I just don't know what to do.....

[hotluca]

I've returned to riding this year after a 20 or so year break. Came off on my first lesson with a broken arm and collarbone( heh heh, but still got back on and did a jump before passing out....) and took until this July to get back on again. I'm firmly back in the saddle now, though, and love love loving it every Saturday.

My problem (if it could be classed as one) is that I want a horse of my own and I want him/her NOW. I have a couple of acres at our house sitting doing nothing and we have darned good riding around apparently. Problem is I've never kept a horse before, and I just don't want it to go horribly wrong. Where do I start (apart from getting some fencing erected....) and how on earth do I find the horse of my dreams ? (or at least a suitable one, them being quite quite different things!) Or am I completely off my head wanting to be the proud owner of a noble steed at this stage of my riding resurrection?

[nat17]

you could do a Horse Owners Course, it only costs around £60 ,
Have a look on the british horse societys website there is some more info on the course content. Its a home study course as well and i am told it is very useful.:D

[anuvb]

Buying a horse can end up one of two ways. Either you have a match made in heaven or it can go horribly wrong. This can happen to anyone at any stage of their riding life, it's just that the more experienced you are the better you are at handling the situation if it goes wrong.

Consider loaning a horse, start off by sharing a horse for say six months, increase your general horse knowledge experience and then look into a permanent full loan, before you take the plunge and are completely financially responsible for your own.

There's loads to consider in having a horse at home, so don't rush into that. Like, you can't keep horses on their own, they need to be part of a herd, otherwise they start to have behavioural problems, so you'd at least two horses on your land, and the rule of thumb is that you need an acre of grazing per horse. What do you do if you fall off and injure yourself again - who would look after the horse? What about when you go on holiday? Would you be able to identify when the horse is ill and needs a vet? Could you be there all the time to check on it in the field twice a day, or how about when the farrier/vet comes? What happens if you were injured at home, say the horse kicked you in the head in field one day (accidents like this DO happen) - how long would it be before someone found you? What about riding lessons? Riding is a sport and like others requires a level of fitness to help prevent serisous injuries occuring when you fall off - the best way to do this is to have an instructor who can set you targets each work to work towards - would you be able to transport the horse to your instructor or have somewhere where they could come and teach you at home?

If you do decide to buy, try keeping it a yard for while where you have a support network to help you with the above, let yourself settle into that kind of routine and then consider moving it home. You'd being the fairest to both you and your horse. I'm trying not to sound negative, but it's all very well wanting a horse now. It is thinking feeling animal who needs an awful lot of care, even the smallest pony needs as much care as a child of about 7 years old.

There are plenty of ways ot up your horse contact without getting in above your head right now, and I think, even if you have loads of experience previously (ie before the 20 year gap) you'd be better filling in the gaps in your knowledge before taking the plunge. It'll also give you an idea of what you want from a horse and what you can realistically expect - and also what is really your ideal horse. It is often very different from you expect! :D

[anuvb]

Oops - sorry that probably came across as a bit brusque - wasn't meant to I'm just typing in a hurry as I'm supposed to be doing work :D

[Equisgurl]

well by reading your post I assume that u're not a very experienced rider, even if u rode before, 20 years is a big gap. You should only get a horse when u become more experinced, and been riding for at least 1 1/2 - 2 years. Until u become confident in the saddle its a bad idea to get your own horse if u plan to ride it. Also remember things like, will u be able to control the animal, if theres no one around you? Can u afford everything?
Horse price, tack, installing fence, building barn(stall)with all accomodations, buying supplies like buckets, cleaning items, grooming items, blankets, headcollar, leadrope, shipping items, trailer,dont forget food, hay, pellets, other supplemets, salt, water.
All the vet bills, shoeing, trimming, deworming, vaccines, also things like show apparel, if u will participate in those.
Horses are very costly, they will drain your banking account, your time and your health, its a lot of responsobility and a lot of patience is required.
I'm not trying to be negative, I'm just tired of people who get horses, just cause theyre cute, and u can ride them, next thing u know, horse is covered to his neck in manure, havent been groomed, exercised, or dewormed. These horses ussually end up being given for "free" to others, who have even more problems.
But it isnt all bad, if youre ready to make 30 year commitment to an animal, who depends on you with all his life, and can handle an emergency such as colic without passing out, and are able to muck the stall twice a day no matter what weather. Then youre ready.
I love horses dearly, i think theyre amazing animals, and even though I dont have my own, and been doing reserch for the past 2 years, I still feel like I'm not ready with horse ownership. I still have plenty to learn and do every day.
Good luck with your search~:)

[CityGirl]

Off your head for wanting a horse?? Not at all.
Ready to own a horse? Maybe not.

My advice to anyone thinking about buying is to lease a horse first (preferably at your school). Find out if you truly have the time/financial ability to have a horse. Plus, it will allow you to get some "live" experience in caring for & training a horse while still in a supportive environment. From there, if you're still ready/able, then perhaps look at buying.

The problem with having a horse on your own property is that there is no one else to help you out. What if you're sick? Occasionally want a holiday? Stuck late at work? Plus, what if your horse is sick?

You may very well be ready to handle all of these things but why not try leasing?

[Wally]

Not mad, just normally derranged!:D :D

Just two acres, that's enough for one, not enough for two...unless you were very careful about the rotation and grazing. I was thinking along the lines of offering grazing to an experienced horse person in exchange for help with your own horse. Company for the horse, company and help for you.

As pointed out, it will either be fantastic or you'll have problems. But you can be the best rider in the world with real experience and you'll still run into problems and need help, you'll be in good company.

There are some honest dealers and owners out there, really there are. They have a reputation to keep, some don't care they just want the horse sold.

First start thinking about the sort you want, and whether you are being realistic. Arab stallion or fat cob, you have to start somewhere with your wish list!;)

[Hels]

I'd definitely recommend part-loaning a riding school horse, or sharing someone's horse - and so long as the horse is suitable for your level and you continue with lessons I don't think you can start soon enough. I don't think I actually really started to learn to ride until I part-loaned a horse. Once I did, my progress was SO MUCH QUICKER!

I think it is definitely NOT a good idea to start now with one on your own property.

I used to think it would be wonderful to have a horse at home, but now that I have been looking after a horse for a year, I have totally changed my mind. I love the fact that there are plenty of people at the yard where Carrie is stabled for me to ask advice from, who notice things and let me know if something might be wrong, who are able to look after her when I go away without me having to organise some elaborate arrangements, and above all who I can ride out on hacks with and chat with when I'm doing horsey chores. Half the fun is finding out the latest yard news (gossip!) and sharing ideas and experiences.

The commitment, responsibility and knowledge needed for keeping a horse at home is so much greater than keeping it at a livery yard. I think it's also a lonely job and you will be constantly asking yourself - is my grazing ok, is the field safe, do I need to get the vet out, am I doing something wrong - you'll worry much more because you don't have people around you who know a lot more than you reassuring you that you are doing the right thing or telling you where you are going wrong.

Maybe you could use your own fields to make your own hay for the horse, but keep it elsewhere.

[Tootsie4U]

Listen to them (above), they know what they are talking about ;)

Hee hee anuvb - I can picture you drilling away on your keyboard every now and then peeking over your shoulder looking for big ol' boss man! :D

[anuvb]

Argh! I've been caught out! :P

(Actually, Boss man is quite short in stature and hideously grumpy!)