Top Ten Checklist for Bringing Your New Horse Home

1) Clean and disinfect the stall where he'll be living. Even though I'm no neatnick, this is a step I never skip. There's plenty of disease out in the world that your new horse could get. Make sure you remove all the old bedding and scrub down the walls.

2) Check the pasture fences for any weakness. A horse in a new environment tends to wahoo around--make sure everything is safe, nails and driven home and there's nothing that could hurt him.

3) Hand walk him around the fence lines and the property so he gets a feel for his environment.

4) Bring hay and grain from the old place so there's no sudden change in diet. If he hasn't been out on grass don't turn him out right away. Give him a gradual introduction, starting with 10 minutes of hand grazing and adding time over the course of two weeks. Change his diet gradually and only if you must.

5) Give him a day or two of hand walking and longeing so he can settle in. Introduce him to his pasture buddies, but make sure he's safe.

6) Clean your brushes before using them on your new horse (see number 1).

7) Check the fit of your saddle and bridle. All horses are not built alike and neither are all saddles and bridles. Before your first ride, check the fit on all your tack. Call in a professional saddle fitter if necessary.

8) Take it easy on the first few rides--maybe longe your horse first to see how he reacts, and then start out with light riding. Let your horse get accustomed to his environment and his new owner. Don't spoil him too much or you'll create a monster (you can't buy love with carrots).

9) Take a lesson with a professional so you can assess what you need to work on.

10) Enjoy your new horse!!!