About A Horse, Chapter II
About A Horse, Chapter II
“GETTING READY” by Barbara Gill
Like much else, the horseman’s education is never finished.
Are you quite spellbound at the thought of investing in a horse? Then it is time to explore and plan. How does one prepare to secure this investment? Let the education begin!
Preparing for the first step:
The independent yet careful shopper who has not yet narrowed the field to a particular breed or discipline has a bit of ground to cover before viewing candidates. It is quite helpful to have trustworthy acquaintances in the industry or ownership role. One thing you can universally count on is that people with horses very much enjoy sharing their experiences!
The independent investment seeker, however, needs grassroots investigating to find suitable agents and trainers. One might visit an area feed store to collect some magazines and newspapers, for example. You are on a mission and some basic beginners’ knowledge can only enhance your base of education. Remember, as a rank amateur, you are keeping a low profile at this time. Quietly buy a few of these trade journals; many of these magazines offer a selection of breeds and disciplines which will help you confirm which division of the industry offers you the most appeal.
In the calendar of events section, look for the dates of significant upcoming equine events. These are recognized by the layman by features such as location of show, usually established facilities featuring periodic equine performances of more than one day consecutively.
Attend events of quality. Observe a few hours of competition for the discipline or breed which has appeal to you. Matching the exhibitor number the horse carries to your program will identify the farm this horse represents. For those horses whose performances you have most enjoyed – and we hope the judge has used them well – take note as you may not be able to approach the manager or trainer onsite. If able, however, accept a business card and contact name for three or so stables and go on home: otherwise, your contact will be made later from your program notes.
Nice work! Your have done some objective information gathering toward preparing for your investment –the location of a good horse with a performance record; and perhaps a strong pedigree as well.