This was not "Im getting a horse" I am just thinking about it.
--Then why are you reacting to the advice as you are, unless you're in a huge hurry and determined to do it immediately?
--If you are the only horse person in your family, who is going to take care of the horse when you are away on a vacation or outing with friends? When you are sick? Busy with school or work?
--If your heart's desire is to ride with rope reins and bareback, I'd suggest you get a crash helmet, some sensible riding boots, and plan to have some pretty serious accidents. I will be clear - I have a very, very poor view of a person with as little experience as yourself, riding bareback ou on trails, with halter ropes for reins.
--You really need to get some riding lessons and learn how to ride first. At NONE of the barns I've ever been at, is someone with that little experience allowed to go down trails.
--Trail riding isn't really so easy. People make a BIG mistake when they think trail riders are not very skilled and trained.
--Trail riding simply isn't how it used to be. Everywhere is built up and congested. Trail riders face hazards - unstable ground, bog holes, motorcycles, all terrain vehicles, loose dogs, broken beer bottles, other people riding like idiots, even robbery - you need to be a VERY good rider to trail ride safely, and you need to be VERY careful, and I would highly recommend you do it with both a saddle, and a bridle AND a helmet and that you be very, very secure in the saddle and know horse control back and forward. No one recommends anyone go out trail riding alone any more, either. If you're the only one in your family that is interested in riding, you need a buddy to go trail riding with. A group of 3 is better.
--AND - you need to buy a very, very old horse. AND even then you need to be extremely careful, because there are very, very few horses that can do what you want. MOST horses cannot act like that.
So tell me, If they cost so much, need so much time, can and will get hurt if the pen they are in is not perfect, why keep them?
--Depends on which day you ask me. 1.) I am completely bereft of my senses, 2.) I love horses.
--Why do people get them? Because they love horses and riding.
--AND they are willing to give up other things - both money wise, and time wise, to have them. And so are their families. You often hear them say, 'Sorry, I can't, I have to take care of my horse' or 'I have to get home to feed'. I've done that for many, many years. And it's affected my job, my family and even my family's recreation. Even my family makes sacrifices. Who takes care of the horse when I'm sick? Got a broken leg? Have to stay late at work? And who gives up their fishing trip, and their going to the movie, for me? A real, real devoted special person.
--Or because they like having a 'status symbol', a horse makes their feudal estate look authentic, they think they're 'pretty', they have romantic, sentimental ideas from watching 'My Friend Flicka' and 'The Black Stallion', because they want to be a cowboy, a Marlboro man.
--In general, people succeed at owning horses because they go into it, already experienced in riding and handling and caring for horses. They spend years, taking lessons, working in barns. And no, 'updown' lessons, the kind most people get, don't really teach them horse control or the skills they need to actually keep their own horse from turning into a dangerous brat.
I can see why so many horses need homes, you make sound as if no one could keep a horse without tons of money, and no job, so you can be there with the horse 24/7 to exersize it and keep it from falling into a hole.
--You are willfully twisting what was said to make it sound untrue. No one said you have to be with the horse 24/7. BUT - they DO need exercise every day, they do need to be fed 3 times a day (some will get by with 2x a day), and you can't just feed them four hours late when you feel like staying late at the mall, either - they get sick.
Money is not realy a problem for me unless somthing went wrong with a job. That could happen to anyone.
--No, actually, people DON'T do that. They put money aside for emergencies, they don't just go 'Oh, dang, I lost my job, guess I can't pay for horse feed'. For example, I have enough money set aside, for feed, bedding, hay, vaccinations and shoeing - for 18 months, as well as an additional three thousand dollars for colic surgery - for EACH horse I own. So if I DO lose my job, I don't have to get rid of them, and they don't have to starve. Hopefully I'd get another job within 18 months.
A good friend on mine had a horse with her alpacas in a smaller pen then I did.
--Well well, isn't that horse the lucky one! Not only does he not have enough room to move around, there aren't even any other horses around.
The horse seemed happy to me,
--You don't know much about horses if you think that.
but I dont know how to tell, realy. If my chickens liked being held, brushed and played with, you could bet I would be out there now insted of on the comp. - even though is FREEZING today-
--Sorry, but 'brushing, holding and playing' is not what horses are about. Horses are not dogs or chickens. They are a big animal, a working animal with very special feed needs.
--You have an extremely urealistic idea of what horse ownership is about. You need to learn a lot before getting a horse.
