Please Help.. I dont know what to do..?

Question

Ok, so Ive been waiting my whole life to own a horse. My parents cant afford it. My mom and dad are divorced. My dad got remarried 4 years ago. My mom has been single for like 7 years now. And shes also been dating this doctor guy for years and years. FINALLY like a week and a 1/2 ago he asked her to marry him. Well, my mom just called me up and told me if my dad could build a barn on his 10 acre property, I could have a horse. I ride at a topnotch riding place and dont know what to do. Should I take him up on his offer and take my lessons at the place I ride at or should I tell him I'd rather him pay monthly board for me to keep a horse at the barn I ride at? Heres the big prob. - If I want to keep it at his property then that means a horse no more then $2000. If I could convince him into paying board then my dad will buy a horse between $15,000-$20,000. I DONT KNOW WHAT TO DO. I have to stick to one though. PLEASE HELP!

Answer 1

i would find the horse you want and then choose depending on the price, if its less then $2000 then build the barn, if not then board

Answer 2

Here is what you said:

1. You been waiting your whole life to own a horse.

2. Your parents can't afford it.

3. Your mom and dad are divorced.

4. Your dad got remarried.

5. Your mother's doctor friend asked her to marry him.

6. Your mom just told you that you can have a horse if your dad will build a barn on his property.

The rest of what you said after that is unclear. But it appears that what you are saying is that your mother and her betrothed will buy you a $2000 horse if your dad will build a barn so you will have a place to keep it, but if your father can be spared the expense of building a barn then your father will buy you a $15,000 or $20,000 horse if your mother and her betrothed can be convinced to pay monthly board to keep the horse at the barn where you ride.

I think the only reasonable solution to that dilemma is to lighten up on your parents. You said you don't have a horse because your "parents can't afford it." So I suggest you take a giant step toward adulthood and wait until you can afford to board and care for a horse yourself and then adopt one in need of rescue. And if you think a rescue horse is beneath your dignity then I suggest you think again. Here is one of the finest examples of a rescue horse:

http://www.showjumpinghalloffame.net/ind...

Answer 3

Forgetting the price of the horse and everything because it costs the same to feed and board a $2000. horse as it does a $20,000. one...but....

think about the comraderie there is at the barn where there are others that share your interests.  It can get lonely at a one person one horse barn!!  Plus is your dad experienced enough to know what to do in an emergency?  What about if you , your dad or family decide to go on vacation or something...whose responsible then??

Don't be price happy..there are plenty of good horses around nowadays for the "meager" price of $3000.  In the Saddlebred world I just saw one that is in great shape, with good breeding, 2 yrs. old that someone got because of non payment on board she was 2500. but could be bought for $750. so, unless it was one exceptional proven show horse...you can find a nice horse.

Anyways, I like having a home away from home and the happenings and mingling with others at a barn.

Congrat's on finally being able to get a horse....what breed or style riding do you partake in?

Answer 4

Congratulations on finally getting a horse.

Some horses at $2000 are actually very good mounts and usually horses worht 15,000 - $20,000 are show horses used for state showing or top notch bloodlines. Some riding stables have great facilities so look at your local barns and see what they ahve to offer then decide about your horse.

Answer 5

Geez, $2000 will more than buy you a very nice horse, especially with the market the way it is now.  Do you really need a $15,000 - $20,000 horse as your first horse?  No offense but if you wanted one *that* bad, it doesn't seem as though you'd be too big on bargaining for the most expensive horse you want...

Anyway, assuming that both barns are equal in care standards and facilities, which will be more convenient for your mom or dad?  I assume she will have to drive you to and from whichever barn you want to keep the horse at.

Answer 6

if your dad was to build you a barn, then if he put a few stables there, then your friends could come and keep there horses their aswel! An arena would be handy, and another shed to keep hay, bedding and feed etc. After having horses in our family for the past 50 years (my dad breeds them) and 28 stables, we decided to livery out the small yard (14 stables), which means that my friends are around all the time, so more people to help with all the general yard duties etc. Good luck

Answer 7

congrats your very lucky to have a option like this but i HIGHLY recommend that you board the horse at the barn u ride at.it takes A LOT to manage a horse(if u were to hav ur dad build a barn), you need to have extensive knowledge about horse care and management. you would have to call an equine nurtitionist to have a diet plan customized and have extensive vet knowledge to know when to spot a sole bruise for example before ti gets to serious as to lameness etc. and i think having a horse boarded is a lot of stress off of you and personally i dont mean to brag but i have studying horses nutritional wise,vet wise,anatomy wise for the past 2 years and there is JUST so much and i personally dont think i could handle my own barn right now so i dont think u could either so your best bet is to leave it 2 some 2 more experienced thatn you for now until you get A LOT more experience b4 u biuld and manage a barn.

good luck

Answer 8

Hi,

Well I can see your predicament.

You need to weigh the pros and cons of each choice.

Congrats on finally getting that horse you have always dreamed of!

At your dads:

Cheaper Horse (not always a bad thing some of the best horses are cheap due to the bad horse market.)

You can see your horse whenever you want.

No barn rules that you HAVE to follow.

No dealing with other boarders.

More time with your horse.

No barn hours.

You can take care of your horse however you please.

More responsibility.

Hay not included in board.

No arena?

No round pen?

No wash rack?

More time alone with your horse. (good for bonding!)

You have to clean the stalls.

You are the one ACTUALLY taking care of your horse!

Shows you are capable of having a HUGE resoponsibilty and are willing to do anything to have a horse!

You are the one feeding it.

You can check on it all the time to make sure it is not injured.

Less freedom.

You cannot just ride your horse put it in the stall and leave.  You have to care for it as well.

You have to trailer to lessons.

The lessons and your horse are not in the same place. = more driving.

At the fancy barn:

More money to spend on a horse.

You have to FOLLOW stupd barn rules.

You cannot see your horse whenever you want.

More expensive horse = more to worry about. At least if it is a 2,000 dollar horse and he breaks his leg you wont worry about HAING to put him down.  If a horse breaks a leg you HAVE to!

Annoying boarders.

More social.

Have to follow all of the owners instructions.

Place can close down whenever.  Then where will your horse go?

Your close to your horse for lessons.

Your horse can be the one you get lessons on without all the headache of trailering.

I think you have a tuff decision, personally I would go for the cheaper horse at my dad's house.  But it is up to you.

Hope I helped and good luck!

:-)

Remember when it comes to boarding it is EXPENSIVE! It is MUCH cheaper to have your horse at your own property.

Do you live at your dad's?

Will you be the one responsible for feeding your horse checking it's water, and cleaning its stall?

Answer 9

Congrats on getting a horse!!

you are in a really tough situation...  i wouldn't really know what to do!

but if you're parents are worried about paying to much money then i suggest having a barn at your dads!  when i was little and would ask for a horse my dad would always say, "I'll buy you whatever horse you want, your mom just has to pay to board it!"  (my parents are divorced too)  He said it because boarding can be really expensive and will turn out to be more than the cost of buying a horse in the long run!  especially if you are at a really nice barn, like the one you're at!

Maybe you could share-board or lease a horse at the barn you ride at now?  idk... just a suggestion!!

i hope this helps and good luck!!  :]

let us know how it all works out!!

Answer 10

I'd stay as far out of your parent's issues as I could.....stay where you are at, and be thankful for any money that comes your way to continue with your riding.  don't ever let dollar signs get in the way of good judgement.  A bird in the hand is woth 20,000 in the bush.

Answer 11

Congratulations on finally getting a horse!

there are many benefits to boarding - not just the cost of the horse...

if you board there are the amenities:

riding arena

wash racks

friends!!

if you build a barn at your dad's you may end up with a nice barn and nowhere to ride when it is really hot, or cold, and no one to ride with ( you may need a truck, trailer, etc...to get to where there are others to ride with)

Don't know about the hay/feed storage situation where you live but it is something to consider in most regions as well - you may need an all weather road, a hay storage barn - etc...

In most instances, if you aren't driving, a boarding facility will probably be the way to go for you...

(I wouldn't necessarily cap them out on the max range horse you mentioned either - ask if you can have the extra funds to go into training, or put it towards a trailer, equipment, to go toward horse insurance, or towards vet bills, it'll really make you look responsible, and that you're looking towards the future!)

Good Luck, and Happy Riding!