Horses can look for ways to get injured/ die! Trial and error will be way worse, for sure. And safety for both you and the horse doesn't 'come naturally', it takes training and good instruction.
Mary
Mary
Follow along with the video below to see how to install our site as a web app on your home screen.
Note: This feature may not be available in some browsers.
Forgot to tell people my experience- I have been in riding lessons for 4 years, primarily western with a little English. I ride at my family’s ranch about every other weekend, and while I’m there I go catch horses, brush, saddle, pick their feet, etc . My neighbor has Mules that I ride sometimes, so that’s why I was asking the question about mules or horses. (I like mules because they are sure footed, not spooky, and defend other livestock from some predators. In my experience though, no matter the mule.. if they don’t wanna do something. They’re not going to, and you can’t make them.) so yeah, I’m probably going to get a horse I was just wondering if anyone had more experience with mules than me.Probably keeping your horse at a boarding stable would be the cheapest option! I put in a 100x200 paddock in 2020 and it was about $3,500 in cost.
This is highly dependent on the area you live, the horse and its nutritional needs, and the quality and amount of the grazing pasture.
There really are no "beginner" horse breeds, it comes down to the individual horse.
Many horses are happy to be out 24/7 and thrive in that environment as long as they are provided with shelter to protect them from sun, wind, rain/snow and (depending on your area) biting insects. Blankets are totally dependent on the horse.
Temperament really doesn't have to do with age IME. As you are a beginner, I would not hesitate to buy the right horse even if it is older than 15.
There is nothing wrong with mares, they are great mounts. Do not get a stallion!
I have zero experience with mules, I would probably vote horse though.
It would take a lot of management.
You haven't given much info about your experience other than "beginner" and I never want to dash anyone's dreams, but my advice, before you buy a horse, would be to find a reputable trainer/instructor in your area and start taking lessons.
This way you gain experience without having to worry about fencing, vet care, farrier care, feed bills, acquiring hay, turnout, rotating pastures etc.
I wish you the best of luck.
1. Food cost depends on time of year type of forage how long your winter is how much hay cost in your area of you do rotation grazing or if the horse is kept in one spot if the horse is a hard or easy keeper if they need extra supplements etc I would recommend talking to local barns and asking what they feed and how much it cost1. What is the cheapest option for fencing?
2. How much (roughly) does food cost per year if it has a field to graze?
3. IYO what’s the best horse breeds for beginners?
4. Do they HAVE to have a stall? Or can they just be in a pasture 24/7? Also, blanket on cold days, or no? (Ik everyone has different opinions.)
5. What age horse typically has the best temperament? (I do not want an horse older than 15 since I plan on keeping it forever.)
6. The age old question, mare, gelding, or stallion? People say mares are always moody. Is that true?
7. Which is better? Mule or horse? (IYO)
8. Is a little more than 1/2 an acre a good amount for one horse?
Thanks !
Don't go for the cheapest. No barbed-wire (dangerous) no welded-wire (doesn't last) no hot-wire all by itself (it's fine to use to divide the area into sections to maximize grazing, but the perimeter should be solid fencing.)1. What is the cheapest option for fencing?
8. Is a little more than 1/2 an acre a good amount for one horse?
You don't want one horse, horses need company.2. How much (roughly) does food cost per year if it has a field to graze?
Not a stallion! Nobody but professional breeders should have stallions. Stallions should be inspected by the breed associations and approved for breeding - in my opinion, people who keep unregistered and unapproved colts for breeding, no matter how beautiful, are irresponsible, and adding to the problem of backyard breeding horses going to Mexico for slaughter.The age old question, mare, gelding, or stallion? People say mares are always moody. Is that true?
only because Arabians can be the most wonderful horses as they get older - as long as they were well-trained and always well-cared-for during their youth. Arabians tend to bond very strongly with their people, tend to calm down but not get dull as they age, and tend to stay sound longer than most breeds.Avoid Off the Track Thoroughbreds and Arabians.
Definitely 7 or older for a first horse - but if you're willing to modify your age criteria a bit, you will enjoy an 18-20 year-old Arabian who's been well-trained and cared-for and passed a vet check, because of the strong and trusting bond they will offer you. And you'll still get 10 years or more of riding until they need to slow down, and less-strenuous riding after that.What age horse typically has the best temperament? (I do not want an horse older than 15 since I plan on keeping it forever.)
My off-track Thoroughbred is 25, and still sound for moderate work - she got a thorough vet check this past April, the only things not 100% are slight arthritis and a small heart murmur. For the arthritis she got a set of Adequan injections (probably will repeat yearly) and she's on a maintenance of Cosequin. Nothing can fix the heart murmur, but all it means is she gets tired faster and can no longer gallop at top speed for long distances. She can still do lower-level Eventing - as long as we keep the jumps under 3 foot and the galloping not too fast and not too long. Which works fine for me - I'm getting older myself, just want to get out there and have fun, and don't need to jump the huge jumps or gallop three miles at top speed any more. The good shape she's in, with good nutrition and the routine senior-horse maintenance she gets, we will probably have 5-10 more years of riding together. So please don't discount horses older than 15.Horses can live up to 35 years in the right conditions, and most are still ridable well into their 20's as long as it's light work. Keep in mind that "keeping it forever" might not work out for a number of reasons.
I knew a man who had a 35 yo Arabian mare who was still ridable, but she still needed an experienced rider because of how peppy she was. I definitely agree that with the right training they are amazing horses, but usually if you're looking for a good beginner horse there are a lot of them out there who haven't been trained right or have a lot of spice so finding the right one would be tricky depending on what area you're in. Arabians were bred for the desert and bred for endurance, and they definitely do endure - as long as you don't get the super super dishy faced ones, then they can have respiratory issues.Super great advice from Stravanger! The only thing I might disagree with (a little bit) is:
only because Arabians can be the most wonderful horses as they get older - as long as they were well-trained and always well-cared-for during their youth. Arabians tend to bond very strongly with their people, tend to calm down but not get dull as they age, and tend to stay sound longer than most breeds.