Help getting a horse?!

[DuckLover179]

I've been wanting a horse for a few years now (I know it's a HUGE responsibility), but my moms always said no, but she did say if I raised enough money for one, and for boarding then I could get one. Wellllll, I posted an ad on CL looking for free, or cheap boarding yesterday, and someone replied! They have 2 stalls, and are offering free boarding. I have had so many horses that were free, that people offered me, so I won't have trouble finding a free horse. Now to the problem... I JUST got the reply, and I'm really confused now. It's 30 mins away, but for FREE boarding it's worth it. My mom probably isn't going to say yes... I know, it's crazy, because I have a lot of money already, PLUS it's free. So, what do you guys think I should tell her??? Or should I ask my dad??? He usually says yes (Especially is I'm sad), but in this case he might say "Go ask your mom"...

Any ideas of what I should do???
I'm just really stressed out about this, because of the HUGE possibility

Thanks for listening to me rambling on!

 

[welsummerchicks]

I would be worried about a place that offers free board. A good stable wouldn't do that. They'd be buying good quality bedding, hay, feed, and someone would be paid to work (or family would be doing the work), and electricity, water, all that costs some money.

There are exceptions of course, but my first thought would be 'oh no'.

A possibility is that someone needs another horse at their barn and is willing to pay for its bedding, hay and feed. Perhaps one of their horses died and the other one is all alone now, for example.

But please do be careful about 'freebies'. There is an old saying, 'There is no free lunch'.

It's really nice that you want a horse. But be careful. Vet and farrier bills can be expensive, and yes, good boarding stables where they know how to take care of horses, are not usually cheap.

You might also consider a 'half lease'. That can be a very inexpensive way to get to ride some nice horses. Often you can find someone who simply doesn't have time to ride their own horse. These arrangements are often completely free. The owner rides the horse 3 days a week, you ride it 2 or 3 days a week, for example. It also can be a very good way to 'test drive' ownership, and make sure it is workable for you.

It can also be a good way to show parents that you can handle everything ownership involves.

 

[EweSheep]

I agree with Welsummerchicks and think about the gas expenses to and from the stables. That would be costly if you wanted to go see your horse daily or need to feed/water/clean out stalls daily, otherwise you will be paying for the labor involved.

 

[DuckLover179]

I understand! In the ad I had said I was willing to pay for all expenses of the horse, and take care of it (Hoping they will feed it occasionally, when I'm not there). (If she says yes) We will go out, and check out the stables, before actually boarding through them. I'm SO hoping this works out!!!

ETA: Ahh, got it. So, maybe if I save up for the gas, and equipment, and take EXTRA care of my current pets, then she might consider?

 

[SourRoses]

Most "free board" I have encountered... is a trade off for someone to work at the stable. Mucking out, feeding, cleaning, the list goes on. They would expect a certain number of hours from you every day.. or 5 days a week.. or something similar. You would have to have experience in caring for horses properly, and handling horses, including problem ones... to qualify. That is what I have seen before. Not to mention, that is just paying them for the room in their stable and pasture.. not for feed. Feeding a horse is very expensive, hundreds of dollars a month.
Plus, as they say.. "There is no such thing as a free horse" .. You have to pay for regular vet bills, farrier, any necessary training, tack, other necessary equipment.
Instead of trying to convince your mom to let you own a horse... why dont you first work on being allowed to work with horses. When school is out, you could look for a nearby stable and ask for a summer job. There you would learn how to care for horses and see firsthand what the ownership experience is about.

 

[DuckLover179]

I actually volunteer, and take care of horses that way. So, I have experience, plus my mom was raised with horses, and she loves them. When we volunteer, we muck the stalls, feed, groom, and clean out their water. We don't mind going out, and cleaning pens, feeding, and doing hours of work. In fact, I fell in love with one of the horses I've seen, while volunteering... I'm gonna see if he's available.

http://www.tierrescue.org/Garrett.htm
That's him. He's an ex race horse, who they adopted (He was almost killed, after his injury). Anyway, he is healed now, and AWESOME! I spent some time in his paddock with him, cleaning, and he was SO calm. Most of the other horses were freaking out that other people were in their pens, but Garrett just sat there, eating hay. He is the calmest horse I've ever experienced.
Do you think he's a good beginner horse???
Thanks!

OH, and the best part is, I'm homeschooled, so I have time for him.

 

[SourRoses]

Well, thats great then that you are homeschooled.
It's unlikely that you would be able to continue to feed a horse on what money you could save.. so I would instead dedicate savings to paying for vets, farriers, and tack and the like. If there is a stable that will let you work long enough hours to compensate for feed.. and your lessons didn't require that time.. that would be great for you.
One thing to consider is.. if its a lesson stable.. if you managed to find a horse steady enough for lessons.. the horse could help you earn his feed being used for lessons.

 

[welsummerchicks]

I think you better read the ad again. It says it is not known if the horse ever will be able to be ridden at all. 'Trail riding' means if the horse will be able to be ridden casually, lightly(trail riding can be very light easy riding, or it can be very demanding, but in sale ads, 'trail riding' typically means 'light use', and 'not horse showing').

No, he does not look like a beginner horse. Most off the track race horses are not. Some are. Most are not.

As far as him being so very quiet while eating his hay, I would not assume anything from that. First of all, if he really is that quiet, he may be in chronic pain. But being quiet while eating doesn't mean a horse will be quiet to ride.

But even worse than that, he has what looks like an extremely severe injury to his left hind leg.

Looking at that leg, it just looks like a really bad mess. I would not assume ANYTHING about that leg. You'll notice even in the picture, the horse is not putting full weight on that leg.

If you want a horse that you take care of and don't ever ride, that horse might be ok. I'm not even sure how long he will be ok just to be in a pasture, though. That leg looks really bad.

I think for a beginner, the best horse is one that has 'been there and done that'. In other words, used for riding lessons, local shows, in the type of riding that you want to do. A horse of 12-16 is a good age for a beginner rider.

 

[DuckLover179]

Okay, thanks! I'm looking on other sites, hoping to find another one. I did see that before, but forgot as I was posting it... I want to ride trails, (And we have a LOT out here) so I'll look for a trail horse!

 

[Akane]

If you don't have horse experience a free horse is a horrible idea. The only horses that are free lack training or have health issues. The former will make a dangerous situation if you don't have horse experience and the latter will be very expensive. You should save up to at least adopt a horse from a rescue if not outright buy one. Otherwise you will pay either in your satisfaction and happiness with your horse or in cash for it's health.