Convince parents to get a horse?

Question

I love horses, and really want one! i know its not a phase. I have been seriously riding for a year, and wish i could do more than 1 lesson a week. I am almost ready to canter. My mom was a really good rider, but had a near death accident and wont go near them anymore, but would offer any help she could. How can i convince her?

Answer 1

Geez thats a hard one...but I would honestly start off with leasing a horse if you have never owned one. Its a lot of money and a lot of responsibility that its hard to know if you have only been doing a lesson once a week. Talk to your local barns and see if maybe you can split a lease with someone. If you do well with a lease and you show your mom and your responsible and capable to own one then that is when you should look into it.

Answer 2

(sorry, hacking jamies account since she said I could use it until my computer stops freezing...this is bri :) ]

(exuse lack of some grammar, the apostrophe key is jammed lol)I dont know if you personally are ready for a horse...if you havent even cantered yet. Take at least another year of riding lessons...

If a horse spooks, it will be cantering/galloping (depends) You have to know how to canter. (I know this sounds harsh, but I got the same talk when I rode in my first lesson ever and wanted my parents to buy me the pony (who Ive grown to despise after jumping him lol)

Its not all about the riding, its the horse care as well as your budget. It sounds like since you are depending on your mom to give in, you wont be financing your horse.

You need to pay boarding, vet, farrier, maybe your own feed, horse apparel, tack, riding apparel...coaching/lessons, theres a lot involved!

Ive been riding for 5 years, and although I have been working for a year at 2 barns, I definetely cant finance a horse unless I work out there more often, and I cant commit to that and ride at the same time (different barns) However, I am co-boarding an amazing 5 year old, and although he is green, he lives easily outdoors and I can commit to riding 3 days a week. Co-boarding is a great experience, however (Im going to be harsh again sorry) wait until you can canter (or jump if you ride english)

Maybe add some details on your/your moms experience(s)? Also what do you mean by seriously riding?

Answer 3

52 lessons. (if you had one a week, i was doing the math)

i got a pony when i was 10 years old, i started riding when i was 6, (since i seen you asked that other question when did you get your first pony? and i figured i'd save time and answer both for ya)

1. show her that you are responsible and can help afford the horse. get a summer job and save up as much as you can. do good in school(the best you can) and get a really good job after you finish school.

2. give it alittle more time, or if you do get a horse (some how) make sure that you have a trainer around as much as possible. b/c even after 4 years, with me and my parents we still needed alot of help.  

all i can really say is that if you want a horse, you'll have to work for them/your goals, best place to start is at a local stables. good luck.

edit:

i was doing walk trot canter show classes at local shows before i ever own my first pony (yes she was a lesson horse that i did learn to ride on, but she was the trainer's horse that  my dad bought off her). i didnt know i was getting the pony, but if i did know what ended up happening i wouldve told my parents i was happy with using the lesson horses rather then my own. (that was just me cause the lesson horses and the one i ended up owning were all nice to ride/learn on).

Answer 4

ask ur mom if she has heard of the saying once u fall off a horse u get right back on, my horse hasbroken my ribs and fractured my leg but i no its not the horses fault, i only advise u to ask for a horse if u no u can really truely afford it, and if u no wat your planning for college, bcuz u cant up and leave ur family with ur responsibility, i finally got mine bcuz i got a job and i pay for it, U should go to ur local library and ask for the book "Parents Guide to Buying that First Horse, its got alot of helpful hints, and not to be offensive, if ur just begining to cantar its not a good idea to get a horse that could get spooked and bolt, or buck or rear

Answer 5

1. Take a few more lessons. You sound prepared for a horse, but learn how to canter first, read tons of horse books, etc. REALLY educate yourself, youre going to need it! Next, step 2:

2. Talk to your trainer and see if they think your ready to be a horse owner. If they say no, ask why, you probably haven't learned enogh yet. If yes, step 3:

3. Don't buy yet...see if you can lease a horse. Talk to your parents about how you are SERIOUS about a horse, youre responsible, you have the time, you understand all of the hard work, you talked to your trainer and they think that youre finally ready, etc. Look for a deadbroke (very well trained) horse for lease. The reason why you should lease a deadbroke horse is because you are just learning to canter (most horses canter after jumps and a horse could break into a canter when it spooks) and your mom would feel safer knowing you are leasing a well trained horse. Lease the horse for a few months, and once you feel like youre ready for horse ownership...step 4! (P.S. - Some good places to find lease horses are http://www.horsetopia.com , http://www.equine.com , http://www.equinenow.com , http://www.dreamhorse.com , and through your trainer).

4. Tell your parents about buying a horse. Talk to them about how your trainer said youre ready, youre responsible, you have the time, you have experience with horses (because of the lease), the lease went so well, etc. If your parents are won over, now is the fun part! Step 5:

5. Pick out a barn for the horse. Preferably, your riding barn, because you know it so well. Start buying horse equipment: a halter, lead, cross ties, buckets, saddle blanket, saddle pad, curry comb, brushes, hoofpicks, a crop, etc. DO NOT buy the saddle or bridle yet - you need a horse for this! Step 6:

6. Pick out the horse. Some people give you the option to buy the horse after you leased it. Getting the horse you leased (if this is available) is a good idea. If this isn't available, you have to search for a horse for sale. Use the websites I gave you in step 3, or use your trainer. VERY IMPORTANT: there are some horses that you should NOT buy. Don't buy any of the following, no matter how "cute" or "adorable" or "pretty" they may be:

~Stallion - most barns don't accept stallions, plus they are usually very high strung and are not for a first time horse owner. Don't think that you can geld him, because most stallions that are gelded at a later age are stuck in their stallion habits.

~Young horse (Age 5 or under) - First, most young horses aren't broke yet, and for a first horse, youre going to want a broke one. Second, if they are broke, they are usually green broke and for advanced riders only. This is why you want an older horse, because they are experienced.

~Unbroke or greenbroke horse - Same reasons as why you shouldn't buy a young horse (above).

If you are looking to buy a QH, Paint, or Appaloosa, you don't want to buy a horse that has Impressive bloodlines, unless they were tested NN for HYPP and the test results can be proven. Here's a website dedicated to HYPP (HYperkalemic Periodic Paralysis), OLWS (Overo Lethal White Syndrome), and HERDA (Hereditary Equine Regional Dermal Asthenia): http://www.bringinglighttohypp.org/ . Got the horse picked out? Make sure that they are completely sound, and go to step 7:

7. Call the owner. Make sure that the horse is still for sale, verify that everything said in the ad is true, and (with your parent's OK) set up a day to come visit the horse and try her / him out. Now go to step 8:

8. Take an EXPERIENCED horse person with you. A good person would be your riding trainer. When you get there, brush the horse, tack it, etc., just to make sure that they are safe on the ground. When it's time to ride, insist that the owner to ride her / him first. That way, if they lied and the horse is crazy and wild, you won't be the one getting hurt. Now, ask that your trainer ride the horse, just to be sure. Then, hop on and ride. While your up there, make sure that you like the horse's gaits, (s)he cooperates with you, etc. If you jump, jump her, canter, trot, everything. Put her through her paces to make sure that (s)he's the one you want. Dismount, untack, groom, put the horse away, and thank the owner. If there were any other horses you liked, do the same with them. Talk to your trainer about which horse you liked most and would be best for you. Now, the last step: step 9:

9. Call the owner of the horse you and your trainer decided on, and tell them that you would like to get their horse. Write out a contract stating everything about the horse, like registered name, barn name, that the horse is deadbroke, etc. Meet with the owner and have them (and you) sign the contract. The horse is now yours! :) Arrange for horse transportation, and youre set!

If your mom is letting you ride, chances are that she will also let you lease. After you lease for a while, your mom will also probably let you get a horse, provided that it is the right one. ***MAKE SURE THAT YOU MAKE A CONTRACT!!! So many sellers / buyers have gotten screwed (for lack of a better word :P ) because the buyer / seller lied and there wasn't a contract. So be sure to make a contract. Thanks for reading this LONG thing and GOOD LUCK!!! :)

Answer 6

I would try to find a free on lease barn, that way it's FREEE and if there's any medical problems with the horse they'll deal with it.. I think you just pay for board or help out with hay, so it's not totally free but you don't have to worry about medical problems, or if you out grow the horse.. it's always better to get a larger horse than to get a small one that you could possibly get too big for.

Answer 7

honestly, if you still can't canter then i don't think you prepared to own a horse.. (not to diss your riding skills, but a year isn't a whole lot when you have a lifetime of horses!)

when you own a horse its your responsibility to take care of it, and ride it well.. so if the horse were to totally disobey you, would you know what to do? or what if he just galloped off? are you prepared for that? you really need more riding time before you can own a horse.  I had been riding five or six years and had already trained 3 horses by the time i bought Beau

but i would see about taking a second lesson each week and asking to help out around the barn (barns usually love free help!) there is more to owning a horse then just riding it, you have to be able to take care of it, fix small wounds, and know when you need pro. help...

once you feel confident in horse care see if you can find a quarter lease-which generally means you get the horse for your lessons and one or 2 other days (so 2-3 rides) each week, its a step up to owning but you don't have all the responsibility or the cost!

eventually, you can move up to a half lease which is upwards of 3-4 riding days a week, and THEN you can buy a horse.

good luck!

and although it sounds nice to have your own horse, its much easier to work your way up into owning..

EDIT: also, you would have to buy all the tack and supplies and blankets and pay for the vet twice a year, and shoes every six weeks.  For me its about 10,350 a year to pay for Beau, and that doesnt include tack, blankets, supplies, and fly spray (which is a fortune in itself! lol)

i would say get some more riding time in, and start collecting tack (lol) i was lucky because when i bought beau i already had my saddle and 2 bridles, and all the supplies i needed.. so for him i just had to buy blankets. (and him...)

but it the first year of owning, expect to have about 15,000 in expenses.  thats alot of money!

Answer 8

all il say is

i dont think yoru ready

also

have u ever fallen off a horse?

if u havent

what would happen if u fell of ur horse and never wanted 2 get back on..

A real rider is some1 that has fallen off.

i never use 2 belive this statment., until i fell off myself.

if u can fall off and get right back on it shows how dedicated and how much u love horsexz.

Answer 9

Firstly, if you aren't even to a canter yet, wait until you have more experience. Secondly.. .=/ My mom made me pay for everything with my horses... I was in debt 2000 dollars to her until I got a job. and that was after a 1000 dollar relief. It depends on how old you are, and how responsible.. horses aren't dogs... You have to take care of them.

Are you ready to clean stalls, clean horses, clean sheaths... Why don't you try to find a camp that teaches you how to take care of horses. Lessons are just lessons, I was 17 when I got my first horse... He was rather mean, I was the only one who could handle him. He would run over people and bite and kick and jump on people...

if you get a horse get an older one.. don't even try to raise a baby... and do you know where you will keep the horse... plan everything before you plan on actually buying the horse. When your mom goes "well what are you going to do to take care of it" you can lay out all your plans of how you're going to take care of it. and most importantly MAKE SURE YOU HAVE TIME TO TAKE CARE OF THE HORSE.

Its' not easy especially if you don't have money. if you have been interested in horses for over 5 years... then it may be a better Idea.. I was interested in horses since I was 3... it took 14 years to finally get one. Patience.... it's the best thing going for you.. and it will help you when you finally get a horse... I lost my horses because of moving. and I have every intention of getting new ones.. but I have to wait... and be patient... I'm 21 now... and have the ability to get my own... but other things prevent me, and I want to make sure the horses I get are going to have the upmost of all care.... I think about them... and I hope you are 100% sure about what you are thinking before you get one.... Make sure to have everything ready, plan plan plan... and good luck!

Answer 10

well if your mom scared of them know she wont want you to have one but if you get her to go near them then start there and if you want lessons more then once a week get ask if you can work there for lessons and you will learn how to take care of horses that will help a lot trust me

Answer 11

With the price of hay, board and other things regarding horses, you might consider leasing a horse. Your mom might be more willing to listen to you, because she would not actually have to buy it. When I got my first horse, she kicked a lady in the face, throwing her to the ground. That could have been a much worse situation than it actually was. If you lease a horse and find out as much as you can about it first, then maybe your mom will gradually get used to it and begin to enjoy being around the horse. Find someone who you feel you can trust to go with you to assess the horse to be sure it is a good fit for you. Make sure you have a contract you thoroughly understand, and maybe you could have a few weeks to try the horse out to see if you really like riding it. Check around. Although there are a lot of good buys on horses, right now, either leasing one, or riding a lot of different horses will be good experience for you. Lessons are always a good thing for at least a couple of years and make sure you have a great trainer who will really work with you.

Answer 12

A horse is a BIG investment, especially if you live in the city.  You need to pay for food, board, vet, farrier, trainer (if you use one), not to mention the horse itself.  It can easily be 1000$ or more per month.  But, if you are serious about it, I would continue taking lessons, and maybe volunteer at your stable.  Show that you can be responsible and really care about horses.  Look on craiglist for a nice horse, and present the ad to your parents.  Good luck!

Answer 13

Well for starters, how about trying the following:

#1 Cleaning your room and making sure that it STAYS clean and tidy.

#2 Making sure that your homework is done and handed in on time.

#3 Sweep the floors in the living room and kitchen without your parents asking you to.

#4 Wash and/or dry the dishes.

#5 Do not fight and argue with your sisters & brothers.

#6 Eat what you are given and don't whine or make "yuck" faces when given it.

#7 Don't talk rudly to adults

#8  Always share with other kids.

#9 Go to bed when you are told to.

#10 Research the pet and breed you want to be 100% certain that it is the right one for you.

# 11 Ask them about getting this new pet in a nice way and don't beg and whine about it.

If 100% sure that if you give those a try, they will see that you are serious about wanting to add a this pet to you life and family. :)

Answer 14

Well no offence but i dont really think you are ready for one! you have only been riding for a year and are almost ready to canter?!?!?!?

ihave been riding for 4 years and my parents have been riding for 7 years and we still arnt getting a horse but lately my parents have been talking abut it and all that so hopes up!

i think once you are way more expenenced by a couple of years (e.g canterin up 2 a meter high jump on a tiny pony and clearin it with out any fuss!)

untill then i think you should wait maybe convince your parents to get 2 lessons a week or spend some days at ur horse riding because a horse is alot of work and takes alot out of you... even though i dont even have one my friend has one and i help out alot and that still takes alot out of me!!