You have the agency to adjust to what feels most authentic to you, as long as you do right by any horse you are responsible for.
― Andrea Sinner, esq: Newcomer to the Horse World
This week I’m pleased to introduce Newcomer to the Horse World: How to do Right by Horses…and Not Be Taken for a Ride by Andrea Sinner, Esq.
You can get your copy directly here at Trafalgar Square books!
At some point in our lives we are newcomers to the horse world. If you were brought in as a young child you were shaped largely by your upbringing but might find yourself as an adult looking to reshape everything you know. If you’re an adult in this world you have to sort through who you know, professionals, friends, and the dreaded social media or Google.
Andrea Sinner wrote this book as a guide for the newcomer to help you sort the ins and outs of this great wide world of horses. As a newcomer one might not realize just what they are getting into as they sign up for their first lessons. This book was written for exactly that purpose.
“The equestrian machine will encourage you to drift along the traditional path once you start. This generally includes starting with lessons to build a foundation, trying a bit of local showing, having your own horse in some way (whether a hlaf-lease or purchase_, and eventually spending all (and often more) of your liquid assets and disposable income on horses.”
― Andrea Sinner, Esq: Newcomer to the Horse World
Andrea herself came to the horse world at the age of 30. She did this while immersed in a demanding global consulting career. For over twenty five years she has learned and grown within this world. She’s made the same mistakes you and I may have made. She’s met all types of horse people. For the same reasons I started this blog, she wrote this book. To help those behind her in the process. Her way is a lot more condensed, a lot more direct, and a lot more straight-forward.
The book is broken down into 9 major chapters. In the first she highlights the beauty of the horse world. She explains her “why”…something many of us share in one way or another. The second section outlines the intention behind being in the horse world. Some people have goals, some people want to enjoy the process. This section emphasizes why you need to have clear intentions about what you want from this journey (and that it’s okay to change those as you develop).
After the first few chapters Andrea begins to dive into the serious stuff. First…understanding the financial burden. Not just BUYING the horse but the financial costs that can really get us into a lot of trouble if we don’t go in eyes wide open. In the horse would we have ALL spent more than we intended…and it hurts. I think of myself as pretty darn good with money but even I have become victim to the phenomenon.
“Doing the math in advance is fundamental to not getting extended so far that you risk your horse’s physical health, your own financial health, or both.”
― Andrea Sinner, Esq: Newcomer to the Horse World
If you aren’t scared off after the financial discussion Andrea moves on to Finding the right barn, the right horse, building the right care team for that horse. These three chapters cover a LOT of important information to note. There are a lot of good people out there and some bad ones, and Andrea does a great job at addressing some common misconceptions. For the most part the public doesn’t always appreciate what goes into running a horse farm…so the fees SEEM outrageous but breaking it down you begin to wonder how farm owners even make ANY money to live.
Chapters seven, eight, and nine discuss your role in the horse world. How to be the best advocate for your equine partner, how to be the best advocate for yourself, how to be a great barn member, and finally leaving off at some unique situations that may apply to you.
“Help him grow. He is perfect, but he can develop into a more evolved state of perfect. Just like you.”
― Andrea Sinner, Esq: Newcomer to the Horse World
Within each chapter Andrea includes tables and charts as well as checklists. Maybe it’s the lawyer in her but she is incredibly detail oriented and meticulous in her organization. It’s quite impressive. I went into it with great intentions, but I do not have the discipline to follow along her beautifully prepared templates.
“There has always been something deep down inside of me, from all the way back to when I was a young child, just beginning to be aware of my thoughts, that told me I knew I was meant to be with horses.”
― Andrea Sinner, Esq: Newcomer to the Horse World
Final Word:
Newcomer to the horse world is the perfect book for an adult (or a mature young adult) who has ALWAYS wanted horses and is seriously considering jumping in. This book gives you a pretty detailed view of what you might expect. It has the potential to overwhelm those who are on the fence, and in a way I find that to be a positive thing…horses are sentient beings so going into horse ownership blindly can negatively impact the lives and wellbeing of our equine friends. Like Andrea, I WANT people to enjoy horses…but people need to know what they are getting into. I don’t want to see the fair-weather horse lover get into it and soon realize how much money or work is involved and subject the horse to neglect, abuse, or worse end up at an auction.
I love how well Andrea describes so many situations; she speaks from experience and is very perceptive as well. Most of the situations I find relatable…if I haven’t already experienced it someone I know has. I’m also impressed by her ability to cover SO MUCH within these pages. When we’ve been doing this for years it can be easy to remember where you were when you were just starting out. Hard to remember the small nuances that have become our unconscious knowledge. As I read along I was like “oh good point! That’s so true!”
That said, there are some spots in the book that I think were not always accurate…at least from my place in the equine world. Andrea often describes one of the higher end farms, especially Floridian farms, that have grooms who tack up for you or having your horse ridden by the facility. I am not a hunter show circuit equestrian and I definitely don’t have money so I can’t say I have EVER been in a barn like this. I know they are out there but it is utterly WILD to me to think about. In the end it’s about money and preference. One thing is completely accurate…horses are expensive no matter what you do. Even if you only have goals to have a pasture pet or pleasure horse without showing you’ll be spending money. The horse world is extremely vast with the wealthiest in what we refer to as “chandelier barns.” As for me I get by with my backyard retirees and my simple boarding farm. I buy food, I clean and tack up my own horse, nobody is allowed to ride him, and I prefer it that way. If you are getting into the horse world know that there ARE many ways to go about it and try to go into it (and stay in it) with an open mind.
If you are serious about joining this beautiful yet frustrating, rewarding yet challenging, simple yet complex world of horses…buy this book. Read it. Take it to heart. If all of this doesn’t turn you away, WELCOME! You are ready. It’s time to start working on chapter 3 and start taking lessons.
“Being an owner starts off seemingly easy. But in meting each question or challenge that comes with the care of your horse, you eventually become a beautiful blend of guardian, protector, advocate, champion, friend, partner, financier, and mom or dad.”
― Andrea Sinner, Esq: Newcomer to the Horse World
I also want to add that I buy most of my horse books from Trafalgar Square Books. I’m excited to say that I am an affiliate with the publisher, and so proud to be. Trafalgar Square embodies the spirit of horse people…. they ARE horse people. The operation is based in an old barn in Vermont and run by only a few people…people you can talk to and meet in person at events. It’s not a big corporate conglomerate, and for that I am grateful. This happens to be one of such books. You can find your copy through my affiliate link here, it’ll let TSB know I sent you!
Published by Trafalgar Square books, North Pomfret, VT
If you have any questions, comments, or would like further information, please contact:
contact@trafalgarbooks.com / (802) 356 6706
The Green Horseman 
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