What are the the benefits of buying your child a horse?

Answer 1

lots of free manure

Answer 2

A horse builds confidence, balance, and responsibility. It teaches love and forgiveness.

I had a pony as a toddler on, but my mom got me my own horse when I was eight. That horse was the greatest thing that happened to me. Although my dad got unemployed and we had to sell him two years later, I still cherish those memories. We had another horse, but that one was my shadow.

Horses are expensive, and you have to take an honest interest in it yourself for it to work out. You can't just buy it for the child. It's like buying the child a puppy with the deal that the child takes care of it...

I recommend getting a miniature horse. They are child-sized so that the child can prove to you that loving and learning about the horse isn't just a fling. You will also see how the child deals with the horse to find out whether he/she is ready for a real pony or even a horse. I don't recommend a full sized horse right off, since it can intimidate and boss the child around. Also, a miniature can be comfortable in a small space with regular exercise.

I've only been without a horse 3 of my 28 years, and I credit it to my parents fostering that love and responsibility within me as a child. It's an amazing experience!

Answer 3

My parents bought my first horse for me when I was 8 years old. They didn't have alot of money, but I did extra chores and saved my own money. I begged and begged, and then one night they sat me down and laid out this cash in front of me. I had never seen this much before, and they said we were going to get me a horse. I promised to do the chores and ride her.
My folks didn't spoil me by any means, and I knew this was very special. I held up my end of the bargin. I also found it convienient to be able to take off all afternoon on my horse when Mom had a really nasty job planned for the day. I wasn't perfect. One time I had a bad cold and they told me to stay in and Dad would feed my horse when he fed the cattle. I stood by the dining room window and cried cuz I couldn't go see my friend.
My horse, my responsibility. Dad taught me how to fence, patch water tanks, how to trim her hooves, how to give shots and worm her. Also to get back on when you fall off, that you are the boss and she wasn't, and make her cross the river, climb that hill, shut the gate, etc.
If you buy your child a horse, teach him/her the responsibility part of it too, that it isn't another toy, and the horse will get sold if it gets ignored and becomes a lawn ornament. Have you decided how the feed, maintence and other expenses will be paid? Your child should contribute to some extent.
I have always had horses since then, and that was the best thing my parents could have ever done for me. It becomes a lifestyle, most of my friends have horses, and I wouldn't change a thing!

Answer 4

I think horses can have a very positive impact on a child's life. Having a relationship with an animal is a very rewarding experience. And a relationship with a horse is deeper than one with a pet: a dog or a cat. The key difference is that both horse and rider need to be able to trust each other, especially when one or both of them are out of their comfort zones. You really do develop a deep bond with your horse because he's also a partner. Childhood is a very emotional time. When your child is sad or upset about things at home or school or elsewhere, sometimes just having that emotional connection with a horse can provide a pillar of strength to help them overcome the obstacles in their life.

I know many parents who use riding as a reward for good performance at school. They make it clear to their child that the horse and riding are both privileges, and their grades need to be kept up if they want to go to horse shows or ride as often as they'd like. I've seen kids really strive to do their best at school because they love horses and riding too much to risk throwing it away.

The barn can provide a great outlet for children to meet friends, too. There are many kid-friendly stables with large lesson programs that attract other horse crazy children. The kids here know they have at least one thing in common, their passion for horses. Thus it becomes slightly easier for them, even the shy ones, to meet new people and make friends.

You can't overlook the physical benefits of regular riding, either. We live in an age where youth obesity is rampant and it's very important that our children are getting regular exercise. Riding gets the kids off the couch and outside. It tones the legs and core especially. Plus, I know of many lesson barns that welcome a few volunteers now and then to assist in daily tasks. I think this is a great thing, as it introduces the kids to the amount of work that it takes to have a horse and teaches them responsibility. Stall cleaning and other physical work is also great for keeping in shape.

I do believe it's important for the child to take some responsibility in owning and supporting the horse, though. It's too easy for them to adopt an attitude of entitlement. I was introduced to horses when I was eight, but I didn't own my first horse until I was eighteen. I bought him with my own money that I earned by working full-time, and I kept working to support all his expenses. I'm not saying your child should foot the bill, but I do recommend setting up some kind of arrangement to encourage your kid to take responsibility for some of the expenses. Maybe if there's an additional lesson or a special, non-essential piece of tack they want, or perhaps a show they wish to go to, you might work out an arrangement for them to pay for some or all of the cost on their own. It doesn't have to be an actual job. Maybe they have to do an additional chore or two around the house in order to earn the money. This really encourages responsibility and the child can take pride in him or herself for earning the right to take a lesson, buy that new saddle pad, or travel to a local show.

Answer 5

It can teach them so much about responsibility and be their best friend in the world. It also gives them a safe social outlet. the young gals I know who are at the barns are there evey weekend all weekend through highschool. It is a passion and it keeps them out of trouble

Answer 6

I used to have a pony when I was little. It was the best experience. Her name was Gypsy. I miss her!!! It was a great lesson in repsonsibility. I used to lead her around the yard and brush her everyday. I had to help clean out the stable.

Answer 7

As a parent who bought a horse for our daughter, I would have to say it was the best thing we could have done for many, many reasons.

She was 14 at the time and her dad and I had never really ridden horses or even owned anything larger than a dog. She had spent two years studying everything she could about horses. She read every book in the County Library, the School Libraries, and bought books in every book store. From each book, she copied the Glossary onto her computer - typing each and every word and definition. She studied quarter horse blood lines and learned about defects to look out for in certain blood lines.She understood that we couldn't be looked to for knowledgeable help and that she was taking on an extremely grown up responsibility.

After her instructor qualified her as an 'intermediate rider capable of having a horse' we went shopping. Of course, horse shopping is an education in an of itself!! Anyway, that's another topic. When she found a horse she really wanted, we had a long serious talk about the enormity of being responsible for another life; and about what sacrifices it would take from her to make it happen. She offered a list of what she was willing to do without (her list was much more than we would have asked of her) and capped it with music to any mother of a middle-school girl's ears -- "...And if you buy me this horse I promise he will be the only boy in my life. I will not ask to date boys until I am 16 years old. Please, please, please." Of course, I wrote that check and I can honestly say I have never really regretted it.

While all the other girls were hanging out at the movies, mall, etc., finding ways to sneak boys, smoking, drugs, sex, etc., I knew exactly where my daughter was..... at the Barn caring for her horse. No fancy clothes, hair, make up or accessories - just enjoying what she was doing. Of course I had to drive her for the first 3 years, so not only did I know where she was, I was able to spend all that time with her. (A rare and wonderful treat to any mother of a teenage daughter.) She taught me as we went along, so we could have actual conversations on events of the day through a variety of horses and boarding facilities.

My daughter had the opportunity to nuture her love of animals and grow into quite an accomplished horsewoman. She is 18 now and a Freshman in college. Last month she was hired by a local trainer to ride and train horses part time while she goes to school. So, it seems that my daughter was placed on this Earth to work with horses and help them. Of course, no parent knows these kinds of things ahead of time; but imagine if we had not gotten her that first horse! I'm glad I don't have to think about it.

I was very wary of taking on such a responsibility and expressed my concern. I was told by the man who sold us our first horse that he was confident I'd be 'okay' caring for a horse even though I had never been around horses since I had a son. I was confused and asked him to explain. He told me that when a situation would arise I should remember the little boy toddler years and treat our gelding as I did my son. Give an inch, they take a mile; if you need their attention, Food will get you their undivided attention; and discipline needs to be immediate and appropriate. That was my basic training and I must tell you, some of the most important advice I ever received.

I explained this all to my daughter and would point out the similarities of circumstance between things her horse would do and things she and her brother would do as toddlers. Though I had never been around horses, I found I could discuss things with my daughter by drawing on child rearing to try and explain what I thought might help her in a given situation. The inconsistency of his accomplishment was hard for an impatient teen. One day when she was struggling to get her new 3-year old horse to master a skill, the frustration was apparent on her face; she asked me how did I raise two toddlers without going crazy?!?!? (Ooops - was that Mother Appreciation from my very own child? Must have slipped!!) I think it is the best parent training on the earth. I only wish I had grown up in an area where I could have had that kind of training for the Motherhood experience !!!

I never encouraged her to "Show" and she really didn't ever ask to until she was nearly 16. And then we only went to small, local saddle club and fun shows. My daughter took lessons in a variety of disciplines, but not for ribbon winning. She took the lessons to learn and grow with her horse. And they are an amazing pair to watch after all these years.

I worry that in some areas Showing has become a lot like Little League -- more about the parents competing than the children. I was positive that my daughter was ready for the responsibility and it was her idea. I don't think it would work well at all if you are getting your child a horse for any reason other than a response to his/her repeated requests. I didn't have a horse, my daughter did. I never mucked a stall, etc. because my daughter didn't feel like it, have time for it, etc. She did everything and with a passion. Without that commitment, we would not still have a horse - I would have found it a new home immediately. Neglect or improper care is the same as abuse...... Horses deserve more respect than half-hearted effort. Proper care takes a lot of work.


P.S. Her horse's stall is still way, way neater than her room. Maybe when she gets her own apartment............

Answer 8

it helps them learn discipline and responsibility but if your not careful you could end up doing all the work to take care of it when your child gets bored.

Answer 9

to the child it tells them that there is no limit to what mom and dad will buy for them, to the horse, its a new home, to you, its another mouth to feed and more chores to do

Answer 10

They will learn that all through life you end up cleaning up other peoples' crap.