How Do I Convince My Mom To Let Me Get A Horse?

Question

I really love horses and I ask for one all the time. I've never been on a horse so all I want is a Miniature or Shetland or something similar. My parents don't seem to think I'm responsible enough, even though I am. Any ideas on how I can convince them?

I really love horses and I ask for one all the time. I've never been on a horse so all I want is a Miniature or Shetland or something similar. My parents don't seem to think I'm responsible enough, even though I am. Any ideas on how I can convince them?


BTW, I'm almost 13.

Just so you know, I'm not a baby and I don't get bad grades in school. I get all A's. Also, I don't want stupid answers! Thanks to everyone who is giving answers that are actually HELPING me!

Answer 1

Become very responsible. You will need to groom it daily, and feed it, and make sure the food is locked up. You need electric fencing, a stable, and a lot of expensive feed. Prove to your mom by showing you you are above just plain responsible. A horse costs as much to keep as a child, can you handle the expense?

Beginning riders need an older horse. The older and more experienced the more expensive. Do you always wear a helmet when biking or skating? You will need to when riding! You will need to decide in advance what kind of tack and bit is best for you. You will also need to research what breed has the cloest temprment.

Prove to your mother that you know how to handle horses. Are you prone to forgetting to lock up the feed? A horse can literally eat itself to death. Can you handle an animal whose head weighs more then you? Then prove you can navigate gracefully and safely.

You will need at least enough area for it to graze most of the day. You need to know basic things, like how to age a horse by it's teeth. You need to be prepared in case an emergency crops up like colic.

Horses live for around twenty years. Can you take care of it all that time? WIll you be able to move it if you move out? Installing pasture and a stable is a start. Then you will probably want a trailer as well. Can you recognize the signs of basic illnesses? What about if it needs its teeth floated?

Answer 2

Okay, some people above are not very horse wise. Horses are VERY expensive but there are some ways to get around it. (More like 3-5k a year.) Find a pasture board. Here it runs 175-215 a month, instead of stall board which is 400 a month. Also, if you plan on getting a pony, don't feed much more than a handfull of grain. This way a 50lb bag will last you for 2 months! (If you pasture board the pony won't need grain unless it's skinny because it will get its nutrients from the grass-therefore the pony's food will only cost you the boarding price!) Shots and deworming will cost you approx $500 a year, while shoeing will be $100 (4 shoes) every 6-8 weeks. (PS-Horses don't need shoes if they have good feet! Talk with your farrier about this. And most every horse doesn't need hind shoes. Trims (no shoes) will only cost $30 every 6-8 weeks, while front shoes will cost about $60)

Are you planning on riding this horse? If so, you can't ride minatures and if you are already 13 you'd be way too big for a shetland. I would reccomend buying an older horse. If you aren't going to show much or just do 4-H you can buy a 18 year old, half lame Quarter Horse for 1,000 or less. Infact, you can probably find a perfectly sound one for $1500. Check the classifieds in the newspaper. All of these horses are near your location and can be tried out before you buy. By the way, horses can live well past 25 and are still rideable. So you could have this horse for SEVEN years.

I would highly reccomend getting a job and going to your local library and checking out The United States Pony Club: D manuel. <
Good Luck getting a horse.

Answer 3

If you get a horse any time soon, I will really envy you. I had to wait until I was 34 before I could have my own. When I was in my teens, I worked at a stable doing anything I could just to be there. You have no clue what it takes to be responsible for a horse. You have to have some one else pay the bills./ I know how it feels to want your own horse. I also know what it takes to support one even when it is healthy, with no problems. They need hoof trimming or shoeing every 6 weeks. Minimal each time $25 ,Wormings 4 x or more per year, regular shots to prevent dieases( like rabies ,encephalitis, tetanus, and more) good quality grain and hay, room to stretch , every day attention, no matter what your boy friend may want to do.
Where you live, can these things, room , grass , etc., be available? My old guy , who is cheap to keep because of our area and personal favors, is still close to $3ooo/ year and I get off light. He is now 36, I still support him even though he has been retired from riding for more than 5 years and I cannot support two horses. So he retired and so did I.
If there is a place where you can be around horses and ponies, take lessons, maybe you can learn what you need to know, when you can do it on your own if you choose to then. Your folks owe you food , shelter, love, medical care, support for education. Not a horse, or pony, or a play station, or an X box or any thing else. Stop being a demanding brat( don't take that personally, I was the worst of brats when I was a kid, ). It will cost about $600 to put my old guy down (kill and/or bury him in an humane manner when the time comes. ( Vet, meds. and backhoe operator).
Good luck, don't rush. read the books, be prepared. Your time will come.

Answer 4

Sweetie, your question shows how much you have to learn. Mini's are generally too small to ride, and shetland ponies can be contrary little critters. Besides, your parents probably don't know anything about horses either, except that they are expensive, so that is the answer they give: It's too expensive. What you need to ask for first is riding lessons. Look for stables or riding instruction in your phone book. Call the places and ask what is involved and how much it costs. Some places sell lessons in packages of 10 or 12, some places cater to beginners and some cater to kids with show ponies (you might get there, but you probably won't start there). Lessons are usually once a week. It's cheaper and often more fun to start in group lessons, and you want to find somewhere that has some sort of stable management instruction (grooming, feeding, tacking up, and yes, cleaning stalls). Some stables offer that in summer camp, because time tends to be tight for kids during the school year. Find out what clothing is required- most places require boots, and some provide hard hats, some require you to have your own. Anyway, once you have an idea of where you want to ride, what's involved, and how much it will cost, then you can give your parents a more reasonable presentation. As you learn how to ride, you will learn a lot about taking care of a horse, and maybe you will find the horse that is meant to be yours. Good Luck!!

Answer 5

Maybe see if they'll let you take lessons at a nearby stable. Or tell them you're really interested in helping out at a local horse rescue organization as a volunteer.

This way you'll get good experience and the chance to play around & maybe ride the horses.

Another thing you can do is see if you can find an adoption center who you can partner with someone else on the responsibility and pleasure on one horse. This way the horse isn't totally your responsibility.

Here's a place who I would recommend for that kind of setup:
http://www.crossedsabers.com/

Hope this helps

Answer 6

You didn't mention if your parents can afford to buy you a pony. The pony itself is expensive as well as stabling costs. Vet bills are high & I don't know if its feed is included in stabling costs or not.

You're asking a lot of your parents since you've never been on a horse. It could be a pretty expensive mistake. Why not ask your parents if you can go to a riding stable instead to see how you like it & how long you remain interested.

You also didn't mention how old you are. Maturity usually comes with age although some people are immature all their lives.

I would say that if your parents think that you are not mature enough than you probably aren't.

And I bet you won't like my answer but your parents would.

Answer 7

Its ok sweetie, horses are too expensive and too much hard work for one little girl.
I agree with the idea of getting a stable job, that way you get to take care of all of the horses in the stable and learn more about them!
Work really hard in school and you can become a vet. then you can take care of horses and other animals and make a lot of money doing so!
Why don't you also practise drawing beautiful sketches of horses when you go to the stable? and do paintings of them too! It will be fun!

Answer 8

Tell them you are thankful you weren't born with HIV in a nifty little detention camp in Ethiopia, and emphasize on how very grateful you are for the fact that they most likely bust their backs working -at the very least figuratively- to do more than just support you, among other surely responsible things. Tell them you'll take real good care of it as long as they pay all the bills involved in keeping such a large and demanding animal penned up most of the day. That last bit will touch their hearts.

Go for it.
You sound like a smart kid.

Answer 9

You'll never be able to convince them... but you should try to get a job or work for free at the stable near you. You can learn how to do stuff and take care of a horse or a pony and make some cash too. And your mom and dad may be happy to have you get some exercise too.

Answer 10

its alot more work than it sounds! it took me about 6 months to prove to my parents that i was responsible enough for a horse! my parents found someone to board my horse for a while! now i have 2 horses and i barrel race! just give it time. if you have any other pets in the house, start taking care of them and playing with them more, get a job, or you can do more chores around the house. but just remember, if you get a horse, you have to pay for vet bills and to have shoes put on it, and you have to build a barn....basically theres alot to think about! good luck!