Soundguy
Old Timer
- Joined
- Mar 11, 2002
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- Central florida
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Texas john brings up a good point I'd like to add to. In addition to getting a bomb proof horse ( lotsa places that do trail rides often sell their older horses after a while... they are a good source of well trained, well cared for -rock solid safe horses.. ).. Anyway.. A large part of having a 'safe' horse and keeping it that was is in the owners training, as well as the horse.
IE.. taking a rider safety course is a good idea.. For instance.. don't want to get kicked.. learn how to let a hore know you are back there.. IE.. approach where he can see you.. then as you walk arounf him.. touch him onthe back while he can still see you.. and then walk behind him still touching him.. he's smart enough to know that you are still back there because he still feels you touching him.
Lots of other little oddities with horses too... especially when they see things with 1 eye, or both eyes.. In any case.. rider safety course is good to have.
One more thought for the people that were turned down.
It's possible you might be able to go back and ask one more time, but reference a smaller animal. If you want a pet horse for your kids.. look into the very small mini and dwarf horses. You can get them all the way down to 18" and 2" tall.. IE.. medium dog sized. It's very possible if you go get some pictures of a dwarf or mini horse that is that size.. IE.. of a large cocker spaniel.. you might be allowed to keep that size of horse.
Your keep costs would diminish.. though vet and farrier bills will still be there.. feed will be a non issue... the mini and dwarfs are pretty much fine on grass as long as they have mineral suppliments.. etc.. The experience of owning that mini will translate into real usefull horse ownership experience that could be used later on if yuo ever move from the city... plus the fact that you can pick them up like a sack of dog food in an emergency (wink)
just something to considder.
Soundguy
IE.. taking a rider safety course is a good idea.. For instance.. don't want to get kicked.. learn how to let a hore know you are back there.. IE.. approach where he can see you.. then as you walk arounf him.. touch him onthe back while he can still see you.. and then walk behind him still touching him.. he's smart enough to know that you are still back there because he still feels you touching him.
Lots of other little oddities with horses too... especially when they see things with 1 eye, or both eyes.. In any case.. rider safety course is good to have.
One more thought for the people that were turned down.
It's possible you might be able to go back and ask one more time, but reference a smaller animal. If you want a pet horse for your kids.. look into the very small mini and dwarf horses. You can get them all the way down to 18" and 2" tall.. IE.. medium dog sized. It's very possible if you go get some pictures of a dwarf or mini horse that is that size.. IE.. of a large cocker spaniel.. you might be allowed to keep that size of horse.
Your keep costs would diminish.. though vet and farrier bills will still be there.. feed will be a non issue... the mini and dwarfs are pretty much fine on grass as long as they have mineral suppliments.. etc.. The experience of owning that mini will translate into real usefull horse ownership experience that could be used later on if yuo ever move from the city... plus the fact that you can pick them up like a sack of dog food in an emergency (wink)
just something to considder.
Soundguy
texasjohn said:So, if you find an animal that will load into and out of a trailer easily, stand calmly when being saddled and when somebody is seeking to mount it, let people crawl under its belly and not get kicked, let people pull its tail and not kick, walk calmly to and from the barn and not suddenly run back to barn, it should not bite or nip people holding the reins...
When you find this animal...buy it... this animal you will love..and the kids will learn a lot from...later, if they still love horses whenthey turn 14, then they can move on to a more performance oriented horse..