Novice Horse Owner?

Question

My husband and I are moving to Oregon to a nice piece of land. We have both always loved horses from afar but have not had any experience with them. We would like to eventually own a couple of horses. We will of course go to local riding outfits numerous times to make sure we really do love horses but that aside, how difficult is it for the novice horse owner. We are both intelligent people and very hands on, we just don't have any livestock experience. What steps should we take. Thanks for any advice.

Answer 1

Horse ownership is a huge responsibility as I'm sure you're aware. However most people don't seem to really grasp all aspects until they've experienced it first hand.

For example, here's a rough idea of what you're getting yourself into:

Daily:

Feed horses 2-3 times a day. Usually 6am and 6pm. Minimum 12 hours between feedings. (15-min per horse)

Watering troughs and buckets twice daily. Horses consume huge amounts of water and need free-choice water to ensure they always have an ample clean supply (15-min per horse to scrub buckets/troughs and fill w water)

Muck stalls 2 times daily. Rebed stalls daily or every other day.
(If you don't have stalls, you will have a run-in shelter. Same proceedure. Picking pastures and run-ins should be done daily or every other day. (20-40 min per stall depending on the size of stall and neatness of horse.)

Ideally horses should be groomed daily. At least every other day if not daily. This ensures you are able to give your horse a hands-on check every day to feel for any bumps, bruises, cuts, swellings, lameness, etc. (30-50 min+ per horse)

In severe cold weather, they will need blankets put on and off daily or at least changed from a stable blanket to a turn-out water proof blanket. (5-15 min per horse)

(Rough approximation 2.5 hours daily to do ALL chores.)


Monthly:

You'll need to make arrangements for your farrier to come out every few weeks (frequency depends on the horse) to have their hooves trimmed. Most farriers require you to stand with the horse while this happens. It can take anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour per horse. And most farriers don't work evenings or weekends. (Price depends on your market/region/area and the type of shoeing/trimming your horse has. Anywhere from $40 to $100+ per farrier visit. Usually every 6 weeks)

Every 6 months (or so) you'll need to make arrangements for seasonal shots to be done with your vet. These range from $50 per shot (before paying for the doctor's driving fee called a "farm call") on up to $150 per shot.

Every 6 months to 1 year, you'll need to have the horse's teeth floated. (This can run over $150, again before the farm call.)

In warm weather, some horses need to have their body hair clipped or else they'll sweat profusely and dehydrate and get very ill. (Body clippers usually cost $300 -- and you'll have to get the blades sharpened which can be $20-50.)

The cost of feed and hay varies in your region. I'm in Virginia and right now grain runs me $14.00 per bag and a bag lasts me about a week and a half PER HORSE. Also a bale of hay (about 7 days feed out of 2 bales hay for 1 horse) runs me about $7 per bale - total of $14 for a week. In total for feed I pay about $60 per month NOT in the winter- so he's getting LOTS of grass in his pasture. In Winter, expect to double that hay cost.


Let's talk about the cost of saddles, blankets, bridles, bits, medicine... .all in all this year I've spent close to 15000 on my horse. Including board, which I pay $350 (before food) per month. That also includes vet visits, xrays/radiographs, shots, dental care, farrier care, new saddle, new bridle, new bit, new saddle pad, new winter blankets, medicine for colic, medicine for a leg injury.... a new truck.....


But would I trade it for anything? Absolutely not. My horse is my child and I love him dearly.

Horses are one of the most rewarding things you can do with your life.

Inviting a horse into your family is not something to do lightly and it shows great promise that you're asking all the right questions BEFORE just going out and buying a horse.

You seem intelligent and thoughtful.

Consider this. How would you like to experience all the joys (and woes) of horse ownership without all of the commitment?

Why don't you look into a lease-to-own program or a lease-program in your area when you move?

What you will be looking into is a barn which has a horse for sale. The barn will allow you to pay for the monthly feeding and care of the horse, including farrier and vet bills... these costs (usually) go toward the purchase of the horse at the end of your lease agreement. (just like leasing a car)

But after 12 months if you feel that you can't handle the responsibility of horse ownership (emotional or financial) then you do not HAVE to buy the horse. You just 'rented' him for 12 months.

In that 12 month window you should also take riding lessons on this horse to ensure you are a good match! Find an instructor who will teach you MUCH more than just how to ride a horse. In fact, look into twice weekly lessons. Once a week will be riding and the other part will be horsemanship. How to groom a horse, how to lead a horse, how to be safe around a horse, how to check for health issues, how to put on a blanket, how to know what to feed (and how much), how to... etc. You want to be able to apprentice under someone. Have them take you under their wing and show you EVERYTHING they know. Find someone who is knowledgeable AND open minded!

If you have questions, please don't hesitate to email me. I'm happy to answer any questions you might have about horse ownership. Our markets and costs might be different, but the concept is the same! :-D I'd love to chat with you on this if you'd like some more info.

Hope this helped. Best wishes!

Answer 2

Owning a horse is a huge responsibility and also consumes alot of time, It is rewarding if you love horses and worth the work and COST. Horses come with a large price and the intial cost is you lowest cost. You have to consider the cost of hay, grain, blacksmith, vet care, and routine care. You will be doing the right thing by going to take lessons but I would also recommend you ask the trainer at the stable to spend some time with you showing you the cost and other requirements of horse ownership. You may also consider volunteering at a shelter or rescue organization for horse and getting hands on experience.

Answer 3

the first steps are ridding lessons and try to find a stable to volunteer to help do chores(cleaning stalls, feeding, grooming, saddling, bridling, maintains etc...). that way u have some " hands on" experience. that's the main thing is have experience so u know what u are getting into and can handle it. it is a full time job and cost alot. before for getting Ur first horse(s), have a experienced horse person help u find the right horse(s) for Ur skill level. u dont want to end up with something u cant handle and that would make the experience miserable for u and Ur husband. i hope this little bit of information can help u. good luck!

Answer 4

I took lessons and did everything a horse owner would: clean mulky to semi clean stalls, groom, ride with local vets to ranch calls and stayed at the facility watching various issues. (Strongly recommend) then I began to purchas my horse that I saved up for by my parents permission (as step dad have (and still has) horses).

I was still green rider and unfortunitly, I purchasd a green horse. She had training on her, but in reality, once she came home, she just sat in the stall for months at a time.....which basically the training did nothing once the horse is not consistantly messed with.

I had my first accident a few months later that landed me in the hospital: ribs, pelvis, collasp lung, spinal injury etc.

I went through intensive lessons afterwards (I am stubburn. I was on my horse a month after accident secretly with out my mom knowing. I was only allowed to do ground manners). That is my way of being a true horse owner/rider is toughing it up and getting back on.

It is hard, but very rewarding.

You can read all the books you want, but it takes experience to gain knowledge.

You will make mistakes and people will point them out to do you. Just remember, a way to seek out good v.s bad professionals is if they will list their faults honestly. Those who come off as "perfect" and can "fix any problem" is those who are "fake" to me.

I also took a few livestock and Equine Science courses on the side at my community college. (Strongly recommend).

You are getting your own land, which means you will be the ones feeding morning and night, watering morning and night and monitoring your area.

Getting babysitters for the horses can be tough if you want to go on vacation somewhere for more than a day. Keep that in mind.

Get a list of farriers around your area and their price. Have back ups as farriers are not always loyal at showing up or calling back.

Have a list of vets, on call numbers and there locations.

When buying tack, get the basic stuff and allow yourself over time to buy things you feel you need. A mistake horse owners make is they think they have to buy all this stuff, but inreality, really don't need it or rarely have use for it.

You can email me and ask me any questions or just want to talk.

Answer 5

Find a local trainer and start lessons NOW!
Subscribe to Horse Illustrated, Equus, Horse and Rider
You need a good helmet and boots. www.statelinetack.com
Start looking at trucks, horse trailers and barn layouts.
Visit horse shows and start looking at different breeds, study temperment.
Become and expert on Colic and Founder!!!!! (a must)
Get an emergency savings account for vet care. EXPENSIVE!


Latsly horsemanship is not owning a pet, this is a lifestyle you are entering into. No more vacations because who will care for them when your gone? Be careful, stay safe and have fun. This is the most rewarding lifestyle on the planet. It rocks.

Answer 6

It's kind of like having kids...a huge responsibility, but after you have one, you don't know how you made it without one!

People have different ways they take care of their horses. There is nothing that says you MUST feed 3 times a day - it's just better for them to have small meals..(just an example)

We feed 3 times a day, clean stalls once a day, and always have them up to date on vaccinations, worming and farrier.

Answer 7

Talk to someone about taking basic horse safety lessons before you purchase one. Riding stables may know someone. Get your ground basics first, then equipment basics, then riding basics. "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure".

I used to give horse lessons as described above. I was quite proud of the track record of all my students.

Answer 8

I concur with kerrisonr fully! It is a labor of love, it takes a lot of time, money and consideration. However it is one of the best ways to spend your free time,it can be very rewarding...

A strong fence is the most important!

Answer 9

ok, you need to constantly keep an eye on their health, get a veterinarian book, for health and illness, so you can diagnose things.
. get in touch with a local vet so you can have him on call for anything.
.learn how to take care of cuts and sores properly so they dont gt infected
. Make sure they have a certain amount of land to graze a few acres is sufficent for a few horses.
. check your horse vetted for past alliments in case they mite be prone to things like laminitus or even throughing shoes.
. Check out their temperment so you knw what to do and what not to do with them, like with moody mares or irritable horses dont walk behind them, (of course that applies to all horses but all the same)
. feed them 3 times aday, depends how much work they ae doing.
. feeds like condition cubes, sugar beet ect. whether your horse need extra feed apart from just haylage or hay.
. bedding for stables, chippings or shavings is good or if your horses have allergies, they no dusty hay, and old newspapers or anti-allergian bedding.
. you must clean them everyday, hoof pickin, grooming between front and back legs under belly basically all over, main tail and make sure the tail is not too long it can be dangerous. wash the eyes with cold tea if weeping or dirty as this ia ananti-bacterial agent. clean noses with water. make sure they are shod regularly and if their hooves have special needs you need to sort that out with the farrier.
. they need to be clipped, in winter if neccisary depends how much work you are doing with them.
. You need to keep and eye on their weight just like humans
. when they7 are grazing you need to make sure there are no poisonous plants in your pasture for them to eat, their are books you can get to identify these.
. constantly check your horse for injuries. excess heat on the
injured part of their bodyis a tell tail sign.
. and sweling.and limping these do not have to happen all at once of course.
you must also clean your tck regualrly.
.make sure after travelling you do not give them hard feed. as this can swell in their stomach due to the heat increase in their body and give them colic. no hard feed after riding them either.
.your horse may need certain rugs for winter and summer, like fly rugs and stable rugs ect.
.make sure thefensing is appropriate and that your horse will not injure its self on it, nor is their anychance of him escaping.
. make sure you have proper tack to fit him, so when you ride it doesnt hurt. that includes the shape of the sadel size of bridle and type of bit, as certiain bits do not agree with horses mouths and it can be unomfortable for them.
. your horses exercise must reflect how much food you give them, the more exercise you do the more food you give them, but this is a complicate dsituation so you ust consult and exspert. depending on what your horse is like and how much food you give them.

hope this was helpful sorry if it was tedious.
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