Why Do Uneducated People Buy Horses!?!?

Question

I kind of am shocked tat someone said they never learned how to tack in horse lessons! thats the first thing I was taught! they made you do everything, because they first question they asked me was " you thinking of buy a horse?" I said yes and they taught me everything right down to speck of horse hair. If you want to learn tell them they will do it and not charge you. I feel bad for some who didnt learn it.

Answer 1

Because we are free. But I feel bad for animals sometimes....

Answer 2

A friend of my dad's told me a story last weekend. He has a friend that owns a barn and boards 52 horses. He no longer rides, but his daughter does. Well, she was showing a 2 YEAR OLD ARABIAN STALLION in a show. He started acting up, reared, fell over, got up angry, grabbed the girl by her shirt and picked her up off the ground. How does the father respond?? He killed the horse. First off, in my opinion, a 2 year old Arabian is too young to even be broken. Secondly, what business does a child have riding a 2 year old Arabian STALLION?? Their ignorance cost that horse his life. All he needed was the expertise of a GOOD trainer and time. I belive before anyone gets a horse, they should spend at least a year taking lessons so that they can learn how to take care of a horse and decide if they really want then. After that they will then have the help of ther trainer so that they can find a suitable horse for their level. Horses take lots of money and time and a lot of people do not realize that until they have already bought one.

EDIT: Kept calling him stallion, but he was a colt. Unaltered colt is what I meant

Answer 3

I dont understand it either,

but its mostly the spoilt kids,

my friend got a horse (she has had them befor) and then another girl in our riding group got 1 two weeks later,. that satys something and her dad cleans the horses poo.

They are all just over confident,

edit

i have a saying

green rider+green horse=black and blue

=)

p.s

i was the one she said that to.

Answer 4

I think before anyone buys a horse, they should find a stable to work/volunteer at for at least six months, every day.  Have to do the grunt work every day, rain or shine.  Watch vet car, ferrier service, training, see injuries and hardships.  Almost like an equine bootcamp.   Like with any animal, some people get wrapped up in the *idea* of a horse, and have no idea what the reality is.

Answer 5

I agree but there is not a test before the purchase. If they have the money people will sell. Kind of a shame. Poor horses.

Answer 6

the same reason they buy dogs they know nothing about.

people tend to rush into things and have no clue how/what they're getting into.

i started riding at 6 and i think i got my first horse at 11-12ish, but i was with a trainer up until i was 15 and in pony club since i was 10.  i didnt even expect to get my first horse when i did (surpize xmas gift) but back then we had help from our trainer, the people at the  barn, and we were around horses for a few years b4 we own a horse. (i say we b/c my parents helped and are into horses as well.)

i do agree that alot of people dont know much to anything about horse, it's the questions like:i've never tacked up a horse b4 but i'm going to buy one next week type that get me.

that was the second thing my trainer taught me to do(right after basic grooming and leading). i guess things are different today then what i remember.

Answer 7

because there rich parents buy them what ever they want

Answer 8

I was by far not a spoiled child, nor were we rich by any means.  There were three of us kids and we got our first horse, (a wildie who was already boke to ride) None of us had riding lessons, quite frankly back in those days there was no such place to go to for lessons.  Of course dad was always there to make sure that we did things right in the barn..  The horse survived and so did all three of us kids/  Blanket statements like "a non experienced person or kid should not be allowed to have their own horse" is way out of line.  It depends on the people involved and the horse.  Farm kids seem to have a good understanding about what livestock require, and have been raised learning from day one.     I agree though that not everyone is prepared to look after a horse or a dog or a parakeet.  Some will never get it.  .

Answer 9

I think one big reason that happens is because a lot of people "don't know, that they don't know"... If you know what I mean. lol Some people really do think they have the knowledge to properly care for and own a horse. Some people think it's easy to do and they don't need experience or any prior knowledge. A lot of people let their egos get in the way of themselves. They have a big head and think they can handle or do anything. They don't realize what it really takes to be a devoted horse person until it's way too late.

There are also those people who get horses because they have the money to. They buy them, ride them a few times and then the horse usually ends up "going to the trainer", back on the market,  or sitting in a pasture or stall while the owners are doing "more important things" because they figured out they had no clue what it took to ride and care for a horse and gave up.

At the barn I used to work at one of the lawers bought a horse for his daughter simply because he could. I mean, why not? If you've got money what else do you need to own a horse? Well to make a long story short his daughter had NO prior riding experience. The first time she hopped on that horses back she was thrown off and rushed to the hospital.

This whole idea that it's okay to start a horse before they hit two is beyond irritating. I don't think any horse should be started before they reach three. I believe in working with the babies as soon as possible though. TONS of groundwork and preperation before you even THINK about sitting on that horse. Every baby I worked with had groundwork from the very beginning. Lounging, desensitizing, moving off pressure, ground driving, etc. When the time came to get on for the first time these babies knew what to do and how to do it. They could go, stop turn, one rein stop, all that good stuff, because it had been done from the ground first.

My point- People are starting horses early because they want to "break" them asap. They want to train them and get them out at the shows and some exposure, or just out on the trails as soon as they can. If they took the time to do it right they wouldn't need to start these babies so young.

Answer 10

People don't realize how much time and work it is to own a horse - though it is extremely rewarding.  I worked at a stable for 5 months before I bought my first horse (I still work at the stable).  Before I bought my horse I tried learning everything I could.  Of course, it helps having a barn full of experienced horse experts lol.  I don't see how anyone could buy a horse without having any previous knowledge of them.  That's like buying a car you've never driven.

Answer 11

because they are uneduacted and think that it is fun! well, it is fun to own/ lease a horse, but not in the same way as good horse owners. actaully, a hrose can start to be saddle and bit/ bridle broke once a yearling, just not rider/ being ridden broke until at least 2 years old. i think that if an uneduacated person buys a horse, they need to board it for full- care, and ride/ care for it only during lessons. a think that a person who wants to buy a horse should be REQUIRED to at least learn and KNOW the basics of horse care.

Answer 12

I think it's the same as owning any animal, you must learn how to keep them and take care of them and have the means to keep them. I always wanted to pony from a young age but I had to learn alot about them first. I learned to ride in a riding school for three years and helped many different places to gain experience with horses. I finally loaned a pony ( so it belonged to someone else, and somebody else had the responsibility of taking care of the medical bills etc) this is a good way to learn, by sharing with an more experienced owner, then you get to learn all the joys and pitfalls of owning a horse. But I do know very spoiled children that can barely tack up and they have there own ponies. But as long as you have responsible parents and help to buy a horse that is broken and safe in all aspects then the rider can learn with helpful educated people around.

Answer 13

I feel bad for the horses and the ppl, as neither will have what they want or need

Answer 14

I had a really good business going for a long time in which I trained people in how to own a horse. As a side, we rehabilitated horses owned by people who know nothing about them and also helped those who'd bought babies and now owned monsters to get back on track with a nice older horse who wouldn't kill them while they learned. I don't sell any horse to someone who has never owned a horse and is just buying one because they can now pay for it and with today's prices, a whole lot of people can now own. In over 40 years, I can tell you some major horror stories that all have to do with people getting a horse who knew absolutely nothing about them. I try to teach and help all I can, but there are so many people out there who just have no clue, nor do they want one. The cost of owning is going to skyrocket, and has already to a great degree. I just spent $250 at the feed store to bed 6 stalls and buy 2 weeks of feed. That's double what it was at this time last year.

Answer 15

I never took lessons but my mother read lots of books about horses and we read some things together on the internet. I actually was completely taught by the horse I bought, but my mother was VERY smart and bought an old horse - in fact when we first bought him we weren't sure he'd survive through 2 years because of the fact he was so old, but she knew I'd never fall off him - so I could learn how to walk and trot on him. This was back when I was 7 and here I am at 17, training off the track thoroughbreds and other various horses as well as riding problem horses and doing great at it.

There is actually a big problem with taking lots of lessons, you get a horse that is schooled and will do what you want. These schooled horses (though you do get some horses that are unschooled, thankfully) don't teach you a whole lot but how to push buttons. My old horse was very gentle with me, but at the same time, if I didn't know how to make him do something, he just wouldn't do it. He taught me more than anything else, I rode bareback constantly and he lived to be 38 under our very careful care, he died last year.

It bothers me when people buy young horses thinking they are the best to buy, a person who knows nothing cannot train a horse who knows nothing. First horses should be 10 for older adults and older for kids. It does bother me that people research nothing, but you definately don't need to take lessons if you use some common sense! And - if you ask other people for some tips here and there. If you have question on feeding your horse and can't find tips you can ask a farrier or vet, they should know.

But, yes, some of that stuff does bother me - but I don't think you need lesson to take care of a first horse, just some common sense and research. And, no a horse should not be broke at 2 years old. At 2 was when we were just first starting to put the saddle blanket and saddle near our quarter horse. I was just starting to lean on her back while holding my weight up by a fence. It's too young. I agree with you there.

Answer 16

I have ridden since i was 9 now 16 but when i learned to ride i was never taught the basics of horse care.  I think that if people were shown how to tack up and groom at riding schools and shown how important stuff like good feet/farrier care really is i think this is part of the problem with unexperienced people buying horses.  As i think part of the problem is that people think that they can ride so they will be able to look after a horse.  People who just ride dont grasp the concept of horse care.  I know of someone who bought their daughter a pony for her birthday and didnt even know what a farrier was let alone hear of the equine dentist and didnt know the first thing about horse feed.

Answer 17

I understand what you are saying, its very sad. I am 17 & just bought my very first horse. But i refuse to keep it at my place for i know that i do not know everything & if something goes wrong im royally screwed. I board mine at a very nice barn where I know I could get help 24/7 if needed.  I dont understand why people have to be so stupid, if you really are gunna buy a horse at least have some help. Makes me sad for the horses

Answer 18

Why do uneducated people buy pets? Its not only horses, but birds, fish, dogs, cats, rodents, rabbits...

Answer 19

That's the million dollar question.

I think horses are a status symbol for a lot of people...they can say "oh yeah, I own a horse" and they feel very special.  But honestly, I bet about 50% of the people I've been around that already own horses shouldn't have a horse at all.  They have no idea.  And the worst part?  The one that suffers is the horse, not the human.

And uneducated people seem to think the younger the horse, the better.  I have never understood that.  They'll be like "12?  That horse is too old.  I want a yearling."  Huh?  Horses aren't as easy as puppies to train, and there is a lot more risk involved, but then again half the people I've been around people that own dogs probably shouldn't either.

But it's the same way with dogs, and children too.  It's the thing to do, so people go buy a puppy or have a kid, even though they don't have a clue, or the novelty wears off.

It's selfish and stupid but unfortunately I don't think the problem will ever go away :(

Answer 20

Oh I know! And it's not only horses, its all kinda of animals! They bring home a pet, and then don't know how to handle it, or how to take care of it! I feel so badly for all of those animals. The poeple who buy them should do all of the research about handling, caring for, etc those animals. They just buy one just because they think it's cool to have one, and then when it comes to actually taking care of it, they give up on the animal. I agree with you 110%. I can't stand it when ppl do that.