Is a Horse Right for You?
Published by GHC • May 20th, 2008 • Category: Horse Advice, by mustangmaneby mustangmane, age 10
You might be saying,”Oh! Mom, can I have a horse!” But it’s just not as easy as that. There are a few things you might want to think about:
Finances/Money: It’s very unlikely that you have enough money to pay for your horse’s boarding, the purchase of the horse, vet, tack, and having lessons. You would have to have a talk with your parents about this. As my mom always says, “We’re not made out of money!”
Time/Responsibility: You probably have homework everyday, classes/lessons, or maybe even sleepovers with your best buds. You MUST have enough time to go and visit your horse every week. If your horse gets too lonely, doesn’t get enough exercise, and has no one to play with, you’re neglecting your horse. They depend on YOU.
Experience: Have you been around horses a lot? If you buy a horse that needs to be ridden, and you have absolutely no experience, you should take lessons. That would teach you how to ride, groom, and even feed your horse. So, experience is another important thing. You don’t want to buy a horse, and never groom it. Experience really counts! You can’t be afraid of horses. Last but not least…
The risks of buying a horse: I got thrown from a horse last August during a trail ride and split my lip open (had to get stitches…). That wasn’t fun at all. Would you be willing to risk that? I mean, horses can be unpredictable, but still you have to be brave and strong. Do your parents want you to take that risk? Again, have a talk with your parents.
So, if you still want to buy a horse and you’ve done parent talks and stuff like that, I’d say, go for it
RELATED BLOGS: There’s More to Learn Than Riding, Mommy, Can I Have a Horsey?
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This is so true mm, i’ve heard this tale so many times. right now i’m fine with riding my uncle’s horses occasionally and, if i’m really lucky, camp… Don’t discouraged that you dont have a horse. play with a friends, volunteer down at the barn, do something to be around them.
To readers-
I hope you like the info. in the blog. It’s my first one, and all the JBs inspired me!
-mustangmane
This is a fantastic blog! I can really see where your coming from, and this makes total and perfect sense! This one of the best blogs on the list, and you say it’s your firsy one??? Wow! I am impressed! Great Job and I am really looking forward to reading more from you. Again, this is fabulous, and I really really really really really really really really really really really hope that you keep reading! This is one of my new favorites, because most people want a horse because it’s pretty (and I can’t argue with that!) but don’t think about all the responsibility and hard work that come along with it! Not many people that rush into buying a horse know that it involves mucking out stalls, grooming and all the other things you mentioned in this blog. Some kids picture themselves riding into the sunset, bareback, or galloping aroun a trck with out thinking of the vet bills and the fact that nothing good comes without hard work. You even have to work to gain your horses trust! It is not all fun and games (as my mom would say!)
Wow, I think I talked a little to much. This could be it’s own blog! lol! I’m gonna shut up now, and join Halee and Madelaina in their chatterbox club. Great Job mustangmane, I hope you will become a Jr. Blogger!
First blog? That’s fantastic! One more amazing blog I can enjoy reading. I’m more than happy with my weekly riding lessons. It is the perfect cure for stress and unhappiness. When I ride I tend to forget about all the risks I’m taking and just get my head into it although at times I unbalance and get scared about falling. But I’m thankful I would be taking a plunge in future onto a sandy arena :D
Happy writing, I can’t wait to read more!
It’s a great blog! And it’s true! I’m always begging my mum to get a horse but she says: “I want one too, but lessons are expensive themselves you know!!!!” It is bad news but I think that just being around horses is just as good! Great blog mustangmane!
I want to be a blogger too now!
Thanks you guys for the compliments/comments. 2 of my poems in the loft have been published too, so I hope you enjoy those as well!
Glad you like it.
-mustangmane (MM)
Great blog mustangmane(MM)! =) What you wrote is soooooo true. Having a horse is not just fun and games. It is hard work… but it is diffently worth it!
I loved it, it’s brilliant for your first one! It’s really true, I used to keep asking for a horse, but I helped out at the stables once and it is really hard work, and you have to do it everyday, even if you’re ill.
Again, thanks you guys. I got an email from LeadMare and she said I only need 1 more blog published, then I’ll qualify to be a JB. Hopefully, that happens on June 15 or 16 if I submit a lot of blog entries that day. Yesterday, I thought of 3 blog entries, and 3 stories/poems for the LBC. I put in front of my binder, so that whenever I open it up, I’ll remember!
Speaking of binders, I’m so happy that we don’t have any school, May 23 and 26. (I didn’t say the weekend dates because we don’t have school on the weekends anyway!) and then we get out of school on June 17.
Yay!
-MM
Actually mustangmane, that’s not accurate. You’ve had 1 blog published, that means at least 2 more before you’re eligible. Also, please remember to keep comments on topic. Thanks for respecting the barn rules. We’ll look forward to hearing more from you in June.
Hello. I’m new to this site. I read the things about owning a horse at the top and I agree. I don’t have my own horse, but I usually go to my teacher’s house and ride her horses. One of them had a foal!! Yay!! Anyways, I was thinking… does anyone have any ideas on how to raise money if your a little young to get a job… plus, my parents aren’t animal lovers, but I’m a great rider and love horses more than anything… probably like everyone here! Anyone have any suggestions?
Oh. Okay, LeadMare. Sorry for the error. I’ll keep comments on the topic!
Again sorry about that.
-MM :(
Nice job for your first blog! It has good info, only a few quirks and could flow a little better but over all great job! Hope to see more from you soon!
Also I reallly liked your poem Silver River! You DEFINATLEY need to write more poetry for GHC!
Hi DaybreakFilly-
How to raise money? Well, you can….:
1. Do some chores. You could get payed $10 a week if you dedicate yourself to do it.
2. Save your money. I heard that if you save money and not spend it, you can get more money quicker.
3. It’ll take a while. You have to pay for the horse, the boarding, the tack, and occasionally getting your horse shod.
Hope this helps,
mustangmane
Hi DayBreak Filly! Welcome to GHC! Hope that you enjoy it here. As for your quetion if you go to the Blog Channels menu on the side of this page and select Horse Work you will find a couple ideas I think. Hope you raise enough money.
Mustangmane: Cogradulations! Hope you become a Jr. Blogger!
I still think this a fantastic blog and it made me think about if I was ready for a horse.
DaybreakFilly- A lemonade stand, garage sale or yard sale, donate some old books to libraries, there are many things you can do to raise money. Another fun thing is to make the horse cookies (there is an old blog about making them, and the horses at my barn love them! You could sell them to people so they can give them to their horses!) Just some suggestions. Great blog, MM, I can’t believe it is your first one! It was great!!
U
The exclamation points above were supposed to be a smiley face! If you have any more questions, DaybreakFilly, or anyone, I’m here! Good job again MM, keep up the good work. Bye!!!!!!!!!!!
You could always walk dogs, babysit, mow lawns, pick weeds, things like that around the neighborhood. I’ve heard of lots of people earning at least 200 bucks from that. If your parents aren’t really animal people, don’t bug them constantly to go and see them, but let them see how serious you are about horses. Encourage them to come to any shows you have. Just don’t overwhlem them. Nice to have you joined DF!
Peace, SB
Great ideas!! Thank you guys SO much… for the warm welcome and kindness, and for the ideas. They are great. I’ll try them out. Again, thanks so much. Does anyone here have any horses??
Oh, and GREAT JOB on this blog. It’s awesome!! :)
To Syd-
Thanks,Syd for the compliments. I have 3 more poems, and 3 more blogs already written down for the next submissions. I’m glad you like the poem, Silver River. I personally don’ think that I’m the best at poetry even though I love it and I won, “Best Poet” in 3rd grade. But now that I’m going into 5th next fall, (I’m in 4th now) writing and poetry will be getting harder and more advanced at my school.
To all readers- I also wanted to add 1 more thing….:
There is a 6 mile fire in the Santa Cruz Mountains that is said to be spreading smoke all the way to San Jose. It smells horrible! I went outside and then thought of the horses closer to the fire breathing the smoke. Hopefully, the horses won’t be near the fire, and none of them die from bad air quality.
-MM
Hi,
I’m mustangmane’s best friend and I just joined yesterday. She recommended this site to me. I hope I will be as good as you guys, and will submit good blogs. I like horses, but don’t take lessons. They’re too expensive and I’m not experianced like MM is.
I totally want a horse, but again it’s too expensive. i do have rabbits and turtles, but no horses. Too bad…
Anyways, thanks for being friendly, and I hope I have a fun time.
-HorseCharmer (aka Aphaia)
I hope the horses don’t have breathing problems. They’re strong, though, and hopefully, if the fire gets too close, people will let them out. I’ll pray for them.
Welcome HorseCharmer, I’m DaybreakFilly! :) Welcome to the site. I’m new too! Ooooh, cool, I luv turtles and rabbits. So cute!! I don’t take lessons either, too expensive. But… I’m saving up for summer camp and maybe one day, my own horse. Anyways, welcome and I hope u have a great time here! :)
Daybreak Filly and HorseCharmer: Welcome to the Website! It is an amazing place! Glad that we have some new herd mates and I hope that both of you love the family we have around here!
Mustangmane: I really like your writing. I love this blog and can no wait to read another blog from you! I understand what your saying about the smoke from the fires. Last summer my mom was down by San Diego during all those fires and she saw a news program that the horses down there were having lots of problems ’cause people were forgetting to move them or let them out. It was horrible!
To Horsecrazzz- Thank you for the compliments. Wow, that’s sad. If you think about it, it’s kinda abusing the horse because they’re not letting them out. Glad you like the blog!
To HorseCharmer: Hey! Glad you like the site. I hope you enjoy the site, and when June submissions open, you’ll be able to submit some great blogs and great poems. I know you! You are great at poetry and info. on horses even though you don’t have one. See you tomorrow!
To Daybreak Filly: Enjoy the site. We’re always happy to have new mustangs visiting. That sounds pretty cool. You’re saving up for summer camp? You must be very dedicated.
Have a great Memorial Day!
-mustangmane
thanks horsecrazzz for being so welcoming. i’m happy to have a mustang friend like that!!!!!
-HorseCharmer
Hey, how do u make a blog?
DaybreakFilly, thanks for your interest. Blog submissions are closed until June 14th. In the meantime you can go to the links below for info about how to participate in and contribute to the blog:
GROUND RULES
BLOG HELP/QUESTIONS
Mustangmane and HorseCharmer: Thanks! I luv makin new friends! It is really sad about the horses. Are you supposed to let a horse out in a fire and let them find their own way, or lead them to safety? I never really got confirmation on this from my riding teacher…
Thanks, LeadMare!
I think if there are a lot of horses, and not all can be transported somewhere safe, and the fire is moving quickly, then it is best top let them roam free until the fire ends. We had a HUGE fire nearby a few months ago and they let the horses go because there was no way they could transport them without getting burned because by the time the guy could get the trailer, the fire would have already gotten to them. Besides, even if a horse is tamed, it has wild horse instincts and in the wild, horses face fires. The horses went to higher ground and stayed together, and got as far away as possible from the fires. It was amazing and I was SO relieved.
To Horsecrazzz- I think that you are supposed to just let them out. They can sense the fire, and are probably really skittish. I’ve heard that they also go back to their boarding place because it’s instinct. To let you know too, they always go in herds…. so don’t get worried!
To DaybreakFilly- That’s pretty amazing! You know, horses have very smart and intelligent instincts. You should look up their history online!
-mustangmane
Thanks guys! It really is important for me to know that! You are such a big help!