any new-yorkers who can help a wanna-be horse owner/rider?

[saddle_girl]

can anyone help me? i need to know about the cost of owning a horse per month, and lessons per month, etc. i really love horses, but it seems like i cant find the place or time to just interact with horses.
in case prices range by location, i live in a small town in NY...not a big city, but not the country either....
please help...in desperate need of horses!
.

[Maci]

I'm not from NY, as you can probably see, but a little advice! Before you buy a horse, I'd first take some lessons, if you aren't already. Being a first-time horse owner can be really over-whelming, especially if you have minimum experience! So, I would take some lessons to get that riding experience. Once or twice a week is pretty "horse filling"!

Owning a horse, can be crazy at times! If you don't have a farm, you'll have to pay for boarding (it can range from stable to stable), vet, farrier, grooming supplies and tack, all ontop of the horse's cost, itself! Any of these costs can go up, if your horse were to develop a problem (ie: colic surgery= vet bills $$$)! You'll need time and devotion to them, as they need exercise and attention from their owners.

Personally, I'd go the route of lessons first, but in the meantime buy books, ask people and stock up on your general horse knowledge! Good Luck!
Maci :)

[horselover]

OMIGOSH! Isn't Fredonia near Houghton, Angelica, Arcade and all those in Allegheny county and area! I went to horse camp out there- Circle C Ranch. I was actually just out there about a month ago. I live in the Syracuse area- i don't like getting too specific over the net about where exactly.

Anyway, about your question. It varies so much that the best thing to do is search ads in your local paper. If you live where I think you do, tons of people have horses out that way. Find a stable near you and call. Most lessons vary in price from about $15-40 an hour, at least in my area. That's what I would start off with.
Let me know if I am right about where you live!

[saddle_girl]

Your right, I do. Actually I'm a little more west than that, but close enough. I live around Dunkirk, silvercreek, Hamburg, and Jamestown. Thats cool to meet another new yorker :-D
I'll do what you suggested!
thanx!

Lauren

[horselover]

New Yorkers kick! As much as I rag on the town where I live and NY in general, it really is a great state. Except for the fact that riding isn't a very big thing here, especially in my area. But I know tons of people have horses where you are.

Good luck with finding something.

[JumperGirl]

I would definately take lots of lessons before buying a horse. Its a huge commitment, and you need a lot of experience to deal with all of the things included in horse ownership. If you jump into owning a horse now, you wont be prepared for the things that may happen down the road with your horse. I have been riding for 2 years, and I still dont think that I would be prepared for horse ownership.
I know that it sound soo cool to just have a horse and ride it when ever you want and stuff, but thats only a fraction of what you will have to do, you will be in charge of keeping the horse healthy, and vet bills ETC ETC!

If you dont have really any horse experience then I definately wouldnt get a horse yet, because you wont know all the things necsesary for horse ownership. for instance, would you know what to do in case of emergency, or if your horse was badly injured?

I know ive gone on and on, but I just dont think it would be a good thing to get a horse if you havent taken lessons.

[StevieLake]

Hey, I think my brother had basketballgames in Dunkirk. Lol, anyway, I'm from Ny, too.

My instructor charges $300 a month to board a horse. That may seem expensive, but it's really only 10 dollars a day, and that hardly covers the price of sweet feed anyway.

Maybe this is common sense, but I didn't know this at first. When you board a horse, you're not just renting the stall or anything. Each horse is fed, given water, roomed in cleaned stalls, and with permission, groomed and exercised. Though most riders that board horses do go out to the stable to ride/visit everyday, they don't have to. (It's not like they have to bring their own feed. Lol, I didn't know that because I was totally a city gal and knew nothing about horses when I started riding. That's why I had no horse common sense.:))

The only lessons I've ever paid for or researched were no less than 25 - 30 dollars an hour. At my barn, a group lesson is an hour long, and costs $25. A private lesson is about 40 minutes and costs the same. (Well, it's supposed to be about 40 minutes, but my instructor usually gives about 70, lol.) I have a friend who rides every other week (50 a month), and I ride every week (100 a month). But I also know someone who boards two horses and rides every week! :eek:

Then there's buying a horse, which (please someone correct me in I'm wrong!!!!) can cost anywhere fom $3,000-$30,000.(Or 30 million, if you're looking to buy an olympian..... j/k :)) It really depends on the horse. Include buying tack, clothes, memberships to associations such as AQHA, grooming supplies, and all those tons of other odds and ends.... well, it can really get expensive. Not ALL of us are so lucky to be born and bred with horses, never having to pay for lessons, horses, or tack.

Lol, I hope I didn't just seem totally negative. But, as Jacki says, "... I cannot have the one [horse] I love so dearly, so deeply... because of... money. Money, it is one of the human race's many faults. Probably the biggest. " My entire life, I've dreampt of the limo's, mansions, butlers, estates, and billions in the bank. Before I started riding, I convinced myself that I wouldn't be happier if I was labeled with a "high class" family rather than "middle class". Now I try to keep the same attitude... but I just have to wonder how my life would be different if I had the unlimited amount of money to fufill my equestrian dreams. But that which does not kill us makes us stronger, and I'm determined to battle my way through the 'horse life' even without the advantage of having my own.

Just my opinion. :)

[Maci]

Take lots of lessons for a year or so, but instead of buying a horse first, lease one so you can get the feel of horse ownership! That is the more wiser path, as you will gain knowledge and experience! Ask questions and do your research!

Maci :)

[Mare-e]

Stevie,

Boy, do I ever agree with the money problem. I am N.Y. City gal and my late in life discovery of horse love is costing me dearly. Lessons in the city run about $100-110 per hour and only slightly less in the suburbs within easy commuting distance. My new stable in New Jersey charges $460 for a package of 5 hours with a "senior" instructor. And a lease is $1200 per month (gasp!). I have been toying with the thought of selling out and moving to
somewhere else in the country that is horse-friendly, where I could ride almost year round, and very affordable. Of course, I have no idea what I would do for a living since I am a few years shy of retirement age but no longer highly desirable employment age. Anyone have suggestions as to where "horse heaven" might be on the east coast or mid or southwest?

[StevieLake]

Mare-e- Whoa, those prices are somewhat ridiculous! (But that's what expected in the city. You can buy a hamburger for $20. lol)

What do you do for a living now? It's never to late to start something new. :) An adult at my stable teaches math in the middle schools during the school year, and in the summer mucks stalls for lessons. It's quite convenient.