i need help

[kels_luvs_hoses]

hi im a 12 year old girl and i reallly want a horse. my family just bought a block of land but we live 10 minutes away!! i have been reading and it says that u have 2 feed your horse in the morning and in the afternoon and ride it once a day. the problem is i go 2 school and my mum and dad wont take me out twice a day. what can i do. please help me!!!

[shandy84]

If on unsupervised grazing a horse should be checked at least twice a day you don't have to ride everyday from what I can gather some people only ride twice a week and do okay.

The only thing I can think of is find someone who has their own horse to share the field and jobs with you, this way they could do one of the checks for you. Also horses really need company so it would be better for your horse to share the field

[Wally]

If a horse is the type who can live out happily then you can check him once a day and ride him whenever you want. The fact he is out means you don;t have to ride him every day as he'll be walking about and exerciseing himself. If he was in a stable you'd have to visit more than once a day.

In the summer you may not have to feed him at all or you'll risk him becoming very ill indeed.

Horses need company, if they don;t ahve a friend thet can become very unhappy and stressed and may become unrideable if not cared for properly.

This is why you need to go and learn and read and understand how horses need to be looked after. They are not like cats and dogs or even cows.

If you take a horse on you need to be fully aware of what you are taking on.

[western]

Its great that you have land to support a horse but their is a whole lot after that. What i mean is just know how to take care of them. Do you have shelter on that land that a horse can go into ? Another thing is feeding, horses are not the cheapest thing to take care of and you put more money into them then what you get out of them. Well you wouldnt have to check on your horse twice a day but you should, at least once or twice a day to make shure that they are ok and that you properally excerscise them, groom them and give them food so they dont starve. You wouldnt have to ride a horse everyday just try for 3 or more times a week.Also if you are buying a horse make shure that you have the time , and money. Also do you have a companion for a horse? Horses need something like a companion to interact with otherwise they get lonley. Make shure though if you are buying a horse always ask the owner on the horses backround and make a test ride to see if it rides fine with you. Having a horse is fun but it takes a comintement and alot of responsibility to have.

[peterandtrixie]

Can you not ride your bike there?

[NuttyMare]

Originally posted by Wally
If a horse is the type who can live out happily then you can check him once a day and ride him whenever you want. The fact he is out means you don;t have to ride him every day as he'll be walking about and exerciseing himself. If he was in a stable you'd have to visit more than once a day.

In the summer you may not have to feed him at all or you'll risk him becoming very ill indeed.

Horses need company, if they don;t ahve a friend thet can become very unhappy and stressed and may become unrideable if not cared for properly.

This is why you need to go and learn and read and understand how horses need to be looked after. They are not like cats and dogs or even cows.

If you take a horse on you need to be fully aware of what you are taking on.

*nod nod* and if you feel it is too expensive to pay for the upkeep of two horses, invest in sheep, although equine company is preferable :D

make sure you read up about harrowing, seeding and fertilising, field shelters, poisonous plants, checking fencing, the works. You got a lot to learn ;)

[shandy84]

Be careful of keeping different breeds as companions sorry nutty, but I got my youngster from a place with sheep and they bullied her she was infested with worms related to sheep and they ate her mane and tail, horses need horse company.

[jUmPingIsLifE]

do you have any experiance with horses? in caring for horses? have you had any lessons? you cant very well ride your horse if you don't know how.

i would find a stable to get lessons at and learn to ride, maybe help out there and learn to care for horses then maybe lease a horse at the barn so you can really know what kind of work it takes to take care of a horse then your instructer can help you to find the perfect horse for you if you still want to buy one.

[T-bred]

Please don't get a horse!!!!!!!! From your other posts it sounds like you need to take some lessons before deciding to get your own horse!!! There is so much more involved in caring for a horse then just riding it and feeding it twice a day!!!

Anna

[cvb]

also bear in mind that if you only visit once a day, then your horse could potentially be in trouble and be waiting 23 hours for help !

We are helping out a friend by checking her horse while she's away on hols - and we're checking him twice a day.

In summer this is important for water, and in winter for rugs, chills etc.

When I was your age, we had our horses about 15 mins drive away. During school term I would either catch a different bus 'home' which took me past them, and then my mother would pick me up later. Or otherwise I would cycle down to them. We had somewhere we could lock tack up so I didn't have to cycle with saddle, bridle, grooming kit, food every time.

[Clip_Clop2332]

Hey,

In your other post you said you have never had lessons before. Before owning a horse I would be a good idea to take lessons first. Its best that your an experienced rider before you take on a large responsiblity such as a horse.

They also need more than just feed and riding. They need to have regular check-ups with a vet and farrier visits. Before you own a horse, you should part-board one first that way you don't end up hurting yourself or the horse.

You can call around to a couple riding places and ask about part-boarding a horse, that way you can learn all the responsiblities. Part boarding is where you pay a monthly fee and ride the horse at set days. You can ask the owner of the horse if he/she would mind telling you about the care, and ask them if you could help out feeding the horse and etc.

Once you are more prepared owning a horse would be more enjoyable and less risky.

Good Luck, and happy riding!:)