Tips for a First-Time Horse Owner

Jeff Campf, a horse trainer and horseback riding instructor at Oz, Inc. in Oregon, a horse training and riding compound, has taught people to ride and care for horses for more than 10 years. Jeff Campf teaches the physical and social aspects of training a horse.

If you are a first-time horse owner, you will benefit greatly from the advice of a more experienced rider. This is especially true when training younger horses, as they are more unpredictable than adult horses. An experienced rider will assist you in identifying your horse’s problematic behaviors and how to correct them.

You must also learn the proper way to fulfill your horse’s needs because punishing them will worsen existing behavioral problems. Behavioral problems can occur if your horse receives insufficient food, exercise, stimulation, or daylight. To ensure your horse’s well-being, place food and water in a secure and self-filling container even when you’re not present. Your horse should have an open, fenced-in grazing space, where they can receive their daily 16 hours of daylight and a partially enclosed shelter to protect themselves from the elements.