Inexperianced horse loving person seeking advice:?

Question

I have always loved horses and im looking for ways to ease into the horse world. I can ride but im no grand prix champion (for the most part i can do the basics). I know almost nothing about the daily stuff (grooming, feeding , saddling). The only thing I know is how to turn out a horse. I would like to start getting involved with horses. I'm trying to do things so that I dont jump into horse ownership without knowledge and end up killing a horse. So how can I get into the wonderful world of horses?

I have a couple of friends who have horses if that helps. Thank you!!!!!

Answer 1

The best thing i can suggest is to go and help out at your local stables, because there you get plenty of firsthand experience.

If you want to work with someone you know, why not offer to help out with your friends horses- maybe every morning just go and help with the feeds?

being able to work well with horses on the ground is the key to being a good rider, and it also helps you to understand horses better, which is essential for enjoying working with them.

Answer 2

volunteer at a horse rescue! there's tons all over the country and all rescuers can always use help. i've always loved horses and took lessons when i was younger but i didn't know anything about the basic care either. so i found a rescue in plymouth, ma and i've been there for a year almost every day. the owner even gave me my favorite horse!! volunteering lets you take care of a horse without jumping in and buying one or paying for it. if you can't find any around you just ask your friends if you can hang out with their horses for the day and take on the responsiblities they have everyday. you didn't say where you lived but if you live in new england you can find rescue groups on newenglandequinerescues.com

Answer 3

One way to do this is to lease or half-lease a horse.  Leasing a horse means you go out to the barn and care for and ride the horse, but you do not have to pay for things ike feed, vet and insurance.  You still have to pay a fee, which usually will be because of the cost to board the horse.  If you half lease a horse, that means that someone else can lease the horse with you, and you also do not have to go out to the barn that much.  When you are full leasing a horse, you usually have to go out 5-6 days a week, but with half leasing, you can go out 3-4 or maybe even less.  You could also go to a horseback riding camp that allowd you to "own" you own horse for the time you are there, and that REALLY teaches you about owning a horse. I suggest Falcon Horse Lover Camp. Ther you get up bright and early every morning to feed and groom your horse, and you ride 2-3 times a day in a lesson.  When you get there you take a riding test so they know which class to place you in, so you are comfortable. Hope this helped. :]

Answer 4

There are many ways to safely become involved with horses.  Depending on your age and location, the is the 4H as an example.  There are trainers that may take you under their wing as a barn helper.  

In your case, you have the advantage of friends with horses.  Follow them around and give them a hand at the barn.  Ask a lot of questions (there are no dumb questions btw).  Sign up for lessons if that is possible.

The answer is to try all the above and read as much as possible.  There are a lot of good reference material out there including forums and RFD TV as well.

Good luck, it is a life long love affair!

Answer 5

The best way to get involved with horses is to start taking lessons at a GOOD barn. You want to make sure that the trainer actually knows what they are doing, that the barn/stalls/pastures are safe and in good condition, and that the horses are in good condition (well fed, not skinny, healthy, up to date on all shots and wormed regularly, if injured that they receive proper care). Since you would be taking lessons you could learn about proper care for horses, how to groom horses, clean stalls, tack up horses, how to feed horses, how to handle horses, and how to ride and show. If you decide that you really like riding and love horses you can start leasing a horse (you take care of the horse and pay to lease the horse for however long and pay for the horse's expenses). When you start to get serious about riding and showing it is probably time to buy your own horse. The most important part is to make sure that the people you ride with know what they are doing (ask them if they have shown before and what level) because almost anybody can call themselves a horse trainer and not know a thing about riding and horse care.

Answer 6

I was in your shoes not long ago. I called the stables here and the owner offered to let me follow him around as he did his daily chores and ask all the questions I wanted.

3 days a week I went for "horse lessons" for a couple of hours. I helped muck, measure fed, check hooves, bathe, groom. We did small wound treatment. After a month, he said I knew all the basics.

Great guy with a good rep among the horse owners in this area and he didnt charge me a penny.

Answer 7

It depend on what kind of riding you are into, western riding demands different equipment than English riding. But i would suggest English to beginners and then the more experienced rider can move on to western.When starting English you want to start with crasog. in crasog (don't know how 2 spell it) you learn balance which you will need in western riding. and you learn to tune into your horse so you know what he wants and he knows what you want. Talk to your trainer and friends about it.

Answer 8

How old are you?  If you are under 18, there are usually a few horse based clubs (like 4h) in horsey areas.  If not, start with lessons; you will learn saddling, grooming, and general knowledge in addition to riding.  Why not ask if you can volunteer at a local boarding barn, equine vet, tack shop, or, when you become a good enough rider, an apprentice for your trainer?  You can read books, there are some very good ones out there, but nothing will beat the actual experience of learning from a knowledgeable horse person

There is no need to jump into horse ownership...You will appreciate the horse more and be able to get one that is better suited to what you want to do if you wait a bit and learn before buying one.

Best of luck

Answer 9

Reading books is a good start, Depending on your age.....you can volunteer at a nearby stable starting out cleaning stalls and grooming horses, If you are 16 and over its a great start. If you prove to be useful and a hard worker you might be able to get a job, but horse jobs on the low end like grooms and stall cleaners don't get much for money. Subscribe to a good horse magazine, Horse and Rider or the AQHA Journal, or pick a breed that you are interested in and get that breeds official magazine. You sound like you want to learn and thats always a good thing. There are also collages that provide degrees in Equine Sciences that you can look into. Hope this helps.