A horse can be expensive to keep with feed, tack, vet, farrier, vaccinations, stable tools, lessons, fencing, shelter, bedding, and supplies.
Many of these are recurring monthly costs.
So before going shopping and buying into horse ownership, make sure you are ready for the financial commitment.
Owning a horse can help bring a family together and help teach responsibility to children.
A family horse encourages teamwork in caring for the horse and to take part in the enjoyment of riding activities.
When other family members are interested in contributing to the caring of the horse, it is a lot of fun spending time together doing chores and riding as a family.
The hard work of caring for a horse helps children develop a good work ethic.
Also, children gain self-assurance when being around and handling a large horse.
These characteristics will carry into adulthood.
Horses must be cared for every day of the year regardless of holidays, vacations, illness, or times of crisis.
If you are going to be away at any time, you need someone readily available and dependable to care for your horse in your absence.
Horses not only need to be fed, but their stall will need regular cleaning.
You will also need to be available for vet and farrier visits.
If you can't make this type of commitment, it is best to keep your horse at a boarding stable and pay someone else to take care of your horse.
Costs will be much higher, and you won't be able to spend as much time with your horse, but your worries will be fewer.
Boarding stables may provide ways to reduce costs such as allowing you to work occasionally around the stable doing chores such as mucking stalls, feeding and grooming, and exercising horses.
Alternatives to Owning a Horse There are alternatives to horse ownership if you decide you are not quite ready.
Taking riding lessons allows you to be around horses while improving your riding skills.
You get to participate in all the fun activities without having all the hard work and other expenses.
Horse camps are just about everywhere for both adults and children and allow you to spend lots of time with horses.
These camps are designed to teach you horsemanship and provide extensive training and riding.
Leasing a horse is a good option if you are uncertain about a long-term commitment.
With a leased horse, you have the full responsibility of ownership, but if you later decide keeping your own horse is not for you, or the horse is not suitable, you are not stuck with the horse.
Co-ownership with a friend who is also a horse enthusiast is another way to reduce or share chores and expenses.
You both get the enjoyment of having a horse, but with less cost and labor.
This also allows you to more easily schedule for vacations.
Many of these are recurring monthly costs.
So before going shopping and buying into horse ownership, make sure you are ready for the financial commitment.
Owning a horse can help bring a family together and help teach responsibility to children.
A family horse encourages teamwork in caring for the horse and to take part in the enjoyment of riding activities.
When other family members are interested in contributing to the caring of the horse, it is a lot of fun spending time together doing chores and riding as a family.
The hard work of caring for a horse helps children develop a good work ethic.
Also, children gain self-assurance when being around and handling a large horse.
These characteristics will carry into adulthood.
Horses must be cared for every day of the year regardless of holidays, vacations, illness, or times of crisis.
If you are going to be away at any time, you need someone readily available and dependable to care for your horse in your absence.
Horses not only need to be fed, but their stall will need regular cleaning.
You will also need to be available for vet and farrier visits.
If you can't make this type of commitment, it is best to keep your horse at a boarding stable and pay someone else to take care of your horse.
Costs will be much higher, and you won't be able to spend as much time with your horse, but your worries will be fewer.
Boarding stables may provide ways to reduce costs such as allowing you to work occasionally around the stable doing chores such as mucking stalls, feeding and grooming, and exercising horses.
Alternatives to Owning a Horse There are alternatives to horse ownership if you decide you are not quite ready.
Taking riding lessons allows you to be around horses while improving your riding skills.
You get to participate in all the fun activities without having all the hard work and other expenses.
Horse camps are just about everywhere for both adults and children and allow you to spend lots of time with horses.
These camps are designed to teach you horsemanship and provide extensive training and riding.
Leasing a horse is a good option if you are uncertain about a long-term commitment.
With a leased horse, you have the full responsibility of ownership, but if you later decide keeping your own horse is not for you, or the horse is not suitable, you are not stuck with the horse.
Co-ownership with a friend who is also a horse enthusiast is another way to reduce or share chores and expenses.
You both get the enjoyment of having a horse, but with less cost and labor.
This also allows you to more easily schedule for vacations.