Horse: i have an idea of what i want to do.... but...?

Question

when i have my own farm (in a long time from now cause i'm just starting to save). i know that if i want to train horses/sell horses that i'll have to show and be able to win. my problem is that when i did show i did okay, but i wouldnt say that i was the greatest show rider at the barn, it was for fun.

now i'm not so sure that i want to show seriously b/c some people go over board hard core and they scare me with how they treat their horses and compention (once at a show someone tried to posion my horse b/c they thought we'd beat their kid, i was 13 at the time)

am i just being scared and avoiding showing... and just go back into training for showing when the time comes? or what should i do to help achieve my goal of a horse farm? do you have to show your own horses to be successful at a breeding/training program?

please dont be rude, and please serious answers from people who know about showing horses/training horses.thanks!

Answer 1

I don't really like showing for those reasons too, people just get way too competitive and forget that their horse is actually a living animal, not a machine to get them ribbons. You could have a training barn, a breeding barn, lesson barn, etc. and still not have to show. Do what you want! And have fun with it!

Answer 2

No, you don't have to show your own horses.

My barn, none of the trainers show. But the students (adults and kids) show the horses.

It's a barn like you want, breeding/training. ALL the horses are for sale, except the moms of the young foals, the under 3 or 4 year olds and the retired horses, and of course the boarders. But all the horses still get ridden as lesson horses and showed.

Answer 3

The horse showing world can be very crazy...and that's why I have never personally showed my horses. I have a horse at home that is my baby. I got her when she was 4 days old, and we grew up together.

    If Showing horses is your passion, than go for it, but you already know the risks. I personally love training horses just for trail and pleasure rides. There is no better feeling than letting some on on a horse knowing that they have just began to ride a safe horse that will soon be there best friend.

    At first on a horse farm you may not make a lot of money, in fact you'll be lucky to break even. You have to build a reputation for breading and training great horses.

     In all if this is really your passion...go for it, but please have a safety net (money in the bank) to fall back on.

    Good luck, and best wishes.

Answer 4

First,you are not going to like this. GROW UP. now on to you dream. Owning,selling,training,breading, and showing are a big under taking for any body. It will take money. If this is your dream,think Veterinarian, yes it will cost more to go to school.If you want to be top dog, you will have to fight to be top dog. In the mean time study all you can, about all there is to about Horses, from A to Z. I do not know that any one can learn all about horses in a life time, but start now. And  time some one tell you some thing about a horse, check it out for your self. Any one that has work with horses, know that a lot of people just like to run there mouths when it come to horses.Look at all the beginner/ expert, there are out there. Look for summer jobs working with horses, even if you have to go off for the summer, to gain experience. I loved working with horses all of my life, and have no regrets, except that I did not make a lot of money at it. Stay you dream, and work smart.

Answer 5

what you can do is go up the morning of the show and then leave that night and come up the next day. i do realize its a bit of traveling and risky, but it's a last resort. i think that you might just be a bit...scared or unsure. its okay, though. we've had this problem before and what we did was since we were close by we just took the horses to and from the farm and somebody always saw the horse, at the showgrounds. but i doubt many people would do that. get there early, stay there late.

i think that if somebody was trying to poisen your horse when you were 13 bc they thought you'd beat their kid, then i think that you can go ahead with this.

Good luck!!!!

Answer 6

maybe you shouldnt show horses, and just ride/own them for fun, it sounds like competition isnt really your thing

Answer 7

Just because you're not an FEI level rider now, doesn't mean you can't be-it takes tons of practice and time (obviously)  and if you work hard towards becoming a good rider and stick to it, then you will get there.

Stick to the showing! Don't let anyone convince you otherwise. Always do try and keep a good eye on your horse while at shows though-that is completely bogus of whoever attempted to poison your horse! Did you report them? I certainly would have!!

Stick to the goals you have now. Depending on how you are running your farm, you do not need to show your own horses-but you will need to breed horses that have been showed in order to prove they have good standing to send down to their offspring.

Of course, don't let the showing go over your head. Once many people start doing good-that's when they start getting a little nutsy about it. Always stick to your morals and have good reasoning with yourself. Be a good sport.

Showing is it's own little world-and I agree, some people do go way overboard with it. There are many ridiculous, overly-confident, obsessed people out there, but you just have to ignore them and focus on yourself. Practice practice practice and work towards it, and don't let anyone stop you (but don't go around poisoning horses either, haha)

Answer 8

ok, as for the money thing. Always keep that in your mind as your one true goal. If you want that bad enough you'll work hard and I have no doubt that if you really really want it, you'll get it. As for being afraid of showing, I can understand being scared, I was in a jumping competition and another kid about my age, maybe a year older, tried to hurt Blaze's hoof. It is scary but if it's something you really love, don't let other people stop you. Just keep an eye on your horse. and remember, never ever abuse animals and always give your horsey comfort and let he/she know that no matter if you win or not you still love the horse.