Page 63 - Libro_MariaA_26agosto

Your First Time at the Equestrian Store as an Owner

your horse. However, there are three tips
you can follow to find the right bit for your
horse more easily.

1. Talk with your horse’s previous owner
Your horse’s previous owner knows your
horse more than you do when he arrives
home, so ask him or her what type of bit
they were using and how it worked. Ask
them if they used a different bit for shows
and why, and finally, don’t forget to ask
them what other bits they used before on your horse and how they worked.
Sometimes, horses are sold with their bit. So, if your horse was sold with his bit,
then use this bit to start with and see how it works.

2. Try the bit before buying it

The only way to know if a bit works for your horse is actually by using it. Bits
can be expensive, and usually, tack shops managers won’t let you try a bit. Ask
your trainer or other equestrian friends to lend you the bit you’re thinking of
buying, and if it works, then you can buy it.

3. Go as gentle as possible

The horse’s mouth is delicate, and misusing a strong bit can cause serious
damage on your horse’s mouth. Imagine how unpleasant it must be to have a
piece of cold metal in your mouth that puts pressure everywhere. It must be
awful, right? If your horse has a good workout schedule, he wouldn’t need a
very strong bit. Your horse is not responsible for you not knowing how to use
your hands well, or for having an inappropriate workout schedule.

Blanket

A blanket will keep your horse warm, dry, and keep his hair from growing
too much. If your horse feels cold, then he will start making more hair to warm
himself, and his “fancy show ready appearance coat” will fade away. When
you are buying your blanket ask yourself: do I want to turn out my horse with
his blanket when it’s raining? If your answer is yes, then you should buy a
waterproof blanket. If you are planning on using the blanket only when your
horse is on his stall, then you don’t need a waterproof blanket. Also, consider
how cold it is in the barn your horse is going to live, and then buy the blanket.

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