Should i get a horse???

Question

Okay so I just started riding in June and I have taken about 14 lessons and I am really enjoying it. i ride atleast 1x every week. i use a horse at the place i ride at. I REALLY want a horse but i'm not sure if i should wait a while to get one. or should i lease from the place i ride at???

Oh && im 13.

Answer 1

I agree with others that leasing/hiring is the best option here as horses can be very expensive and you are still very young.  What happens if you lose interest?  Not saying that will happen but it could.  Do all your friends ride?  If not then I think you may not ride as often as you should.  Horses can't be switched on and off when you feel like it.  Now don't take that the wrong way, I am not intending to be mean here just saying that you need to look at everything such as what else you do with your friends etc and does a horse fit into this.

What do your parents think?  I have a question for you.  How passionate are you about horses?  for me I would have eaten horse p**p if that had gotten me a horse as a 13yo.  I am way older now (have grandkids!) but still have the same passion and would still eat horse p**p if I had to to keep my horses.  Do you feel the same way?  If not then maybe buying is not for you yet.

As most others have said, horses are not a cheap thing especially if you have to pay for boarding etc.  Do your research first on what it would cost to keep a horse.  Buying a horse is the cheapest part it is the upkeep that costs.

Offer to work at your local barn, cleaning yards etc in return for riding.  Give it until you can maybe get yourself a part time job to afford some of the costs of a horse.  

I hope the passion stays with you for ever.  I never gave up my dream to own a horse....I was 32 before I brought my first horse (see life gets in the way!).  I had a great arrangement as a kid, I rode a lady who had 4 kids horse.  She didn't have time and didn't want to sell him so I rode him, groomed him etc but didn't pay for anything except his shoeing....that was the best situation to have.

Answer 2

u shouldent get a horse in my opinon. if u do get a horse get a older one [10 - 20] bc they are easier to handle and arent as high strung as a younger horse. a horse is a really big responsiblity [ i have to of them] and they are very expensive! best of luck!

Answer 3

I agree with others. Wait a year or two, so you have a better understanding of how to take care of a horse and how much exercise they will need (i.e. more than once a week). But also more time between now and when you buy gives you more time to be around your current riding place and learn more about equine health, first aid, trailering, etc.

I would suggest starting with a half lease for maybe 3-4 days a week to really get your feet wet.

Good luck!

Answer 4

I'm also 13 and it depends how good of a rider you are.  You might ask your instructor what you are ready for.  leasing is a great option because your instructor can watch you when you ride. Good Luck =]]

Answer 5

im gonna make it short and simple! no you should not get a horse not to be rude but i wated 5 years to get a horse and im 13! i leased for 3 whole years until my parents thought i was ready! and now tht i bought a hrose its great but wait a couple years :]

Answer 6

i say lease one until you get used to all the daily care and untill you fully know how to take care of one. and then you can decide

Answer 7

im 13 too!

trust me i used to never ride. and i loved riding!

sooooo i found someone and im leasing there horse for FREE!! now i get to ride 3x a week! its great. so i suggest you do the same. they still teach me a little more how to like canter and stuff, but without leasing, i probably wouldnt have ridden for like a month!

Answer 8

hahha...NO please do not get a horse...id wait and work on devloping all of your skills...dnot rush anything just worry about getting good and you can get a horse later...way later =]]

Answer 9

Should probably lease one for a little while to make sure this is what you want. Horses are a HUGE responsibility.

Answer 10

I know what you mean. Horses are amazing, incredible creatures and owning one is a great experience.  However, it is a huge commitment.  Horses eat up a lot of time and money.  I would lease a horse for a few months, and then decide if you still really want a horse and feel like you are ready, then you can get one.

Answer 11

What's the rush? Sorry if I sound crabby, but you're too inexperienced to take care of a horse. Of course you could pull it off, but that's not the point in owning a horse. I think instead of thinking what you want, you should think of what you really want- experience! That's the name of the game with horses. It's great to own your own horse, I happily own two, but as another responder said: it's diving into the deep end. There are a lot of responsibilities, not saying they are meaningless or impossible, but when you're trying to gain experience being around horses you won't really want to be limited by one horse. Riding once a week is nothing, really. I feel bad if I miss one day a week, I go everyday to tend to them. Sure, you could be another half assed horse owner, but you don't want to be right? I suggest you improve your seat and communication with horses, and ride different horses and try different disciplines. How would you know which horse you want? The pretty one? Ya see, this is something that needs incredible consideration. Horses are cheap to get and harder to sell- but just as expensive as ever. Leasing is a great option because of all the half assed hoses owners! But remember that lessons are really important, especially if you strive to get a horse sooner than later. Just because you really want a horse doesn't mean you need to jump the gun and claim one. Good luck either way!

Answer 12

if anything, i would lease one first, everyone thinks its soooo easy to own a horse, and that is what i thought too. but its not. i leased a horse and it was as hard as it gets. i now know what to do and i have learned so much, that my parents have decided to let me buy one. its a hard sport, and just because you have had 14 lessons doesnt make you a professional rider. i would wait and learn as much as possible before you make that big investment.

by the way, i am 14

Answer 13

you should definetly wait at least a year or two.

but try leasing first, thats what i did. it was lots of fun and then you dont have to worry about all the expenses and you can learn all you need to know

you should wait.. good idea being open too ideas. i would definetly lease first.  

Answer 14

maybe give it a little while and if possible ask if you can have some stable management lessons or offer to help out at your stables.  A loan horse would be a good idea first and keeping it at your riding school would be ideal as you can have lessons on it and there will be lots of people around who can teach you things and keep you right.  Dont rush into anything but if your really enjoying the lessons and can learn a bit about looking after a pony and can afford it then it wouldn't hurt to look about and see whats on offer.  good luck

Answer 15

No. you should not get a horse. For these reasons. You really don't have that much experience, wait until you get some more experience.

Will your parents buy you a horse? Will they pay for the board? The vet, the farrier? THe shots, wormer, shoes? Tack, halters, lead ropes, fly spray?

What happens if your horse gets sick and you can't afford his vet bills? Horses get very expeinsve very fast.

I'd just lease for now.  

Answer 16

I defiantly think that you should lease not buy.

You should have at least three year of riding experience.

  

Answer 17

I'm going to be nicer then usually. . .

1. 13 year old girls dont buy horses, they're parents do.

2. 14 lessons? well i took 4 years of lessons and still when my parents bought me my first horse it was like diving in the deep end, there is so much to learn.  

3. I'm happy you like riding, but for safety and common sense i'll have to say that if i was you (and i'm not cause i'm an old meanie) i'd wait a year, then ask your trainer if they know of any horses for half lease or even ask your trainer if in a year she thinks your ready to lease a horse. I'd lease the  horse for another year or two  and then after that consider buying a horse.  

HPTS

Answer 18

Why do you want to lease or buy a horse?  If you're only riding once a week, maybe you could always ask for the same horse where you've been riding?  That's a whole lot less expensive if you're only riding once a week.  I think you'd benefit from riding different horses sometimes, to get used to different gaits from different horses.  There's a huge variation in the way different horses move.  

Wait until you're on your own to think about buying a horse.  They're tremendously expensive to own.  

Answer 19

in 3 months start leasing different horses to who you like!

Answer 20

I think you should ask your instuructor what they think first. but then before you buy ALWAYS lease one first! good Luck!

Answer 21

You should definitely wait, you are not experienced enough to handle a horse at this point. I want a horse, but I'm waiting for another couple of years. Whats the horse going to do while you are at college? Who can pay for vet bills, and boarding, and food? Its no small investment, I'd wait for a couple more years....at least! I'm not trying to sound mean, but i'm saying this for you, and the horses sake

Answer 22

You should wait to buy a horse. Make sure you can handle all kinds of horses. Owning a horse is definately not something to rush into. Usually when that happens, things dont work out as well with the horse. Definately lease a horse first. It gives you the idea of what its like to own a horse but if you decide your not ready for it, its guilt-free. Also you're riding once a week. When you own a horse, you should be riding it 6-7 times a week (unless they are in pasture the rest of the time). But most people wait about 2-4 years before OWNING a horse is a possibility. The more experience you have, the better idea you can get about what breed, discipline, and size you might want. I would say no for now. 3 months is a super short time, and you might decide in a couple of months that you don't want to ride anymore. Wait I'd say 2 years until you buy a horse. But leasing is really great. It's better to take baby steps rather than rush into it. Most people who get a horse as early as you would be, dont know enough, have trouble controlling their horse, and honestly 14 lessons is so short. I have been riding for 3-4 years and bought a horse in July, and I still learn things from some friends that I have never heard about. So, I would suggest definately wait 2 years, but try going to camps that will teach you about caring for horses and you should give yourself time to improve.

Answer 23

Wait a bit longer, until you get more advance. That way you will be able to sove simple problems that your horse might get (spooking at a bush etc.) You might want to try leassing a horse and wait another year or two to get your own horse. Horses are a lot of work and money.

Answer 24

after you take lessons for a yera and sponsor for a year yes only 14 lessons is rushing it

Answer 25

it take years of commit mint i've wanted one for 8 years it very expensive! work around your ridding stable to see what its like

Answer 26

I think you should probably wait until you have been riding at at least a year to buy one

Answer 27

I've been riding for over a year now and have come a long way. I am 14 so I can help you! I ride a horse that my stable provides and I love the horses there. I was thinking about leasing for the summer months when we didn't have lessons, so I could ride with my friends who own horses. The thing is, I couldn't afford it, and my parents weren't interested in it. I got to go away to a few places this summer and I realised that unless I knew that I was going to be home mostly all summer then it wasn't a good idea. This also goes for the winter months as well, if you don't want to go out in the cold or if you sometimes go away. If you are home then try a lease, and see if you like it. Remember buying a horse would also be a little harder aswell if the horse you lease is already being taken care of at your riding school.

Answer 28

if you have a good ranch

and can take really good care of it and raise it.. yeah!!

go aheaed!! i want a horse myself!! .. but i live in teh city, no ranch, and idk how to raise one.