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am i ready to own a horse? your opinions?
so putting money and stuff aside, i just want to know if i have enough experience with horses to be able to own. heres a little about me:
i started riding english when i was 13. i knew absolutely nothing about horses then. i just always loved all animals and was begging my mom for YEARS to let me start riding. up until i was almost 15, i got awful instruction on how to ride. i would go for my lesson once a week and she would just have me on the lounge line, walking with a little bit of trotting. it was awful. my family didnt really know anything about horses so we didnt know if this was right or not, but we didnt think so, so we talked to my neighbor's daughter in law about it (she is very experienced with horses). i was riding for two years and i couldnt even post my trot correctly, i knew nothing about leads, two point, ect. thats when we decided to leave that trainer. i began with a new trainer a few months after and i have progressed SOO much! its really weird to think back about everything i learned with her. i actually enjoy riding now and im doing so many different things that i never even knew exsisted. i have been going to her for almost a year now. now im 16 and this is what i can do (riding wise):
- walk
- posting trot
- sitting trot
- diagnals
- jump crossrails - i did it for the first time yesterday(:
- back
- two point while walking, trotting, and standing
- walk & trot over poles
- also, i have cantered twice before, they were both on accident, amd werent with this trainer, the first time i fell off and the second time i was on a trailride with a horse that was hard to control (i was in a western saddle though) but, my trainer now says that i am going to start cantering with in the next few weeks.
i feel like im forgetting something, if i remember i will add it later on. also, i can do all of these things confidently and pretty well.
as far as other stuff goes:
- i can tack and untack a horse without any help
- i know how to properly muck out stalls
- i know the difference between some types of hay
- i know the difference between some types of grain
- i can turn out and bring in horses on my own
- i know how to properly lounge a horse
- i know about feeding and watering horses daily
- i am very confident around horses both on the ground and in the saddle
- i can recognize some common health issues (colic, ect.)
- i have ridden many horses with different riding habbits and can adjust to them pretty easily
- i can tell horses moods by body language
- i have worked properly with both difficult and young horses on the ground before
- i understand how much horses cost and how much work is envolved with them
- i have handled some tricky situations, maturely, on both the ground and while riding
- on the weekends, during the holidays, and in the summer i go up to the barn and clean up to seven stalls, ride two or three horses, water, turnout, and feed.
if i can think of anything else, ill add it. sorry this is so long, thank you for reading and for the answers. if you have any questions just ask and ill answer! please be 100% honest but not in a super mean way. haha. thanks again(:
@horseluv - i dont know why my trainer had me jump before learning to canter, its just the way she does it. i will be learning to canter before i do anything higher though, im only doing 18" haha
and i do know how to tell if hay is okay to feed and i know how to fully groom a horse. i also know how to bath a horse and cool off and everything after a work out. as for worming, i have seen people do it before and show me how (same with giving horses shots) but i have never done it myself.
if i do get a horse it wouldnt be for another year or so because of finances (my mom has recently lost her job) i personally have about $3000 saved up, but im going to need ALOT more then that! when i do get a horse, it is going to be kept at my barn with my trainer and other knowledgeable horse people to help me if i need it. when i do get a horse, im hoping to do a lease-purchase or at least a trail period before the horse is definately mine (just to be sure) is this a good idea?
also.. i am DEFINATELY going to keep having my lessons and helping at the barn whenever i can(:
i am going to be taking care of an older mare for awhile, then i can definately get a feel for what its like to own
7 Answers
- Anonymous8 years agoFavorite Answer
I don't care about all that stuff you listed. What is most important is if you have the financial means to own a horse. If you have that, then all other things can come in time.
- 8 years ago
I would say that you are ready to own your own horse, but I would suggest continuing to work with your trainer multiple times a week.
Also, make sure you have enough money to support a horse. They aren't cheap. Plan on spending around $10,000 easily the first year, and several thousands the following years to come.
If you are willing to work with a trainer and have the financial means, then talk to your trainer about what kind of horse would be good for you.
Honestly, I would suggest leasing an older horse in the beginning (for about a month or even half a year) so he can teach you the ropes and become a confident, safe, and quiet rider. Then, you can go on to a more advanced horse, which you can purchase. I would NOT suggest getting a cheap horse with a "few" problems. Hold out for what you want and NEVER settle for anything less, especially in horses.
I hope this helps, good luck, and enjoy horses!
- 8 years ago
As long as someone knows things about horse enough to care for one they can own a horse. I think you are ready you'll just to to get some help from your trainer. Also, you should only get a beginner horse because that is what you are ready for. You may ask what if i get alot better then won't i need to sell my horse and get another one. No, if you ride the horse on a regular basis your horse will evalve with you.
Source(s): Animal trainer, IEA rider, i have a horse and started just like you except i started at 10. - 8 years ago
I think you are, if you get someone who knows about horse and how you ride ect get them to come with you to look at some, keep him/her at a yard where there are other riders around you age or older for you to ride with and ask for help if you need it, they can also tell you if you are doing anything wrong, hope this helps, good luck :)
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- 8 years ago
I say your halfway there :) but i do have one question... why did you learn how to jump before you learned how to canter? oh well setting that aside,
Do you know how to tell if hay is moldy/ok to feed?
Do you know how to properly worm a horse?
Do you know how to FULLY groom a horse? (i know you said you can tack up but i don't know about grooming)
- 8 years ago
i think once you can canter and jump up to a 2'3 vertical then you will be ready but also i would recommend actually leasing a horse first
- Anonymous8 years ago
No. No. No. No.
