Hi, Terri --
In most states, a coggins test is done each year on horses that are going to shows and a horse must have a negative coggins certificate to cross state lines. I do think some states require one within 6mos, vs. 12mos. It's to document the horse does not have Equine Infectious Anemia (which is not treatable and has no vaccine for -- but I do think is very rare).
For the horse's teeth, you should have them checked every year. Some people use an equine dentist for this, and others use their horse vet for this. A lot of horses will need their teeth "floated" (filed) yearly if they have a good bite, and more often if their bite is not good.
We do our own horses' feet but we've had minis for a long time and had a farrier help get us started. It takes some time to learn to do it right. As a new owner, you will want to find a farrier to do your horse's feet. They should be done every 6-8wks. I've found they need it more often in the spring and summer and less often in the fall and winter
To be sure the horse is the age its represented to be, some people know how to check teeth BUT I have heard on minis, that is less than accurate. If you are buying an AMHR and/or AMHA registered horse, the registrations will give you the horse's date of birth.
My horses are vaccinated for flu, rhino, tetanus, rabies, west nile virus, and e/w encephalitis. I do the shots myself.
When it comes to bathing, my show horses are sprayed off after exercising and if I've sweated them (only did this one season, will be doing it again though), then I will use some shampoo to get rid of the ointment that helps them sweat. They are bathed the night before a show and put to bed in PJ's to keep them clean. Other than that, they are not bathed. I have a couple who have actually never been bathed. They don't really "need" to be bathed, but you can do it in warm weather at your choice.
As far as what to look for in a horse, that will vary from owner to owner and according to "what" you want the horse to do. This is what I look for when I buy a new horse:
- long, straight, clean legs
- good bite
- AMHR and AMHA registered
- good feet (not clubby)
- high set neck with a good length to it
- pretty head / nice eyes
- high set tail
- basically, halter show quality
Hope this helps
The questions you are asking show you are putting a lot of thought into this and to me, that means you are already on the right path to being a good horsewoman
Good luck,
Jill