Adding any pet to your family is a big decision that comes with a lot of additional responsibilities, but it’s especially the case when you’re considering adding a horse. Because there are many more variables at play, many new horse owners can find that their dream pet doesn’t quite work as expected. Even a horse that you have enjoyed multiple pleasant trial rides can turn out to be quite a different proposition when it’s moved to your patch of land.

But that’s not to say that the success — or lack of — of your horse journey is in the hands of fate. There are plenty of things you can do to set yourself up for success. In this post, we’ll run through some tried-and-tested tips that should ensure your horse ownership experience is just as positive as you’d hoped.

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Build the Relationship

One of the most common errors that new horse owners make is believing that they’ll have an instant bond with their new horse. In reality, horses are a lot like humans — there will be some that you bond with instantly, and others that are more of a slow burn.

Even if you’re head over heels in love with your horse, it’s best not to assume that this adoration goes both ways. It will do in time, but you’ll likely need to earn it. Simply spending time with your horse before putting them to work will help build the foundation of trust, which can make all the difference to the relationship in the long term.

Install Safe and Effective Infrastructure

Installing safe and effective infrastructure is key not only to keeping your horse physically safe, but also for providing a sense of emotional security. Adding quality horse fencing to your plot of land will allow your horse to roam safely, while installing a large stable will provide them with plenty of space to shelter from the elements. Automatic waterers, meanwhile, can ensure that they always have access to clean drinking water.

Put Together a Team

You’ll love and care for your horse the best that you can, but there are some aspects of horse ownership that will be beyond your capacity unless you have specialized training. Most horse owners understand the importance of vets and farriers, but they also recognize the importance of selecting and sticking with the ones they choose. Having a set team for your horse’s care without chopping and changing makes all aspects of horse management easier, and it’s also something that your horse will appreciate too.

Join a Community

Finally, we’d recommend joining a riding association, especially if you’re new to the area or horse ownership. These associations can be a terrific source of valuable information, which not only ensures that you’re kept informed about best practices but also that you’re able to get the most from your horse ownership. It can make all the difference to feeling supported when you run into minor issues (which you will), and it can also simply be more fun to have riding partners!