For many horse lovers and enthusiasts, there comes a time when they are looking to make the leap into horse ownership. This is an exciting and very rewarding venture, as you are able to bond with your horse and build a deep relationship with them. However, purchasing a horse is not a decision that should be taken lightly. In this blog, we explore some of the considerations that you should take into account and questions you should ask yourself when deciding whether or not horse ownership is right for you and your family.
Why do I want a horse? Do I want to ride or do I want an equine companion?
To begin with, it is important to assess your reasons for purchasing a horse. Is a horse a part of your future goals or do you simply feel that it is the next logical progression in your equestrian career? There are many wonderful reasons why you should consider purchasing a horse. Maybe you have competitive aspirations, perhaps you want to explore the surrounding trail system on horseback, or maybe you would like to just be around a horse and groom it daily and enjoy building a relationship with them; all of these are perfectly acceptable answers. Before you purchase a horse, it is important to establish the reason why you would like to have a horse in your life, since this will impact what horse you choose to purchase as well as drive other decisions.
What is my realistic budget every month?
It is easy to sugarcoat this… but the fact is… horses are expensive. There are a number of ways to reduce costs (keeping a horse at home, not competing, etc.), but the truth of the matter is that there are many unforeseen expenses that may pop up. In addition to making sure your budget can support board (if applicable), feed, tack, supplements, farrier expenses, and routine veterinary care, it is essential to make sure that you are prepared for emergency situations such as medical expenses. In addition, be prepared for hidden expenses such as an increase in your gas consumption driving to the barn or an increase in property taxes if you choose to build a barn on your property.
What is my commitment level?
Again, there is no right or wrong answer to this or any of these questions. However, it is important to do a bit of soul searching before you decide to buy a horse. Do you want to ride multiple days a week or would you prefer a once-a-week lesson? How will you feel if your horse is lame and you are unable to ride for several days or even weeks? Dedicated equestrians are able to commit large amounts of time to caring for their horse’s needs. Sometimes leasing horses or taking consistent lessons are also other great ways to continue your equestrian pursuits if you are not sure if you can be fully committed both financially and timewise.
Do you want to have a horse at your house or board it at a facility?
Owning a horse is a big responsibility, no matter how you choose to do it. However, where you decide to keep your horse will impact the amount of time that you need to spend doing chores. Generally speaking, it is less expensive to keep your horse at your house (provided you have an adequate facility) but it requires more hands-on time cleaning stalls, feeding horses, fixing fence lines, etc. Typically, it is more costly to board your horse at an outside facility, but it allows you to leave on vacations, stay late at work, or enjoy your children’s soccer game without worry. There are pros and cons to each approach, but, for beginner equestrians, it is generally recommended that they plan to keep a new horse at a boarding facility for at least a few months. This will give you professional guidance to keep both you and your horse safe.
How much horse experience do I have?
This is a big one. Generally, people with little to no experience with horses should take lessons for a while before deciding to purchase a horse. This will help give you the proper horsemanship skills to care for your horse. Even if you have ridden for years, it is a good idea to quiz yourself about the day-to-day equine husbandry practices that you have been taught. Having limited experience when purchasing a horse means that you need to find an equestrian mentor that you can trust… which leads us to our next question.
Do I have a mentor who can support me?
Many equestrians will reflect back on the various horse people who have supported them along their journey and helped them to build their horsemanship skills and skills in the saddle. Having a trusted mentor with equestrian experience will help you not only choose the right horse, but also give you pointers for caring for your horse and the local equestrian community (such as finding a farrier or locating high quality hay). Many equestrians turn to their instructors or trainers for advice, but a horse-loving neighbor or friend can be equally as valuable.
What does the future look like for me and my family? What are my riding goals for the future?
Taking a look at your long- and short-term goals for your family is important. Are you planning to move across the country? Perhaps planning to add to your family? Do you have aging parents that you will need to help care for? While horses can fit into any lifestyle, it is important to be realistic about what will be happening in the future. You may find that leasing a horse for a few years allows you to be more flexible in your options. Maybe your children will be leaving the house soon and you will have extra time on your hands. Perhaps you are feeling secure in your position at work and foresee being there for the long run. So you may find that it is the perfect time to purchase a horse.
Have you owned other animals?
While a minor consideration, it is important to think about your experience with animals in the past. Generally, caring for a cat or dog helps you to understand the responsibilities that come with a pet. Horses need a large commitment on your end to thrive. No matter what your past experience with animals is, make sure that you are able to dedicate the resources necessary to your horse. You will soon discover that they will become a part of your family!
These questions are designed to help you determine if you are ready for horse ownership or if leasing a horse may make more sense. They will also help you decide what type of horse you want to start looking for and how you should prepare for their arrival.
At The Cheshire Horse, we love talking with new and aspiring horse owners! If you have any questions regarding the tack and supplies you will need, we encourage you to reach out to a member of our friendly and knowledgeable sales staff.
It’s so important that prospective horse owners read this article! Because horses are such beautiful, enticing animals, it’s easy to fantasize life owning one.
I think most every horse lover can attest to that, making your straightforward advice a valuable reality check. As a backyard horse owner of 16 years now, I can honestly say that while I wouldn’t trade this profound experience for anything, the reality is that the work (and financial obligation) does take its toll over time. If you have a family or spouse, it affects them a great deal as well- something one must not overlook (perhaps something to expand upon in a future article).
Thank you!