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Am I Ready to Have a Horse Yet?
I have been riding for three years now and have been studying and researching them nonstop. I'm trying to memorize all the poisinous plants and weeds towards horses at the moment and know a lot about each type of breed. I know how to walk, halt, trot, canter, jump, serpentine, change direction, saddle up, groom a horse, pick out their hooves, untack, comb their mane, and I've been experiencing different horses. In the last three years I have ridden four different horses and I know how to clean tack - by the way, should the tack be cleaned once or twice a month or more often? I'm learning how to muck out and I ride every week. My grandparents have a farm with 200 acres and two huge paddocks. We are going to fix up the fences soon and remove the barbed wire, fix up the rabbit holes and search for plants or weeds. My grandad is a builder so he can build a shelter for the horses and even a few stalls, and he has experience with horses. I'd probably be able to visit the horse maybe once or twice every week. I am saving up for the tack, first aid kit and grooming kit and so far I have $200 in my bank account. My grandparents will buy the horse and I will take full responsibility whenever I am there. I will save all my money for vet bills, farrier bills and possibly equine dentist bills. I have all the proper riding attire (jodhpurs, riding boots, Onyx crash helmet, polo top) and I am searching for a second hand leather all-purpose English saddle & bridle (is that best?). I maintain a healthy bond between my lesson horse and me, and I know to always warm up and cool down the horse for at least 5-10 minutes before taking them in. I love horses and I would always put them before me.
Am I missing anything? Am I ready for a horse or do I still have lots to learn before I can take up the responsibility? Honest answers please. I need criticism and feedback. Thanks.
I do have a riding instructor, and she is very knowledgeable. She has been around horses her entire life and I have told her about my idea. She watches me ride every week and told me she'd let me know if she thinks I'm ready for a horse, and may think about going with me to some horse sales. But I think I'll start thinking about buying a horse till late next year when I have the money and time. I just want to know if I'm experienced enough now or if I need to work harder.
My grandparents' farm is in Harvey and they live forty minutes away from me, and my dad says he's not driving out their every day after school. I wish I could though, and I'd go there as much as I can - I'll stay their for weeks on the holidays, too. I know that owning a horse is a huge commitment and I am well aware that I need to give him all my focus, attention, care, and time. I have learnt this over the years will get my grandad to care for him for the few days I am not there.
3 Answers
- 8 years agoFavorite Answer
You want me to be brutality honest? The fact you even need approval as to whether or not you're ready would possibly suggest that maybe your not ready. Plus some of the things that you've written would again suggest you're looking for approval. E.g putting in how many horses you've ridden. Ive ridden over 12 horses in less then a year, doesn't make me a good rider, its about the type of horses you've ridden. Also writing that you can ride a serpentine in with the things you can do. A serpentine is a pretty simple school movement, I don't see why you would need to include that.
In my opinion, if you've got the money, and an experienced adult to assist you, then why not? Everyone has to start from somewhere, just as long as someones there to help you when you need it and someone has the money to help you then I don't think there's too many problems.
To answer you're question, tack is meant to be cleaned after every use, although people hardly follow this general rule of thumb
- Anonymous8 years ago
Just because you have the proper riding equipment and knowledge can't judge this. Usually, I would wait unless you have a training instructor who is going to help you go through this. Think about the cost, training and what type of horse. You may want to start out with a quarter horse. The horse buying process is very hard. What about if the horse is lame/gets lame? When he/she has arthritis in his hocks and you have to make the decision whether or not to inject him? If you were going to buy a horse you would need probably a trainer who could help you through this. Its not the best idea, but its up to you. This is when you need a trainer to know and help you through buying a horse. You would need to go out to the barn at least 6 days a week. Its a huge commitment that no one is ever ready for.
- Anonymous8 years ago
ok i think u should do some pony camps they work really well i learned so much at the pony camp i went to over the summer.and try out a few more horses when u do then get a pony but ask the owner of the pony u want to buy if u can trial it first so u get to know it,your instuctor can help u.you need more money.but i honestly think late next year you will be so ready. u know lots
