by Ann Dennis

Created on: May 07, 2008   Last Updated: June 25, 2009

How to tell if you're ready to own a horse? Look around you right now, what do you see? Is that a riding whip that you forgot to put away when you last rode? Is there a very large yard out your front door that is measured in acres? Do you like being dirty and dusty and shoving hay bales around when it's 80 degrees outside? Do you drive a truck or other vehicle that can haul tack and other equipment?

Are you an adult and already riding horses? Or are you a skilled young person looking for permission to get a horse at your home? ( Mention the cost of gas in your argument and watch the wheels turn). Seriously one of the considerations is the cost of renting or leasing a horse and the time and gas spent going elsewhere to ride. As an adult you might consider the cost of babysitting if you have young children. And if you have older children that can go with you maybe the joy of riding would increase if this was a family activity at home.

You don't necessarily have to be able to answer yes to every question but it makes you think. There are many people that ride that never owned a horse. And they like it that way. There is no shame in recognizing what you want or need and pursuing it under your own conditions. But make no mistake if you don't recognize your own needs and wants you could make a mistake that not only you but your future horse could regret.

Do not despair if it looks like I am encouraging only riders to have their own horses. I am but it's not hard to become a rider. The hard part is finding an instructor but once you do that you're in.

If you want a beautiful lawn ornament you still need to consider what the horse's basic needs are and decide if you want to fulfill them in exchange for the decoration they can provide.

A horse needs a safe place to live with green grass available for grazing. This and a minimum of ten gallons of water a day will meet most of the horse's basic needs. The smaller the grazing area the more hay and water a horse will need and you must be prepared to have hay and maybe some grain available during the non-growing season. Shelter is also needed even though they do not need to live in the kind of fancy stalls you see in the magazines. A three sided shed that is built with them in mind is all a horse needs in most climates.

Are you prepared for Vet bills? What about insurance? Do you have a way to keep neighbors, their kids, and any passersby from your horse when you aren't available to supervise?
Do you have the knowledge and money for all the equipment required to maintain and ride a horse?

Experience the joy of riding and then consider what it would be like to share your life with one. If you get a glowing feeling knowing of the hard dirty parts then go for it.

Happy trails.

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