I have wanted a horse all my life. How do you convice your parents you are ready to take the challenge?

Question

I've been wanting to have a horse for my whole life! But my parents say I can't have one. We live in the city so thats a big problem. They say it's not because of the money but because of the time. They both work full time, 8am-6pm. They don't believe I can handle things by myself. I am and excellent rider, I am in grade 4 out of 5. I have group lessons once a week and compete against people who are older and much stronger then me. I am the youngest out of the riders in my group and they are all 3 or more years older then me. I go to lots of competitions usually come first in them all. I have never actually placed lower then 3rd place before.

After I finish my lesson, usually you just tie up your horse and go home, but I spend as much time as I can with my horse, grooming it, feeding it, rugging it and I offer to do any other jobs needed being done for free, I don't care about the money, but about being around horses.After a couple of hours, my mum has to drag me out and take me home.

Answer 1

living in the city would be an issue of space, but how old are you? maybe they won't let you, for the fact it's expensive and if your parents have to pay for it all, it would be a daunting addition to the family.  i just read where it said not about money, but that still could factor in later. it's different owning an animal than it is having someone tell you what expenses might occur. maybe you could lease one for awhile and see if owning is truly for you and if you're ready. leasing would be easier than buying, since then if something happens and things don't work out, you won't have the job of trying to sell the horse you just bought. just an idea. good luck

Answer 2

Horses cost alot. Depending on your income it's either a bad choice or a good one.

Answer 3

You have to give your parents examples (rust me, I've already been through this).  They have to be able to understand that horses aren't really a challenge unless you get a high spirited horse.  If you live in the city then you will have to board your horse somewhere so all the feeding and stall work should be taken care of.  If not, you get used to having to muck out stalls and it eventually gets really fun.  Feeding is no problem just as long as you have your amounts memorized.  You also have to be able to find a horse that your parents will enjoy also.  It's not very fair to them if it's just YOUR horse and they don't get to or want to be around the horse.  All you have to do is convince them that horses aren't a challenge after the first couple of days.  After that, it's cake!

Answer 4

Look around for a loan horse.  Then you can get a taste of ownership and responsibility.

You can show your parents you can cope that way, and then maybe move on to get your own (hopefully).  Research what you are looking for  - age, temperment, s*x, region, cost?  Look on websites like Horsemart.  

It worked for me! I got a horse 3 months ago after riding for 6 years.  And I don't do any fancy competition stuff, I just do school work and hacking :).

Work out the annual cost, it will be in the regiion of £4000 (and that is if you do ALL the manual work yourself btw)

Other costs to consider -

Insurance

Tack

Feed, Livery

Stuff like grooming kit etc etc

ALso you do sacrifice A LOT of your time.  Forget your social life for a while ok!

Answer 5

I'm sorry but it's really up to your parents. The most that you can do is prove that you are responsible and that this is not just a phase as most parents/people think it is. I have been riding for 10+ years and I have interned at a stable for two years to get training experience. I am 17, almost 18, and now just starting to lease a horse that I hope to buy. A lease can often be a great start to horse ownership. I don't know what grade 4 out of 5 means and I don't know how old you are so I can't pull that into this.

There are things though that you have to ask yourself, are you ready for it financially? I know that you said that your parents say it's not about the money but will you be contributing financially at all? I'm paying completely for Dixie myself and this means her monthly boarding fee, tack and supplies, vet bills, farrier bills, and all other needed expenses. Taking care of a horse not only takes a lot of time but a lot of money and what if you come across a problem that you don't know how to fix? Do you have the resources and/or knowledge to help train her/him to be a better horse.

And also it seems you are really about showing. That also costs a lot of money as you already know and it's very expensive to get an already trained show horse. People have put a lot of time into them and they want they're moneys worth.

My best advice is to sit down and talk you parents, maybe present a buissness plan and see what they think...ultimely though if they don't allow it, you'll have to wait until you can support a horse financially on your own and until you're 18.

Good luck!

Answer 6

IT  is  good  you  have learned  so  much  but there is  a  lot  more.  Vet  visits,required  shots, vaccinations,   shoeing,  and  boarding. Last  I  heard  price of  horses is  lower  due  to  high upkeep feed  cost.  I have  heard of  two people going in on  a  ownership.  Also  at  your  age  it  would  be  hard  to  see  it  every day and  I think thats  the parents  concern.  But  I compliment  you for your  achievments and  keep it up.  I feel in time  it will work  out. *mamatx

Answer 7

I had the same issue... so in the end what i did to prove is i got a job at the stable in the holidays i made my own way there and back. i got there at 6:30 and left at 8 pm.. i did that everyday in the hols! my parents said ok we now think you are ready because you have proven to us that you could GET UP BEFORE SCHOOL AND GO AFTER SCHOOL, even if you want to see your friends after. but they said if you ever stop doing it because you cant be bothered we are selling him. which was fair

so try and get a job up there to prove it!

hope that helped

Answer 8

i am sorry..... but i cant stand when people ask questions like these. There are so many people that have asked these questions..... so just type it in in tehe searchbox instead of reposting one. I think that you should just stick with riding the barns horse. when your parents think you are ready.... and think you can handle the responsibility.... i am sure they will buy you a horse.

EDIT: if you are still going to talk to them about the horse... offer to chip in a little bit

Answer 9

i have the same problem

but see if u can bored it somwhere

and then other ppl will do all that for u

and u can go out there when u have time

my parents are thinking about it

for mu birthday or christmas

Answer 10

You definitely should lease one first because there is a lot to learn and a lot of responsibility involve in owning and you most likely don't wake up at 530 taking care of one so it would be a big change and your parent probably don't think you can handle it and or don't want that smell

Answer 11

tell her if she doesnt give you a horse youll eat her rations.

Answer 12

c if u could board a horse where u take lessons, since the money isnt the issue, and how old are u, just curious, u dont have to tell

Answer 13

It's not all about riding ability. The horse needs to be handled correctly, you need to be able to recognise signs of illness/disease and know how to treat it, be able to recognise when the horse needs to see a farrier, have a knowledge of worming and worming programmes, as well as know a lot about general stable management. The best way to get this experience is offer to help out at your riding stables, maybe mucking out once or twice a week if your parents will take you. You could also approach any private horse owners you know and offer to muck out etc. for them, this may lead to some riding once they trust you. Don't expect to be paid but as you said you aren't bothered about that then this sounds ideal. Not only will it give you experience it will also show your parents you are commited. As far as where to keep it, could you livery it at your riding school? If not there are bound to be some livery stables near to you. If possible find one in walking distance (if you are old enough to walk there by yourself) so you don't have to rely on your parents for lifts. If your parents allow it, try to find a part loan horse; look in local afvertisers and ask about. Often private horse owners look for someone to look after their horse a few days a week though sometimes you do have to pay towards its keep aswell. This is a good way in to owning a horse. All in all, instead of nagging your parents, go out them and prove that you are committed, reliable and dedicated to it. With time, they may get you your horse! Good luck!

Answer 14

i live in teh city 2. and have just convinced mum and dad to let e get a horse.

but i have an older sister that drives and also wants thois horse. so

maybe look into leasing or free leasing.

this will teach u and your parents if your up to a horse.

Answer 15

try lessons 4 a wile then if ur stilll intersted ask ur parents if ur still intrested in a 6 months then can u buy 1