I want to buy a horse?

Question

i own 10 acres of land and i have never owned any horses.i hear that food i verry expensive so i was thinking why not grow food?how can i build a home ? how much should i spend on it ? how long can i ride a horse ? oh and what breed is good?

Answer 1

try leasing first. Try a AQHA.

Answer 2

Look up the basics on horse care. Talk with the local horse owners or go to show and get some info on horses there. If your looking to buy a horse to learn on then look for a beginner horse ask for a pre purchase exam. If you don't know how to ride then find someone that does and have them ride the horse for you to see what their thoughts about it is. Ask a friend or neighbor to let you come over to see how horses are fed and taken care of. Until you learn the basics ...."now I am not saying learn it all because most of it comes with owning the horse a hands on process" I would build a small barn or lean to for the horse to get out of the weather. I do not agree with the first girls answer.....you DO NOT have to spend most of the day with them. Give them good pasture water and hay. Give them a couple of hours of your time daily for grooming, talking and a daily check over. That way you know what is and is not normal behavior for your horse. Always remember that they are a herd animal so they do need a companion wether it is another horse or a lil goat. Good Luck !

PS .....A well trained horse comes in all breeds. Never buy for color alone, I have done it and kicked myself in the rear for it.

Answer 3

Haying yourself is rather hard work, I do it every summer but it's definitly not a one person job. I would do anything to have a horse at the moment but I can't afford it. Horses are getting a lot cheaper lately but everything else has gone up. Run in sheds work nice but you'd need somewhere to keep enough hay for the winter so it doesn't get wet. Wet hay molds and moldy hay causes serious problems. Quarter Horses are good, and personally I've always liked Geldings better than mares. They're a lot more even tempered.

Depending on the horse and if you're going to get more than one horse. One horse gets lonely sometimes, goats usually work great as companions and don't eat that much.

You need to have time to devote to actually developing a relationship with the horse and I'd think about taking riding lessons. Get a well trained horse that's not going to have a lot of problems to fix. You're probably not ready to start training your own horse.

Do some research. Horses are really nice to have. Good luck.

Answer 4

Food for horses isn't that expensive....But horses need more than grass to eat...they need hay,feed, and grass...you can buy one from $1500 to $400.....Quarter Horses are good and so are paints....if you want a gaited horse, a paso fino, saddle horse, and a tennessee walking horse are good. You can build it a shed to stay in, just a place to get out of the weather(rain, snow, etc.)

Answer 5

I would get a quarter horse and they feed is high A bag of corn is over $10 a bag(50lbs) that's $20 a hundred we feed 14% mix with rolled corn in it its $14.25 a hundred

Answer 6

I think getting a horse will be good but you should get riding lessons and research on the breed of horse that u chose to get.

Answer 7

depends on where you live as to the expense. but what you have to take into account with growing food is that weather can ruin your entire crops, and it's constant thing and during the non growing season you'll have to buy feed to supplement....think about this horses are harder to keep than people think...vet bills, tack, farrier rugs etc the list and money spending never stops...

Answer 8

I would have to say try leasing first, wear you don't keep the horse at your place, you sound like you have no idea what your doing.    And wildhorselover -try leasing first. Try a AQHA.- AQHA is not a breed is a association it stands for American Quarter Horse ASSOCIATION

Answer 9

You need someone in your area that knows how to properly take care of horses to assist you.

1) Horses are very complex animals that should only be cared for by people that have at least some experience.

2) You cannot just 'grow food' for your horse. It needs to be properly dried and proccessed. Your horse needs more than one type of food, and it's diet needs to be measured and determined by a professional.

3) Building a stable costs lots of money. About $30,000 for your basic model.

4) Breed doesn't matter (search horse breeds in the search for questions box, there's loads of 'What horse breed is right for me' questions, and all of the answers say to focus on indvidual horses).

5) You can ride your horse for 20 + years, so you have to take very good care of it. They live for a very long time.

If you're interested in horses, please go to your local stable and take some lessons for a few years before considering investing in a horse.

I'm not trying to be mean, I'm just trying to save you and the horse a lot of future problems and expenses.

Answer 10

I have owned horses for more years than I care to admit, but I do think I can give you some helpful tips. My first rule for buying a horse is Never, ever, get on a horses back, until you see someone else ride him first. I would suggest a good gelding since you are not experienced. And I would find a good riding instructor.

You will need shelter for him, which means you will need a good barn or run in shed.

It depends on what you feed as to how much it costs. I do not think you will be able to grow your own feed. You may be able to grow your own grass for hay in winter, but it takes the right equipment, and a lot of work.

Never buy a horse just becuse it is pretty, or it is the color you have always wanted. When you go to buy a horse, take someone with you that knows what to look for an unexperienced person. Horses are very complex, and a lot of thought should be given before you actually buy one. Hope this helps.

Answer 11

If your in California its going to cost you more to water it then buy it.  Hay isn't really much more than a few years ago, here i think theres just a panic.  I understand in other states they have drought and a hay shortage, they are the ones needing to complain and get relief.  

If you have never owned a horse before talk to people around you who can explain everything to you and can show you the proper way to do things.

Answer 12

i wouldnt even consider getting a horse! no offense but horses are VERY complex animals to take care of for example

-you have to have MORE than basic riding experience

-and you must call an equine nutritionist to customize a diet plan for your athlete

-you then must call a vet every 3-4 month for check ups and shots

-you must have extensive knowledge about barns and how to get the things that will benefit your horse most and you must consider wind direction and placement of barn

-you must have farrier come out every six weeks

-you must know how to keep all feed clean and sanitary

-you must be able to assess tack and how to choose the BEST for your horse

-you need to know about common myths and and why you shouldnt do them, not knowing them is detrimental to your horses health and overall preformance

-you need to know extensivly about horse care and management and horse conformation before selecting your LIFE partner

-you must know how to fix stable vices and fix them in a mannered and correct way

-you must be willing to spend most of your day caring for your horse or hire a stable hand(s)

-and most of all you must be prepared to spend lots of $$$

not as easy as it first appears

I have been in the horse industry for 4 years now and i do research EVERY DAY and there seems to be an infinate amout of knowledge available so unless u want to spend some SEROIUS study time then i would just get a dog or something

Answer 13

Paint horses and quarter horses are the best kind to get...For riding it just depends on the horse