Help getting a horse?!

[DuckLover179]

I'm planning on paying for the horse. I'm not looking for one for thousands of dollars, though. We will also go see it, and test ride it, before buying it.

 

[petchickenlover]

Quote:
I agree -- free horses aren't a good idea. I once went to check out a free horse, she was a wonderful horse but apparently she went lame the next day?

So didn't end up getting her..Then i got my Arab mare from a friend and was told she was 13, turns out she's 18+

 

[RabbitMage]

Are you able to pay the routine expenses of horse ownership? Feed? Farrier every 6-8 weeks? Wormer? Vaccines? Are you going to be able to tend to your horses needs in an emergency?

 

[Chickerdoodle13]

The issue you are going to have is the fact that this barn is 30 minutes away and you will have to go there 2+ times EVERY day. That will get really really tiring after a short while. It will be expensive too. My family did it once before and it was physically exhausting. Not to mention, you may have things come up that require you to be there more often than that. Also think about what would happen in bad weather, etc.

The care of a horse is quite expensive. I know I never would be able to afford a horse if my dad didn't pay for most of the care. Per month they cost several hundred dollars, and that doesn't include vet care and farrier expenses.

Someone mentioned leasing or half leasing. I think in your situation, since you would be responsible for all the expenses this would be your best option. I also suggest joining a horse 4-H club now (most clubs will take you even if you don't have a horse) and you will be able to learn and meet people who may be willing to let you use their horses. So many 4-Hers I knew while growing up often had an extra horse sitting around and they would let 4-Hers that didn't have horses use them. One year a friend of mine did not have a horse but wanted to do horse camp, so I shared mine with her and we took turns riding.

Free horses often need training, as someone else mentioned. I got an awesome free horse two years ago who is a doll, but she is green and still needs training. She didn't buck or take off or anything when we first got on her, but she didn't understand a lot of cues and she just needs time. In the hands of someone who has no experience training little things like this, a lot of damage could be done to both the rider and the horse. The last thing you want to end up with is a horse you are afraid to go near. One bad experience could ruin your love of horses for a lifetime.

Don't be discouraged though. Talk to your mom about some of the things suggested and go from there. I think it would be better than jumping outright into owning a horse.

 

[petchickenlover]

Quote:
Oh yes, leasing. GREAT idea. My first horse i full-leased [So he was at my house, and i took care of feed/vet/farrier etc.] I suggest leasing first, even before you buy [One of my horses went lame not 3 months after we bought him.

]

 

[DuckLover179]

Chickerdoodle13, Thanks for the very helpful answer! I'm sure it took you a long time to write it, but it helped a lot.

Well, the boarding facility replied, and they changed their minds. It's now $150 a month, NOT including feed. I'm not sure why they replied to my "Wanted, Free horse boarding" ad then, but oh well.

There's a place that builds paddocks for about $1,000, so I could go to them, the only problem is, it's not legal, because our property isn't big enough.... Oh, and it would be SUPER expensive to buy land to build on...

Now I'm bummed

Well if theres anyone in So-Cal, that has room to board, please let me know...

 

[Chickerdoodle13]

Quote:
Oh man, $150 is cheap! Around here board runs between $300 and $800 a month and that doesn't include anything but a stall (sometimes) and maybe the use of an arena!

Don't get discouraged. There are lots of horsey activities you can do in the mean time. Like I said, definitely look into a 4-H club or even Pony Club (I think that's what it is called). Also, save up some money and take some lessons! You will make horse friends there and perhaps eventually you can network and work out a horse lease/ownership that works for you.

 

[DuckLover179]

Cheap around here is $50 per month. $100 per month is even expensive. It would just take me FOREVER to raise $1,800 for boarding for a full year. My friend boards for free (Like 2 mins away from her house) at her friends house. They only have 2 stalls, otherwise I would have boarded there. Every 3 days I get $20 for chores, so I'll try to save that up.

 

[Garden Gal]

I'd suggest holding on to your money for a while and go volunteer at a barn to muck, feed, LEARN, etc... I'm very involved in a wonderful, certified therapeutic riding center which is always in need of dedicated, willing volunteers, so you might consider looking to see if one is within driving distance from where you live. In this case, you'd not only be learning a LOT about horses, but you'd be helping other people in the process.

I love your enthusiasm and desire for a horse. They are awesome creatures to be around. But they have pretty specific needs, and the last thing you want is a horse with any serious health issues, previous serious injuries, etc... And as you've already heard, they are very, very expensive animals - even when all goes well. If one colics on you and needs surgery.... BIG BUCKS if you elect to save. I don't say this to be negative, just realistic.

The volunteering route might be a great option for now, to get you your horse fix and a free education (at least a partial one!)

Best of luck.

 

[carolinagirl58]

I don't know your age, but you really do remind me a LOT of me when I was young. I grew up in the city so having a horse was not a possibility. The stables were too far away (30 miles or so) and horses cost a lot to buy and to feed. I took lessons and helped a friend who worked at a stable sometimes on the weekend, just to be close to horses. When we moved to South Carolina and I was old enough to drive and work, I got a part time job after school and the very first thing I bought was a horse of my own. The boarding stable was 6 miles away and was full board so I didn't have to go there every day. Well, between school and working (to support the horse) I was lucky if I got to go there once a week! It was SO not worth it. When you can afford it, you'd be much better off finding a place that will let you do a shared lease. With a shared lease, someone else is also paying lease for that horse and has the right to ride him. That way the horse will get ridden when you can't be there and it will cost less for you. In the mean time, volunteer at a stable. Some riding schools might let you trade lessons for labor. And when it is time for you to get your own horse, don't plan on a free or cheap one. They are free or cheap for a reason. NO one gives away a perfectly good sound beginner horse. With horses, you do get what you pay for. Good luck!