How to get your dad to buy you a horse.?

Question

I really want a horse. I mean really, really, really. We have 2 and a half acres. Is this enough for 2 horses and a barn? I already have a dog, a rabbit, 2 turtles, and 2 fish. i doubt he will let me get a horse, but you never know. I am in my early teens and usually he lets me get whatever i want. I mean we have the money for things and we have the money for a horse, but that is a huge responsibility. i have only rode a horse once and that was when i was 2 or 3 at the fair. if I new how to ride and showed a true deep passion for horses, do you think he'd let me get one of my own in a year or two? please help! How do i get him to let me get a pony.

Answer 1

First, I would try to take some riding lessons and learn. I would also try to see if you could "work" at someones house to help take care of horses and that way you would see exactly what is involved. If you do those things and still have a desire to have one, talk to your Dad. You can talk to him now and tell him you are interested in getting a pony or horse and you would like to take lessons and help out at a place that has horses to see if would responsible enough to do it, if you owned one. I helped out at a couple's house that had horses. I had to clean the stalls and help feed and wash them. It is good experience if you have the desire. It may be too much for you, or you may love it. Talk to your Dad and show him you are responsible and can look at things in many directions or angles. I would not ask just because you want one. I am glad you are showing some responsibility and asking advice. Best wishes to you.

Answer 2

I agree with everyone else, that you need to learn how to ride a horse and how to take care of a horse before you want to buy one. I'm sure your parents are afraid that this is just a passing fancy of yours, and after a few months of horse ownership you will get bored and want something else, costing your parents $$$ for a barn and a horse that you don't want anymore.

To prove them wrong, prove that you are responsible enough to care for a horse properly, and that you are truly interested in a horse. And definitely consider compromising and boarding a horse somewhere.

Oh, and decide if you want a horse or a pony. I just noticed the last sentence of your question. You should know that horses are social animals, and like to be together. In my old neighborhood there was a very sad horse that was all alone, and didn't get much attention from its owners. However, your land is probably only big enough for one horse. On the other hand, while a pony is less usefull, it would be a better fit for your land.

Answer 3

Why not go out and get a job and start earning the money yourself to buy the horse...ever think of that?? If you are too lazy to earn money to help pay for one...you are obviously too lazy to care for one. If you show your dad you are willing to work hard for the horse..he may take you seriously and help you buy one. Also, you should take some lessons..what if you find out riding horses is not really your thing? You said you have only been on a horse when you were little...what if you decide you don't like riding after you purchase a horse! Think you need to do a lot more research and preparations before you get your dad to buy you anything.

Answer 4

Well don't jump in the deep end. I'm presuming that neither of you family members know a thing about horses and neither do you. One ride on a horse does not theoretically qualify you with enough knowledge to own a horse.

You say you have enough money to buy a horse, well what about the upkeep of one you have to think of feed, tack, shoeing, vetting, vaccines, passporting, dentist, grooming equiptment, rugs, hay, stable equiptment (shovel, rake) stable shavings, food additives (if needed), insurance, cleaning tack, fencing, the cost to build a barn, worming, riding equiptment, oinments (if needed), vet bills, special requirements for your horse. I'm not trying to put you off a horse as i was once in your position, but i knew how to ride and care for a horse for four years before owning one. Also you must be able to identify any illness or lameness and know when to call the vet. They are such a big responsibility and take up alot of time.

If you do think you are responsible enough to cater for a horses needs then you need to crawl before you can walk.

First of all get riding lessons and help out at a barn so that you can learn how to look after horses. Also its not a fantastic idea if you do get one to ride out alone, because if you fall off there maybe no one around to help incase its serious, so make sure either some one rides with you or walks with you.

2 and a half acres is plentyful for a horse, my moto is one horse per acre i have five acres and five horses on one field it reduces the risk of laminitis and gives the horses the company of each other. If you're not getting two horses then sheep are good grass grazers and companions or goats.

two years will be ample enough time to learn and ride horses, so after that dive in but don't rush into buying anything too big or strong maybe around the 14.2 hh band and a mountanious pony is the best as they are calm and sturdy ponies well mine are. So good luck and i hope you work towards getting you that dream horse!

Answer 5

Before you even start thinking of buying or wanting a horse learn more about them. Learn about how to take care of them. ALSO you MUST learn to ride before you even consider getting a horse. At the moment having a horse sounds fun but it might be harder than you think.

Find a good stables in your area and sign up for riding lessons. Ride until you feel confident on a horse; you proving to a horse that your the boss and that you don't get nervous or shy when dealing with a horse that is a trouble maker. Volunteer, if they let you, at the barn. Ask to come over early in the morning and help with the chores. Most people who own horses would be thrilled for the extra help. At least become an intermediate rider before thinking of purchasing a horse. The more experince you have on riding, the better.

2 and a half acres may be enough as long as you keep the barn small. remember you'll also need a riding arena...and, depending on where you live, an indoor one. You'll also need a small section of either the barn or an extra building to keep tack (saddle, briddle, girth, and so on). You'll also need a place to store the hay and oats that your horse will eat...a place where it won't get wet.

Ask different people who own horses about the costs of owning a horse, and the different vet bills. Here's an idea of some vet bills and other costs for stuff in New York (this will differ in different states, countries, and even cities)
Spring vet bill: $150 (4 types of shots...you MUST have these shots)
Fall vet bill: $80 (a booster, again you MUST have the shots for a horse)
Coggins: I believe it's every year...but I could be wrong. and I'm not sure of the price for that
Ferrier: anywhere from $30 - $145 (depending on whether your horse is barefoot or shod, and type...for example a quarter horse will have less ferrier bills than a draft for they have smaller hooves.)

But you also have to take into consideration, emergency bills. Your horse could become lame...a vet bill for that could go to $1000 or even higher. Or your horse could get Colic...again the vet bill can become really high..

Also every 6 weeks you'll need to use a worming medicine for your horse. That's about $6-12 depending on where you buy it and the weight of your horse.

Before you even mention to your parents about you owning a horse, prove to them that this is something you'll enjoy and have the responsibility for. Owning a horse is not just a 2-3 year commitment...a horse can live up to 30 years. Are you willing to take care of that horse from the moment you buy him/her up to the moment he/she dies (or you sell it)?

Hope that helps!

Answer 6

I was really into horses when I was younger, starting around 12yrs old. I wanted a horse but my parents wanted me to prove I was responsible enough. I started by taking lessons and cleaning stalls and things like that to pay for them. I got tack (saddle, etc) at Christmas and within the next couple months I had picked out a beautiful Arabian mare that I had been riding. My parents bought her for me and I kept her at the ranch while continuing to clean stalls and help out around the place, to pay for her board and food. Eventually we moved her up to our house and the story was a happily ever after ending.
I'm sure if you proved yourself to be responsible and TRULY commited, he would like nothing better than to get you one.

2.5 acres is enough room for a horse. The barn won't take up too much room (though a shelter in a pasture is probably a better idea and much cheaper) and a horse needs 1 acre to roam in.

Good luck!

Answer 7

Horses are a tremendous responsability and are perhaps more than you or your family would be able to handle. you could look and see if there are any horse rescues or ranches where you could perhaps adopt one and let it stay at that stable and you could come and feed and care for it. that way the horse has knowledgable people around who understand all that horse care entails. Horses are not like rabbits, turtles or other small domestics, they are EXTREMELY time consuming. even though you feel that you are old enough to care for one, your father probably understands that he and your other family memebers would be taking on tha majority of it's care. Horse rescues would be your best bet. so many horses are retired from racing, abused and unwanted and they need loving people like you to show them affection. (and it would be a great way to see if you really have what it takes to do it long term)

Answer 8

Talk to him about it, but remember that being young, you may view the money situation a little differently than your parents. Horses are VERY expensive to buy and raise. Perhaps they will consider getting you a horse and boarding it nearby so that someone else can take care of it.

I'm guessing maybe they are afraid that they'll get a horse for you. . .that they'll be the one's that end up responsible for it's care.

Write down your thoughts and ideas on the subject and call a family meeting. :)

Answer 9

just be really good and keep asking!!! or just leave it alone, and show him your responsible enuf. take care of your other pets all the time without any one reminding you, then maybe he'll think you can handle it. but a horse is a lot different than a dog or a turtle.

Answer 10

Personally sounds to me like your spoiled if you get everything you want.

Howabout trying to work off things around the house and earn money yourself to buy a horse. Maybe you will appreciate it more??