"I dont suggest anyone own a horse"

[K@tie]

I do not own a horse however I have been working with / riding them my whole life.

Last night I was at my riding lesson and my trainer and I got on the subject of me owning my first horse. He said " I do not suggest that anyone own a horse." He said I should lease first. I disagree however he did have some good points. "What are you doing with your horse when you go to College? Will you wake up christmas morning to take care of it?"

It has been a dream of mine to own a horse so I really dont mind getting up on Holidays to take care of it.


Do you agree with him, lease first?

[K@tie]

I am new I put this in the wrong section.

[Sirita_88]

It really depends on how commited you are. Buying the horse is always the cheapest part.

I have known people who have bought them, but didn't realize how much work they were.

But, If you really have a passion for them, and CAN AFFORD their upkeep, then I don't see a problem.

[K@tie]

Originally Posted by Sirita_88

It really depends on how commited you are. Buying the horse is always the cheapest part.

I have known people who have bought them, but didn't realize how much work they were.

But, If you really have a passion for them, and CAN AFFORD their upkeep, then I don't see a problem.

I strongly agree, I am going to wait a couple years.

[Equestrian21]

Owning a horse gives you a deeper bond than you could ever imagine versus a leased horse. Your horse will become your best friend and when you have that your riding goes to a whole different level.

HOWEVER, do remember that owning a horse means you are responsible for a living, breathing creature. You have to go out to the barn and care for them when it's 15* outside and icy. Stall cleaning everyday. Plus, you have to be able to afford it, horses can be expensive. Your horse colics, or breaks a bone... can you afford it?

I dont think that is right of him to tell you "nobody should own a horse", that's just ignorant. He might just want you to stick to leasing his horse

[sundancer maiden]

(since you are here)
Welcome to HT from southern Kansas!!

I had never thought about leasing a horse first, are there enough available? My suggestion has always been to find out what everything costs, boarding, feed, vet, wormer, vaccinations, etc. Figure out an entire year divide by 12, for the 12 months in the year, and start saving. That proves if someone can afford a horse in the first place! By putting that much money aside every month it gives them the opportunity to save enough to buy the right horse. It also gives them time to think the idea through and learn more.
Horses are way too often purchased on a whim, without thought. Leasing is a great idea, if there are horses around to lease! I wish everyone would at least take lessons and do some serious reading first!!

[singing tree]

I think you are asking the happy addicts whether to join them in their addiction

If it is a considered decision, of course it is okay to own a horse. Somebody has to, and it might as well be you!

[Equestrian21]

LOL @ singing tree... you make a good point.

[version1955]

Singing makes a point as long as the person who is buying has their head out of their There have been people on this website that buy and sell horses like so much tack. Its a shame. Maybe I'm reading more into a horse's psychology than is warranted but it seems to me that there are way too few people who look at things from the horse's point of view. Horses are not simply to fuel someone's romantic notions, they are living beings with feelings and thoughts. Of course the folks who think of horses as things to boost their ego won't care about that anyway.

[tuffsmom]

We suggest to our clients that leasing a horse is not a bad idea. We want them to know exactly what they are getting into when it comes to the cost and the time.

[Equestrian21]

While I agree that leasing is a good idea for people who are on the fence and considering buying.... should the trainer really say "I dont suggest anybody should own a horse"? That is kind of absurd IMO.

[jerseygirlgonebad]

I bought, paid and boarded my first horse at 17. I sold her when I went off to be a mom, plus she was nuts, and went back to being a barn manager later on. Once a barn manager I had choice of any horse in the barn to ride any time I wanted but I still wanted my own. After mulling through a couple of years I bought my own horse eventhough I could ride anything and I haven't looked back since. I KNEW what was involved, hell I took care of a stable of upwards 30 horses, saddling half of them every day as well as cleaning, medicating and bandage/triage of the sick ones. I did board for several years and loved it because I just came to ride and groom, but I still wanted the dream of having them at home where I can ride at any given moment. So...for the last 4 years they (now more then one) all live with me and yes every day I go out day and night, rain, snow,sleet (I feel like saying the Postman motto) I take care of them. I am not going to say its easy but we have it down to a science now and for us its easy. I do say that when you get your own property to keep them on, its reallllllly easy to have more then 2!

Good Luck and all I have to say is if you have the sickness we all do and it keeps calling you, then do it but know the responsibility, money and time involved since they are always children and never grow up!

[NorthernHorseGirl]

I guess if I was the one leasing out horses and making money that way I'd say the same thing. I think it's a good idea to make sure it's something you really want to do before you get into actually buying one. We board so getting up on Christmas morning to take care of our horses isn't an issue but when we had our own places we did it, so what? It didn't take long.

[horsefeathers.08]

If you have done the research and can afford to own a horse, I say YES!! If you are still a bit unsure, I would do as a few people have mentioned above. Maybe take the next few months and save up taking exactly the amount board would cost you plus a bit extra. Also, I would ask your trainer or another horsie person if you could care for a few of the horses around the barn for a while, just to get the feel of what it's like on a daily basis.

As for horses and college? Well, I have owned a horse since age 9, and was told that I needed to sell my horse before college, so I did. Over the next year, I missed my horse so much, that I eventually saved a few of my bonus checks and bought another. My parents wern't too happy with me (I didn't tell them until the day before I went to look), but I needed one. I found that horses were not a want, but a need for me. Although having a horse is a lot of responsibility, it made getting through college a lot easier on me. My horse is like my child, and he will always come first! He is extremly expensive, but he is my outlet and gets me through the day. I'm broke most days, but I wouldn't have it any other way! Having a furry best friend is MUCH more satisfying than owning a few Louis Vuittons and Pradas anyday!

[ridentennwalkers]

If you are not ready to commit your self 24/7 to a horse then he is correct!!! Could I lease a horse, No Way. I own 3 and I could not part with them. The bond between horse and human is awesome!! They take alot of your time and money! I babysit out of my home so I turnout at 6 am and my last child leaves at 5:30 pm and start taking care of the horse 15 min later. By the time I put them in feed them give them water and hay and clean their feet it is almost 3 hours later and I only have 3 to take care of, But I also have dogs and cats that I have to work into my time for feeding so being a pet owner is a big deal!!

[K@tie]

I have worked with two rescues, mucking, bathing, grooming, feeding, riding, and so on. Also my when I was in middle schoool my moms friend went away for a week and left me to take care of her horses. I thought it was so much fun to wake up before school to feed the horses. And right now I have been taking lessons for about four months, and I plan on taking them for a long time.
Every saturday I help a rescue care for its 13 horses. I really enjoy it. I plan on saving up lots and lots of money and eventually either boarding a horse somewhere or getting property where I can keep it at home.

[paso_lover]

Originally Posted by tuffsmom

We suggest to our clients that leasing a horse is not a bad idea. We want them to know exactly what they are getting into when it comes to the cost and the time.

Agree 100% cuz if you can't commit when you are leasing then how are you to commit once you own one

[recklesshoundog]

I'd be alot richer....and I mean ALOT richer if I'd listened and never owned a horse. But my life would be poorer for it.

But definately wait until the money is there and you know it will be there for a while.

[Mav2007]

That statement from your trainer doesn't make sense. Who would you lease from if nobody owned any horses.

I think that someone has to own the horse, so why not me. Yes at certain times in your life it will make more sense to lease or just take lessons and not own, but eventually, you'll want your own. Just like a house, for some people renting works out better, but most people eventually want to own a house rather than pay someone else's mortgage. In the world of horses, I'd rather be the owner and call all the shots, than have someone else calling the shots.

[horsefeathers.08]

Originally Posted by Mav2007

In the world of horses, I'd rather be the owner and call all the shots, than have someone else calling the shots.

In the end, I think I'd rather pay for all the shots too! It's a small price to pay for a lifetime of friendship.