I might get a horse...?

Question

I might get a horse in a couple years, I am trying to learn as much about them as possible right now such as what and how much should I feed my horse?

Answer 1

Horses have diet's based on their individual selves. One horse might require 20 pounds per feeding as another would only require 13 pounds. Feeding consist of alfalfa hay or pellets, oat hay or mixture. There is various types of feeding and how much a horse is able to consume. Too much can cause an abnormal change in blood cells, increase in colic and increase in founder. Too little can cause health issue's as change in blood cells and malnutritioned (dry coat, loss of weight. Over all poor health) Some horses might require some supplements while other require other types.

Therefore, you won't know until you know the individual horse's diet. All three of my horses have a different amount they consume and supplements they need.

I recommend volunteering at ranches, stables and Equine related community services that you can enhance and gain knowledge of equines.

Go on ride alongs with local vets to ranch calls to gain about Equine Medical Field.

When you do all these volunteers, you can get the price ranges based on your own experience of doing so. You can also understand the reasons why and where to go etc.

Answer 2

First, read all you can about them. Before you buy try out different horses. Never just buy a horse! A horse has to fit the person riding. Another thing is not only is there the cost of the horse, the board (if you don't have your own farm), which may or may not include feed, vet bills, farrier, show fees (if you show), training and riding lessons are in the cost of owning a horse. I have had horses for years and believe me it is more than a hobby. It is a commitment. If you are willing and have the money for this commitment buy one, but if not take lessons at a riding stable and enjoy the pleasure of riding without the expenses of owning. They can be a lot of fun...but you must know what is involved in owning one. Take care and good luck.

Answer 3

You might be a horse nut if: 1. You see a bridle and lead chain under your Christmas tree with your name on it. 2. You learned the hard way that leather needs neadsfoot oil. 3. Your parents have been known to go get hay and feed in a snowstorm and they don't even ride horses. 4. You braid your horses mane and tail, but have no idea how to help your little sister with her hair.' 5 You don't mind using a special comb to remove bot fly eggs from the horses coat.

Answer 4

Awsome!! Get a Quarter Horse, they are the most versatile. Consider what type of style of riding you want to do. If your wanting to do Dressage/Jumping then I would look for a Hanoverian, Holstein, or a Trakehner. Or are you in to western, Horses like the Quarter Horse, Mustangs, Missouri Fox Trotter are good breeds. Or maybe you like the high action gaitted breeds like the Saddlebred, and the Tennessee Walking Horse. All horses are great. Feeding a horse is of course the most important. If your going to have a hard working horse thats going to be doing a lot of hard strianous stuff like Barrel Racing or Jumping then you would need to feed a type of hay along with blended pellets and maybe add some grain with some joint and hoof supplements. If your going to be doing easy riding like trail riding or just all around riding then you could just feed hay and a little bit of grain not a lot though, and some Alfalfa pellets with a joint and hoof supplement. Horses cost A LOT, and you also need to consider a farrier. The type of activity you do with your horse depends on what type of shoe you need. If your going to be just doing very light riding then you dont really need shoes, Just keep the hoofs shod every month. But this all depends on what the farrier says. Not all horses can be left barefooted. If I was you I would start buying the little things on what horses need. Like a lead rope, brushes, hoof picks, saddle pads/blankets ect... So when its time to buy a horse, All you have to do Is just buy the halter, bridle, and saddle. This helps you save money because now you dont have to buy everything all at once. I have a lot of books about horses, like veterniary care, breeding, breeds, nutrition ect... I even have about 25 Horse Illastrated Magazines and Horse And Rider Magazines. You should start buying horse books and horse magazines so you get an idea of whats going on in the horse world. You can also visit the web and look up horse wab sites like Horsetopia.com, Equinehits.com and Dreamhorse.com All are which good sites. Also consider are you going to board your horse? that can be cheaper then having them on you property. Call your local Boarding place and get price checks. Sorry this is sooooo long to read Good Luck and I wish you well. Is you have any questions about horses you can e-mail me at [e-mail]

Answer 5

They're right when they say it's an individual thing. Keep looking at different things on the internet, there are all kinds of hays, grains, oats. Everyone will have a different opinion to as to what and how much to feed. Your best bet will be to get to know someone who knows horses and hang around and listen to them. We had someone up the street to ask things when we didn't know, people with horses seem to be really nice about answering questions!

Answer 6

depends on size of horse, a 14 hand horse should get 7 kg of feed per day, and should consist of a 1:1 ratio of calcium (green food) and phosphorus (oats, barley, etc)
you can also feed non-offensive foods which have no calcium or phosphorus but have good rhouage value. Rouage equals fat.

a Horse should be feed 1 to 2.5% of its body weight, 2.5% is the rate for a horse that needs to gain weight, and general maintanace diet is about 1.5 to 2%.

12 hand horse =150kg=3.75 kg of feed /day
13hh=225kg= 5.6
14hh=350kg=8.75
15hh=425kg=10.6
16hh=525kg=13.1
17hh=600kg=15
a 14.2 horse would weigh about 400kg =10kg per day

hope this helps

Answer 7

If you get a horse go with a Tennessee Walking Horse, smoothest and friendliest horse breed ever. (I own 2) You should feed your horse whole corn, oats, and sweet feed mixed together feed hay too for winter and fall. DO NOT GIVE TO MUCH SWEET FEED OR GIVE THEM PLAN OATS! In the spring and summer you should feed oats and a "little bit of sweet feed". If you feed just oats the horse choke on it and if you give it a lot of sweet feed you will have a hipper horse. For your first horse you should get a older gelding.

Answer 8

get subscriptions to magazines- Horse Illustrated, Practical Horseman, Equus, and Dressage Today are the best. They have articles on training, riding, feeding, horse trouble, vet problems. HI is both English and Western, PH is more English like jumping and eventing, Equus is a more all around type of magazine. and Dressage Today is a dressage magazine but they have incredible articles in it. Subsrciptions to these run from $12-25 and they are definately worth it. Also check out www.horseillustratedmagazine.com.

Answer 9

Go to a boarding stable or equestrian center. See if they will let you volunteer there. See if they offer lessons. The best way to learn about horses is to go and be around them.
The second best way is to get a book. The library has lots of information just waiting for you. It's free too.

Answer 10

The best way to learn is be around them.... And you need to learn horse care before anything else and horses are very expensive animals to have so make sure you have to finances to have one. Then you need to learn how to ride, whatever disposition you choose. Learn the basics before you dive into it.

PS GET A QUARTER HORSE
(having a gaited horse is cruel!!!! check out what they do to make them hold their tails and feet high its inhumane!!!)