I'm thinking about horses

[texsuze]

Mary, above, had the same answers to your questions that I would suggest.

I'd like to add: My first (and now, only) equine partner and I will have been together 23 years this coming October. Before I considered buying a horse, I spent half a year taking English lessons (hunter over fences) at a boarding/lesson barn, riding several different horses. I participated only in English riding, mostly jumping and some lower level dressage training. Then, I leased a 'schoolmaster' (experienced horse) at the same barn for another 2 1/2 years while continuing jumping lessons and competing in local hunter/jumper shows. I learned about breeds, feed requirements, grooming, veterinary care and emergencies, hoof care, trimming/shoeing, tack selection/care, training, behavior, etc. etc. etc. After those 2 1/2 years, I knew I had the desire, the time, and the financial resources to find my own horse. And even though, years later, I no longer ride, I am STILL learning (especially about colic ).

Leasing and taking lessons on the right horse can introduce you to all those facets of horse ownership I listed above, without the total commitment of ownership right off the bat. You'd still be responsible for all horse expenses (farrier, vet, board, etc. etc) but if you change focus or things don't work out, you can step away from the plan if needed.

If leasing a horse is not available within driving distance, then I would strongly suggest first taking lessons at a lesson barn. Jumping into horse ownership without seeing and/or experiencing first-hand some of the daily and long-term requirements and continuous financial demands is a setup for an unhappy situation. Just my opinion!

 

[Bird_Lover_17]

Just to make it clear- I'm not going to immediately buy a horse, and be careless. I only posted this thread to get an idea of where to start and what money I need to save up.

This is NOT directed at a certain user or any user! I just wanted to make that clear so that no one has any worries!

 

[Folly's place]

The fact that you asked made that pretty clear already! It's the folks who don't ask, and just leap in, that have problems.
Mary

 

[CHlCKEN]

Hi everyone, now this is not a definite, but I was thinking that (in the future) I might get a horse. I love birds, but I wanted a horse to go horseback riding and to groom it, etc. When I was 10, I worked on a farm with horses, and ever since I was 11 I have owned goats and other poultry. I just want any horse owners/ horse enthusiests to comment on:
1) your experience/ what you have learned
2) Good breeds
3) Pros/cons
4) any important info
Thank you!

Hi! I ride to, and there are a few things to consider. Riding takes a lot of time and commitment (and money) First of all, riding should be something you know your interested in, don’t get a horse until you are at least 2 years into riding, if you plan to get one now, you will have to hire someone to come and ride it weekly so it doesn’t go “green” again. You have to decide the type of riding you want to do, Western, English, Jumping, English and western Dressage, barrels, trails, bareback, etc. You could of course do it all! But that would require a horse that could do it all. And when you get one horse, you must get a second, as they are herd animals. Another thing is, that horses are expensive. Feed, and bedding for one thing. Then there’s all the tack! The best horse I could recommend would be a past show horse (preferably gelding) Now I see you say your interested in western- I was to! When I started I was all western, until I realized all the fun I was missing in English! I do both now, and really that’s the best way to go (best of both worlds!)

 

[Peaches Lee]

You have gotten some great advice! Horses are addicting, you'll find yourself daydreaming about them all the time! I'm so glad you are taking the time to research. Never stop asking questions or trying to learn--that's an excellent quality to have. The highest level professionals in equine sport still continue to get lessons and continued education!

One thing I must share is that I do see a lot of beginners attracted to Off Track Thoroughbreds (OTTB). This is because they are beautiful, needing a home (rescued), and usually have an extremely budget-friendly price. While a lot of beginners have good intentions, those feelings of "rescuing" and "giving a good home" outweigh the logic of "is this horse a good fit for me?" Most of the time (for beginners), OTTBs are not. Just my opinion on that.

I see you are in Upstate NY. Not sure how upstate you are but in Buffalo, a new Dover Saddlery has opened up. Might be too far for you, but I highly recommend a road trip. Really nice tack store!

Good luck and have fun!

 

[Bird_Lover_17]

You have gotten some great advice! Horses are addicting, you'll find yourself daydreaming about them all the time! I'm so glad you are taking the time to research. Never stop asking questions or trying to learn--that's an excellent quality to have. The highest level professionals in equine sport still continue to get lessons and continued education!

One thing I must share is that I do see a lot of beginners attracted to Off Track Thoroughbreds (OTTB). This is because they are beautiful, needing a home (rescued), and usually have an extremely budget-friendly price. While a lot of beginners have good intentions, those feelings of "rescuing" and "giving a good home" outweigh the logic of "is this horse a good fit for me?" Most of the time (for beginners), OTTBs are not. Just my opinion on that.

I see you are in Upstate NY. Not sure how upstate you are but in Buffalo, a new Dover Saddlery has opened up. Might be too far for you, but I highly recommend a road trip. Really nice tack store!

Good luck and have fun!

Thanks for all the info! I am a few hrs away from buffalo, but I am definitely willing to make the trip once I get my horse/s.

 

[MistyandLuna]

Hi everyone, now this is not a definite, but I was thinking that (in the future) I might get a horse. I love birds, but I wanted a horse to go horseback riding and to groom it, etc. When I was 10, I worked on a farm with horses, and ever since I was 11 I have owned goats and other poultry. I just want any horse owners/ horse enthusiests to comment on:
1) your experience/ what you have learned
2) Good breeds
3) Pros/cons
4) any important info
Thank you!

Oh my goodness!! This is so exciting! So happy for you! Horses are amazing, and my favorite animal ever.
1) Through my experience, the very first thing I messed up on was taking it too far too fast with my horse when we first got her. When she first arrived, we were so excited, and she was my first horse, so i had a lot to learn. We still own her to this day, and she's amazing, anyway, don't just get on and ride the next day, I personally would say to wait two weeks before riding them, it really also depends on their personality. I also learned A LOT about ground work, and how uneducated I was, was terrible! Clinton Anderson is a great trainer I have watched. Other trainers such as Emma Massingale are amazing to watch, they are true opposites, but I really love both sides of training, and finding little things to apply to my equines.

2) We own a quarter horse, and they are generally very calm, and good starter horses, they are, from my own experience, just so docile and lovely to be around. Other good breeds are those such as draft horses, icelandic horses are wonderful too, American Paint, if you are looking at smaller breeds such as ponies, Welsh ponies are good, and so are Pony of America.

3) Really I think the biggest con is learning everything about horses and each horse is different with training. My Quarter Horse is such a sweet heart and generally listens to me, especially when I mean it. My pony is a bit of a psycho, and she takes a bit of time, and sometimes some firm training to deal with. But at the same time, I feel like it's more like a pro of learning everything about horses, I don't even know now LOL I'm not leaning toward it's a pro, so maybe just all of the work training can take. Also, horses are expensive, so if you or your parents are ready to pay that, then that's great! It especially helps if you have property or one of your family members does so they can board there for free, like my horses are.

4) Don't rush with your horses, and learn what they are like! Also, don't expect too much from them, especially when you are first getting to know them! I hope everything goes well!!

 

[Bird_Lover_17]

Oh my goodness!! This is so exciting! So happy for you! Horses are amazing, and my favorite animal ever.
1) Through my experience, the very first thing I messed up on was taking it too far too fast with my horse when we first got her. When she first arrived, we were so excited, and she was my first horse, so i had a lot to learn. We still own her to this day, and she's amazing, anyway, don't just get on and ride the next day, I personally would say to wait two weeks before riding them, it really also depends on their personality. I also learned A LOT about ground work, and how uneducated I was, was terrible! Clinton Anderson is a great trainer I have watched. Other trainers such as Emma Massingale are amazing to watch, they are true opposites, but I really love both sides of training, and finding little things to apply to my equines.

2) We own a quarter horse, and they are generally very calm, and good starter horses, they are, from my own experience, just so docile and lovely to be around. Other good breeds are those such as draft horses, icelandic horses are wonderful too, American Paint, if you are looking at smaller breeds such as ponies, Welsh ponies are good, and so are Pony of America.

3) Really I think the biggest con is learning everything about horses and each horse is different with training. My Quarter Horse is such a sweet heart and generally listens to me, especially when I mean it. My pony is a bit of a psycho, and she takes a bit of time, and sometimes some firm training to deal with. But at the same time, I feel like it's more like a pro of learning everything about horses, I don't even know now LOL I'm not leaning toward it's a pro, so maybe just all of the work training can take. Also, horses are expensive, so if you or your parents are ready to pay that, then that's great! It especially helps if you have property or one of your family members does so they can board there for free, like my horses are.

4) Don't rush with your horses, and learn what they are like! Also, don't expect too much from them, especially when you are first getting to know them! I hope everything goes well!!

Thanks for all the info, and the enthusiasm!

 

[Pullet Press]

I hope that you get that horse someday! Oh, I don't know if anyone has mentioned it before, but some folks suggest buying a small horse to start with, so you know what you're getting into. When you get a normal horse, the pony could be its stablemate so you don't have to worry about the big horse being lonely.

 

[ButtonHoarder]

I hope that you get that horse someday! Oh, I don't know if anyone has mentioned it before, but some folks suggest buying a small horse to start with, so you know what you're getting into. When you get a normal horse, the pony could be its stablemate so you don't have to worry about the big horse being lonely.

Yeah it would be good for your horse to have a buddy, even just a miniature horse is fine, plus minis are cheaper to have around!