Father Has Horse Issues?

Question

Hiya, I have been riding for four years and am now 14. I have taken care of other horses and worked around them for several years. I have decided that it is time for me to get a horse. I really have no problem waking up early and cleaning stalls or doing any of the daily barn chores that comes with a horse. My trainer also agrees with me that it is time. There are 4 boarding places around where I live (15 minutes max). My father and I have visited all of them and they are all $400 +. We have about 2 acres of land and have more than enough room for one horse, but my father thinks otherwise. He would like to purchase 1.5 acres of land next door from this old lady, but she has not contacted us on whether she will sell it or not, so I have given up hope.My father does not want to board because of the cost and the fact that my horse will not be right out the back door,yet he refuses to put it on our land because he thinks it will smell.How do I convice him to let it go on our land or board?

Answer 1

If it is the smell he is worried about, you cam eliminate any smell. One horse won't make that much smell anyway. All you have to do is clean up the manure everyday and make a compost pile. The compost will work miracles in your mothers garden and you could probably sell it to neighbors. If people fish in your area, the worms you put in the compost pile will reproduce and can be sold as fishing bait. Explain to your father about you doing all the work to keep it clean. I took care of 2 horses when I was 14. Your horse would only take up a half acre of your property. You could even get by on less. Tell him if you don't clean the stable everyday and if it ever smells, he can sell your horse. I think once you get the horse there,even your father will like having it around.

Answer 2

... hmm...   keep in mind that if you have the horse on your land it's going to take a LOT of money at first... but in the long run if you have the land you probably will save.  you'll have to build GOOD housing and even BETTER fencing...

you would be able to do it fine if you put in a shed row/lean-to barn/small barn or have a good run-in shed..  and board/post fencing works well but consider electric or post/wire (with strips of cloth or flags for visablity) since it is cheaper and works well if maintained.

as for the your neighbor, you could also consider asking if you can fence part of her land to use as horse pasture... have both parties sign a liability agreement and and as long as she is OK with it it's fine, just have the barn on your side of the land!  less money/maintenance for her than having someone mow it!

keep in mind that boarding is in some cases better because the vet/farrier probably costs less when they do multiple horses at once, and food is cheaper to buy in bulk... and you have people to care for your horse in an emergency or if you want to go on vacation!  but having your horse at home is wonderful as well... consider the pros/cons of both.

as for 'the smell' there is always going to be a little bit but if you keep your stall/barn clean, and occasionally pick up the field (esp. in the summer) and maintain a good muck pile it should be fine.  you can have the manure pile on the edge of your property (make sure it doesn't bother neighbors or overflow on their land...)

if you use a few piles and let them compost in between it should work fine.

good luck!!

Answer 3

Have you ever heard the saying that horses are a four letter word?  It's either "WORK", or it's "CASH".  

I know this is true because I have two horses.  When I first got them I boarded them and that was $450 for board and hay, I bought the grain, vitamins, wormer, etc.  That was another $50 or so.  

Then I brought them home.  Before we could do that I had to build the fencing and a small 24' x 24' barn for two 12' stalls and area for hay and tack.  That was about $20,000.  

Now that they're home I have the hay, grain, vitamins, and wormer of about $250 plus now I have $30 for the chips in their stalls, and $30 for the guy to come and get the p**p (you can only compost just so much).  Feeding and exercising them is easier with them home but I do miss being at the barn because I don't have the big arena and I don't see my barn friends.

Either way you look at it, a horse is an expensive commitment that requires a lot of hard work, and it lasts for several years... a horse lives 20-25 years on average, some much longer.  

Have you looked in to leasing a horse that is boarded at the facility you go to?  Also, check with your local 4H as they often know of horses for lease that are good with youth.

Answer 4

build a pasture your self and show to him you are capable of caring for a horse

Answer 5

i would just maybe buy some of the land behind you if thats possible and than keep the horse as far back as you can and put a shed and the food at the end that is the farthest from your home and clean the pasture

Answer 6

It's hard to have something like that going on... But it is your parents who would be paying for board (correct?) and your parents who would have to drive you to and from the barn probably multiple times a day (at least 2 times I would say).

It would be awesome to have your horse at your house, I have always wanted something like that. But you have to remember, your horse is going to be all alone if he is on your property, right? That would be tough. I personally would never put a horse by themselves like that.

Tell him that you will find ways to pay off part of the board, or get a job and pay for some of it yourself. That is what I have to do. I teach lessons and trim horses feet. All of that money goes straight to paying for board.

I hope some of that helps. I totally know what it feels like to have almost every possible option not work. Good Luck! =]

Answer 7

2 acers is enough for one horse

Answer 8

From personal experience, I know that it's hard to start your own personal barn on your property. When you board, you know that your horse is in good hands and will be well-taken care of when you're not there. If your horse is boarded at your own house, have you thought of how much money it takes to build a small barn and feed room? Who is going to be home when the farrier comes to trim when you're at school? Your horse is also going to be lonely if he's at your house, so you may end up having to buy him a buddy, be it in the form of another horse, pony, or a goat. And also you'll have to shop for bedding, hay, and stall mats, etc. It's a lot easier to just board somewhere, and you may actually end up saving money in the long run (as well as some sanity). You can even probably work out a deal with the barn owner where you want to board, where you volunteer there in your spare time to work off some of your boarding costs. In the end, who's going to end up paying for your horse's living requirements? I know when I was fourteen I wouldn't have been able to afford getting a vet and farrier out, and paying for feed.

So your dad may not be so much against having the horse there than the fact that he's going to end up shoveling out a lot of money to care for your horse.

To be able to afford everything on your own, you need to get a job and save up a ton of money.

Instead out outright buying a horse, ask your trainer if you could half-lease one of the lesson horses. It's kind of like owning the horse half of the time.

Answer 9

well if you have land then whats the proplem?

Answer 10

Well I am not really sure I have never had this problem. But I will try to help. Okay well if he is worried about the smell if you clean corrals and haul it off you will be fine. And just like any pet(dog, cat, fish) they all smell a little. And if you want to try to convice him to board your horse I would get a total cost for everything monthy! Because most likely he is saying no beacuse of the anual expencies. Hoep this helps!

Feel free to email me at [e-mail])

Answer 11

tell him horses dont smell and all you need is a field shelter with a agte! its alot cheaper than $400 (£200) tahts expensive!!! where i live its about £60 a month!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and thats for nice pastures, spacious and clean boxes so i dunno what planet theyre on!

Answer 12

I think it might be easier boarding (that is what i do with my pony (  :   ) But if you can keep the stall (or pasture) clean it might not smell as bad to your dad!! ps I am trying to convince my mom to do the same thing but in our backyard with a pony so i know what your going through!!! Good luck!!! : )

Answer 13

just work on him in time he will come to his sense and maybe get your mum to help you have the right amount of land to a horse so there shouldn't be a need to bye more land so give it time maybe your trainer can help.