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Show iir.mm Wednesday, May 22, 1974 Page 19 Back to Basics, Dealing for a Horse by Linda Powell Last week we discussed the criteria we wanted to establish before we go looking for a horse to buy. Now that you have decided what you want in a horse, it is time to go looking. Where do you look for horses for sale? The best places are : 1. Breeding farms where they raise a particular breed 2. Reputable boarding stables 3. People who have horses and are good with them and to them (such as friends) 4. Livestock section of your local newspaper 5. Your local large animal veterinarian As was mentioned in the previous article, you should take someone with you who is knowledgeable about horses. Lets assume you are at an address listed in the classified section of the paper, looking at a horse for sale. The following things are important to you and to your friend, who is experienced with horses, to notice: 1. Was the horse caught when you arrived? If it was, this may indicate that it is hard to catch. Be sure, before you buy one that is tied when you arrive, that you can turn it loose and see if it is hard or nasty to catch. 2. Was the horse tied when you arrived? If it was, this may be a good sign. Notice how it was tied and how strong the halter and lead rope look. If they look secure, it may mean that the horse has a tendency to pull things over when tied, or it could mean that the owner does know about horses. You will have to decide this for yourself when you watch the horse handled some more. 3. Was the horse saddled and bridled when you arrived? If it was, be sure you or your friend completely unsaddle the horse. Do it while you are there to see how it reacts to someone else handling it and also to get a whole look at the horse. 4. Notice how tight the owner has the cinch when he gets on. 5. Find out what kind of bit or hackamore or bosal the horse is used to and also what other kinds it responds to . 6. Be sure to bridle and unbridle the horse while you are there to see how it reacts. 7. Ask the owner about the horses feet - who trims and shoes the horse. Ask the owner to handle each foot, and then you do it, too. 8. Ask the owner who his veterinarian is for his horses . 9. Have the owner ride the horse at a walk, trot and lope. At this time, it is important to notice how the horse carries itself. By this I mean: Is its head high in relation to the rest of the body or low? You should look for the reasons such as, does it have a hackamore or bosal on, or a bit? Do they fit right? Does the rider use a tight rein? Are the riders legs gripping the sides of the horse? 10. How does the horse move? Does it charge or work quietly as if it knows what is expected of it? 11. Do the horses legs seem to reach and flex well, or does it seem stiff and jerky? Does the horse stumble or interfere? Interfere is the hitting of one hoof against another hoof, usually in the trot and canter. It is a knocking sound that you can hear. If you hear it, you should examine the horses pasterns, fetlock joints and hoofs twice as close as ever. If the horse always has done this, there should be bone bruises (protusions) from the interference in the pastern bone region. This is a condition that is common and can be corrected by a good shoer over a period of several shoeings. 12. Does the horse veer or try to get somewhere it shouldnt - like to the gate to get out of the riding area - or does it respond to the rider? 13. Is the horse hard to get going, does it seem to resist every cue the rider gives? This would indicate a spoiled horse as does the above. 14. Get oh the horse yourself and do everything the owner did on the horse. By this I mean walk, trot, lope, turn around and go in the other direction. Stop and see how long you can get the horse to stand. Get off and get on again, making sure every time that it stands perfectly still for you until you give the cue to move out. 15. Try to find out everything about a horse before you buy it, such as, : How long have they had it, whom did they get it from and why do they want to sell it now? In this list of fifteen things to notice about the horse you may buy, you are bound to get a couple of negative points about the horse. But dont be discouraged; talk it over with your friend and find out if he or she thinks you can overcome these bad characteristics and make a better horse out of it. Also, consult the veterinarian that the owner mentioned and see what he has to say about the horse and the people that have it. If the owner did not have a veterinarian, be sure you get one to look the horse over before you commit yourself. If necessary, give the owner a small deposit to hold the horse if you really like it, until you can get a 5 veterinarian to look it over. His services generally run for the call to come and look the horse over, but when you are talking about $200 or more, it really is added protection against buying an unsound or unsafe horse. Be sure you ride the horse in the presence of the veterinarian too, so he can see the horse in action. A few more things to notice about where die horse is kept now are : Is there a lot of commotion going on? Are there dogs running around? Are the fences mediocre? If the answers to these questions are yes, it is a good sign too. Children and dogs around horses, noise, etc., help to condition a horse to life. If the horse has had a lot of exposure, then your job will not be as hard. If the fences are not too good, but the horse is still around, this may indicate that the horse doesnt get itself into trouble. It is invaluable to have a horse with good horse sense. There are a few more points to remember. The cheapest part of having a horse is the purchase price. The idea of buying a young horse for a young child so they can grow up together is wrong and a dangerous one; it may work with dogs and cats, but not with 1,000 pound horses. Be sure you find out from the person you buy the horse from what he was feeding the horse and if the horse has had its veterinary care for the season (such as worming and shots). Also ask him if he can deliver the horse to you if you dont have the means to bring it home. Last, but not least, remember even though the horse d horse on its home ground, it may change may seem like a to its personality when it gets its new home. It takes time to adjust, and you may have a couple of spills adjusting to each other and new surroundings. This is usually temporary, but it is very important that you win the battle. Remember - do not be in a hurry to buy. $10-$1- . well-traine- THE BACKSWING MeOicAL OiReccoRy John H. Cook, M.D. 817 Park Avenue. 1 AM Monday, Wednesday, Friday and alternating Saturdays. Jane S. Fowler, M.D. 817 Park Avenue. AM Tuesday, Thursday and 649-978- 1. ' The first two feet of the backswing are the most important part of the swing. The initial motion is a pushing of the club with the left arm and the left side. The player must be very sure the start of the swing is very smooth and unhurried. The most prevalent error is to allow the right hand to pick the club up; this results in a slice or a topped shot. As the club is swung back, the player must develop a full turn of the shoulders and at the same time make sure he has not swayed to the outside of the right foot. At the top of the backswing, the hands must be under the shaft and the shaft should be pointing at the hole. If you can get someone to stand behind you when you swing, he should be able to see if the club is pointed at the hole at the top of the backswing. There must be a definite firmness in the left arm at this time, and, if possible, the left arm should be quite straight. (Next week I will discuss the start of the forward swing.) Ralph Emery Professional Park City Golf Course t t . . . i . - m V ' 9-1- 649-978- 1. 9-1- 1 alternating Saturdays. H. Nicholas Green, O.D. 523 Main Street. appointment only. John O. Lambert, D.D.S. 523 Main By 649-823- 0. Street. 649-949- 2. 8 PM Monday, Tuesday, Saturday; 8 AM--6 PM Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, alternating weeks. AM-- 6 Stephen R. Ritchey, D.D.S. 523 Main Street. Office hours: 8 AM-- 6 PM Wednesday, Thursday, Friday; 8 AM--6 PM Thursday, Friday, Saturday, alternating weeks' 649-823- 4. 1 w : . . . |