Why do people buy horses when?

Question

They have little or no experience. Lessons are easy to get. The majority of questions on here seem to be from inexperienced people who have bought a horse and can't control it. Worse still they seem to think the solution is to get a harsh bit and they will end up ruining the horse's mouth. They are going to end up selling the horse having ruined it's potential. You don't buy a horse/pony because it's pretty or because you want to learn. You buy one because it is suitable and you are experienced enough to be able to manage properly. This shouldn't be encouraged like it seems to be on this site. What is wrong with learning first?

Answer 1

You asked your question, then you answered it...They don't know that they don't know until they get it and find out they don't know.

Answer 2

I totally agree. I had lessons from when i was 11 and helped out at my riding school for years, learning to muck out, tack up, ride and handlee all kinds of horses. I bought my first horse when I was 18 and even then i had some problems to start with. I have seen a lot of parents who buy their kids a pony and then think all they have to do is pay the bills and drop their kid off at the stable every day. I wish there was some kind of test u have to take and pass (like a driving test before u can drive a car) before u are allowed to own or loan a horse.

Answer 3

In defense of such people, many get pressured into it by a horse "expert." This happened to me not too long ago. I trusted my trainer who said it's a nice horse. I ended up switching trainers and my new trainer told me it's not a good match. My previous trainer only wanted the money that board and training would bring in.

It is not always the person's fault.

Answer 4

Its interesting that you are getting answers from people agreeing with you but who are breeders and racing enthusiasts, the very people who are producing too many horses than people need to buy, surely, as real horse lovers, it is the root of the problem we should tackle first rather than the well-meaning allbeit inexperienced people who buy the horses. Horses from this country are still ending up in italian restaurants on a plate, and that really ruins its potential!!

But yes I do agree with you, but (especially in my area) a lot of the old riding schools have closed down, mainly because of the increasing insurance costs, and just becoming livery yards, so finding another riding school means travelling a long distance.

Answer 5

The horses I work with can be ridden, but heavy horse is something different from the point you are making.

What you are saying is solid sense and by the sound of it you have met my sister.

If you ever have the opportunity, visit a riding for the disabled stable and ask how their horses found their way there. Might well be worth reminding people a horse is for life as there is far too many sold on because they are a long term financial and physical commitment.

Answer 6

Velvet said it all!  "More money than brains".

I think mummy and daddy need to learn to say "no" to their little darling once in a while.  Horses aren't like hamsters...you can't just buy one without knowing anything and then figure that the person at the pet store will tell you how to care for it.  :P

Answer 7

There is nothing wrong with learning first, but the nature of Americans to plunge in to something and learn as they go. Most people learn by doing. Getting the horse is the motivation to do. I don't fault anybody for getting the horse first. I got my first horse at 14 and learned by the seat of my pants. My aunt, got the horses, got two and took lessons. I came along later and let the horse teach me. Since then I have read a lot and pick up a lot, but I got the foundation on my own with just me and the horse. One of the purposes of Yahoo Answers horse section is for people to be able to ask someone else for advice and help. If it wasn't for them what would be on Yahoo Answers. I find it as an opportunity to give something back. I can share my knowledge and my experiences with horses to help someone else. So if someone is less experienced and something I know can help them, I welcome the chance.  

Answer 8

Because they  think they can do it. Then, when the harsh reality kicks in and they find they are out of their depth the wonder where they can go for help. That's where the rest of us come in. To try to help them to pick up the pieces and make their dream come true.

Owning a horse is not all sunshine and happy rides, there's a lot of hard work and boring stuff thrown in ( more work than fun at times) and their experiences at the riding school or through books etc have not prepared them for it. But that too is one of the things that will never be believed until it has been experienced.

As for being hopelessly overhorsed maybe it was suitable when they tried it, maybe it was the perfect gentleman in it's home environment with all it's field buddies watching over the fence while it was trialled maybe it was calm and confident surrounded by the familiar smells and people of it's home  - how it reacts in a totally new environment with new handlers, new tack and new field mates ( if any) can be a whole new kettle of fish.

Answer 9

It's not so much that they don't want to learn, it's more that they want the dream of owning a horse and because they don't know much they don't know how much work a horse can be and they also don't know how easy it is for things to go wrong.

Even relativly experienced people can get things wrong, it's not just totaly beginners - I've been riding for nearly 20 years and I still managed to end up with a horse beyond me - having said that I realised this before the horse came to harm and have rehomed him to someone more experienced.

Answer 10

For the most part I guess you could say Why do people buy anything when........

people buy dogs and cats and ask for advice on here also

and you never stop learning..that is for sure.

Answer 11

I'm one of those people with little horse experience, and I would like to share my story with you:

I rode for one and half years. In that time span, I did not become a great rider (I had a huge problem with trotting). But I still wanted a horse so badly. There were other girls at the stable who were way better riders then me and had a horse, but really didn't seem all that into actually caring for them. Sometimes I would go to the barn and be so eager to do something like fill water buckets, muck stalls, etc., but they would sit and around and talk.

I recently started going to a barn that my mom's friend owns. She has six horses (three are boarded) but she just lets me come and take care of them. One person who boards a horse there never comes to the barn, even when her horse was sick.

I guess I sort of rambled, but basically, even though I'm not a great rider, if I ever got a horse (and that will probably never happen) I would always be willing to take care of it (and I would go back to taking lessons... and conquer my fear of trotting). I don't mind doing the "dirty work," like mucking stalls and such. I'm nowhere near a horse expert, but I love to learn. I'm one of those inexperienced people who are trying to learn as much as possible about horses.

Answer 12

You are so right.

If you can't answer the Q's like "What do I need...How much will it cost...etc. then you are simply NOT ready to own a horse.

Dreaming and planning are FINE - but you NEED to LEARN a lot about horses , their care and how to ride them in a lot of different situations.

Otherwise you are simply doing a disservice to the horse. As it will be him that is not being fed properly...him that deals with the ill fitting tack...him that eventually gets labled as a "bad" horse because of his owners lack of experience...and HIM that gets sent to auction...

Not because you are a bad person - because you simply do not know enough to keep him and you safe.

Horse Lovers need to know that owning a horse is a LOT of work and a HUGE responsibility.

A harsh bit TEACHES the horse nothing - except to equate pain with you riding him.

But - harsh bits are much easier than LEARNING how to TRAIN your horse...hmmmm whatever happened to looking at what YOU as a rider might be doing wrong before you blame the horse???

Answer 13

By most people's standards, I shouldn't own a horse, much less 2 of them.

I spent my teen years in a field with broodmares, no training, no riding, just handling them and calling their owner if one was injured. Imagine putting a dozen horses in a field 5 miles away and never checking on them.

I've ridden once since becoming an adult. I'm now 41.

When I decided I wanted to own a horse, I took "horse lessons" from a stable owner close to where I work. After a while, he said I knew more than I thought and had good sense. I also worked at a hospital for 8 years and know how to keep a lookout for problems like soreness and temps. I did wound care and know what questions to ask.

My horses were neglected and underweight, hadn't been wormed, hadn't been ridden for over a year. I've owned them for 2 months now. They are now gaining weight, getting a gloss back, seen the vet, seen the farrier. They are working on lunging and improving their ground manners. They will have a saddle on them for the first time this weekend but wont be ridden until we are positive that it is time. It is my responsibility to keep them healthy, happy and safe.

I board my horses at a stable where I can ask questions from other owners. I hired a trainer with vet school background. What I don't know, I have hired someone who does. The other owners have made several comments about how much healthier my horses look.

It was told to me that people were saying that I didn't know what I've gotten into. That I would not muck stalls. That I would get tired of going to the stables twice a day.

I get up at 5 am to do it before being at work at 7 am and go at 7pm at night. I average 3 hours a day with them.

I've had mulitple arguments for refusing to let a irresponsible drug addict (family member) ride my horses. That too is part of keeping them safe.

The same people who were nay-sayers (bought their horses 2 weeks before me, so that makes 2.5 months and grew up with horses) lied about feeding their horses this weekend, has been thrown (broken bones) because of not doing the proper ground work before getting in the saddle, has ridden 3 times since the purchase and depends on "Mommy" to pay for everything (they are 38 years old- the drug addict and 31 years old-his sister) and have done no training with them since the purchase to keep up what the horses had already learned.

So who's horses do you think is treated better?

It may not be a question of time but a question of maturity, making informed decisions and dedication.

Answer 14

I don't know why folk buy any animal without thinking the whole thing through first.

You sound like the kind of person that would be a very loving horse-owner.

You know what really upsets me? folk that keep just one horse in a field all by itself.They are pack animals and need company, leaving them alone is cruel.I hate that and it always upsets me when i see a lone horse....

Answer 15

I think you did pretty well answering your own question. Many times people buy a horse just because it is pretty. Then they get home with it and find that the horse is not suited for them at all. Being pretty is good for a picture, and that's about all. When buying a horse and you are not experienced, you should take someone with you that is. A seller will tell you just about anything to sell that horse. And the one thing they say that turns me away quicker than anything is that the horse is kid broke! Horses do not mind a little weight on their backs, but put a full grown adult on them and see how they act. Learn the facts about any horse before you commit to buying it.

Answer 16

More money than brains, the parents that is!

I know where you are coming from, my daughter had a weekly, private lesson for three years, and rode other peoples ponies before she got her own.

I pass a paddock near my home, they have 14 ponies in it, the paddock is about 5 acres, point made. . .?the ponies are l*****g the mud.

Answer 17

I think most of these people on here just want a horse to have a horse, but they don't realize how much work and money it is to own one. I am not saying everyone that is inexpereinced should never get a horse, but they should know what they are getting into before going out of there way to invest in one. I was a teenager when I got my horse, now I am 24 and still have her. It is a lot of work and money. I have always thought, wow if I did not have to pay all this money to stable her, I could actually afford a cool car, lol. But I love her and could not sell her at this point in time. But I will reconsider purchasing another one after her.

Answer 18

I see it all the time, I get sooooo tired of it. I've even heard a parent say "We always wanted a buckskin .. they can learn together."  I also hear, I want to buy something cheap for the kids to ride. I'm all for lessons it may even save a trip to the ER. A rider should always be undermounted instead of overmounted. Hopefully some inexperienced people will actually read your post.

Answer 19

I suppose inexperienced people get horses for a number of reasons.  One might be that many people think owning a horse is like owning a cat or a dog.  Horses are livestock; not quite like a regular pet.  They are also prey animals while most household pets that people are accustomed to are predators.  This is why equine behavior completely mystifies some people.  

Some people are great riders, but they haven't a clue when it comes to care.  These people rely on boarding and can't understand why their $80,000 show horse, that is totally stall kept, keeps getting sick (I've had a couple of these snots.)

Others think horses are like furniture.  Put 'em a field with some grass and go hop on whenever you like.  This is where a lot of people get their first bad riding experience.

So, yes, everyone should know the basics and realities of horse ownership before purchasing a horse.

Answer 20

Because we are Free!!!!  Because we live in America!  That is their/our  right!!  But I do agree they should educate themselves first.

Answer 21

alot of people think because they have been riding for a year (even if the have next to no experiance with stable management) they are experianced enought to own a horse but i have heard and seen worse i new a girl (who was horrid and s****. but still) who brought a 2yr old horse and tried to break it in herself she wouldnt listen to advice and ended up with her head cracked open (she got kicked in the head in the feild) and her yearling nearly getting killed because it got nearly onto the main road.

Answer 22

well most people have the money to and they will buy it because they can. i wish people didn't do that. i think they should not buy a horse untill they have learned to take care of it and to know what they want and what they can contrrol.

Answer 23

I agree with you on this one, it's one thing that really annoys me.

Answer 24

Some people will buy a horse thinking they "know" what they are doing. They'll buy a horse and treat it alright for the first couple of weeks, then they might start to get bored. Inexperianced buyers will buy a horse thinking it will be an easy ride, they then might find out that it naps or bucks alot, they might try to beat it out of the horse. All this does is anger the horse so it possibly even more likey to nap and buck! In conclusion people buy horses with good intensions, but may lose interest. These people should be forewarned or atleast know how, time consuming owning a horse is!!

Hope this helps!

Alex

Answer 25

amen. <3. Lol, alot of people end up not even liking it after BUYING horse.Shesh. I adore horses though ^^ ridden em since i was a baby :) I just think people should try little doses at a time, ya know?

Answer 26

People don't just do this with horses... this happens with having babies, spontaneous shopping, irresponsibility, you name it.

Its our culture anymore, sad to say, but we just jump into things expecting others to bail us out.  

People nowadays don't have to think about consequences... if you dont want your kid, you give it up for adoption, or abort it..

If the horse, dog, cat whatever, doesn't work out.. you sell it or give it away or take it to the sale barn/humane society.  

If you overextend yourself, you file bankruptcy.  The list is endless honestly.

I just see this with horses and a small percentage of the actual population that are idiots lol.

This is why I live in my own little world.. its much more saner there :)  

Answer 27

A-FRIKEN-MEN TO THAT!!!!!

I agree with you I hate it when people buy horses when they are begginer riders.....They think they know it all but they don't. Why they do this I have no clue.

I think they should have a few years of lessons then lease a horse to see what it is like to own one. Then after maybe 2 years of that and they got it down then go buy a horse of your own.

They think it's as easy as taking care of a dog but that's were stupidity comes in.

That is another big pet peeve of mine.

Answer 28

There is nothing wrong with learning first. However, there is also nothing wrong with learning by getting a horse. I stress that it needs to be a good calm horse with no vices or behavioral issues. Then the owner will be able to see things and learn things they otherwise wouldn't from taking lessons. They wouldn't learn how much a horse costs to keep or about getting their feet done, etc. It's also important that the owner be open to learning and not say "It's my horse, I'll do what I want." This is a bad attitude no matter the situation. The owner shouldn't take everything they hear as fact either. They should see if it sounds like good advice and if the same thing is coming from multiple sources. It's probably then good advice. A lot of these people who put down on people who are new in the horse world have either grown up around horses or have been around them for years. They don't understand the feeling of loving horses and not being able to be around them constantly. Try to imagine if you couldn't go around any horses for a long time. I had to do it last year for about six months and it about killed me. They just want in on the excitement. They should take a few lessons, be around some horses, do some research, and look at the cost and hard work of owning a horse before they buy one though. They may find they like the idea of owning a horse more than actually owning one. ; )

Answer 29

Because their lazy, selfish, inconsiderate, conceited, and immature. "Oh, mommy, I want a pony!" Heard that one before? I understand that little kids don't know and that their parents aren't horse gurus, but at least their parents should have the common sense to say "no". But, once a kid turns 10 I kind of expect them to take responsibility and know that they need experience. Unfortunately, a horse isn't like a dog, cat, or fish. Horse ownership requires financial stability, responsibility, patience, experience, and most important, a brain, which most people lack, apparently. Even on here, the people with brains enough to ask if they should get a horse usually seem to think it's fine to just buy a horse, put it in the backyard, give it a bucket of water, a bale of hay, and tons of apples. And when their horse is dehydrated, worm infested, dull, and nonresponsive to the cracks with their whip, jabs with their spurs, and vicious pulls to the mouth (simutaneously), they sell the horse because he/she (not that they know the difference) believes that their horse is being "mean". No people, you cannot support a horse on $500 a year. You know how they make books about owning a horse? You know why they do that? Because it takes hundreds upon thousands of books to fit it everything you could possibly know about horses. Care to read one? I've heard people rant about what a QH ot TB was (2 MAIN breeds!), and that they just found out that horses had breeds. And then they want to breed their (sick) mares with the cheapest stallion they can find. Then after a year while the mare is STILL being ridden, the baby arrives. When the baby pulls the foal tricks, the smack or whip the horses  because of their biting. The also considered themselves experienced because they have their own (probably dying) horse, or because they can gallop and they only fell off 5 times in the last week. UGH! Don't you hate it! If you want to get a horse, you take lessons for years, then lease for a while, then buy a horse after your trainer gives you the OK. Even then, you should only get a horse your level. You should have a full understanding of horse care and not be grossed out by manure or mucking. All I can say is: people, GROW A BRAIN!!!!!

Answer 30

It's easy to do.

Friends of my dad at work knew he lived with a house full of horsewomen, so when they decided to buy a horse for their young teenage daughter, they asked my mom to help find it.

She wanted the "Black Stallion."  It HAD to be a stallion.  My mom told the indulgent parents that this was not practical, and they relented.  But we went on many a wasted trip after she saw a HOT, hyper gelding and my mother STRONGLY advised them not to buy him.  He was a beauty, for sure, and he would have made someone a h**l of a show horse, and he would have DEFINITELY got you noticed on the trail...but he needed an experienced handler.  

She had in her mind that this was the horse for her and nothing else we looked at measured up, even conformationally nice horses that just didn't have that "look."  

Sigh.

Buying over your head isn't encouraged by a few mature, knowledgeable individuals here...but we're vastly out numbered by the HOWRSE crowd and most of us have been blocked because we're so "mean."

Oh well.

Answer 31

I agree. Too many people buy horses and don't know the first thing about caring for them. But at the same time, it's those people who put a lot of time into trying. Do I think they should be buying horses? No. But we are nothing but words on a computer screen, and if they've made the decision to buy a horse they're not going to change their minds because of us. So we are then obligated to do our best to encourage and help these people take proper care of God's most magnificent creatures.