How can i persuade my parents to get me a horse???

Question

hi, i just wanted to know if anyone had any tips on how i can get my parents to get me a horse?! i have been riding for 4/5 years and have done numerous horse care and management courses and riding courses! i have done presentations and information on horse ownership but nothing has seemed to work, when it comes down to it they still say NO!!! i have also presented them with alternitives like loaning and sharing but the aren't convinced! it is driving me round the bend as all of my friends have horses at the riding school where i ride,(and they are all either too small, too big or too advanced for me)i know i am ready for the commitment and time effort of a horse. i wouldn't mind if it was just a loan horse or something but any help would be appriciated!! and i am 13 nearly 14!!! so thanks for your help

Answer 1

Even if you do loan a horse it can still be expensive. My horse was over 10,000. I am in pony club and have to do a health and maintenence record book, and you have to record all your expenses. I know my horsey is a ton more spoiled then most, but anyway one year totaled to $28,000.00 and thats not including how much he is.

If you want a horsey, it depends WHY your parents dont want one, so ask them that. You are lucky beacuse a little girl at our barn (10 years old) has been paying for her leasing and board for two years now, so at least you dont have to do that. Ask the barn your riding at if you can work off bord thier, say $8.00 an hour. If they say yes tell your parents you will work of lots of bord to make up for half of however much thier paying for your horse to be leased, thats my only conclution.

Answer 2

Believe it or not, leasing a horse can be more expensive than buying one. I would suggest go to your riding school and talk to an experience rider there on the expenses of a horse.Talk to your parents and see if you can cut back on some things in your budget so you can afford it. By cutting back i mean buying less expensive clothes, not buying expensive drinks when you go out, ect. If you successfully budget with your parents, now start looking for a low maintenance horse. Have an experience trainer or older horse wise friend go with you. If you ever get a horse you can work of boarding by cleaning out stalls and caring for other horses.

    No to the leasing aspect, you can probably work out something similar to a lease. Let's say there's a horse at you stable that doesn't excersized often, you can offer to clean out stalls and do other work for the owner so they can let you ride. There's a half lease which is like a whole lease except either the owner, can ride or another person also cares for the horse, Basically, see if you can work off the lease or exercise expense of the horse.

Good luck! Hope this works out!

Answer 3

i really understand how you feel, it took me a while when i was a bit older than you to convince my parents to let me get a horse.

but what you have to realize, is that even though you may be ready for a horse, can your parents afford one? what you need to do is straight out ask them "can we afford a horse?"

If the answer is no, then there's your answer.

if it is yes, then you have something to work with.

you need to show them not only that you want a horse, but that you are ready for one. To them, a horse may just be a big money and effort drain, and you need to show them that that isnt true, and that you can take on the responsibility of visiting the horse twice a day.

Also, you need to consider how close the local stables are and would your parents have to drive you to go see it twice a day.

also, they may think that a horse will be detrimental to your school work, so get your grades up.

And i would suggest working out a weekly schedule of what you would do with your horse, making allowances for school etc.

One way that helped me to get a horse, because he was quite expensive, was that i compete him in JA showjumping. So he has more than payed off his outright fees, and he is now almost paying off his boarding bills. I dont know if your at that level, but if you are, than its a good way to pay for him.

Good luck, but remember one thing.When i got my horse, i thought i knew everything there is to know about horses and owning them. But when things happened like i had to begin schooling him for higher jumps, when he got cut on his stall and I needed to bandage it, you begin to realize that you dont know all that you thought you did. So make sure that you know not just all bout riding, but about the emergencies, and fine details, because those are what makes the difference. '

But try the things i told you, and dont pester your parents, just give them subtle reminders...

oh, and one more thing. Find the horse that you want! find the advertisement, so you can tell your parents youve allready found a horse.

Good Luck!

Answer 4

Horses are NOT cheap! Have you consider, a horse, being knowledgeable enough to find one with out many hidden vet bills that will be needed?

Even 1000 bucks ain't going to bring you far in the horse world. being as untrained as you are, I'm not saying your not, but it won't even buy you a broke horse. Your talkin at LEAST 2500 bucks for a good horse.

Your parents probably can't afford it. I let up on getting a horse for a while, and, now I have a horse! It takes time.

Answer 5

your a little young still to care for a horse by yourself, but it can be done...

just prove to them you can care for it and keep it healthy and happy. as well as find a place to keep it and all the goods like that.

it always helps to sit down with them and have an adult face to face talk which you can tell them how you plan to care for it and all the stuff above, instead of following them around all day nagging them

good luck

Answer 6

been there done tht haha but my parents cant afford it so ive given up on getting a horse RIGTHT NOW but just be persistant and instead of telling them what you want show them read as many books as u can get ur hands on do good in school and at the barn be a good horseman...actions speak louder than words. =]]

Answer 7

there's a great expense in horse ownership (not just the purchase price) and responsibility. maybe you can volunteer your services at a stable

Answer 8

you might what to lease a horse first, i've always wanted a horse but they're SOO much money and time.  when you lease a horse you get to do a lot with the horse just not pay the vet bil! :)

i would do that first then get a horse or share it!

Answer 9

hiya.. I have a shire X horse and at the moment we are on loan for three months to see if we like him and if we do then we will buy him.. Loaning a horse is exactly the same as having one, but the horse is on livery (which means if you go away on holiday then the horse is taken care of) Horses cost a lot of money and it is a really big step to take on a horse, you have to be committed and dedicated to your horse. I don't think it is fair on your parents for you to pressure them into getting you a horse, you need to stop nagging them and prove to them that your ready for a big step like this. it will take time but eventually they will see how mature you are being and perhaps give it a second thought. (by the way i am 14 as well)

Answer 10

Do what i did. Tell them for your college plans you plan on going to equine school.That you want to be a trainer or something like that. Then tell them that for equine college you need to bring your own horse.  Tell them that you need to get one early enought so that you form and bond and get to know the horse like the back of your hand then you can bring him to college with no problems. TELL THEM THIS

also horses are cheap right now, in the U.S!!

anyways even if you dont want to go to equine college you have a while yet so tell them you do and by the time for college if you change your mind, your parents will love the horse and not be mad, or make you get rid of it. PLUS what parent would get mad at a kid for changing there college plans.

Answer 11

You can obviously take care of it, but taking on a horse is a huge financial responsibility. Boarding can run you up to $2,000 per month, not to mention feed, saddles, bridles, grooming supplies, and the fact that they are going to have to drive you to the barn. You don't need a horse, just because your friends have them. Wait a couple of years, or take up a job.  

Answer 12

You should stop asking them for one, I'm sure by now they are aware of how much you really want a horse, believe me, we've all gone through this (especially if you dont come from a "horse family") So, I suggest you do what I did... stop asking, and start showing them how responsible you are!!! (and that you really do deserve a horse!) So, get a job! I was 12 when I got my first job and worked on a flower farm, or try to get a job at your stable cleaning stalls, etc. Your parents say no bc they dont want to be stuck with this horse, if you lose interest, etc.

Also keep in mind, you shouldn't want a horse just bc all your friends have one. Keep taking lessons to really figure out what type of horse would be best suited for you! Its not an instant process!!! (finding a horse you fit well with)

I suggest you sit down with your parents tell them what you plan to do (figure out a financial spread sheet of the expenses of a horse) and tell them what your going to do to try to prove your ready of this responsibility! And then actually follow through with your plan!!!!!

Best of Luck, I hope you get a horse someday!!! :)  

Answer 13

ahh, you may be ready to take care of it but are they read to bare the financial burden. caring for a horse is not cheap! also, do you have the space and proper housing for it?

i would sit your parents down and have a real chat about WHY they say no.