Help with buying a horse

[ALBALD1]

A 3 mnth old horse will need fed & maintained for about 2 years before it can even be ridden. Unless its something special, you'd be better off putting up the feed money for a couple years & getting a well trained horse. I fell into that once. I bought a nice 4yr old mare w/ a 4 mnth old stud cost at side once. When i tried to wean him, he jumped out a barn window to get to his mommy. Ended up boarding him at a stable a few months to get him weaned. Between that & the vet bill for gelding & the feed, I could have bought a good horse. The mare was great though. I just started riding him when he was 2. he wasn't really trained. He still just followed momma. When he was 3, his mother cut a leg & had to be put down. He just had no idea what to do because he always just followed her on the trail. he's now about 14 & he's the most expensive lawn mower in history.

 

[elalexander]

Hey thanks for all of the good/bad experiences. Since our town council won't let us have a horse we decided to just go for the trail rides etc. We still feed our hoofed friends... check out these pics, again we feed the deer

 

[Soundguy]

Since everybody else is posting hay burner pics.. here's a couple of mine.

The buckskin is 'starbuck'.. he's 9 now.. but was 7 in the pic. Good horse.. used alot by state contractors doing controlled burns near wetlands in florida....

The sorrel is 'panama' he is 19 now, and was 17 in the pic. He's a trained search and rescue horse that used to work with the sheriff's dept.

Soundguy

 

[RoyJackson]

Thanks Spiveyman. After our meeting today we can't have a horse intown. I also was going to ask for some good books on horses and my wife jokingly suggested Horses for dummies...didn't know they had one. Are we somewhat upset, you bet. This has been in our dreams forever. To wake up and see "our" horses grazing on "our" land. However, we can still ride them and take our graaddauhghters to see them and when they get old enough they can even ride them. We had just thought with where we know live and so much undeveloped land behind us we could have a horse of our own. After reading some of the stories and vet bill nightmares it may be a good thing. God knows we love em though. Thanks for takin time to write me, EL.

The dream shouldn't die. Now that you have your eyes opened about all that is involved in owning a horse, you can make a better decision.
One of my girl friends (in a previous life) had a horse she boarded close to where I lived at the time. I used to help her with the upkeep (and it is surely expensive!). The horse was a beautiful animal and quite easy to work with.
So...keep looking, but get the right critter. Horses live 25 years...so you want the best friend for you. And the right home for all of you...

 

[Spiveyman]

Hey thanks for all of the good/bad experiences. Since our town council won't let us have a horse we decided to just go for the trail rides etc. We still feed our hoofed friends... check out these pics, again we feed the deer

Wow, that's a beautiful place. You're right a nice horse would do your pasture justice.

I just have one thing to say, this is America dang it! I do understand the reason for zoning. Someone bought the 10 acres next to my parents house and started raising game cocks and fighting them in the barn. That did wonders for the property value, let me tell you, but c'mon, this is America. You own the land you should be able to keep a freaking horse on it. OK, OK, before this turns into a political thread, I'll stop ranting. There HAS to be a way for you to have YOUR DREAM here in American. Don't give up on your dreams. All that stuff about how hard it is to keep a horse, how much money it takes, and how much time - that's all true, but it's still worth it. Just look around at how many people have them. You need to know that up front so that if it was just a whim people will think twice and just go ride a trail somewhere, but if you are serious I encourage you to stick with it. Like the last post said, you horse can be one of your best friends and most loyal. Good luck. I hope things work out for you all.

 

[Cottonhawk]

If your dream is to own one or few beautiful horses, you and your wife should plan it out and it is definitely achievable. All advice given by posters on this thread are excellent and there are consistent messages. I would suggest that you and your family go and take riding lessons from a qualified coach. Often a good coach will suggest the kind of horses you should have. Buy the horses, board them for a while, and learn the proper way to take care of your dream horses. You will enjoy this process and you will end up realize your dream. Your horse can be your buddy! Here is a pic of my buddy .....

 

[elalexander]

Morning Cotton. That is a beautiful animal. I can see how you guys and girls get attached to them. Next week is our neighboring county's fair. We always spend time talking to "the horse people" about their animals. Super nice folks, horse owners and lovers. Today or tomorrow we are taking our granddaughters to see my friend's horses. He is the guy with the 3 month old for sale. I'll take the camera and post some pics when we get back.

 

[riptides]

More hayburners, and their houses.

-Mike Z.

 

[Soundguy]

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

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..

 

[elalexander]

Good morning Soundguy. My wife agrees with you. Let the discussion we had cool down and then go back, she too was thinking a mini horses. Also the person who was the 25 acres behind me may be wanting to sale some of that as it is tax time. If we get some more land it may help our cause as well. Looking at some of the farms you guys have our 3 acres may not be fair to any horse especially with most of it being woods and not pasture. We'll keep working on it though.

 

[Dallas_Lilly]

Looking at some of the farms you guys have our 3 acres may not be fair to any horse especially with most of it being woods and not pasture. We'll keep working on it though.

Do not let the size of your parcel detour you. I only have 2.5 acres and my horses are plenty happy and well exercised. You could have 100 acres or 2 acres and accomplish the same thing.The advantage to having more acres would be the pasture to feed from.

 

[Soundguy]

3 ac is fine.. even for an adult full sized horse.. For a mini.. it's huge. Also.. many horses LIKE woods.. I know my horses and mule/cows do.

Soundguy

 

[schmism]

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.

my neighbor (the horse dude) recently bought a 12 year old previous trail ride horse.... VERY VERY calm horse... BUT

hears the kicker

It doesnt like to be petted near the head, because any hand movement toward its head it thinks its about to get the bridal and.... well it worked for 12 years a trail rideing horse.... (you do the math)

 

[elalexander]

You guys have really helped us with our homework. Our graddaughtes are 7 & 6 with the twins being 7. They will be 8 on Christmas day. My daughter couldn't have just one baby, had to have two...and on Christmas day. She is a spirited lass to say the least. The small building behind the barn is their playhouse complete with fireplace, upstairs bedroom, and entertainment center. Thought I'd share some pics of them and their playhouse. Just little girls and your advice about horses and safety is well taking.

 

[Cottonhawk]

Your granddaughters are adorable! I can assure you that they will love to learn how to ride and take care of horses.
My grand daughter is 4 years old and she has just finished one whole week of private lessons in a kids horse camp. She learned a lot about horses and loved every minutes of that week.

 

[mwechtal]

Yeah, keep the safety factor in mind. I had a friend get kicked in the head. I saw the whole thing. She was bending down to brush the horse's belly. The horse was only trying to knock off a fly. Her head was in the way. She had to have about 7 stiches in her forehead. It's probably a good idea at least for the kids to always wear a hard hat around horses, no matter how "bulletproof" and calm they are.

Another event I witnessed was a little girl that ran in back of a miniature horse, and let out a little girl squeal at the same time. I have never seen a horse kick so fast. That little sucker was like greased lightning. It was just a skinned shin thank goodness. You just don't surprize a horse like that calm or not.

I wouldn't want to discourage you, because horses are fantastic! It just takes some common sense and being a little careful.

Mike

 

[Spiveyman]

...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.

Great tips there. There really are a ton of oddities with horses, but learning them will help your experience. One that I found interesting, and I'm not sure how universal this is, but here in KY we're known for our horses and this seems to be common here, before you put your blanket/pad and saddle on the horse, let it smell them. The horses, especially that thoroughbred, seem to expect that, perhaps because that's how they've always been saddled. It's kind of neat to watch actually. I'll let them smell the pad, they will usually take a good long sniff, then return their head to where ever it was when I approached them. That's their approval. Then allow the pad to touch their side (kind of like the hand on the horse trick above) as you swing it up and onto the horse. That way they know what is on their back.

Then, and this is the part that cracks me up. When I show them the saddle and let them sniff it, they alomst always want to kind of bite it, not a real bite, they don't leave marks on the leather or anything, but a quick nip and then they stand at ease in approval again. Same thing with the saddle lightly brushing the side of the animal to keep them associating the weight that's now on their back with what you just showed them.

I don't claim to be a horse expert, but that's the way we do it 'round here. There are tons of other tips for saddling a horse, don't let the stirrups smack the horse on the other side, let them exhale as you tighten the cinch (one of our horses, I swear will hold her breath on purpose ), always use a keeper with a rear cinch to keep it from turning into a bucking strap... the list goes on, and like Soundguy suggested, taking a class will help sort that out.

When you do win, and have your own horses, we'll look forward to seeing pictures of those grandkids on them some day.