Am I ready to own a horse?

Question

Hi! I'm almost fifteen years old and I have been taking english hunter/jumper riding lessons for a little over two years now. I live very close to an amazing equestrian center that's so secluded where I ride and it has about 480 boarding stalls. It's less than a five minute drive there from my house most of the time. I have an aunt who lives about an hour away and has owned horses since she was a teenager and is a riding instructor that could help me with ownership questions. I may not even need her help with some things, though I would always accept it, because I've done a lot of research. I've visited my friend doing her horse's routine, read about 15 magazines, done lessons as I mentioned before, showed a couple times, and I've done various research online creating a word document about 66 pages so far of research on buying, care/chores, deciding to buy, and time management. It includes personal situations for me. I've loved horses since i was three and I think I'm ready, am I?

PS:
*yes I've also researched costs and I think we could find a way to pay for it, maybe with a lease instead at first.

*I know the responsibilities from my research

*I've thought out ways to juggle my schoolwork, I have block schedule so not too much homework each night. I'm a very good student so my grades wouldn't become too bad and I wouldn't find it acceptable to not just my parents but to me if they went down. I even made an average and bendable schedule of a horse care day that fits my schedule. Yeah I'm an organized type

*I'm thinking of getting a job this summer, other than babysitting all throughout the year, when I don't have to worry about school

Answer 1

I give you thumbs up for being a responsible young lady. Very grown up and mature response.

If you feel ready is the real question. Doesn't matter if we feel you are or not. Our opinion's truly do not matter at the end of the day since this your responsibility. You have to have the confidence in yourself to know if you are or not.

For an answer, I say you are on the right track.

Leasing v.s owning a horse is different one another. At the same time, owning/leasing is different from just doing lessons. You can read all the books you want and do training (which is bonus though on getting education and awareness). But you will find that you will come across in situations that you will scratch your head like crazy over. So, just know that you will make errors, you will make mistakes and you will come across a situation that you never heard of no matter how many years of ownership. I have had issues with my mare that I never ever heard about. Even my vet had to go outside state to discuss this issues with other vets since it is not as common. (Very good vet might I add). My youngest gelding has allergies that requires a lot of care and enviromental change awareness. I never knew how much our enviroment can affect our daily life. What we can't see, doesn't mean it isn't there. My older gelding is almost 30. Hardest part about owning a horse is knowing one day i will have to end that life I so much enjoy. Each time for me doesn't get easier. It gets more understandable since it is a fact of life. But deciding it does depress.

Just do what you been doing and keep up with the research when those issues do come up. If you make an error. It doesn't mean you are a bad owner. Just means you are human and don't know everything. A bad owner is when those errors or not corrected and repeated. Which it seems you are very determined not to go that direction.

See about getting a job at the equestrian center: clean stalls, grooming assistant, showing assistant, even training assistant to other newly girls. I have done ALL those things, plus some to help my expenses. Ask owners of other horses to see if you can do some on the side as well. You might work up a pretty good resume with that many boarding stalls.

Good luck and email me if you having any questions or just comments etc.

Answer 2

Well done you on doing so much research and thinking so hard about what you want. I bought my first horse when I was age 21 and working full-time to provide for him. Personally, I think you're a little young to have complete responsibility for a horse, as they are amazingly demanding on both your time and money. As you know, there are no holidays from horse care, you can't just put them on a shelf and leave them there until you next fancy playing with them!

My best advice to you is to go to the big stables close to your house and ask/post up a notice about sharing a horse for a while. There are often people who are finding the commitment of a horse to be a heavy burden and who would welcome a keen youngster to share some of the work - and the fun!

In the meantime, why not ask up there whether there's anything you can do to help out and gain a bit of practical experience ready for when your four-legged friend turns up. At least then you'll be involved and gaining experience, plus in the right place at the right time if somebody is looking for a sharer.

Good luck!

Answer 3

There is more than one way to be ready to own a horse. One is the knowledge and care which you seem to have down and have done all of your research regarding it the other issue is the finacial end which at 15 you are not ready for unless your parents are going to help you out with. Even with a job, which for a 15-16 year old is going to be part-time, you will still need help to not only pay for the horse but for the boarding and feeding fees not to mention vet bills and farriers. All three of my kids own their own horse and they are 7, 8 and 14 however while my husband and I pay for all the expenses they have to help out to earn the money for shoes, grooming supplies etc. It is a big responsibility and one that doesn't get easier as it gets older instead as a horse gets older the responsibility grows with it. Talk to your parents and see what they are willing to do. Horses are great for kids as it is a great form of excercise and responsibility. Good luck to you.

Answer 4

Depends on how your parents feel. I was lucky and my Dad was just a s horse crazy as I am. We also lived on a small ranch so there was a use for the horses as well. I got my first horse when I was 7 and I've had several since. My first horse passed away two Christmas's ago. But I have several of her babies. If your parents are ok, then go for it. They are wonderful creatures and can really teach you a lot. Just try not to forget your horse when you find a boyfriend. I've seen so many horses forgotten about because of guys. Good Luck!!

Answer 5

I think you should wait a while until you can contribute to what the cost of owning a horse entails. In the mean time, since you have access to horses you could offer to help maintain someone elses horse (one you really like) in return for riding time. That way you would get a taste of what is involved with horse ownership timewise and financially. It would also help you to see if you could manage it with your studies, and it would show your parents that you are really serious about owning a horse.

Answer 6

i disagree with what patty said... as i own a horse my self, and the most money that i have spent on him in one month was a vet bill from a freak accident!! and even that was only 500.00!!! depending on where you live, you should only soend about 75.00 a month n feed for one horse, and that includes hay. I used to give my sorrell gelding supplements,but all they did was make him really hyper, and i do a lot of showing in hunter/jumper.... I keep his feet trimmed my self and only put shoes on him about 2 months before a show and relpce them every six weeks until the show is over. I paid 2500.00 for my registered horse, and i think that that is the going to be your most expensive attribute to owning a horse... as for bording, i dont know as i work off my bording fees by working with the horses there and giving riding lessons. It took me 22 years to get my horse, my mother wanted me to learn the full responsibility before actually owning one. as for all of the tack, you can buy that one thing at a time, because it is expensive. a good websit to go to is www.sstack.com they have a lot of good english show tack for a good price. I hope this helps you.

Answer 7

A horse take a lot of responsibility and time and care.
Though it may sound easy now, who knows?
Why don't you try leasing a horse for about six months and see how everything goes ( school work, everyday life) then commit to either buy a horse or no.

Answer 8

i think u are definitely ready.when i was in your age i bought my first pony.i did my school,had a mini job and so i was able to keep her.remember that you have to pay every month the box,food,blacksmith and sometimes the vet.do you have enough time for a horse beside your school?remember that school is important for your job in the future.do you have any friend who could take care about the horse if you are sick or just go to holidays?
think about all these points before you buy your horse.if you think you can make it,just go ahead and buy your horse.
horses are the most beautiful and amazing animals,you will make your right decision!

Answer 9

I have done all of that, have an aunt with 2 horses and been riding for 4 years and still don't think that i am ready

Answer 10

My recommendation is to get the jobs lined up first...When I was a teen, I had regular babysitting jobs that covered the cost of my horse..You know, such as Tuesday for the couple that went bowling, Wednesday for the Bible study people, Thursday for the line dancers, etc..I was able to support a horse and a Great Dane mix dog...
So, as it sounds like you can tally the expenses pretty close, then get the jobs, and you are set!