DON'T YOU THINK THAT YOU SHOULD HAVE TO HAVE a LICENSE TO OWN A HORSE OR AT LEAST KNOW ENOUGH ABOUT THEM?!?!?

Question

I think you should have a license to own a horse or at least know enough about them....

There are so many CRAZY people out there who SHOULDN'T own a horse... and then there's the people who just buy a horse cuz they have the money... it's so sad.

Answer 1

No.

I don't know what barn you hang out at but all my saddle and non-saddle pals are at least a bit skilled with horses. All you need is a good personality.

I strongly hate horse slaughter though. That needs to stop. And abuse. But a license is taking it too far. People just need to be more conscious to whom they sell their horses to.

Answer 2

yeah that is very true... horses are livestock in the eyes of most people. You hit the nail right on the head when you say that some people buy a horse only cuz they have the money. I it is so sad when this happens, and should definately not be legal.

Answer 3

Licensing is nothing but another revenueer for a government agency.

You can take the classes, pass with flying colors, ace the state exam, get the license and still not understand nor utilize properly the concept behind the reason for the license.

Licensing has never "made" anyone smarter, more ethical or moral.

Licensing is a form of control, in that, people can be denied a license without clarity of why.  Licenses cost money, and some people can not afford the license fee or other charges that are "piggy backed" on to the license fee, and there are the costs of continuing education classes that may be required also.  That also takes time and money.

The answer does not lie in licensing.  It is a matter of people taking the incentive to LEARN WELL what they are getting into, so that they can make a good informed decision.  There is a high level of responsibility in horse ownership, and it is NOT to be entered into lightly.

061308  2:10

Answer 4

yup! i agree... as long as the liscense isn't too crazy and hard to get... but i'm tired of people saying "i bought a nice horse for myself and i'm going to learn 'with' him"

Answer 5

No I don't  - I think there is enough legislation and erosion of civil liberties already. All that a licensing system would do is create jobs in government offices sorting even more paperwork and have a huge effect on the lives of people who actually stick within the law.

At the moment we need a license to drive a car but how many people decide not to bother with that ?

The asshats will still be asshats - it would cure nothing but complicate life for the law-abiding.

Edit; I agree that some people should not be allowed to breed but there again - that's been said before.

Answer 6

Then all the little girls out there wouldn't be able to own a horse. Especially if it was a licensing thing. And it would be hard to prove that they know enough about them for them to get one. Because no one knows everything about horses or anything else for that matter.

Just like driver's licenses - there are MANY people out there that have one but shouldn't. They just learned enough for them to pass the tests. So no-matter-what there would still be "CRAZY" people doing it (driving, owning a horse,etc.). It would just make it harder for the people that are more deserving of such a thing to get that license.

Now breeding animals (horses,dogs,etc.) to have a license to do that I could see.

Answer 7

its a good idea but people break the law all of the time, whose to say that they will not break this one? i do not think that it would help all that much.

Answer 8

same goes for children and any other pet-takes more than a wish and a love for animals to be a guardian of another life.

Answer 9

Yup and majority flock to yahoo answers and ask howrse questions....

I'm personally waiting for school to return, the boards will return to normal then.  Well, semi normal, still have a couple of insane adults on here that are prozac poster child candidates.

Answer 10

owning a horse is a life style not just a hobbie!! up the stables at least twice a day every day! we must be mad!!!!

Answer 11

Yes, But more so that the riding and boarding barns should have to go through annual inspection and be "qualified" to be a business. I think it is more of a problem that the people "teaching"  these future horse owners do not always know what they are doing. The BHS got this right in the UK

Answer 12

I agree that there are a lot of people that have no business owning a horses, same goes for dogs, cats, kids, etc.  But unless you wish to live in a society where you are told what you can and cannot own (I understand in some parts of the world it is illegal to own dogs or at least illegal to walk your dog in public) you should call the SPCA when you witness neglect or abuse and hope we never have our freedoms taken from us as you suggest.

Answer 13

Well there's good points and bad points about that issue.  It's another form of control by the government and Los Angeles County is already discussing this!  I'm glad I live in Kern County.  

Through the years when I lived in LA County they systematically got rid of all the horse facilities they could and are still working on getting rid of the rest.  It will come down to a only the VERY rich will be able to have a horse in LA!

What about the kids?  The kids who grew up at stables because their parents didn't want to deal with 'em?  More for the gangs and c**p?

It would make me very sad to think that kids would have no where to go.

Answer 14

NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Why should the government tell us what we can own!! In CA they want to tell you that you have to have your dogs & cats fixed!! Or pay a huge fine. But yet they don't want to make that cheaper were everyone can afford it. The government has their dirty little hands in almost everything!!!!!!!! What about the crazy women who have babies??? Now that should be looked at?? Not horse owning!!!!!!

Answer 15

You know I have to agree. That is a wonderful Idea. With all the laws going to effect regarding dogs and things why not?

I had horses when I was small up into my late teens then I went Into the Military. Been out for a while and I was just able

to get a place and my farm 6 years ago so I have horse I did wait until I could get a couple of acers fenced in for I bought any.  But in the time span that has gone by it is freaky on things that are changed.  I really do think it is a good idea

if you get something like going let me know I would love to help get a bill or law to the effect

Answer 16

I think people should need a license to own any animal!  It's not just a problem with horses, other pets are in the same situation.  I am also a fan of the concept that people should need a license to have children, there are just some people who should not be allowed to care for a child.

Answer 17

I think that there should be a liscence for breeding horses, but not for owning one. As an idea, it would be good, but what about the little kids who ride? Owning a horse is about learning as well. I don't think the government is legally able to do that, the only reason we have driving liscences is because if people didn't know what they were doing, more people could die on the road.

Sadly, even though horses lives can be saved, people would complain about personal right infringement, a very touchy part of legal rights.

Answer 18

That's a great idea!!!  In Europe, you have to have a license to breed horses and register them.  Your breeding stock has to pass an inspection before being granted such a license.  It ought to apply to dog and cat owners too.

Answer 19

No, I don't, not until licensing is established and required for having children.

Answer 20

No. and what about people who have baby, you are another one who cares more about animals than people. Yes I know that people are animals too, but you know how I am using animals in this sentence. What is sad, is that most ever one who has a animal for about 1 year, think they are expert on animals.

Answer 21

Im not sure you should have a licence as such to own a horse, horse knowledge is something you learn when you actually get your first horse.

I think good information should be more readily available to people, as everything to do with horses is so expensive. maybe a general handbook on what people should know, like an actual proper hand book, not some 'your first pony' book.

Basic information like, how to read your horses behaviour, when should you trim your horses feet and why, do's and don'ts and why you should or shouldnt, not just no dont do it. Your horse is not a pet like your dog, you cant treat it as such ect.

Maybe even a local book with all your local farriers,feed shops, vet numbers, trainers ect.

Or even better, a general course you can go do to get more hands on.

The problem is that most people arent aware that what they are doing is wrong, its a lack of education. Even I learn something new every day, that makes me think, why didnt I think of that, it makes so much sense.

Then of corse there are just the people who are @sses, they make me so mad.

Answer 22

No, I really don't. BUT, I do think there should be more equine laws. Things like what age you can start a horse, who can and cannot breed, etc.

Answer 23

no i think we should have better animal cops and animal control it is their job to protect animals anyone can have a horse those who don't take would go to jail if th a.cops and a. control did THEIR JOB

Answer 24

Sure, it's a nice idea, but it will never happen.  You'll see licenses to have babies before you see licenses to own horses.  (And I am DEFINETELY not saying that a licence to breed humans is a bad idea.)

Sadly, it's not just horses - ignorant ownership is abundant with all animals.  Horses just stick out more than a cat or dog that is kept cooped up 24/7 in someone's home...

This is why I like Pony Club.  It is a reputable, international organization that requires its members learn all sorts of useful aspects of horse care and ownership.  I wish there were more chapters, and I also wish there were adults-only chapters - because there are certainly some adult horse owners out there that could use some additional education!  Chapters that don't require people to own their own horses would be nice, too.  The more (regulated, non-BS) education, the better.

Answer 25

Nope, I don't agree.  Because who says what is proper horse knowledge or not?  Where do you draw the line?  I don't think I want to relenquish my rights to own a horse to someone else who is going to decide for me what is proper care or not.  Why?  Because the current trend of society doesn't always line up with common sense.  We don't need more legislation, we need better ethics and personal use of conscience to take care of what we are responsible for!  This is gained by parents teaching their children responsibility and doing what's right for others....animals and people and all of God's creatures.  That's what we need more of.

Answer 26

Not a good idea...we have enough regulation of every move we make as it is.  What would be nice is if horses were reclassified by law so cases of abuse could be handled more effectively.  I wouldn't have passed a licensing exam when I got my first pony almost 60 years ago, or even my second or third horse.

Who would decide how much knowledge is enough?  Be careful what you ask for......

Answer 27

I agree!!!

Answer 28

Heck yes you little socialist wanna bee's a government solution is always the answer,but I have a better idea maybe you should get a license to ask stupid questions that would also be a plus.