How to get a horse - dealing with parents.?

Question

Hi!

I am 12 years old, almost 13. I have been riding since I was 3. I have never owned a horse. I have leased for 4 months though. At my first show I got 2 blues, 1 red, and a 1 white - 4th place. My other 10 shows have all been similar.

I know that leasing is a great option before owning. I have for a few months before.

I know that begging and puppy-dog faces (in this case baby-pony faces) will not work.

My parents are the stubborn type. My dog was just put to sleep, and I have been using her death and crying a lot with maybe persuade them. Yeah, it seems like a sin. I just realized though that they are feeling so sorry for me.

If you have any tips or pieces of advice I would love to hear it.

Answer 1

I'm really sorry to hear about ur dog. I went thought the same thing I rode other peoples horses for yrs.  then my da thought is would be cheaper to get a horse for me. But i had to prove alot to him i could have a horse!!!!!!!!! Show more responsbilty, get a job. U have to prove ur self. Good luck. Have fun happy trails

Answer 2

You just have to show them that you are responsible enough and just keep with it. Don't give up on it and go back over and over again because they will think it's just a phase. Good luck.

Answer 3

(this normally works for me a lot) Just tell them that you respect them and their thoughts to whatever they think. If you do happen to say this to your parents cross your fingers behind your back =) also this won't be easy (I have stubborn parents too) so give it some time, let them think it over.

Answer 4

I never had to beg I was born and raised around horses

But this website does give some helpful steps just do not let your parents see it.

http://www.wikihow.com/Convince-Your-Par...

Answer 5

Try to compromise by doing extra chores to earn money and pay for part of it.

Answer 6

I wanted to buy a horse that I had been riding for a long time but the owners were selling.  The only way to keep her there was for me to buy her so that's what I decided.  I did A LOT of research.  I called the owners and asked the exact price of the horse.  I found out exactly how much it would be to board her at a stable (I got it for 100$ a month; sometimes stable owners will let you board for less if you do work there like cleaning stalls).  I also did research on how much other things were such as shoes, vaccines, wormers, tack, etc.  I decided that the best way to ask my parents was to type up a proposal.  I had one page with the cost of owning the horse for the first year, the cost for the second year and the total cost for two years.  The second and third pages of the proposal were questions my parents might have and in depth answers to them.  The last page was a paragraph essay explaining from my heart why I wanted this horse and how it would benefit me.  Except for in the essay, I made the proposal very professional and instead of using 'I' and 'Me' I used my name.  It was in 3rd person.  I printed out 2 copies, one for mom and one for dad.  When my parents read them over they were VERY impressed.  They loved the proposal and it showed them that I'm responsible and very serious about this.  They considered it very hard and in the end, the only reason they didn't buythe horse is because lately my dad's business is going badly and it was just too much money.  They did end up leasing the horse for 2 years until I go to college and she will be just like my horse.  We will go to shows and also participate in a rodeo drill team.  I know its more fun to own a horse but this is better than nothing.  Hope this helps a little! :-)

Answer 7

I'm happy for you.  My sister road horses since she was three also.  A lot of people buy there horse and then keep it at a stable.  My dad thought this was a bad idea.  My sister also did the pony faces as well.  Anyways my dad said "the next time we move well build a barn and get you a horse".  That's exactly what happen when she was 16.  The main reason why he did that is because this horse back riding was her one and only hobby.  

Answer 8

Owning a horse is a huge commitment. For one it costs a lot of money to get one. Then it costs a lot of money to keep one. Do you have your own land? If not the horse would have to be boarded which costs a fortune. Maybe your parents are wealthy so this is not an issue. But if they aren't, then they are wondering where they would come up with the extra three hundred bucks a month needed to keep the horse.

Second of all, you're only 12, but a horse can live a long time, a VERY long time. I know horses that are 40+ years old. Are you going to keep the horse the rest of your life? Or saddle your parents with it? Chances are when you go to college (if you do that) you will abandon the horse. I know this happens because I've worked at a rescue ranch and that happens all the time. So maybe your parents are wondering what is going to happen to the horse when you leave.

I am not saying you shouldn't get a horse. But you need to consider these issues, and I guarantee your parents are thinking about them. I think you need to address these issues with your parents and see where they stand on them. You are not old enough to work to get the $300 necessary to keep the horse up every month, so you won't be able to contribute financially for a few years.

David

http://gentlenaturalhorseman.blogspot.co...

Answer 9

well this one may backfire and isnt the greatest but it may just work...mention that now is a good age to get a horse because if they wait too long, by the time you find the right horse and everything you'll be heading off to college shortly. also agree to sell the horse when you go off to college if thats what they want to hear (i did w/ my parents and im gonna be a junior in highschool but my parents got attatched and im hoping to take him w/ me anyways)

Answer 10

So you are using your dog to get something else? You definitely need to stop that. If your parents do not want to own a horse, then you need to accept that. You are not an adult, therefore its not your decision whether you own a horse or not. Horses are very expensive to care for and your parents may not have the money. Wait until you are older, like 16-18 to try to own a horse. You will be more mature then and you can get a job. Be grateful for what you have now.

Answer 11

Maybe get a job? Prove that you are responsible? Using your dogs death as leverage isn't really responsible so maybe your parents are right. Or maybe they are thinking about how at 16 you're going to want a car instead.  

Answer 12

ask your parents that if you make some money see if they will match it ( say you make $500 then they would put in that same amount for the horse). Even if they say no try to earn enough money anyways, Ive noticed that when you work hard for something your parents will notice and it shows your responsible, and as for board ask teh abrn owner if you could clean stall or what ever to pay off teh board.