I'm thinking about horses

[CrazyTownChick]

Great idea!
It's time to get riding again first, if riding is your plan. Visit local stables, and this is an awful time for it, but on second thought, maybe next year! Visit stables, sign up for riding lessons, and spend AT LEAST six months intensively redeveloping your interest and abilities, before considering anything further.
If riding lessons are too expensive or difficult to schedule, horses will also be too difficult and expensive.
I was a horse crazy kid, and finally could afford to own one at age 35ish, and take lessons, finally, and actually learn something about riding effectively.
Having one horse and boarding is one way to go, and should get you that indoor riding arena for all weather fun. Or, having multiple horses at home, on pasture, and raising foals, is a totally different but very satisfying experience.
Or taking care of rescue horses, another path.
I've given up riding, getting fragile and not wanting those fun experiences falling...
Still have four horses, two 'pasture pets', and two who should be out there doing things, but are still at home. Love them!
Mary

Very good response...do a couple test drives first before you run out and buy. Dont buy a horse or any animal because "it's cute." [Edit: not meant to be an insult. We all tend to be attracted to animals first based on appearance. That's all I meant. ]
There is a lot of work and expense that comes with owning horses, and as Mary said if keeping them at home, you need to have the property for grazing and facilities to house them.
We had 2 horses, then two others later, while my daughter was growing up, that kept her occupied and focused while she was a teenager in high school. My horse was tor trail riding. A gelding. He and I bonded perfectly. A ton of hard work and very expensive if you're showing too. But we both, as adults, would not trade those wonderful horse years for anything.

 

[JadeFarms]

I agree, you have to meet the horse, ride it and you might even want to see if you could groom and be there before she puts anything on the horse for riding so you can see how good it takes it. Make sure you know the questions you need to ask about the horse.
I ride western and I used to ride different horses western, one of my favorites was actually a Quarter horse. I now own a thoroughbred and ride her western. But they are harder to care for and are tall so I don’t recommend them.

 

[CrazyTownChick]

My daughter and I started out with a small Arabian for her. She was 11 and already a good rider, from lessons. He was older and quite stubborn.
Then after 1 year on the Equestrian team we sold him and got her a younger, better trained beautiful Arabian who loved being ridden and shown. A better temperament, even though he was s classic "hot" Arabian.
My first horse was a Thoroughbred, about 8 yrs old, who had been raced as a youngster. NOT a good choice for a first horse, even if you're an experienced solid rider. In trail rides he only wanted to run...and fast. So after a year and a half I sold him to a trainer that already knew and loved him.
Then I got my horse of a lifetime, Rocky. He was a 9 year old Quarter horse-Morgan cross and he was fantastic for me. He used to barrel race so he was great running a course but also loved to meander through wooded trails with me.
We kept them at home in 2 small barn stalls with a paddock and turned them out to pasture every day, even in Michigan's brutal winters. Supplemented with hay in cold months.
Based on our experience I highly recommend owning horses. Now that we are over 60 and retired we probably will not do the horse thing again. Thankful we did when we were all younger! Owning and caring for horses really molded my daughter's strong, independent, caring character. Many wonderful years of priceless memories with our horses, always in our hearts.
Although my daughter cannot own horses where she lives in France, at the edge of Paris, she still loves them and will go to shows and riding whenever she has the opportunity.
Sorry to ramble...the topic brings up so many sweet irreplaceable memories!

 

[Bird_Lover_17]

Very good response...do a couple test drives first before you run out and buy. Dont buy a horse or any animal because "it's cute."
There is a lot of work and expense that comes with owning horses, and as Mary said if keeping them at home, you need to have the property for grazing and facilities to house them.
We had 2 horses, then two others later, while my daughter was growing up, that kept her occupied and focused while she was a teenager in high school. My horse was tor trail riding. A gelding. He and I bonded perfectly. A ton of hard work and very expensive if you're showing too. But we both, as adults, would not trade those wonderful horse years for anything.

I am not going to get horses because they are "cute", I am planning on having a goal (riding) and I will take care of it well.

 

[CrazyTownChick]

I am not going to get horses because they are "cute", I am planning on having a goal (riding) and I will take care of it well.

Sorry, I did not mean that to be an insult at all. The reality is many of us buy an animal based on appearance first. Chickens and horses included. I'm sure you will enjoy the riding and care taking as well. Enjoy!

 

[Bird_Lover_17]

Sorry, I did not mean that to be an insult at all. The reality is many of us buy an animal based on appearance first. Chickens and horses included. I'm sure you will enjoy the riding and care taking as well. Enjoy!

Don't worry! I didn't take it as an insult, I was just telling you that I am responsible! You're all good!

 

[Folly's place]

Try more than 'Western' riding! Basic dressage, should be possible to find where you live, will give your riding skills a big boost, whatever you end up doing out there. I found this later in life, and wish it was available a whole lot sooner! It's humbling, and so good for both horse and rider.
Early on, with very basic skills, I taught beginners at a very big barn, and rode the owner's polo ponies, NOT in the game. That was fun, but so basic, 'back before'.
Then some low level jumping, at a hunt club on a sweet grade mare, who would jump anything if pointed in that direction. We moved before I could go cubbing, so missed the actual hunt field experience.
My first purchase was an Arabian mare, not a terrific show type, but wonderful for trail riding, and she had three foals for us. I discovered that raising the babies was more fun than actually riding... Her first foal was my riding horse for her lifetime, and we learned some dressage together. Very sadly missed too.
Then, decided that Trakehners were what I wanted, and raised several foals, and three of them still live here, on pasture, living the good life.
I left a few out; the nice Canter thoroughbred mare, and my one Oldenburg filly.
Mary

 

[FloorCandy]

Great idea!
It's time to get riding again first, if riding is your plan. Visit local stables, and this is an awful time for it, but on second thought, maybe next year! Visit stables, sign up for riding lessons, and spend AT LEAST six months intensively redeveloping your interest and abilities, before considering anything further.
If riding lessons are too expensive or difficult to schedule, horses will also be too difficult and expensive.
I was a horse crazy kid, and finally could afford to own one at age 35ish, and take lessons, finally, and actually learn something about riding effectively.
Having one horse and boarding is one way to go, and should get you that indoor riding arena for all weather fun. Or, having multiple horses at home, on pasture, and raising foals, is a totally different but very satisfying experience.
Or taking care of rescue horses, another path.
I've given up riding, getting fragile and not wanting those fun experiences falling...
Still have four horses, two 'pasture pets', and two who should be out there doing things, but are still at home. Love them!
Mary

When I was younger, I had 2 cousins who rode, and later worked at a localish stable. One ended up being given a horse by the stable because the owner stopped coming and paying the bill, and was not able to be contacted. So just being around the stable landed her a free, vetted, horse that had been well cared for at the stable and was very accustomed to being ridden in a busy area. I know she later met and married a man who had bought a horse from the same stable after a family got tired of it, and he got a great deal on an excellent horse. So immersing yourself in the culture, and meeting people might lead you where you want to go.

 

[HorsesRMe123]

Hello!

I’ve been raised around horses pretty much my whole life. I learned real quick that they take a lot of time, work, and certainly money. My two horses take lots of time because I train them, take care of them, etc. In my experience, when you first get a horse, it’s best not to ride them right away and just wait a week or so. I would first probably do a few groundwork sessions for a few days and then ride just so you get to know your horse. Also, if you look at a horse to buy, I recommend asking questions like, has this horse ever had colic or founder? How are it’s ground manners? How is the horse under saddle? Does the horse have or have they had any health issues? Questions like these will show you the condition the horse is in and how well the horse is trained.

Some good horse breeds are the plain old quarter horse. I have a quarter horse, she’s not too hot blooded and she’s quite easy to deal with even if she happens to get anxious or nervous, she’s easy to calm down and have her pay attention to you. I would recommend getting an older horse, maybe in the age range of 15-25 years old and has lots of experience. Getting a young horse that needs lots of training wouldn’t be an easy thing for a first time owner.

I’d say some cons are that you will get frustrated from time to time if you don’t feel like they’re progressing in some aspect such as groundwork or under saddle. But you really have to be patient and try new avenues if you have to so you can see them progress. Another con - money. Hay, grain, bedding, tack, vet expenses, farrier expenses, boarding fees, and other things like troughs, mangers, buckets, halters, grooming supplies etc. can all come to a big amount of money really quick. It definitely can be overwhelming, but if you look into what you have to buy and see how you’ll be able to afford it, you can come up with a plan. Hauling hay is another con as well because you have a way to transport all those bales, you have to have a secure, dry place for the bales, you have to pay for them, and you have to load and unload. But it’s really just part of owning horses! Some pros are that you feel great when you see your horse progress in their training, you have them to turn to if you need a big hug, going for trail rides are the best, just being around horses is a wonderful feeling. I definitely think that the pros outweigh the cons. Horses are an incredible part of my life!

Some important info is that you need to make sure you have enough money, time, and energy for the care of the horse, you need a farrier and vet, you will need a de-icer for the trough in winter, watch out for what your horse’s poop looks like, make sure fencing is secure, come up with the feeding amount based on your horse’s size. I think those are the main things that came up but I’m sure others have more info.

I hope this helps! And I wish the best for you and your possible future horse!!

 

[Folly's place]

If you want your horse at home, it's more like two, or three horses, because one alone just won't be happy.
Mary