Am I ready for a horse?

Question

I am 13 and ride every day. I lease a 13yo 15.3 morgan cross. I have been riding for 8 years and have done western for 3 yrs and english (eventing) for 5. I live 10 mins. from the place i ride and my family can afford a horse. All my friends say im ready but i need more insight.

Answer 1

From the info you provided, you are ready.  The main thing that I recommend to everyone who asks about buying a horse is to lease one first to make sure you're ready to own one.  But you already beat me to that ;o)  There's not much difference between leasing and owning a horse except that your board will be a bit more expensive and you need to make sure to go see your horse and get it the exercise that it needs.  You'll need to be sure that someone is caring for it if you go on vacation.  It's just like having any other pet.  It is a big responsibility, but since you've leased before, I think you know that.

Answer 2

You say you ride every day. Do you also do all the other work that comes with a horse such as grooming, stall chores, tack cleaning, etc? I know some riding stables don't require that.

If your horse were to become lame and unrideable would you be able to sit on the sidelines and watch all your friends ride off while you stayed back to care for him?

Is your family financially well enough to cover any unexpected costs such as emergency vet calls, special farrier needs or any of the other myriad expences outside of the normal board?

Do you believe that your new horse will be a lifelong responsibility and that if or when something happens that makes it where he is no longer useful (ie: permanent lameness, age, you outgrow his size or ability, or you just decide you no longer wish to ride) that you still are responsible for his wellbeing? Whether this means you give him a great home for all his days or ASSURE that he is passed on to a GOOD home and not just sold to the first buyer, that is your responsibility to him.

If you answered yes to all these questions, and your instructor also feels that you are ready then I say GO FOR IT! It sounds like you have more than enough riding experience and just so long that you realize that only about 10% of horse ownership is actually riding you should be fine.

Hope this didn't come across as harsh and I hope that you take your time and find the right horse for you based on tempermant and ability.