How many horse owners actually ride or work your animals?

texasjohn · May 5, 2014

tax, title, license

WM75Guy · May 5, 2014

When someone asks me about buying a horse for their kid I tell them to buy the most expensive horse they can afford. It is the cheapest part of horse ownership. It costs roughly the same to keep a $500 horse as a $50,000 horse as far as feed, hay, farrier and vet bills go. I see people all the time go cheap and buy a grade horse or worse yet get one given to them that has problems. Then they spend $6000 a year on upkeep, not to mention the truck and trailer cost, and are not happy with how it performs.

Fred Barbour · May 5, 2014

When I am asked about finding a good horse for sale to anyone who wants to start out I always tell them to go to a reputable trainer/instructor, take lessons and determine if horses are the right decision for them. After a year of learning how to ride and properly care for a horse then, and only then should they consider buying a horse. All too often people rush out, buy a horse and find out it is not the sport for them.

Any people wanting to get a horse should do the research in their area and find out who is reputable and honest. Get lessons on a reliable safe horse and carry on from there! A lack of planning can be an expensive lesson and ultimately not fair to the horse they purchase.

Fred

jerrybob · May 5, 2014

Ten Ways To Get In Shape To Own A Horse

1)Drop a heavy steel object on your foot. Don't pick it up right away. Shout "Get off,stupid! Get off!"
2)Leap out of a moving vehicle and practice "Relaxing into the fall". Roll lithely into a ball, and spring to your feet!
3)Learn to grab your checkbook out of your purse/pocket and write out a $200. check without even looking down.
4) Jog long distances carrying a halter and holding out a carrot. Go ahead and tell the neighbors what you're doing.They might as well know now.
5)Affix a pair of reins to a moving freight train and practice pulling it to a halt. And smile as if you are really having fun.
6) Hone your fibbing skills. "See hon, moving hay bales is fun!" and " I'm glad your lucky performance and multi-million dollar horse won you first place - I'm just thankful that my hard work and actual ability won me second place".
7) Practice dialing your chiropractors number with both arms paralyzed to the shoulder, and one foot anchoring the lead rope of a frisky horse.
8) Borrow the US Army slogan; "Be all that you can be'...(add) bitten, thrown, kicked, slimed, trampled."
9) Lie face down in the mud in your most expensive riding clothes and repeat to yourself: "This is a learning experience, this is a learning experience,..."
10) Marry Money!