I am 15 and i want a horse , i have been riding for a few years now, how do i convince my parents to get me 1?

Answer 1

As one of your peers, I'm 15, I'd wait. Just because you have been riding for only a few years doesn't mean that you're ready to handle the responiblity of owning and caring for horse. A good owner goes out almost everyday, even if they keep the horse at boarding stable, to make sure that it is healthy, happy, and sound. Can you do that, even when it's freezing cold or boiling hot? When I first got my horse, I even went out on Christmas Day, one to give my horse a Christmas present, and to help out the manager to see if she needed any help with horses. We ended up brining four horses who didn't want to come in, and it was raining, too, they weren't smart horses. The worsest thing a horse owner could do is become an absentee owner, I've seen many horses that have absentee owners, usually those horses developed training or behavioral issures, especially if they are young or green, a few older horses did not, they just sat around and got fat.

If you feel that you are ready, then I suggest that you do not look by yourself, you will most likely buy the first one you see and then you won't exactly match with it, the horse might be too advanced for you, or the horse may have some veterinary problems that you may not know of. Always, always, always go with a respected and knowledgeable horse person. Your trainer will do just fine, a trainer can pinpoint any probable lameness issues and figure out if this is right horse for you. And never, never, never look online websites that have thousands of horses listed on them for your first horse. Even if everyone else says they're a great way to buy a horse. You may never know what your really looking into, and yes this might be a good option for look at alot of horse, but you can only see pictures and maybe a few videos. Always look in your local newsletters or tack stores, most people do not list horses on those big websites anyways because they may only want to sell their horse local. Private websites runs by farms or trainers are fine, they may not have alot of photos and videos because they want you to come out and try the horse yourself. Always get any possible horse vetted out before purchasing, never go with it's regular vet either, going to an Equine hospital and having surgeons perform the exam is perferred (by me at least) due to their large variety of equipment and more accurrate x-rays, surgeons also are not regular vets for horses, so they will be more honest.

Also, before you even think about getting a horse, can your parents afford it!?! Yes, you could get a part time job, but depending on your area, that might not exactly be enough for you to afford the horse. Working student options are wonderful, with the right trainer and facility. Being a working student could enable you to learn more about horses than you could ever imagine!

Leasing is another option for you if your parents don't exactly want to buy a horse for you. You can easily figure out the responsiblities of actually owning a horse, with a little bit of expense thrown in. Also, if you decide that owning a horse is too much for you, you can end the lease without worrying about having to sell the horse.

So, just wait and learn more about horses, becoming a working student, or lease a horse to try out the actual horse owning business. Hopefully, you'll get your dream horse sooner than you think!! Good Luck!!

Answer 2

Ongoing costs.
Aggistment - Anywhere from $10 to $50 a week
Feed - $60-$70 a month.
Shoeing - $70 every 6 to 8 weeks
Worming - $18 every few months
Tetanus/Strangles Shot - $24 every year
Teeth - $50 twice a year
Vet - Nothing for the last few years, thank goodness! But they can cost a packet when you need one. You can't take the horse to the vet they have to come to you.

Start up costs.
Horse - $??? Free to good home? Could be in for all sorts of problems with a free horse. You might be able to lease a horse for free. The owner might not have time to ride and you stand a better chance of getting a good horse if the owner dosn't want to sell it but just needs you to excercise it for them.
Rug - $400 for a good one! It's lasted 4 years so far.
Saddle - $400 Second hand
Bridle - $70
Helmet - $70
Riding boots - $40 (Rubber ones)
Jodphers - $70
Halter - $25
Lead Rope - $19
Lunging lead - $20
Saddle blanket - $50
Feed bins - $30 each
Brushes, combs etc - $40
Farriers kit - $90 (I trim his hooves myself. If you can learn how to do this it will save you quite a bit in farriers fees. My boy hasn't had shoes on for 15 years now.)

Answer 3

Good luck with that, I've been riding since I was 10 - never did manage to convince my parents, I finally I got my horse when I was 35.
Up to then I was helping out all over the place. Then I got a work for rides arrangement like a free loan really.
Around that time a girl who'd had another horse on loan fell out with the owners and her Mum bought her one of her own, that was a total disaster and she ended up selling at a loss after spending a fortune.
It really is an enormous responsibility to take on, even the loan horse was easy in comparison because I could always go to the owners if there was a problem.

A close friend let her horse go because of problems and is now loving every minute of not having to get up at stupid times and worry about farriers etc. every time she needs horse-time she comes to help with mine, works out well for both of us.

Answer 4

Have you looked into all that is involved in owning a horse? The stalls, the shelter, the food the vitamins and vet bills. Horses have to have shoes and they require a regular vet visit. Even if they are not sick. And if they do get sick OMG. There is a lot of care to owning a horse. More than just riding it. And what about the riding equipment. Are you prepared to purchase that? At 15 you should be responsible enough to make a rational decision about any pet ownership. I think your parents are the best judge of your sense of responsibility and know whether this is a good choice for you. A horse is a costly investment and responsibility. Not to be entered into lightly. And even if you think or say you will do what ever it takes, in the end it is your parents that have to make this investment. And it is unfair for you to make them feel like they can't do enough for you. And what if you can't take care of the horse after all. Is that fair to the horse? You get a job, save your money and think it thru a little more.

Answer 5

The first thing to do is get a part-time job so that you can contribute to the upkeep of the horse. This will demonstrate to your parents that you are serious about wanting the horse and that you are responsible enough to make it happen.

Horses do cost alot of money to look after, so it is best that you do some research on how much you need to feed, clean and stable the horse. If you know how much it will cost you can then work out a plan for paying for it. This again will show your parents that you are really serious and grown-up enough to look at all the angles.

Good luck, it's great having your own horse.

Answer 6

horses cost a lot in time and money, can your parents afford it?
l was lucky as a child to suport my pony by working at the local riding school and show riding other peoples horses, thinking back l don't know how l managed but l wanted it so badly, l was always tired and never got enough sleep, exams were a nightmare, sitting up with a sick horse while studying for gcse and convincing an irate parent l was fine while falling asleep over breakfast!
maybe you could show them your are serious by getting a 'horsey' job part time or at weekends, then try a part loan
be warned every penny will go on your horse!

Answer 7

I agree with some of the others that loaning might be a good start, that way you can experience the commitment needed and at the same time prove to your parents that you really are going to look after a horse. I also think getting a job is a good idea so that you can contribute to costs, but as well as money your horse will need your time, you have to put in the hours and one way of learning this would be through sharing or loaning then you can decide if this "lifestyle" is for you. good luck!

Answer 8

Okay, first off there are a few things to consider....

1. The facillity's for a horse, you will need a suitable yard which should be checked regulary for health hazards to you and your horse, things in the yard must include a suitable tack room, a feed room a tools room (for wheel barrows, brooms..etc) proper stabling that has non-tacky blots, that it is not too small or too big for your horse, a stable that has proper ventalation, a place for a hose and a safe part where you can tie your horse up. Next up is the paddock, the paddock can be really expensive to look after, you need to consider proper fencing that will not injure your horse or have broken off bits that a horse can easily run onto a main road , the gates in the paddocks must also be up to scratch. The Paddock fencing should include fencing to block off poisonus trees or bushes too. Your paddock must also be topped once a year so it does not over grow, droppings and poisonus plants need to be removed regulary, a horse should have a shelter in the paddock for when it rains, the horses water supply needs to be checked every day, especially in winter because it can freeze over, the grass in the padock needs to be naturally maintained so that it doesn't 'spoil' or gets too soggy.

2. The equipment for a horse. This includes tack, that will need to be looked after and checked everyday for the leather being cracked or if any stiching has come loose, tack is expensive so its really important you look after it. Other equipment includes a full first aid kit for the horse, rugs, saddle cleaning equipment, hay and concentrated feed supply's, tools for stable management, grooming kits, feed buckets, feed bins, toys for your horse, head collars, harnasses, flat work and non flatwork equipment and everything else.

4. Time for your horse; This is really important, if you are in education everyday then i see no point in getting a horse unless you work out either a loaning agreement or keep the horse in livery yard's were people can look after the horse while you are at school, if the horse has no friends then he needs social contact from you, if not then he could develop separation anxiety or other vices. The horse needs to be exerciced everyday to prevent physical illness also, and a routine.

5. Savings and insurance; This is a problem, if your parents get you a horse then you need to work out a savings agreement where you can contribute to it also, vet bills can be really expensive, the horse also needs to have a passport by law, and needs to be insured for dental treatment, illness and injury. You also need to work out savings for tack, food and other equipment so that you can afford and replace it.

6. Experience; Another thing is your abillity as a rider, and experience with horses, horses are unpradictable and need delicate handling, you also need the right horse for you, if you are a novice rider, you need an experienced horse.

Hope this helps

Naroshi

Answer 9

I know you probably already know this but its a HUGE commitment and lots of money! If your parents dont have the money to pay for a horse then I wouldnt push them into it! If they are against buying one because they worry about you looking after it then its a case of convincing them that you can juggle a horse and school! I was very lucky when I was young I have always had my own horses and my mum was really into them so when I was busy with school she was riding! Its not something you can do alone! I think you need to think about how big the responsibility is yourself before you convince your parents.

A few things to consider

Farrier
Vets bills
Worming
Dentist
Thats all before the cost of the stable and grazing, feed, hay, bedding etc!

Anyway if you think you are prepared for all the above and your parents can manage financially and you are prepared to work hard then explain that to them!

Good luck!

Answer 10

When I was 14 years old I was working on the weekends in a small private dressage farm and bought my first horse about 6 months later. Get a job!!! If you really love the breed you will do anything possible to make it happen for yourself. My parents didn't want to buy me a horse either so when I started working and making money, it was MY money and I did what I wanted with it.