meetinga horse for the first time. i have a few questions?

Wear jeans and hard shoes that you don't care if they become muddy. My waterproof paddock boots are about the only thing I wear to the barn. Sneakers allow fragile toes to be broken.

Ask her what she'd like you to do because "taking care of" a horse could mean anything to anyone. If she asks you to feed her, find out EXACTLY what is to be fed and when. Have her show exact measuring scoops and exact quantity of hay. Also, ask where she gets her feed from and if you're allowed to bill her account if you need to go pick some up if she runs out.

Ask if she wants you to muck the stall and SHOW you how she wants you to muck. You two want to be on the same page for this because bedding is expensive. See above about feed and hay, same applies to bedding. Also, where do you get equpment if hers breaks? What about water? How do you handle water in the winters if it freezes??

Ask her who her vet is, and farrier, and when they are due to come while she's away. Ask her if she expects you to arrange payment. If so, RUN - do not walk -- away from this situation. Ask her if you have permission to have the vet out when (note I said WHEN, not IF) the horse is sick.

Agree to going as many times as you feel comfortable, minus a day. Because I guarantee that if you agree to 6 days a week, you'll be burned out in a month and wish you had agreed to less. Ask how much time she expects you to spend with the horse.

She may ask you to groom the horse. In that case, have her groom the horse WITH you tomrrow so you can see how the horse behaves and if there are any vices you need to be aware of. Ask her if she has blankets and if she wants the horse blanketed, if so under what conditions.

Are you doing this out of the kindness of your heart? If so, get it in writing. If she's going to pay you, get that in writing too. Last thing you need is her returning from school and hitting you with a 'lease fee' after you were kind enough to love her her horse while she was away. Have an adult come with you to ask any questions you may forget to ask, and to look out for your best interest.

Lastly, don't overstate your abilities. If you tell her you know how to do something, and in fact you don't, you're going to get into trouble. Ask her who you can call if you have any questions.

1. If you own boots, wear boots.

2. Of course you need to know what to feed this horse, and anything else that will be involved in taking care of her.

3. This is up to you and you're schedule. You might not be able to get out there everyday, and you must let the owner know this. Also, if she is paying you then you go whenever she tells you. If she isn't paying you, then maybe she will be ok with you saying well I can't come on this two days, etc. But if you are feeding this horse, you need to go every morning and afternoon.

4. Again, it depends. She might have you feed the horse, or just hang out with it.

I have a question for you:

- Do you have any horse experience? If not this would be something to tell the owner.

Wear appropriate barn clothes. Talk to the owner about when and what the horse eats. If, when, and where the horse should be turned out. Etc.