How much should i have to buy a horse

[chicken gal]

I was born into a horse family, so I never had to prove anything to get my first horse. However, my social life as a teenager was dependent on my performance at home caring for my horses... If my horse's stall was not cleaned, feed set up for the evening, and horse was turned out and spotless by 6:30am every morning, then I was going to be sitting at home that evening and not be out with my friends. Even though my parents were more than capable to fully care for my horse, they made me be 100% responsible, so all they had to do if I was gone for an evening was to lead the horses in from the pasture to their stalls in the barn. Those "chores" sometimes seemed like a burden when I was 16, but I consider them priceless now.

I would say, Chicken Gal, if you want to show your parents that you are responsible and capable of caring for/owning a horse, that you might look for a local therapeutic riding center, or possibly a normal lesson barn. Many times, those facilities welcome volunteers and are willing to teach them the basics of caring for horses. You will likely start out doing the "grunt work" and NOT working independently with the horses, but that type of work is what you HAVE to do to own a horse. Some facilities, if they are non-profit or not-for-profit, will track and record your hours as a "volunteer". That record can be shown to your parents so they know you are ready.

I have seen kids at my current facility work their way up, and their parents have leased and/or bought horses for them because of the dedication they have shown as a volunteer.

Thanks! I am going to my lesson tomorrow so I will ask my parents if I could volunteer then ask my instructor. I can also go to my neighbor with some horses. Thanks!

 

[chicken gal]

Once again my parents said I HAD TO BE OLDER to volunteer at my riding stable! I am a lost cause..................

 

[lovetopaint]

Oh no, I go 9 am to 5 pm every week, not 9-5 weeks every week (I'm confused)...
I'm sorry to hear that. Save up and keep trying! I don't really volunteer, I just go there. What reasons did they give?

 

[chicken gal]

I have to prove that I am WORTHY sort of. This year I am gonna put at least 50 cents in my little mason jar a day. If I do that I should have $182 by the end of the year. Thanks for your support!

 

[res]

Once again my parents said I HAD TO BE OLDER to volunteer at my riding stable! I am a lost cause..................

I don't know how old you are, but the therapeutic center where I work allows kids age 13 and over to volunteer. And it is EXTREMELY safe to volunteer there... the kids are supervised 100% of the time, and are not allowed to do anything dangerous. If your parents are concerned about the risk of you getting hurt while volunteering, then you might look into local therapeutic riding centers vs. just typical lesson barns. Certified centers tend to run a tighter, safer ship vs. lesson barns...

 

[chicken gal]

No its not danger. It just I have to prove something, but I don't know what. Ughhh.......I really would like to work with some horses!

 

[Chickerdoodle13]

Sounds like you are already on the right track with horse lessons. Have you thought about joining horse 4H? I joined around your age when I alreay had a horse, but we were newbies to the horse world and I learned so much and made so many friends. Many of my friends that joined didn't have horses but wanted to get them. They were able to participate in the camps and shows so they could learn for later when they actually got a horse.

I'm a huge fan of 4H. I did horse for about 7-8 years then started poultry 4h and later became a leader of my poultry club. It is a great place for kids to learn about all kinds of interesting stuff.

 

[chicken gal]

I would really like to join the 4-H club, but I don't have one in my area. The closest on is like an hour's drive away. But maybe I could work something out!

 

[lovetopaint]

4-H is AMAZING! I love their poultry and horse shows.

 

[chicken gal]

I had my lesson yesterday and it was soooo fun!!!! Except........ well I have a habit of walk on the sides of my feet. Its no problem walking on the flat ground. But it hurt really bad because the stirrup is at an angle....with weight on it. Does anybody have that problem and can someone help? But it may also just have been a cramp. I haven't ridden that long it a while.