is worth the expense of a vet check. Also, if the
    horse doesn't vet out, don't buy it no matter how cute!
    

    re:149.7
    
    Need to qualify my statement regarding not buying a horse that does
    not vet out. If after vetting the horse and knowing its condition
    you believe it to meet your needs, then fine, get it! Butget it
    checked  first.
    
    bobk
    

    We have a pretty good library on various aspects of horse care,
    but the one I would recommend is "A Horse of Your Own: the Rider-
    Owner's Complete Guide" by M.A. Stoneridge.  It covers just about
    every topic of horse care, including a lengthly discussion of 
    choosing the right horse for you.
    
    To add to the above notes:  DON'T BUY A HORSE WITHOUT GETTING IT
    VETTED!  I learned this lesson the hard way.  If you expect to
    do any jumping, DEFINITELY get the front feet xrayed for
    navicular "disease".

    
    I'd like some suggestions either a good subscription for two or
    some books, easy to read basics on ownership of a horse... basic
    care, handling, basic medical problems etc....
    
    I'd like to send/subscribe for some friends who are NEW horse owners
    and have some learning to do, FAST....    (I know no one would like
    to hear that, you are supposed to learn BEFORE you buy, but I didn't
    do the buying so I can at least help with the education.....)
    
    Nancy
    

   Good starter books are:

    Basic Horse Care (Paperback, green cover, not too expensive.
                      Pretty thorough for a small book)
    A Horse Around the House
    A Horse of Your Own - MA Stoneridge
    The Manual of Horsemanship - US Pony Clubs

    All of these should be easy to find (even in non-horsey bookstores).

    I have only seen one issue, this March 1991, but I thought the
    magazine Horse Care was pretty good.  March had an article on
    vision, one on worms, and one on horses in learning experiments.
    There were a few others that a new horse owner might not be
    interested in, but I thought the articles were written clearly 
    enough for a beginner, but not geared to a pre-pubescent crowd...
                               
    Horse Care                 1 Year  $19.92
    P.O. Box 530
    Mt Morris, IL 61054-7860   

    Go to a Horse stable or Farm and hang out!!!!
    
       Introduce yourself and volunteer to help muck stalls and feed the 
    horses,It's a great way to get the feel of being around horses and
    talking with horse people is more fun than reading a book. I also 
    agree with the Vet checking before purchasing.
    
    Good Luck and enjoy the Road Apples!!!!!!!!!!!!
    
                             JC