About horses...I wanted a horse all my life...I've lived in the city all my life but I wanted my horse to?

Question

live with me on at least 10 acres of land. This is now possible, but I am 50 now. I would just like to enjoy my horse, friends. I'd like to ride the horse. Is there too much to learn that I would really be hurting a horse in any way not knowing anything about them and getting one when we buy our place in the country? I never rode-never believed in those commercial places to go riding on horses (I thought it was mean) and that was about my only opportunity to ride. So whats best to do before I get a horse to prepare both myself and for the best of the horse?

Answer 1

First thing you need to do is realize what you're getting into. On average, I spend close to $1,000 dollars per month on feed alone, and I've only got three horses. Then you have to add vet bills, training/tack/hauling/show costs - if that's what you'll be doing with the horse - and you have to know what you'll be able to put into the horse financially. You may be able to find a nice pleasure gelding for cheap, but you only get what you pay for.

Next thing - after you've done all your research - is find someone that can give you lessons. Not just riding, but caring for and training your horse. If there's one thing you don't want to be, it's unprepared. And don't just go down some back road and give Billie Joe a twenty. Find someone who knows what they're talking about.

After that, I'd start looking for the horse. Don't go buy $10,000 worth of equipment just to find you don't need or can't use it. Find the horse, decide that you want it, then prepare for it. You have to know its diet, skill level, its abilities and so on. Don't freak out.

Don't buy the first horse you see. You're only 50, take it slow and - I can't emphasize this enough - research, take lessons, and be patient.

Answer 2

Your best bet would be take some riding lessons. Ask to also help in the care, and doing basic tasks around the barn. Also, you may want to try a local pony club or 4-H as an adult volunteer. You can provide some valuable services to them, and learn about horses at the same time. Read every book and magazine you can get, they will really help!

One more suggestion, get an older well broke horse for yourself. Talk to trainers in your area, some may want to place an older lesson horse in a good home. They make wonderful first horses, and deserve the love and attention that they got before, and you sound like an ideal owner. Also, if you do volunteer with a horse club, they may be able to help you find an older horse that is not quite ready to retire, but needs a little slower pace.

Answer 3

It would be good if you took some riding lessons, or visit a horse stud for the day and you will see all the work that goes into keeping horses happy. One of the most important things is that you know how to handle your horse via the halter before you get it, your riding technique will develop in time (not in one day) but its easy to pick up.

When buying land in the country you will have to consider the horse, what sort of fencing will best suit your horse? does it need an electric fence? will it chew the rails?, etc. Also if you get the chance buy a property with a natural waterhole in the horses paddock. This way if you ever have to go away on emergency for a few days and no one can look after it, you know it will have water and grass and will be able to survive. Also when buying your property consider the available pasture, is it enough? is it nutritious enough? will I have to buy fodder?
Also horses are a herd animal and whilst they can be alone some horses get really depressed by themselves and it shows in their performance, so its good if your neighbour has a horse it can talk to over the fence. Good Luck!

Giddy Up!

Answer 4

As someone with absolutely no experience, I would strongly suggest that you get yourself a good instructor. The ARIA has a list of certified instructors by state on their website. (http://www.riding-instructor.com/) Take lessons for at least a year, make sure you really do like being around them all the time. Plan on taking lessons for a long time, and remember there is always more to learn.
I recommend you get "riding for the rest of us" by Jessica Jahiel. Its for adult riders.

If you were to go out and buy a horse without really knowing how to care for it, you WOULD be hurting it. But fortunately there are many ways to GET the experience, and many people willing to help you learn. And there is a lot to learn.... and don't even think about bringing a horse home until you have enough experience to feel comfortable handling a horse in an emergency. Find a good lesson barn, learn as much as you can. When you and your instructor feel ready, begin looking for a suitable horse, and consider keeping him at a boarding barn for a while while you get more experience and while you get your property in order to house two (yes two!) horses if you still think you want to bring your horse home. Make sure your horse has at least one "pasture buddy" or he will never truly relax. If you can't afford or don't want a second riding horse, consider adopting a horse that can't be ridden but is pasture sound, so long as your horse has a suitable companion. You can learn enough to handle and ride horse so that it is a enjoyable experiance for both of you. Just not alone.

Answer 5

Try some of those commercial places - you might be surprised (they aren't all mean). Take some lessons. Read. Everyone learns - with 30 40 years or more experience there's still learning to be done. Basics - get a good ration and pay attention to quality in hay and pasture. Keep a focus on safety. Ride several different horses and learn what each has to teach you. Find a good instructor and see if you might be able to gain some experience by working off some lessons. There's a lot to learn....but if you can live in the city you can learn the skills needed. :-) Take the jump - don't let it remain a dream

Answer 6

be around people with horses. getting riding lessons wouldn't be a bad idea. although riding a horse isn't very hard. you just need to understand how to take care of them. make sure you have the time to spend with a horse. horses like any other animal needs lots of attention and care. Getting an older horse might be the way to go. once a horse is "broke in" ( usually around the age 8 or 9) they are well trained and calmer.

Answer 7

horses will not be hurt by riding! take lessons and such before buying a horse. NEVER BUY A HORSE WITHOUT PROPER PREPARATION! they will suffer greatly. go to a local ranch or barn and ask for lessons for about two years at least. this way, your skills will be up and ask your instructor to teach you saddeling, brushing, watering, washing, feeding, fencing, training, and such like that. then, you'll be great at learning about horses. after that amount of time or so, you need to look at classifieds. do not go for the cheap, flashy, gorgeous horse types. Horses that are beautiful and priced low do not mix, somthing will be wrong, and go wrong with you! you need a beginner horse that's a little older and very quiet, listed under the term BOMBPROOF or such. don't let sellers trick you, in your circumstances, ask your instructor to go with you to look at a horse, they will know the right selection so you will be happy! before you bring home your new pal, you should check your fencing and buy a manger or feeder and a large water trough, as well as hook up a water hose next to the trough for easy watering. you need to make the fence reliable and then you should check the area for nails, rocks, and other harsh materials that could make your horse suffer with laminitis (lameness). don't make the pasture too muddy, that can cause thrush. if you are very busy, horses are not for you they need patience and lots of love and caring. that means getting off the computer and spending time riding or caring for him. try to buy a gelding, a gelded male. stallions are too risky and fired up, and females go into heat and a very inexperienced rider such as you (we all start out like you, don't worry!) and it'll make your experience hard for you. try an older quarter horse, bombproof gelding for sale. if your horse isn't all looks, it doesn't matter, just go for him until you can rely on a different horse

Answer 8

I am 32 years old and have been around horses my whole life. If there is a horse boarding place near you, I would suggest going and spending time there. Ask to volunteer your time to feed, brush and tend to the horses. It would be a great experience and you would be around others that can teach you. Being near a boarding facility would be a great chance to possibly buy a horse from someone that is ready to sell and you would be ahead of the game because you would already be familiar with the animal. Hope this helps.

Answer 9

Before you purchase a horse, take horse back riding lessons (note: this is different than paying to ride on a horse). Learn about the proper equipment and what style you wish to ride. And yes, you can seriously injure a horse by riding it incorrectly.

Answer 10

You need to go take some lessons.
Get some riding lessons and find out if you can help oput around the barn to learn about basic horse and tack care.
Most instuctros would be glad to have some help.
Learn to saddle and tack up a horse and how to un-tack and saddle one and how to do all the grooming stuff for one too.
There is alot of knowledge needed to properly care for horses. For their size they are fragile creatures.
I do not know many creatures that can die from an upset stomach but a horse can.