Convincing bias dad?

Question

Hello,

As of recently I decided to get a horse (Yes I have enough experience, etc. I am not jumping into a decision.) It took me a while to convince my mom, but I finally did it. Now I'm having a harder time convincing my dad. My dad is against ALL things horse because of a past experience he had with them as a kid. His sister got into riding professionally, which included $50,000+ horses, thousands into show fees and traveling. Basically, his sisters sport made his family go broke. Now he is bias when it comes to me getting a horse because of that. Discussing getting a horse with him is like trying to persuade a wall.

I really need some ideas to make him realize I am not going professional, and am content getting used tack, cheaper horse, etc. Just something to actually make him consider it.

Thanks!

Katie

Answer 1

oooo thats tough. you really have to be serious and let him know that you only want this as a hobby/past time/athletic sport (i'd call it all that) and go online and calculate how much you would spend on a horse + stuff + vet bills (you know) If your good with money you can keep a horse inexpensively. Maybe offer to get a job to help cover costs. You really have to show him that you wont let the horse take over the family. I hope everything goes well!

Answer 2

i take it u don't have a job or any idea of how much it cost to take care of horses, it will make u go broke, which is why my first horse was wild, i broke him myself and now hes better than most u see for sale, we bought allot of my horses that way, but tack, feed, vets, and fairer is were it gets expensive, if u use someone for fairing that's been to school he will charge as much as 50 $ per shoe

Answer 3

I would tell him you arent going to be like your aunt. That is completely mean that he is not even giving you a chance to talk. You are two different people and you deserve a chance at happiness.

Answer 4

I know the answer! Pay for all the expenses to buy and keep the horse out of your savings! That should convince him about your sincerity.

Good Luck

Answer 5

Spread sheet of costs, how it will be payed for, what your planning to do etc. Also pick out a few "prospect horses' and some "prospect tack" so he can look at the prices of that. Be mature about it, and just accept it if he says no.

But if he does say no, kick into plan two: leasing a horse. Its cheaper, and that way you can really prove if you are ready for a horse or not.

My dad started off the same way, and told me "I wasen't getting a horse until I was 18 and out of the house".

Then he finally gave in and let me lease a pony.

And when the pony got sold, and I changed barns he bought me my first horse (because it was pretty! hahaha.)

when the pretty horse didn't work out (went over on the person who leased him from me) he traded him for a nice little paint mare for me, without getting a vet check on her because she was the first sane thing we came across. She was older, had a slight hitch if she stood too long, and couldn't be shown but was a total saint under saddle.

when the paint mare went lame after a bad fall he said ok to leasing a pony that was 12.3 hands

when I outgrew the pony, he and my mom bought me my current horse, a half morgan  for my birthday.

Now I have two horses, The paint and the half morgan. The paints retired, and the half morgan is my riding horse.