Where can I get a horse for free?

Question

This is not a stupid "I've always thought horses are cutie they'd be fun to ride I think I'll get one." No, I've taken lessons for 11yrs, and have experience working at a stud farm in charge of layups fresh off the track. I'm a student though and have never been able to afford my own horse. I wouldve had connetions while I worked at the farm with off-track TBs, but that option's gone now. I'm looking for nothing more than a pleasure horse, but haven't found any that are being given to good homes or very cheap. I'm passionate about OTTBs, but the only cheap ones are unsound.

Answer 1

go to www.petfinder.com and type in "horses" at the left, and your zip code. most of the horses on there are free

=)

Good Luck!!!

Answer 2

Just about any place there are horses.  Horse thieves aren't hung anymore.

Answer 3

Where do you live?

I`m in Illinois and I know several people who are giving away horses.

Answer 4

Very few people will give away horses or sell them for a cheap price because they may be bought for slaughter or by irresponsible owners that DO only want them because they're cute and fun to ride. So you most likely won't find one too cheap, but checking into shelters is one option that may be available to you. From what I understand, they charge between $100-500 for a horse in most places (or at least around here).

Also, just food for thought- VERY carefully consider buying a horse before you commit. Horses are a HUGE responsibility (as I'm sure you know) and they require lots of very expensive care, feed, and boarding. Buying the horse is actually the cheap end of the bargain. So if you cannot afford to even buy the horse, let alone all the accessories, maybe it would be best to wait even longer until you are more financially secure. Or even try to find a barn to work at/take lessons, so that you can be around horses (or maybe even half lease) without committing to a horse.

I'm definitely not trying to talk you down, just please consider what the horse is going to cost you. I am in the same boat right now with being a full time student and trying to work with horses. But so far, I have decided I am not financially stable enough to own my own horse.

Good luck on whatever you decide!