Horsin' Around?

Question

I took riding lessons for 2 years. Then, I had to have surgery-- and I never got back on a horse since. It's been almost a year (on Dec. 11 it will be exactly a year since my last time riding). I'm starting to browse through horses that are for sale, looking for boarding stables that are near my house, and thinking a lot about riding. I really want a horse of my own. I'm a pretty good rider-- I was going to have a bare-back lesson in a week or two before I left. I always took my lessons on Sundays (before school started), late in the afternoon. So, that made me feel depressed a little; because I wanted to enjoy my time before going back to school. On top of that, I had a few things I didn't like about my teacher. I think I want to go back to riding; but what if I don't like it? My parents will be disappointed-- and they'll let me know it, too. What should I do????
Oh, the place I went to was about 45 minutes to an hour away from my house.

Answer 1

You're very lucky...If you like horses and like to ride go for it. Take it slow and find the animal that's right for you in size and temperament. Horses are the most noble of all the animals. When I was younger I rode a lot. If you can, find someone that will let you take a few warm-up rides and see if you still have the feel for the animals. As you know, horses can sense fear, and it can be troublesome for some people. I wish you the best. If you want it. Go get it. If you don't, then give it time.

Answer 2

I would recommend trying to ride again before buying a horse. Look for a therapeutic trainer to invest in for a few lessons. It may be expensive, but this is much better than having a normal trainer because they will tell you exactly what to do to know if this is hurting you. I have a therapeutic riding clinic about an hour away from my house that I want to volunteer at. I own three horses and 2 are trained. I got in a tumbling accident back in october when I was thrown and not caught. It took almost a month for me to get back on my horses, and I still have constant pain. My tailbone is kind of hanging around all over, and my spinal cord is a little messed up, especially my lower back. I wish that I could invest in a therapeutic trainer, even though I have been riding for years. I think it would be very beneficial, because I want to be able to ride without pain. I hope you get back into riding....its such an amazing thing! good luck and enjoy!

Answer 3

I agree with what many others have said--wait to buy a horse. I recently got back into horses after an almost ten year absence due to college, graduate school, etc. I was a good rider before a quit for school, but you forget a lot in time. Of course it has not been as long for you!

It's a good idea not to buy right away because there are so many horses and styles of riding and activities to choose from out there! What if you buy a western trained horse, but in a few months to a year decide you want to start jumping? Or vice versa? Or you buy an older horse that is not suitable when you want to start barrel racing?

I know it's hard to wait! I wanted to buy right away. But at first, I was slowly learning to ride again, and I was not sure what I wanted to do. I have been taking lessons for a year, and have been able to ride lots of different horses. I've got my seat and my confidence back, and now I know what I want kind of a horse will suit me. You may be need to restart on a more beginning horse right now, like I did, but within a few months you may want to move on to a more advanced-type horse. So it's not good to buy the beginning horse or the advanced horse right away.

Once you buy a horse, it may be hard to sell it if you decide it isn't the right one for you. It's such a huge commitment, and it's difficult for a horse to have to change owners a lot.

I'd say, find a riding stable with an instructor you really like and other horse people to hang out with. I love learning from the different people at my stable, who have all different kinds of horses with different styles and levels of training. I also learn a lot about horse health as different horses have different issues, which I would not learn from my own horse (thankfully--I don't want my horse to have all those issues!). Maybe there will even be a horse available for lease at the stable. Sometimes leases can be very affordable in the right situation, not much more than board (which you would pay anyway if you owned), and leases aren't permanent. Sometimes you can buy the horse later. If you are a good enough rider, sometimes people will even pay you to ride and exercise their horses if they don't have time. That's a great option too.

As you get comfortable with riding again, you'll be able to know better what you want long term. Also, consider your future work and school plans--if they involve a lot of moving around and very busy schedules in the foreseeable future, a horse probably isn't a good ownership option right now, but that does not mean you can't be a horse person again, just in a different way.

Good luck to you!

Answer 4

Horses can be quite the expense. Boarding fees can range from $80 for just pasture board up to $500 for full service turn out/stalling.

Not to mention then the cost of veterinary care, annual vaccines, Coggins testing (law in many states if the horse leaves the property or is in contact with other horses), teeth floating, etc that can range in the hundreds. Regular hoof trimmings and/or shoeing from $30 to $100 every 2 months. Tack: saddle, $200 or more, bridle, saddle pad, grooming supplies, and so on.

It is said that the price of the horse, which can average about $1000-$5000 for a decently trained saddle horse, is the cheapest part of the whole horse experience.

And then of course, if you plan to continue lessons, there is the cost of trainer/instructor as well.
My advice would be to make a list and start checking prices to see if this is something you will be able to commit to financially and time wise.

You may want to even consider the option of leasing a horse.

I started off slow, I bought a saddle/tack and grooming supplies about 2 years before I actually even would consider the thought of buying a horse. This helped to reduce the expenses all at once. I was able to find a decently priced older horse to learn off of for my first horse and had an acquaintance that boarded for cheap.

Check with local boarding stables about anyone who may have a horse to lease or share board. Splitting the cost of the horses board in exchange for riding is more common than you think. This would certainly help you to have that "itch" for having a horse and riding until you can save up and purchase your own.

Answer 5

Take a few lessons again and see how your legs feel after a few and see if your body can still handle it. after a few lessons then start looking for a horse that you think you may get along with and stick to what you are learning in the lessons.
Just keep looking you will find a nice place and the perfect horse.

Answer 6

give it a try and if the joy isn't there, then it's not there...tell mom and dad that you're a little apprehensive about it and just want to go and ride around for a little to see if you're ready to go for it again....if you aren't....well, at least you'll have tried and not given up. I rode a horse last night and was the first time since I'd been bucked off my own sweet love weeks ago, I was scared half outta my mind....but I got on and realized that it's really what I wanted.

Answer 7

Take a couple of lessons without making any commitment to yourself or anything. No pressure--your likes and dislikes change over time, but it's good to have a hobby.

You might have to try different barns, too--they always vary in trainers, people, etc.

Answer 8

i think you shouild find a stables nearer your house and try it out. if you like it carry on! trust me i think you will like it if you used to. also i think instead of buying a horse you should get one on loan. i did and because i want to work now and need to do my gcse's on sundays, i am stopping having her on loan. if i had my own horse i couldn't just stop having her.
hope you find the answer xxxx

Answer 9

If I were u, i would find a closer barn and ask your parents if you can lease, instead of buy

Answer 10

place a free ad on http://www.everythingbudgie.com they have pet classifieds