| You have decided you want a horse. Great! Given | | | | weekends riding in the country, win a world |
| the current state of the horse market there are | | | | championship at a breed show, work cattle, rope, |
| many horses who need homes. The price of | | | | barrel race or jump? All horses can do most |
| buying a horse has never been cheaper. But - | | | | things, though not equally well. The higher your |
| what must be considered before you buy that | | | | goals, the more specific you need to be when |
| pretty purple halter and look for a pony face to | | | | selecting your equine partner. Be certain the horse |
| put it on? | | | | you select already knows how to do what you |
| 1. The purchase price of a horse is the cheapest | | | | have in mind. Unless you are an experienced |
| part. We won't even worry about how much to | | | | trainer, test ride the horse in the event of your |
| pay for a horse. Expenses simply begin to add up | | | | choice before you buy; do not buy a 'prospect.' |
| as soon as you take ownership. | | | | 9. How much time have you budgeted for your |
| 2. Where are you going to keep your horse? To | | | | horse? I always tell prospective owners, "You can |
| pasture a horse and rely on grass as the main | | | | have a horse or you can have a life. You can't |
| source of feed, you'll need between five and fifty | | | | have both." This isn't just a piece of property |
| acres depending on where you live. More horses, | | | | you're thinking about. Horses are herd animals in |
| more acres. | | | | need of leadership, companionship and relationship. |
| 3. Let's assume you have sufficient pastureland. | | | | If you just want a pasture ornament, great. But, |
| To maintain good pasture you have to mow, | | | | buy at least two. Don't keep a horse alone unless |
| weed kill and fertilize as required or you'll end up | | | | you are prepared to spend hours with it every |
| with a dry lot full of manure and weeds. | | | | day. |
| 4. Whether you keep your horse in a pasture or | | | | 10. Have we talked yet about veterinarians and |
| dirt corral, you will need to provide a suitable | | | | farriers? The amount of routine and preventative |
| shelter from rain, cold, snow or sun. Have you | | | | care needed to properly maintain your horse is |
| included a horse house in your budget? If your | | | | significant. In most areas of the country your |
| horse's shelter isn't sturdy and safe, I promise | | | | horse will need to be shod every six weeks. If |
| you will be calling the vet to stitch or patch | | | | you live where there are no rocks you can get |
| injuries caused by screws, nails, wire, loose boards | | | | by with just a trim. Still, you may expect to pay |
| or sharp metal edges. | | | | between $35 and $125 every six weeks just for |
| 5. Horses eat a lot. Have you ever heard the | | | | manicures. Horses need annual vaccinations, |
| saying, "He eats like a horse?" Hay, pelleted feed | | | | worming from four to eight times each year, |
| and oats are very expensive. You could easily | | | | dental check-ups for sharp teeth annually and |
| spend $5 - $10 per day on feed alone. Providing | | | | yearly Coggins tests (by law.) Expect to budget |
| clean, high quality feed is important. If you skimp | | | | another $500 to $1000 yearly for basic |
| in consistent quantity or quality, you'll need to get | | | | healthcare. Depending on your area this amount |
| out the phone and call the vet again when your | | | | could be significantly more. Unforeseen problems? |
| horse colics. | | | | Get out the checkbook. |
| 6. Do you have basic tack and equipment? Saddle, | | | | Okay, add up the numbers. Consider the time |
| bridle, halters, leads, buckets, boots (for both you | | | | commitment. I know it seems almost too much. |
| and the horse), curry and brushes, hoof pick, | | | | But, not if you have the time and place in your |
| longe line, longe whip, clippers? The list is endless; | | | | heart for one of the most rewarding relationships |
| just take a walk through one of the horse tack | | | | ever offered a human being. If you're still reading, |
| and equipment catalogs. | | | | you're still interested. |
| 7. Do you need lessons? Horses are wonderful | | | | Nothing compares to the connection possible |
| animals; they will give you the most honest | | | | between human and horse. There are few |
| feedback possible on earth. One of you is always | | | | experiences as magical as those moments when |
| certain to learn leadership skills. If you're not sure | | | | the two of you fly across the landscape as one, |
| how to be a good leader, be sure to budget for | | | | or simply spend a warm summer evening, lazing |
| lessons with a reputable trainer. | | | | together under a shady tree sharing each other's |
| 8. Make sure you know what you want to do | | | | thoughts. |
| with your new horse. Do you want to spend | | | | |