I'm thinking about horses

[Weeg]

Hey guys, I know this thread is bit old, but I wan to call all th horse owners oaths thread to my online horse show! I want to get as much entries as possible, so that I have enough entries to make at leas tone category! Ponies are welcome too! The link is my coop page, if you are on a computer, other wise it says calling all horse owners, in the poultry show section! Please enter!

 

[littledog]

Think about half-leasing a horse at first. Lots of horse owners don't have time to ride their horse every day, and would welcome a partner who can pay some of the expenses and ride a few days a week. This is a great way to get experience with both riding and taking care of horses, discover what riding disciplines you like best, and get all the benefits of horse ownership without a lifetime commitment, until you decide what kind of horse/riding you want to do.

 

[Shezadandy]

I have a few more questions:
1) Where can I get tack that will last a long time- Tractor Supply or somewhere else?
2) Can you build your own 1-2 horse trailer? or can you only buy it? ( I know I need to license it)
3) Is there any "horse toys" like special feeders I should get?
4) Here in NY the lowest in my area has been like -14 (F) and the highest was like 101 (F)- what temperature should I use a horse blanket (like "at 32 degrees (F) and lower, put on the horse blanket" )
5) How high should a fence be?

Ask around. The best tack and equipment comes from people who bought good quality stuff then ended up with another horse that it no longer fits. I've found lots of good stuff that way - around here the do a big kinda garage sale at the fair grounds and it's a cost effective way to find nice things that will last for years. The consignment section of tack stores is a good place to look too.

I would never make a trailer. Some will rent a trailer for a fee - unless you can afford to buy your own truck and trailer - horses are too big for that - leave it (building a horse trailer) to the professionals.

Minimum a fence should be 4 feet - tight- with "no climb-horse fence" - 5 feet tall is better.
Prepare to set the corner posts minimum of 3 feet in the ground with lots of bracing in the corners.

 

[EndeyPonychicken]

If you are looking for an all around pasture horse, I recommend quarter horses. They have great temperaments, and are ideal for trail riding and bareback. Before you get a horse though, locate an equine vet and a farrier near you. Definitely do you research!

 

[Weeg]

Ps. when looking for a ferrier, you down want one who says that there feet will be sore for a couple day after. If the ferrier is gonna make there feet sore, then you don't have a good ferrier. You should be able to ride them same day as the trimming. Good luck!

 

[Kabootar]

I have never had horses, but I would suggest you to join backyardherds, if you have not already joined. There's a whole separate section there about equines. There are many great horse people.

 

[AOrchard]

I had an arabian for 11 years, at my farm. I loved a lot of it - the biggest trouble I had was company. For awhile I lived with my mom and she had a horse too, so we could spend time together with the horses and go out riding together. It was really nice, we groomed them and wandered around the farm riding the fields for fun. We generally just rode around our own place, casually and sponanteous usually. After several years she was no longer able to ride, had sold her horse, and I bought my own farm. I had a lot less fun with my horse after that. It gets lonely to just ride on your own, but trailering to get to others is much more of an affair.

If the horse will be at your house and you are the only horse person there I'd consider how you feel about being alone all the time while with the horse. If your family isn't into horses, how often a week will you able/wanting to spend time with your horse rather than with your family? If you would keep the horse at your place, but trailer to events, maybe ask to go along on a trail ride with someone so you can experience transporting horses and all that. Some people love this, but its a very different experience. There are many ways to do "riding", some work better for different situations and people than others.

If more than you in your household likes horses then 1 won't be enough, which needs consideration.

Like all animals, owning horses can be done expensively or more manageably. We had enough land to do our own hay, which helped a ton, and didn't do shows, which made it much cheaper. I also didn't get "into" the fancy tack or clothes. You can easily drop thousands of dollars on those. BUT, you don't have to. You and your horse will have a perfectly delightful time with much cheaper/second hand tack and you can ride just fine in pretty normal clothes. You can make your own nice rope halters. Our vet even taught us to do our own shots, so we didn't pay for that. Expenses of course occur, but you can do it in a less expensive way if you wish.

One thing I did early on that was highly beneficial for me was to go to natural horsemanship seminars or to get/watch materials around this. A number of the programs are set to teach you as much as the horse. A learned a lot about good (and safe) ground manners to teach a horse, and learned how to teach it to my horse.

ALWAYS wear a helmet, I suggest anytime you are on a horse, even for short stints, and on the ground if around a horse you haven't known for a good year. I watched a helmet save a life in front of my eyes. Don't underrate them.

 

[Folly's place]

x1000 about wearing a helmet!!!
Mary

 

[Butterscotchbitesfinger]

I have a few tips:
1. Make sure you have at least some experience before you buy a horse
2. Make sure you are well prepared for the cost coz trust me (not sure if it’s the same for u in the states) horse food is EXPENSIVE! Last year we had it around $27 per bale. And be prepared to fork out more money than you planned, droughts occur and destroy crops and wet seasons do too. In these times it will cost more to feed your horse.
3. I disagree with buying a small horse first because yes they may become companions but you would have to lunge them to keep them in work so they don’t become overweight and founder
4. Do some research into the breeds you want to get. Start off getting an older horse that is maybe more of a plodder so that you can get a bond with it and learn what it’s all about before you buy something a bit younger and fresher
5. I don’t believe it is necessary to have two horses but each to their own. I only have to one but I desperately want a second one and he is happy to be by himself. Some horses are different though and can get separation anxiety.
6. I’m really happy for you to be getting a horse I just want to make sure you know what your getting yourself into before you commit wholeheartedly. I saw some really good ideas on here about leasing a horse first, it becomes like your own horse but at any point if you decide you don’t want to ride anymore you can give it back to it’s owners.

 

[Folly's place]

WOW! $27 per bale of hay??? I just paid $5 for nice first cutting grass...
Mary