I REALLY want a Horse!!!

[Rusty Hills Farm]

Quote:
This is something to think long and hard about. Keeping horses is rarely convenient. I started keeping horses while I was in the Marine Corps. Many a time I was sore, tired, and hurting but my horses got fed and cared for just as thoroughly as the days when I felt fine. I missed many a ball game or a night out with the guys because the money in my jeans was already spoken for--horse feed, farrier, you name it--it does add up. Then there was pouring rain, or heaving my guts out, or burning up with a fever, or feeding in the pitch black because I got kept late. It doesn't matter what all is happening in your life; the horses still need what they need when they need it and their needs always come first. Right now I have a mare that I delivered in 1987. Do the math and then think about what "commitment" really means and ask yourself it you really are up for it. Right now I also have a rescue mare. It took her an entire year to stop flinching every time I touched her. Nobody deserves what must have happened to her. Which is why when I take on a horse, that animal is mine for the rest of their days.

Just some more stuff to think about.

Rusty

 

[PoultryQueen29]

Thanks guys I appreciate the help! I will continue thinking about this for a while. I really wanted to rescue an older horse and give it a good last home and spoil it rotten! It really is a big responsibility and I know that. It's also a dream of mine and I will persue it as much as I can.

 

[cafarmgirl]

Thanks guys I appreciate the help! I will continue thinking about this for a while. I really wanted to rescue an older horse and give it a good last home and spoil it rotten! It really is a big responsibility and I know that. It's also a dream of mine and I will persue it as much as I can.

And you should persue it. Everybody who has horses started somewhere and had a first horse at some point. Your plan to lease and take lessons is a very good one. It's a great way for someone to start out rather then buying a horse of your own right off the bat. I say go with that and see where it takes you.

 

[Kelly G]

Horses are always a worthy dream to pursue.

I use to have money. Now I have horses.

And I am happy.

 

[EweSheep]

I agree with OldGuy and Rusty....been there and done it.

Today, with family commitment, rising feed expenses and higher vet bills and boarding stable going out of business, I had to let all my Pasos and Miniatures go. It was hard but the experience of over 20 years having horses paid off and I'm still learning even I'm horseless now for 13 years.

Take it while you are young, it will pay off later whether or not you want to continue with horse ownership or just go for riding lessons whenever you feel like it.

Oh there were MANY days I was so dead sick but horses need me particuarly in the winter, needing ice broken, cleared and refilled and hay and grain. They can not push a button to feed themselves. Luckily I live on the farm instead of town and just down the short lane, my horses are there.

Thanks for the memories of horses.......priceless!

 

[PoultryQueen29]

Thanks again for all of the advise! It helps to hear from people who have had horses. If I had a horse, it would be easier to take care of it every day because I need to but if I don't need to drive up to the horse farm, no one will help me with it. It's like my "once every 6 months" treat. I cant go there by myself so I have to wait for someone else to have availability. It's hard to love them so much but not be able to see them at all.