Horse Ownership...... Am i ready?

[JumperGirl]

Hi there,

I know youve all heard this question MILLIONS of times, but I have to know.

What I can do- walk trot canter comfortably, jump, cavalletti

What I know- I have rad A LOT of books, i know that doesnt make me ready, but I have also learned a whole lot, also I know that I know lots more than other ppl who own horses.
I really love horses, and I know like what to do in case of emergencies, and how to take care of them.

ONE problem- $$$$$$$$$$$$

I was thinking that I could maybe find a horse that wasnt really expensive, and bring him along.

Ill answer more questions if you want.

[liz--y]

the problem is with horses is they cost more to keep than they do to buy, would you be abe to afford to keep the horse after buying it? do you have the time a horse needs?

[JumperGirl]

I am looking into getting a job at this barn, and then I would have money, I wouldnt be getting one right away anytime soon,

and ya I have the time, I dont do anything except ride and school, my brother is at university, and my other bro is going next year, so they wont have to be drivin everywhere anymore.

[Bebe]

I don't think anyone can have any idea of how much work is involved with horse care until they do it themselves.

I have ridden for 14 years, worked at several riding schools (in school holidays when I was younger), have backed and done the basics with 2 horses, ridden horses no-one else would (more fool me, wouldn't do it now), shared a gelding, exercised and done basic care for an arab cross mare for 2 years and have almost completed a distance learning course in horse care.

I still didn't think I was ready to get my first horse 6 months ago!

Reading is fantastic but you really need to put what you have read into practice. You need to have handled several different horses and ridden many more. Sure, people get horses before doing all of this but it isn't ideal and many people make more mistakes than they would like and sometimes the horse ends up suffering because of it.

Money is also a huge part of the equation. Buying a horse is the cheapest part. You can also estimate livery costs, vets fees, insurance, etc and still spend hundreds more than you thought it would cost.

For example, my mare has cost me the following this month alone:

£22 insurance, £24 field rent, £5 feed, £12 supplements, £10 hind brushing boots and I have vets bill due in which will be a minimum of £50. This is cheap, full, part or even DIY livery on a yard costs much more than this. If the horse is stabled or on poor grass you'll need to factor in hay, bedding and extra feed. Wormers cost around £7 a time (realise you're in the US but you get the idea!). Then there's shoeing on top, £45 every 6-8 weeks.

Add onto that I've just bought a show jacket, entered a competition, bought a rule book for the competition and am having the showjacket professional altered for a tailored fit. Plus fortnightly lessons at £14 a pop.

It costs an arm and a leg, no kidding.

I don't really mean to put you off, I just think horse ownership is such a big committment, both in terms of money and time, you really ought to have as much experience as you can gain. You also need to have someone more experienced than you that you can call on to help when you need it. Maybe you could get a part-lease or volunteer to exercise someone elses's horse whilst you gain more experience?

Amanda

[katyptaty]

Hi

i would say the same thing - it's not so much the buying of the horse but all the other things.... i spent £1000 ($1700??) kitting mine out with tack, rugs, grooming kit, numnahs when i first bought him. I also had him vetted which was £100

I know that my case is not particularly normal as i work in london and commute from home, leaving me with no time to care for my horse so he is in livery, costing me £6000 per year, plus vet bills at £35 a go, wormers, shoeing, physiotherapy for a bad back £35 per visit... lessons etc etc....

seriously look at how much it will cost and what you will need on a monthly basis and look at how feasible it will be for you.

i think that loaning or sharing would be a good option, then the costs come down.

also, make sure that you don't rush into something as the horse you buy now may not be the horse that you need in a year or two's time as your capabilities will grow and also maybe your expectations. this will then involve probably selling the horse on....... which none of us ever want to do as it would just be too heartbreaking.

make sure you know exactly what type of horse you want and which will fulfill your needs and vica versa. Trying out leased or shared horses will allow you to do this.

good luck. this is not to dishearten you.. just to make sure you fully understand all the implications as with horses, we all get carried away by our emotions!!

[floppy]

just a thought...
but you say you are going to be owkrign at a barn maybe?

well i was reading a newspaper here the other day (i know i know.im in gemrany so it may be a different story here)
but this ad said that they were lookign for someone to work there and they coudl keep their horse for a hceap price at the livery if workign part time and for free if working full time...
another ad said that there was a stable to rent and you could have it for free if you help muck out all the stables and bring the hroses to and from the fields in the mornings..mayeb you can strike up a deal..and then remember how much a horse costs :D

[Maci]

No one really knows if they're ready for a horse- people think they are ready (myself incleded) but no matter how much you know, when your new horse comes, it's all still very overwhelming and new! :eek:

I've said this before, and I will suggest it again (highly recommended)- Why not look into leasing or sharing? Personally, I think leasing/sharing a horse (full-time) gives you so much more experience and time, than just going right to buying a horse! You gain experience and knowledge of what it's like to own a horse, because after all, he is half yours, because you are paying half for him, but you don't have to worry about paying for him (medical/health) because that's still the owners responsiblity. And you can work out a contract with more "space", where you can show him, take him on hacks, etc. You'll be able to take your skills/knowledge, and actually apply them to a horse, so you can get the feel for what works and what doesn't. So when you end up buying a horse, you know what to expect and are semi-ready/prepared!

Well, whatever you do, good luck! It might be a long wait, but in the end, it will be worth it! Just keep riding n' reading!

Maci :)

[ros]

Maci's absolutely right - try sharing first if you can. I've had to keep a horse on a budget before now for various reasons, and it's just one big worry. There are people who do it on the cheap and get away with it, but there are plenty of horses out there suffering because their owners can't afford vet's bills, regular shoeing, well-fitting tack or rugs, food...

None of us can ever really guarantee that our circumstances won't change over the years, but we can at least do our best to make sure we don't take on the responsibility of ANY animal unless we're as sure as we can be that we can afford it. Think how heartbroken you would be if you bought your horse, got attached to it and then ended up either having to sell it, or not being able to afford to look after it properly. It just isn't worth it.

[JumperGirl]

the problem is that at the barn I ride at, they dont offer leasing, I have half boarded a pony, for a few months, but it didnt work out for in the winter.

I nkow I cant learn everthing I need from books, but it does help, everyweek at my lessons I learn thing that would be VERY helpful in horse ownership, just simple things like what to do in case of lameness, or how to treat wounds. I know about a lot of deseases and lamnesses, and know how to treat them initially, also I have common sense.

I am a responsible and mature girl, I know this because of what I have seen happen around me with adults and ppl my age. sounds dumb but I know I have sense, and am smart, and I dont just give up thing, like I wouldnt get a horse, and just sell it becuase I lost interest, but I know I wont lose interest.

I sound childish, but I am not, and am serious about loving horses, and wanting to have one to love and enjoy, I know that you dont NEED a horse, but its just something that I have had a passion for, and feel that is right for me.