Horse People Ahoy!! What do we need to consider before getting 'in to' horses?

Question

We are considering buying a property in an area which has a lot of horse properties (ours wont be one of them, though with work we could establish stables etc). We have 3 daughters 10 years old and 2 toddlers, they have never ridden. I can ride but have never owned a horse or participated in eg equestrian activities. If we wanted to get our girls involved with horses, how do we start? Can they learn to ride without owning a horse? How do we stable a horse on someone elses property, aprox how much to do so? How much minimum flat land is needed to run 1-2 horses on a property? What are the problems with sloping land and horses? How exxy are vet fees, and can we get people to help us train the horse and the kids? What else do we need to consider before getting 'in to' horses? Advice, opinions?

Thanks everyone for the advice. All answers so far have been really helpful, a few are brilliantly detailed and I really appreciate it. Will be almost impossible to pick the true best answer when I do because there have been different parts of my question answered really well by different people. Thankyou Thankyou XXX

Oh Gosh I cant choose a best answer. Have learned heaps from everyone - thanks.

Answer 1

Before you even think about buying a horse, you should defintely have your eldest daughter take lessons and see if it's something she'd be interested in. You could as well. Horses are a lot of work (I've got 2 and I've owned my own for 8 years now), but they're definitely worth it if they're something that you love. I know a lot of people who have just jumped off the deep end into horses for their kids only to find out that a couple years down the road that the interest isn't there anymore. So, in that regard, just make sure that the interest and dedication is there. Beyond lessons, you can also try leasing a horse before buying your own which would be a good idea down the road.

As far as getting involved, you should be able to find barns around you that offer lessons which is a great way to start. Just make sure that the barn and the trainer you end up using are reputable. Also, 4-H horse projects are a great way to just learn about horses. Around here, they put on clinics and have meetings and lots of hands-on opportunties for the kids even if they don't own their own horse. In fact, there's a program called "horseless-horse" for kids who don't have their own horse. So, learning to ride without your own horse is a definite possibility. (I didn't have my own horse until I was 12 and had been riding since I was 3).

Boarding varies barn to barn. There are different types of boarding as well. It all depends on how you want your horse kept... ie, full board, pasture board, etc. As far as the cost, that's a definite barn to barn variation. It can range anywhere from $150 a month to over $1000 a month (that's for full training and lots of other "extras"). It just depends on where you are and what type of facility you want to be in. I'd say average price by me (in the Midwest) would be around $300-400 a month for regular boarding.

Land requirements vary by jurisdiction. I know where I'm from it's 3 acres for the first horse and 1 acre for every horse thereafter. Where I keep my horses they have gently sloping land and there is absolutely no issue with in. In fact, it's good for the horses because it's a great way to give them a workout.

Vet fees aren't cheap. There's your basic maintenance... vaccinations in the fall and spring, a yearly Coggins test. But then you must deworm your horse every 6-8 weeks. Plus there is additional things like dental care, which is a must for every horse. For my two horses, we spend at least $1000 on vet bills a year (broad range estimate). Plus you will also have farrier bills and the farrier needs to be out every 6-8 weeks when it's warm and every 8-10 weeks when it's cold. On top of that there's the equipment: saddle, bridle, halters, lead lines, bits, brushes... the list goes on. Additionally there's feed and supplements.

There's a lot to consider before getting a horse of your own. Before I got my first, I had to spend an entire summer at my uncle's ranch to find out if I really would have my heart in it, or it was just a phase. In fact, I'm away at school right now, and I'm looking at a picture of my horse who I've had for 8 years now, and he never fails to bring a smile to my face. He's the love of my life and he is worth his weight in gold. And I don't know what my life would be without him.

But just remember to keep everything in mind, do your research and find out if the interest is really there before you jump into anything.

Best of luck to you!

Answer 2

I will try and not make this too long I hope. Before buying or leasing a horse I would recommend at least 1 year of riding lessons. After the 1 year period, I would recommend leasing and not buying for at least another year or two. Leasing is an excellent way to learn the responsibilities of horse ownership with half of the financial cost. When you do go to buy a horse, I can not emphasize enough, have a thorough vet check done when you find a horse you think you would like to buy. It is absolutely worth paying the bill, even if the current owner says that the animal has just seen a vet, get a vet to check the horse anyways. Some people are not honest about the true condition of the horse and some heath concerns are invisible or hardly noticeable to the untrained eye (sometimes even to a trained one!) Lastly, look for riding instructors who are certified. The US is one of the few countries left that does not nationally require riding instructors to be certified. It's like telling someone who can't swim to go be a lifeguard. I endured 8 years of very poor riding instruction before I went to college and started learning how to do things right. For those 8 years I had no idea that I was learning how to do it wrong either, because I didn't know any different. Don't be me. Find a good riding instructor. Certification is not a must, but it is a very simply way to show that an instructor actually knows what they are talking about. Organizations include CHA (Certified Horsemanship Association), The British Horse Society, United States Equestrian Federation, and the United States Dressage Federation. I think Centered Riding also has a instructor certification program as well and there are a few minor other firms, but these are the bigger ones- CHA is the largest. Good luck and have fun- horses are expensive but they are also addicting and a lot of fun :)

Answer 3

The best thing you could do is first find out were there is a horse riding school. Take the children there and first see if there like horses. then hire some horses that the school to learne to ride. you will soon find out if what you want to do is wearth doing or not.

As for the cost of owning horses there is more to it than you may think, You would be looking at someware about two or three thousand a year if nothing goes wrong.

The right horse for the rider is the first thing.
Then you have to find out were you will keep the horses.
The fencing is most importent as horses are not the best judges on fencing.
A wire fence can and will cut them they can and will get cort up in it and can do themselves thousands of dollars damage.
(BARB WIRE IS A NO NO)

There is also the cost of stables that can be evan more than the injurys.
You will have to attend the horse every day to feed and look after then.
Tablets have to be give, injections have to be given and you will have to be able to do that as the cost of vets are very high.
Every day you will have to check out if there is anyting wrong with them their hoofs are the most important as is their legs.
They can and do sprain their backs from time to time and that will cost you money to get it fixed up.
There is also to be considered if and when the horse needs to be shod.

Then you get down to the feeding they do not just live only on grasses.
There are suppliments that they need twice a day. That may change if you do not ride them. It is more if they are riden every day of just once a week.

Then you have got the tack saddle and bridle and the likes they have to be looked after every day to. The horses have to have their hoof cleaned and checked every day.

The horse is only the first thing that you think of at all times.
Its well being is your assurance that you are safe.
For you go out to and buy a hourses you would need to be an expert in judging age and fittness of them.
Best left to the ones that know and even then you may get a bad buy.

If all this does not put you off owning horses then you will need to have a lot of money to use on then and their care and protection.

Answer 4

properly in view that your not purchase a horse over $4 hundred money then your searching for a horse it particularly is retired and doubtless unlikely to do something. with the aid of fact the pony your searching for comes with a value. in case you like a horse it particularly is already experienced then i might say approximately $3000 to $6000 money for the pony that your searching for till you particularly discover somebody dumb adequate to easily provide u the pony, oh and if your going to board your place it particularly is approximately $seventy 5 a month if not $2 hundred relying on the place you placed your horse and you may desire to get foodstuff which i recognize horses can consume as much as $one thousand in oats, hay and any treats you prefer to offer it. And we aren't conversing approximately having the vet pop out and supply it that is photos 2 circumstances a 365 days or each 6 weeks having the guy artwork on the horses hoofs. sure i recognize ways lots a horse runs i take advantage of to artwork on a ranch and that that they had 9 horses on it yet one horse is expensive you may wish lots a money saved up. i'll assert in case you particularly want a horse then you definately choose a minimum of $10,000 saved so which you may properly be secure for a pair of 365 days.

Answer 5

you should look for a trainer, and i suggest a well respected trainer (so talk to people who are involved with horses in your area), and call and ask if they teach beginners with lesson horses, etc. see if your kids like horses and really want to ride and be up to the amount of attention and care horses require.

[look into 4-H. 4-H was a wonderful experience, for me when i was younger. the program taught everything there was to know for beginning riders, the program is open to kids 9-18 years old, in addition to fun activities, adn the opportunity to show your horse. so, see if there's a 4-H club near you.]

we board horses on our three acre property and to board in a lighted box stall, the fee is $300 a month, including feed and a vitamin supplement. to board a horse outside, in the "mare motel," the fee is $250 a month, including feed and the supplement also. when our place was first established, we had two horses of our own there and i figure it costs about $630 a month to care for 2 horses-that's including grain, feed, shavings, farrier costs, and electricity. vet fees are pricy, depending on which vet you go to. for a vet call and vaccinations alone, it costs us about $150 a horse.

to find a trainer, call around, and chose carefully. try to start with the best, it will only benefit you in the end, especially if your kids really get into horses and showing.

Answer 6

I had a horse for a few years in high school, and ended up having to sell him before I left for college because it is very expensive. You have to have money to be into horses. Vet fees add up, plus the ferrier (I can't remember but I think my horse was shod every six weeks or so). Plus boarding/feed was at least a couple hundred bucks a month. Riding lessons on top of that, plus tack, riding clothes/gear...yikes. They absolutely can learn to ride without owning one. I did. I would sign them up at a stable for lessons, see if they like it and what kind of riders they become, and go from there. If they like jumping, trail riding, etc, you'd be looking at different types of horses. Good luck. They're lots of fun.

Answer 7

First of all, good luck. Horses need a lot of attention. Time and money. Yes, you can stable them elswhere, (don't know how much), and the stables will care and feed for them. But you will pay more than if you stabled them yourself. I'd say you need at least 5 acres for a couple of horses.

Answer 8

Horses are a lot of work and VERY expensive you have to know alot about horses to get a horse and you have to be prepared to get up as early as 6am to grt out to your horse to feed it.