What is the best way to care for an eventing horse?

When you own an event horse, you take on the role of both rider and trainer. It is your job to keep the horse in top physical condition so that it is ready to perform at its best when the show starts. This means following a strict and disciplined schedule of training that is different from what you would do with a show horse that you plan to sell. If you are purchasing a young event horse from a seller, though, it may not have had the same level of attention or care that it should have had when it was younger. Asking questions up front will help you understand what the horse’s background is, if it has any quirks or habits, and what its training program has been like in the past. Having this information before you go to negotiate the purchase price will help you determine if the horse is worth what the seller is asking and make the process go much smoother for both of you. Here are some things you should ask to make sure your new event horse is in good shape and ready to perform at its best when the spotlight is on it.

Are there any health or behavioral issues with the horse?

You should ask about any health issues or behavioral problems you might encounter. While most event horses are healthy and sound, there are some that you should avoid if possible. Horses that are sensitive to pressure, have been shod for competition, or have had any type of injury are not a good fit for an eventing rider. You should also pay attention to any issues that are not as serious but could become problematic. Horses that are finicky eaters or have a strong foraging instinct are going to be more difficult to feed and keep clean at shows. Horses that are sensitive to changes in their schedules or who pace excessively when they are anxious are going to be much more difficult to handle at shows.

What is the horse’s training history?

If you buy a horse that was bred for eventing, you should ask the seller about its training history. If the horse has been ridden in shows, you will want to know which events it has shown in. You will also want to know if the horse has had a consistent and structured training program or if it has had a more hit-and-miss approach. A horse that has been trained by a professional will be more reliable in terms of knowing what to do at shows, but a horse that has been trained by an amateur may be more consistent. If you have any doubts about the quality of the training program, you may want to consider hiring a professional trainer to work with the horse before the show season begins.

Is the horse in top physical condition?

You should ask the seller about the horse’s health and physical condition. While a horse may look healthy, it is important to be sure that it is fit and ready to perform at its best when the show starts. If the horse has not been ridden in a long time, you may want to consider letting the seller walk it around the paddock before you make a final offer. You need to make sure that you are comfortable with the horse’s fitness level before you commit to buying it. If you are not sure about the horse’s fitness, you can always offer to have a vet do a pre-purchase physical exam.

What has the horse been fed and how often?

You should ask about the horse’s diet and what the feed has been like. You may want to ask what kind of feed the horse has been eating, when it has been fed, and how much it has been eating. You will also want to know if the horse has been on a special diet. If the horse has been in training, you may want to ask what kind of diet has been used and when the horse has been fed. If the horse is not used to a certain type of feed, it may act up when it is at the show, which can be a big distraction for the rider and a big safety concern as well.

What type of hoof protection has been used?

You should also ask about the hoof protection the horse has been using. Hoof protection is a common practice for eventers that protects the horse’s hooves with special boots or pads. Boots that are too tight may cause the horse to walk with a shuffling gait that is not ideal for eventing. Boots that are too loose may allow the horse’s hooves to get too dirty, which can be a health risk.

Is the horse shod or unshod?

You should also ask about the state of the horse’s hooves. Some types of hoof protection that are used for eventing horses are not meant to be worn during shows, so you need to know if the horse’s hooves have been shod or unshod. You will also want to know if the hoof protection has been consistent throughout the year. Hoof protection that is too tight may cause the horse to walk with a shuffling gait and may be a safety hazard as well.

Is the horse shod or unshod?

You should also ask about the state of the horse’s hooves. Some types of hoof protection that are used for eventing horses are not meant to be worn during shows, so you need to know if the horse’s hooves have been shod or unshod. You will also want to know if the hoof protection has been consistent throughout the year. Hoof protection that is too tight may cause the horse to walk with a shuffling gait and may be a safety hazard as well.

Conclusion

There are many things you should ask before you buy an event horse. You will want to know if the horse has any health or behavioral issues and if the seller has kept it in good condition. You will also want to know what its training history has been like. If the horse has been bred for eventing, you will want to know if the training program has been consistent. You will also want to know if the horse’s hooves have been protected with special boots or pads.