Help getting a horse?!

[ChickenAlgebra]

Quote:
We are NOT in CA, where prices are higher. A TRAINED horse that is trained well enough for a beginner is going to easily run $3,000. Easily. We sold one last year, 4 y/o Paint mare who went for $5K because she was so easy to work with. To be correct, they paid $3K for her and we got their very nice TB who needs the work to be a good horse.

$2K gets you an ok horse, maybe. Or boarding. Not both.

$500 gets you a horse who is not suited for riding, for a variety of reason. Either an evil nasty horse or a horse who has serious injuries.

The perfect horse for a beginner who refuses to read what every other person has said about the merits of NOT owning a horse, despite the fact that most of us love ours, is a stuffed pony from the store. Further proven by the fact you need to go

to all the advice you've been given, just because you don't want to hear it doesn't mean it's inaccurate.

 

[DuckLover179]

Quote:
We are NOT in CA, where prices are higher. A TRAINED horse that is trained well enough for a beginner is going to easily run $3,000. Easily. We sold one last year, 4 y/o Paint mare who went for $5K because she was so easy to work with. To be correct, they paid $3K for her and we got their very nice TB who needs the work to be a good horse.

$2K gets you an ok horse, maybe. Or boarding. Not both.

$500 gets you a horse who is not suited for riding, for a variety of reason. Either an evil nasty horse or a horse who has serious injuries.

The perfect horse for a beginner who refuses to read what every other person has said about the merits of NOT owning a horse, despite the fact that most of us love ours, is a stuffed pony from the store. Further proven by the fact you need to go

to all the advice you've been given, just because you don't want to hear it doesn't mean it's inaccurate.

Maybe you haven't read my past posts, but like I said I'm OKAY with hearing the negatives. Sure, nobody WANTs to hear them, but I feel I am responsible enough to handle, and accept them. Honestly, I'm not sure why this thread is still going, my problem has been solved. But, Thanks anyway to the contributers of positive, and negative comments, it helped.

To fill those in who think I'm just a little kid who wants a horse, to just use it, and dump it- I'm NOT. Yes, I want a horse, but I also know what goes into responsibility, care, and love to care for a horse. I rescue ALL my animals, and care for them properly. This horse will be loved, and taken care of.

Thanks guys!

ETA: For quoted poster, I read ALL of the negative comments also, I've read the warnings, I've read the posts of people who think I'm not responsible- Doesn't make it true..

 

[reliant601]

Never get a free horse, if its free then there is reason why the horse is for free. The horse could be lame, training issues, or any other problems,etc. I gotten my horse for free and I had to train him and he still needs more training. Also don't go to a free boarding barn-no such thing as free boarding.

Self care in my area is $133.75 but you have to do your own stall everyday,buy grain/shavings/hay,and deworm your own horse,and etc.

Full boarding ranges from $400-$1000+.

It isn't cheap getting a horse especially if you are looking for a 'free' horse or something, but like I said if the horse is for free something is wrong with it and also the horse isn't basically for free because you have to pay for all the stuff.

EDIT: I would really suggest half-leasing a horse like everybody else has mentioned. That is the BEST thing. I didn't half-lease a horse 4 years ago. I worked for a harness racing trainer and they owed me a lot of money (nearly $2,000). And they had riding horse people that never paid and I knew this horse and since they didn't pay the barn owner asked me if I wanted this horse. I said sure I'll be happy to take him. Now by this time I found a boarding place (work in exchange for board). I must say I will NEVER do work in exchange for board again unless IF I have to. When I did that the barn owner took control of me and everything I had to run for her and then she would complain that I had to start paying for hay. I thought I was doing work in exchange for board? Wrong...I was basically 'paying' for something, so technically the board wasn't 'free', I had to pay for something.

Now my board is $133.75,feed-$9.25/bag,shavings-5.25?,hay-$4,dewormers-about $5 or so,vet bills-varies *knock on wood* I've NEVER had the vet come out for my horse believe it or not NEVER! Only for shots, farrier-$30 *ONLY trim*;and much much more! List goes on. I work for a harness racing trainer and yes I am considering if getting another horse, *but* this next horse will be a racer and the horse will be under my name but my dad and I will basically own it. And the trainer that I'm working for agree with my dad and I that he will train the horse at no cost but I will have to buy for feed,no problem! Do I believe it-NO. I'll believe it once I get it. My previous job I stilled work for a harness racing trainer I paid $500/week which was nice, but had NO life. Then of course I was able to pay for everything, now I'm kinda having trouble but I'm managing it. I mean the trainer said he might be getting another horse or two to race which will be more money for me and once I find a good racer then go on from there.

I will say having a horse is very nice but it is physically and mentally draining. And I am a CNA(Certified Nurses Aide), I basically gave up that job to get back in the horses full time! Yes, crazy, but I'll tell you I'll be making the biggest mistake. I know it...

But Good Luck!

 

[lockedhearts]

Ok, here is my story, how I got started in horses. This all happened 34 Years ago when I was 14.
I had always wanted a horse, parents had always thought I would get over it. I saved, bought a GREEN 2 yr old Appendix Mare. I did this while my parents were out of town, now we all know the guy should not have sold a minor a horse. Parents came back to town, told them what I did. My Dad put up a crude but workable fence, and we borrowed a trailer and brought her home.
She colicked, badly, almost to the point of dieing, why because I did not know anything. Vet bill was several hundred and we ended up having to feed a special feed and alfalfa hay.
She colicked a second time, sand (we lived in Florida) another few hundred, another lesson learned.

I have learned and learned since then, Colick still scares the crap out of me, but now I can deal with it most of the time on my own.


So not only are you going to have to deal with the horse, board, feed, hay shots worming, what is going to happen if it gets sick? My horse was home for two weeks when she first colicked. Even if I had saved every penny for those two weeks, I would not have had enough. In fact, I did not get an allowance ever again and I started working Part Time at 15 and all my money went to my parents to pay for Horse Expenses. I did not pay board , we had property.


I would not give up my horses for anything, but sitting out that first night, wondering if my horse was going to live or not, I sure as heck wished I had learned a lot more before jumping out of the frying pan and in to the fire.

 

[vmdanielsen]

Quote:
We are NOT in CA, where prices are higher. A TRAINED horse that is trained well enough for a beginner is going to easily run $3,000. Easily. We sold one last year, 4 y/o Paint mare who went for $5K because she was so easy to work with. To be correct, they paid $3K for her and we got their very nice TB who needs the work to be a good horse.

$2K gets you an ok horse, maybe. Or boarding. Not both.

$500 gets you a horse who is not suited for riding, for a variety of reason. Either an evil nasty horse or a horse who has serious injuries.

The perfect horse for a beginner who refuses to read what every other person has said about the merits of NOT owning a horse, despite the fact that most of us love ours, is a stuffed pony from the store. Further proven by the fact you need to go

to all the advice you've been given, just because you don't want to hear it doesn't mean it's inaccurate.

Maybe you haven't read my past posts, but like I said I'm OKAY with hearing the negatives. Sure, nobody WANTs to hear them, but I feel I am responsible enough to handle, and accept them. Honestly, I'm not sure why this thread is still going, my problem has been solved. But, Thanks anyway to the contributers of positive, and negative comments, it helped.

To fill those in who think I'm just a little kid who wants a horse, to just use it, and dump it- I'm NOT. Yes, I want a horse, but I also know what goes into responsibility, care, and love to care for a horse. I rescue ALL my animals, and care for them properly. This horse will be loved, and taken care of.

Thanks guys!

ETA: For quoted poster, I read ALL of the negative comments also, I've read the warnings, I've read the posts of people who think I'm not responsible- Doesn't make it true..

I have followed this thread from the beginning and agree with the advice in the postings. I also think that the responding people aren't doubting how responsible you are ...maybe just inexperienced and with that naivety, a little delusional. Those of us with horses KNOW it is just not that simple or low cost. The price of gas is going up again and everything will follow suit. I hope you don't get stuck with something and get turned off to horses . Good luck!!

 

[vmdanielsen]

Quote:
locked hearts,your avatar------nice butt!!!!

 

[Msbear]

My "free horse" was going to be the absolute biggest mistake of my life said everyone on this forum. I wasn't responsible enough or knowledgable enough... Im 34 and had been around horses all of my life

Anyway, Hutch is my son's very best friend and I was very lucky but they are out there. Don't turn down a horse just because it's free... there are situations like Hutch where his body wall hernia was somethind no one else wanted to look at/care for... He dropped feed and his owner thought it was time to put him down. WOW!! how amazing a transformation after getting his teeth done.. all the sudden, he started to fill out and now looks like the beautiful halfie he was destined to be. So, free can mean a lot of things. It may just mean you need to do some diggin with someone experienced to figure it out together.

So, I got lucky with Hutch, why not roll the dice again on two auction horses in a feedlot destined for slaughter

I jumped right in and bought two, very cheap, auction horse... both said "beginner safe" and "the kind of horse anyone could ride" Well, one turned out to be an insane nightmare that no one can ride... and ditched everyone who attempted

maybe the "led through the ring" would've tipped me off... She had chiropractic done and teeth done and vet exams and training and blah blah blah... nope, just insane. She was probably abused to some extent or had one very bad experience where she was hurt and now doesn't trust her human partner. I gave her away (with full disclosure) and she is currently undergoing retraining in PA with a person much more experienced than me. They are making progress but it is slow.

The OTHER turned out to be a dream. Lennon is my 16 hand appendix gelding who neckreins, is well broke and enjoys attention from me and my children. I was extremely lucky with him as well. But, I lost a lot of money, time and a broken finger to the other that didn't turn out so well..

 

[Fluff-n-Feathers]

Quote:
Free horses aren't always bad, one of my friends is giving away her horse that only has a few temperment quirks and she is just giving her away because she is making room for a pregnant mare.

I am, however, worried about the free board. You might want to look into why the board there is free. It might be because he/she will use your horse for lessons. I don't know if this is something you want, or not, but just a heads up.

 

[lockedhearts]

Quote:
locked hearts,your avatar------nice butt!!!!

Thanks! That is our AQHA Stallion CoolX! He is the sweetest Boy in the World

 

[vmdanielsen]

Quote:
locked hearts,your avatar------nice butt!!!!

Thanks! That is our AQHA Stallion CoolX! He is the sweetest Boy in the World

I always liked a quarter horse butt! good engines!