What does it take to own a horse?

kyanya

kyanya

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Although I've dreamt about having my own horse since I was a little girl, I've made it to 23 without ever having my own, due to parents not financing one of me when I was a child/teenager, then not being able to afford one myself when I went to uni. Instead, I had regular riding lessons until I realised I wanted to do more, and since then I've shared a varierty of horses, along with some lessons while I was at uni.

I've now been working for a couple of years (in a non-horsey job), and again not really been in the financial position to have my own horse. However, it looks like promotions/salary rises for both my OH and I, along with OH travelling more with work, mean that I might realistically have the finances and time to think about buying my own :D

Although this is a very exciting thought, it's also made me wonder if I have what it takes to be a good horse owner. Although I've got plenty of experience around horses, including being a competent rider and having worked a riding school, I've got hardly any knowledge on equine illness/injury and treatment, choosing tack/equipment and weight management/feeding, plus probably other areas I haven't even thought of! I've got experience of caring for horses through sharing and working at the RS, but I've never been involved in the decision-making behind keeping a horse.

Is there anything I could do to prepare myself? How good are those BHS horse owner courses? What did you know (and what did you not know!) when you bought your first horse?

Just to let you know, if I got a horse, it'd probably be kept on DIY livery at a yard. Also, I would be able to get some advice from my horsey mum (although she's a bit rusty, because she stopped working with horses 25yrs ago)
 
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I have no experience of the BHS owners courses (I'm sure they're very good) but I'd just like to say that, with such a thoughtful attitude, I think you'll make a wonderful horse owner!
 
I think the main thing it takes is a passion for it, plus enough time to devote said horse, no matter what the weather or if you're ill etc! I am sure your mum can help you, although things have moved on in the last 25 yrs, good horsemanship remains the same in my book. If you have stable finances and have the time, then I would go for it.
Re tack, stick to the basics. There is no need for fancy gadgets. Re feeding, grass and hay, plus a mineral and salt lick will be enough for most good do-ers, of need be, supplement this with an all round nut. Have a look on this website under the horse management sections, there are literally hundreds of articles on feed, tack etc.
When I bought my first horse (pony) I was only 13, but when I came back to it as an adult, I just got a horse (still got him), rented a field, bought the stuff I needed and started riding.
Good luck with your quest, but believe in yourself and do not be sidetracked by adverts about feed and tack; the basics are more than enough for most equines if they have no health problems. Hope this helps a bit!
 
I think the BHS horse owner courses are like doing stage one in steps although I never did it. Lots of people get horses being way less prepared than you are. It sounds to me that you are doing all the right things.
You are preparing a budget, with financial expectations and you will know how much your horse is going to cost.
You have shared so you know that as well as riding you are capable of doing the day to day care tasks.
You know how long these things takes and you know that you have time.
You have (presumably) thought about how this will affect your relationship with OH, friends, family and what you will do for holidays and things (probably put horse on livery like a lot of us do).
You've found somewhere to keep it. You'll be on a yard so there'll be other experienced people around you to ride with and ask questions if you need to.
You've found experienced people to help you (your mum).
You've been having lessons so you've got contacts like instructors. Just keep having lessons once you get your horse. That would be a bad time to stop!
I would say now is a good time to start making detailed plans and thinking about budgets and insurance and talk to your instructor about what type of a horse to look for.
You sound like you are doing a great job - go for it and good luck :D

Just to add: I know it feels like you are going it totally alone when you get your first horse but I don't think it's really like that because you're still surrounded by knowledgeable people. For instance I've had mine 12 years and I STILL CAN'T TELL if she puts on weight because I see her twice a day so the farrier has to tell me! People like vets, farriers and YOs have loads of experience and if you are nice to them and ask friendly questions in the right way they will help you out. It's definitely a learning curve when you get your first horse. And you can always come on here and ask questions like everyone else does because we're all still learning too!
 
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That's lovely to hear SF, thanks, but I just worry I'd end up in a mess. I've heard about people who buy horses and end up scared of them and not really enjoying horses any more, and I desparately don't want that to be me. I've spent years dreaming of having my own horse so I'd want it to go well :)
 
Make sure you choose very carefully then, and try to get a middle aged or older been-there-done-that type if you feel nervous, there is nothing like a silly 5 yo to ruin your confidence!

Sounds like your going to be fine, as long as you keep having lessons and seeking advice :)

Good luck!
 
kyanya said:
That's lovely to hear SF, thanks, but I just worry I'd end up in a mess. I've heard about people who buy horses and end up scared of them and not really enjoying horses any more, and I desparately don't want that to be me. I've spent years dreaming of having my own horse so I'd want it to go well :)
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^ that si the biggest part of horse ownership for (other than the financial side). You want to do the best for your horse so I'm fairly certain you will make a fab mum to a horse :D I am still the same with mine and still pinch myself I've done it (waited 26 years for mine!).

Take care and time at every stage even before you find the one and you'll be fine, honest ;) There's a lucky horse out there for you :D
 
I lasted until 20 and once I had a job with a good wage I bought mine! So well done for lasting so long :P

I used to work on a full livery yard so had a general knowledge of first aid etc but not much re feeds/ weight...

I have him on a DIY yard with my friend and her horse so we help each other out.

I think if you know your general stable management, riding and care then go for it. If you feel ready to buy then have a look and maybe see if you can trial for a month or so? That'll help you to see if your ready.

I've found you learn along the way and if you have nice, helpful people around you then it's a massive help :)
 
It takes money and experience. If you don't have much spare money, don't do it. The best advice I can give, is to make sure to keep the horse at a really good livery yard for the first year at least, make sure they will give you help. Not a DIY yard, you want to make sure you get proper advice from qualified professionals. After that you can move to a DIY yard if you want.
 
To answer the question, money and resilience.

Having read your post, you'd be fine. The main thing to think about when getting your own horse is that they break. You don't have to deal with this when renting other peoples and it can seem quite soul destroying at times. Don't go into it with International Velvet style rose tinted glasses on and be very careful to choose a yard with safe fencing, and well judged turnout arrangements to avoid accidents.

You should also try to find a yard with genuinely knowledgeable and helpful owners/managers and staff. Do plenty of research before you make your mind up, you only have to read the thread about being scared of a new horse to know that if the people who you are looking to for advice think, for example, Parelli is the way forward, you aren't going to learn very much or get very far. Maybe try to find a BHS approved livery yard run by a qualified instructor. I had my first pony on a BHS livery yard with a riding school and I still think it was a brilliant grounding with a lot of support for first time owners.
 
As above have said really!

I was in exactly the same position to you. Rode as a child, and then shared/loaned for a long time, but ALWAYS wanted my own...

However, when it came to feed, tack, illness etc, I knew not a lot!!

I finally bought my boy when I was 26 and had the time and was finacially stable to do it.

Have to say that the yard I was on helped a great deal. There were lots of people there that had owned horses for years and so could give me the advice on feed, tack etc as I needed it. Other than that, it was just a learning process!!

So I would say, although courses are probably good, you will learn as you go along and as long as people are there to guide you, you'll be absolutely fine!!!

Good luck!!! Hope you find the horse of your dreams!!!! GO FOR IT!!! :D
 
Hi

I waiting until I was about 24 before I bought my own, I did have a horse on full loan though for 8 years but this prepared me for when I did buy my own. Could you consider maybe loaning one to start with, that way you'll learn about the everyday looking after of a horse without the pressure of actually owning one.

I was lucky that I kept my horse on a DIY yard but there were knowledgable people around me if ever I had a problem.

I would say though, if you're buying your first horse (and this is only my opinion!) go for a been there and done it type, that way he/she will help you out along the way!

Good luck, its an amazing feeling when you find the right horse!
 
I too think that you'd be a great horse owner because you are thinking things through, and are not over confident.

Do you have a good instructor now? Have a chat with them about the type of horse you'd like and whether thats a good idea. Definately take someone with more experience with you - someone who knows what you ride like and how confident you are if possible.

When it comes to buying tack etc - try and find one that comes with tack, and if not ask around and find a good saddler to help if not.

Finding a good vet, freelance instructor, and farrier that you trust is another method of support - if you're not sure, ask them. Thats what the rest of us do (or should), even when we're experienced. Nobody will laugh at a novice question.

When I first met my husband, and he first started looking after my horse when I was away, I found a book about how to tell when something is an emergency and the vet needs calling etc. It was called The Complete Equine Emergency Bible and was written by Karen Coumbe and Karen Bush. It had a lot of pictures and simple explanations. It covered simple equine and human first aid, plus general things that could go wrong with horses - getting stuck in a fence, or getting cast etc, and gave tips on how to manage your stable, field and yard to avoid problems. I thought it was a great book for a novice, and left it at the stables when I was away.

Good luck. And Enjoy!
 
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I rode as a child, stopped when I went to uni, then had a couple of shares after uni and finally bought my own last october (just before I was 27) and I think I felt the same in that with a share all the tack/ feed/ injury questions issues etc there was the owner there to talk to who had ultimate responsibility. I am now very good friends with the girl I had my first share with and she came with me to buy my horse. I've got myself a nice sensible sort, never going to be a world beater but I love her. The week I was waiting for her to arrive I was terrified but i'm on a livery yard with some lovely helpful people and if you're prepared to ask for advice, listen, and take advice (picking what you think will work for you and your horse!) then you've got nothing to worry about. When I think about how much i've learnt since Oct its incredible, but if i'd let the worries put me off I don't think I would have ever bought one. You just need someone for support, be it family, friends or fellow liveries, patience, time and to suddenly come into a small fortune!!

Its not all plain sailing but was definitely worth taking the plunge for me! :)
 
Hi Kyanya,
Like you I came to horse-ownership later in life and don't have a horsey family to fall back on. Spent my childhood years admiring horses in fields and books, learnt to ride properly (hacks, lessons, jumping, dressage) at 23 over a couple of years.

Then when the riding school closed down, I got a 3-day share of a horse at a local livery yard. It was a good learning experience, I had to feed, groom, muckout onthe days I rode, and had the owner to fall back on for advice and help.

I then moved away from the area and after a while I had a horse on loan for a couple of years. Again his owner was around for advice. The 2 years with him proved to me I had the time/commitment to own a horse. Along the way I did the BHS horse owners' course (very useful) and the BHS riding/road safety course (imperative if you're going to hack), and I joined the local riding club with him so developed a network of knowledge/support with other local riders, instructors and club activities.

All this made taking the jump into horse ownership much less fraught as I didn't have to worry too much whether I had the time/support/commitment but could concentrate fully on worrying How To Find The Perfect Horse!

Hope that helps!
 
Love this thread - been thinking more about this exact issue since winning TWL and thinking of loaning for a few months this summer, something I've never been able to do before. I'm itching to own, but won't do it until I'm financially ready for it (and for the unplanned eventualities that can befall a horse) and emotionally ready (to be resilient, a leader, to be firm with a horse testing me and so on). Sounds like if you've the money, the love and the willingness to surround yourself with the right support (i.e. the right yard and knowledgeable people to take direction from when needed) then that's enough - a comforting thought indeed 80)
 
I think you sound ready, I think one of the most important things is being willing to learn from other people.

I got my first pony when I was 13, my parents knew nothing about horses then (I have them trained now!) I had only ridden at a riding school and had no experience of caring for my own horse. I was very lucky that I was on a yard with lots of supportive (and sometimes interfering) people, I had friends of a similar age on the yard who had had ponies years so I literally learnt as went along from people and asked for advice when stuck.

I think that it is important that you are on a good yard with either helpful liveries/YO/YM to ask advice on injuries, feeding etc.

Also it is good to have an experienced instructor to help you.

Good luck and enjoy it!
 
I think it takes serious commitment to be a horse owner. Its never easy- there's always one problem or another whether its illness, lameness, other people on the yard, controlling yard owners, hard ground, muddy ground, naughty horses etc etc etc. Even with extreme enthusiasm its still hard to finish work late on a cold wet winters night and head straight to the yard when all of the rest of your work mates head straight home to curl up by the fire!

I have to admit it was a big shock having my own compared to sharing one!!

I think even if you prepare as much as you possibly can, its still going to be a steep learning curve. As for illnesses and first aid and feeding, you learn as you go as every horse is different. My tb was a hell of a lot different to my cob. I took advice on feeding from as many people as possible and I ended up with an insane devil of a horse!! - i soon learnt that for him, all he needs is plenty of forage and chaff and a few pony nuts and he keeps his weight on fine. Any more and he turns psycho. But again- I sort of had to make that mistake to learn more about him.

I'd surround myself with knowledgable people - ok a lot of them will love to tell you what to do and what not to do, but you can take what you like and ignore what you don't agree with.

Ultimately, its tough but the most rewarding thing in the world so go for it!! They're a pain in the bum but I couldn't live one day without them! :)
 
sense of humour, never ending cheque book and copious amounts of gin!!

as long as you have all of the above you will be fine!

EDIT (the gin is for just in case the 1st 2 fail you)
 
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It's so refreshing to read a post like yours that shows real thought about owning your own horse. Horses are so cheap at the moment that anyone can just pick one up with little or no knowledge. I think you will make a fantastic horse owner. No one knows everything when they start out. I found this forum incredibly helpful if I ever have a problem. Also a good vet and farrier are invaluable!

I think the biggest shock for a new horse owner is the time, care and dedication they need. Especially in the winter months! I don't know of a single horsey person that can "hand on the heart" say horses are fun in the sub zero, dark, manky winter evenings!

I have always owned youngsters as a child (mother was a NF foal horder!) and only purchased my first horse when I was 27. It is everything you dream of, but along with the good days...do come the bad! Having people you trust to help you will make all the difference. Also think about your lifestyle? Can you combine your horse with your work, OH and family commitments?
 
If you think you have worked out what it will cost, add half again on top.

Horses will damage themselves, and they will break stuff (headcollar last time for one of mine), and they will suddenly require a new fly rug, or take a dislike to their bit or something else.
 
Having been in your position and having finally taken the plunge myself I think you will be fine. But I would say get on a yard with plenty of knowledgeable staff, a normal DIY yard won't give you the support you need. I have mine on a riding school yard but can still do DIY if I want. When my mare injured herself it was invaluable to be able to ask knowledgeable experienced people for help. Most of the time I don't need it but it is good to know the back up is on hand.
 
I think the most important this is to CARE for your horse. You might not know what is wrong with them but you care about them enough to realise there is something wrong and you need to seek advice.
I've had my first pony on loan since Jan this year, luckily she is really straightforward to look after and a real confidence giver. Which is just as well because I've discovered I'm a natural worrier and I dread to think what I'd be like with a 'tricky' horse!

I dithered for ages over 'am I good enough' to get a pony, I could ride ok but had very little stable management experience other than helping at the stables when I was young. When my girl was offered to me I thought "it's now or never - take the plunge".
So far so good - I will always accept advice and will ask if not sure.
I think common sense and a level head will get you a long way.
Find a good instructor that you trust and can ask for advice on the care side too.
I found assisted DIY essential - I don't really use the services much but it's good to know there is an 'official' person on hand at the yard who can help and advise.

Oh - by the way...I LOVE having my own pony, not just for the riding but for the bond you get.
Definately best to get a 'been there done that' horse first that you can just enjoy and have fun with. I had a play riding bareback on wednesday for the first time in decades- I was grinning all evening!
 
By nature horses are very forgiving gentle creatures so I'm not one that agree's you have to have masses of experience before owning one. I was a novice owner at the age of 36 (had loan horses previously but never my own due to lack of time). I took on a youngster (unintentially) and we learnt together, I made mistakes and he made mistakes but 7 years on we are a fab team and I worship the ground he stomps on.

I think as long as you have support, some money (cos lets face it that's the big thing we all need!) and a passion then you won't go far wrong. Take your time and pick the right horse and even if things go a bit pear shaped work with it and 99% of the time it will work out. Unfortunately todays society has built the 'want it NOW' mentality and alot of people throw the towel in before even trying but I think with the attitude you are already showing you understand that horses can and do throw massive drama's into our lives but I for one wouldn't be without them.

Good luck I hope you find your dream...believe me even if you end up waiting til your late 30's like I did..it's worth every single second of wait!! I don't have a day where I don't get a happy feeling knowing I HAVE A HORSE!!!!:D
 
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