How do you know you are ready to own a horse?

Question

I am just starting to jump, i am going to be working at my stable starting next week, and i am going to horse camp for a week so will learn even more than i know now. but how can i be sure im ready?

Answer 1

jus ride that *****

Answer 2

Ask your trainer! Practice by leasing maybe for try riding and grooming and mucking and doing all the work for a week and see if it is worth it. I have been jumping for a few years and riding for around 4 years and I am in the process of getting my first horse. WAIT until it is so easy that you could do anything. And when you are ready dont jump the gun to the first horse you see for sale, look at around 5 and ride each one to choose which you like best. You need to be able to ride almost any horse before buying your own.

Answer 3

when you have got lots of money a horse is very expensive  upkeep.

Answer 4

when you are ready, you will get very very very very bored with what instructors try to teach you, so bored that you wont go and have lessons.

thats what happened to me anyway and i decided to loan.

when that got boring, i loaned a bigger horse and took him to shows etc. im still loaning him now :D

Answer 5

Have at least $8 a day free and clear to pay for it, or more depending on where you live.

That would be minimum of $3000 a year.... minimum.  If you don't have to pay board.

Answer 6

To know that you are ready is when you have learned basically all there is to know about horse riding and caring.

-You must know about how to handle any situation with your horse with complete calmness and experience.

-You MUST be able to pay for all that a horse needs to be happy and healthy. Food, water, shoes, etc...

-In order to gain my approval,  you should have said that you have been jumping for many years, you have taught classes at your stable for advanced riders awhile, and you run the horse camps. That would have been a perfect example of you knowing a lot about horses.

If you want to see what owning a horse is like, the closest is to lease a horse. It's kind of like boarding a horse at a stable. You pay for the shoes, shots, vet checkups, feed, all that fun stuff. It gives you the ability to buy things for your horse as well, such as tack, treats, grooming tools, etc..You can also enter it into local horse shows.

Anyways, I wish you the best of luck in learning all you need to know about horses!

Answer 7

1.have land/boarding place

2.have enough money for: food, vet, training, riding lessons, grooming supplies, hoof care, medication, etc.

3.have enough to buy a horse

4.have a good bit of knowledge about horses and can learn more

5.have enough time to take care of it everyday

6.are willing to put in hard work and time

7.etc...

Answer 8

Okay sweetie.

horses are very complex. they need shelter, feed, company, and most important love!

i have two horses and a have had one for 6 years and the other is an IDEAL, that is her father and i jump about 4'2''. and i have had her for about 1 year or so..

you have to think is it the right horse i want for what i want to accomplish with horses?

do i have the time to pay for and love the horse?

do i have time to ride it?

can i afford tack?

do you have a safe place to keep it?

am i the right owner for this horse?

also another piece of advice is ask your trainer. or someone you know who is wise about horses, and tell them your situation. There are many ppl in the world that can help you. but in the end you will be the one making the decision...

good luck=]

Answer 9

i rode weekly or 2 times a week for 3 years before i got a horse. you need to be very expericenced with care and have a place to keep it. if you are boarding there is a little less responsibility but more money costing hundreds of dollars a month. If you are keeping it at home you should have at least an acre for pasture and shelter, a place to ride, a place to store feed and tack, and hundreds of dollars to spend on hay each month. Horses also can not be kept alone so if its at home you need another horse or atleast a goat or cow to keep company.

Answer 10

You know you are ready to own a horse when you have the dedication to be with him EVERYDAY, and want to be with him ALL DAY!

If you have that, you need to make sure you have enough money to care for a horse properlly. You have to only be interested in horseback riding (if you love, for example, soccer just a weee bit more then nope it isn't going to work out)

You have to pay board.(between $300-$900 a MONTH)

Lessons to keep you and your horse in tip top shape.

Saddle, Bridle, Girth, Halter, Grooming Supplies, and the little nick nack things all horse owners want to get (definetly OVER $2,000)

Oh, and of course a good chunk for vet bills, and those little accidents ALL horses seem to get in

Then farrier ever 6 - 8 weeks.

If you have all that covered, then you need to get an expert to look at horses that fit your needs to make sure neither one of you get hurt in the prosess.

Oh, and I would recomened leasing for about 6months before you buy a horse just so you know if you are dedicated :)

Hope I Helped, and talk thing through with your parents and trainer(s)

HAVE FUN AT CAMP XD

Answer 11

This will tell you:

-time: as a child I worked from age 2-14 in other stables and racetracks before I was allowed to own my own. We had other people board on the property and only after 12 years of proven dedication was I allowed. so.... How many years of experience do you have? if it is less than 6 I do not recommend getting a horse.

-Money: they are expensive, especially in drought. the calculated cost for a horse, board alone, can range from 1.2k -24k a year. NOT including food, vet, farrier etc.

-Drought: we are in the midst of a drought so hay and grain prices are sky high, along with the price of gas. You must feed the best quality feed if you want to keep your horse sound and alive for many years. a good feed can cost $10-16 a bag. Horses tend to eat 1 bag per week and a half.

-Age:horses can live well into there late 30's and many of my own into their 40's, can you provide for this horse for the next 30 years of his life? If not, do not get one.

-Mere lessons and some stable hand work is not enough. To be sure work with all kinds of horses. Thoroughbreds are the most difficult but if you can handle that, most horses are easy. Racetrack thoroughbreds to be exact, the breed itself is not a problem but the way the racetrack goes about handling them is a hard one to handle

-Can you ride the most unruly mount? If not becareful, owning even a horse that is dead broke, you will come across horse behavior that is undesirable. Can you handle a horse in a full fit? refusal? ones that have phobias? If not it is not wise to get one yourself.

-It is best to have a farm yourself so you can cut costs. But this is not always possible. So can you be with your horse at least 5 days a week?

If you can provide the MONEY, time, dedication, loyality, experience, confidence, and provision than yes a horse is a good idea. If not then here is some safe, cheaper alternatives:

-Leasing is expensive but not quiet as owning. You will share the horse but for the assigned time he is all yours. This can be a great way to test you.

-Ask for work exercising horses, it give you experience you need and you will usually be working the same horses each day.

-Free leases or Leases were you pay the feed/vet costs are the cheapest. But be careful, the horse may not always be sound or fit enough for your level. Then you are tied down with a useless horse.

-Request to be the last rider of the day for a particular horse and ask to care for him. Feed, wash, muck, disinfect, vet, cool, and do anything else the horse may require. If you can do this all flawlessly and with good quality then you are certainly on your way

-Work for free at non-for-profit places like NARHA and work with people whom are disabled. This will build respect for horse's, give you experience, build connections, and establish a good name. You will also be doing a good thing and donations of tack, money, etc. is tax deductable!

Bottom Line-If you doubt yourself or question your readiness you are NOT ready. but if you have time, the money, and experience along with confidence you are ready. Above all be safe. I tell my students this all the time. SAFE is the way to go, not just phsyically but money wise and mentally. It does no good to buy a horse your not ready for and then have your confidence broken.

If you are ready, Congrats! wish you many happy trails

If not, you will get there and it will be more rewarding with time. Do not get discouraged by inexperience or money, as all circumstances can be improved and reap reward!