Thinking about getting horses, need advice?

[ChickenCanoe]

Good on you for looking ahead. Where do you live?

 

[thinkyesi]

What is pasture board?

 

[thinkyesi]

I live in North texas

 

[Folly's place]

Pasture board is having the horses outside in a field, with grazing, and a run-in shelter, rather than being inside in a stall. It's good up here, don't know what you would have in pasture where you are.
Mary

 

[HomesteaderWife]

A lot of good suggestions of things to consider first. If you ever do get into horses, check out an older mare or gelding who is already trained and has years under the belt with a good owner. Some vets are willing to do pre-buy exams from what I remember, to evaluate the horse’s condition. Pictures and videos can’t do justice to seeing them in person and evaluating their temperament yourself. Do your homework on horse care and requirements- they are money, time, and patience. But I grew up with a few good horses and loved it! My aunt had an older Quarter Horse mare that was super gentle even for us kids- I’m partial to the breed. Look into your breeds and their needs. You’ve gotten a lot of great advice here!

 

[Durelle]

We have had horses for 17 years. They are high maintenance. I have lost 3 to colic and it is horrible. We still have horses and I thank God every day when I come home and they are all up and healthy. When a horse goes down, you can not just run them to the vet. You have to make an emergency farm call. Wait on the vet and then wait to see if the meds help. If they don't you have to call the vet back out and have them put down. You can not just bury a horse either. It is against the law. I love my horses but they are a huge expense and the stress has nearly broke me.

 

[CJLR]

I have two minis and don't have any regrets... Well they are trouble makers I would recommend a quarter horse or American paint they are calm and good on trails a good place to look for horses is EQUINE NOW we are in the process of moving and when we find the right property where gonna get horses so probably six months to a year we will get horses our minis stay at your grandparents house but we will take them too there names are chocolate and buttercup we feed our minis 1/2Purina miniature horse feed and half a banana and half a carrot they have a mineral block and are wormed with a different wormer every month good luck with your horses

 

[Folly's place]

Mine live outside all year, with run-ins available, and rarely actually use them. Freezing rain and blizzards, or for shade on hot days.
Mary

 

[HomesteaderWife]

@Durelle - You made a good point. Colic is crazy to deal with. I remember having to get ours up and walking around until the vet could make it. But we lost my gelding to colic years back. That’s a horrible thing to have them go through, and knowing what to do in emergencies is vital because your farm vet (large animal, livestock, etc) may be on another emergency call, you never know. We have equine specialist vets in some areas, but usually you find a multi-task vet who sees cattle too and he/she might be busy.

 

[thinkyesi]

I live in Texas, so weather is hot one day and super cold the next. So I'd do that but also have a stable so they can be warmer. I'm a little nervous about the way the weather shifts so quick because I've heard it can cause pneumonia.