Planning a life with horses - am I crazy?

[2468herdsrgr8]

Been there ! I am 40 something and my dream of owning a horse finally came true this month...
We moved out to the country three years ago ....we all took lessons in western discipline ,hubby and I and son and daughter....my husband grew up around horses ....our son stopped taking lessons when he realized there was no play station connection on the saddle and hubby already new the proper way to ride basically ....but I wanted to learn the "proper" way to ride and I also wanted our daughter to learn also...so we took two yrs of lessons together....alot of Tylenol...ha ha !!
Daughter did her two years of lessons and we bought her a horse and now she has started taking english lessons ...because she really doesnt know what she wants to do...her horse is trained in English and western...
I suggest you take lessons with adults.....our coach was great for kids ..thats what I wish I started doing right from the beginning ..is I should have road and learned with other adults....I just wanted to do the mother daughter thing at the beginning.....i now take lessons with a trainer and I am learning alot more ....take lessons first ...even try and partboard a horse to see if your committed...
I love the country ...I wouldnt move anywhere else now...and all your critters will love it also...
We also have fantastic neighbours...alot of horse people....

Forgot to add..Welcome to BYH....Have fun in your lessons...Nothing like sitting on my back deck with my coffee early in the morning watching our three horses graze....or going out to the pasture for a one on one talk with your horse and give them a good scratch....and a big hug....Go for it girl...get a stool !

 

[Countrymom]

Thank you so much to all of you for your amazing advice and encouraging words. More than anyone else you all probably know what a foolhardy mission I am seeking, so I really appreciate your kind words -- in spite of my ignorance!!

I was already thinking it would be a horse in his/her teens, but I think freemotion's advice to lease at first is a really good idea. And I was definitely thinking I would find a stable or instructor to help us out.

I just made an appointment today for lessons.

I have been lurking here for a while, and I really enjoy reading all of your posts, seeing pics of all your gorgeous horses, and hearing all the love you have for them. I think you all are so incredibly lucky, and I hear your appreciation in your posts.

I will keep you all posted! Hopefully in about a year and a half I'll be asking for some really specific advice...

Don't be afraid of the older horse for a beginning horse. They still are plenty healthy enough and have so much to offer. My 12 yr old daughter is competeing on a 24 yr old and my 10 yr old daughter on a 22 yr old horse. My son learned to ride on a 21 yr old horse and I still maintain my oldest's first horse who is 21 this year. Incrediable how they are full of themselves. Don't rule out the teen pluses!

 

[Bronco Hollow]

Oh yea... I purchased an 20 year old as a horse for DS or horseless friends. That mare was a grade quarter horse, all brown and no chrome what-so-ever BUT she had been there and done that. We rode her for several years until she was showing signs that she couldn't do the harder rides we were doing. [8-10 hour back country in rough terrain] I found a young girl wanting to show and she reminded me of me at her age...so we sold her. Last I heard she was going strong and they were winning ribbons. That mare was awesome.

Point of the story is I doubt you'll be riding that hard [as hubby and I], so don't be afraid of late teen or a 20 year old horse. When you get ready to purchase DO get a vet check before you sign the final papers.

OH, and I don't think for a minute you are on a foolhardy mission!
We all started somewhere, and I know for me and probably for every one else here, it tickles me to see someone get back or start into horses.... I feel your excitment...!!

 

[city girl]

2468hersrgr8 wrote: "Nothing like sitting on my back deck with my coffee early in the morning watching our three horses graze....or going out to the pasture for a one on one talk with your horse and give them a good scratch....and a big hug..."



WOW, I can only imagine.

 

[2468herdsrgr8]

You can make it come true for you also...you dont need a deck just a chair and a coffee...
We had lessons again last night all three of us...we had a blast....all three of us learned something...I sang micheal jackson songs to my horse on the ride home...

 

[Kelly G]

I have had horses - and been horse-crazed - for my entire life (I'm 40+ now).

The best horses are those that have some miles on them...and bless the older geldings!

My horse of a lifetime was a Morgan that I purchased when he was 15 - we won EVERYTHING!!!

Consider the golden oldies!

 

[jettesunn05]

Go for it. I remind my BF often that horses are so much easier to take care of then my dog, my chickens, and the goats. They are expensive but so worth it. I have a 19 year old horse I ride I take it easy on him only because I can imagine that he would like to retire. My horses are so spoiled. Do your research! I like to think that you can never do enough reserach(with reliable resources of course) I learned alot just from reading. Find a large animal vet in your area also. Build up a relationship with the vet. Never be afraid to ask questions no matter how small it may seem, you can never be to careful. I have ridden for 14 years and still ask for advice. The two main things I have learned from horses is responsiblity and PATIENCE. And like everyone knows here, they are beautiful creatures but to be taken seriously.

 

[city girl]

Does anyone have any book suggestions?

I have a year before we even move up there, and my daughter and I are now taking regular lessons. (She is almost six, and god bless her, she is catching the horse bug! Wants to talk about horses constantly, and is devastated she is missing a lesson this weekend because we are going away.)

I am using this year to do a lot of research. I have learned of a 'horse whisperer' guy up in the area of the Catskills where we are going to move. We're going to take lessons from him in August when we are up there for a couple of weeks. If he is as great as my friend says, maybe he will be our guide and advisor when we get up there.

Even though I am inexperienced with horses, I have enough experience with other animals, that I don't take choosing an animal lightly. We will definitely be finding someone who can guide us.

But any books or magazines you all recommend? I feel like I am 12 again -- just want to read about horses constantly!

 

[Farmer Kitty]

I can't help you with a specific book but, I would recommend checking out the library. See what they have and check them out. This way you can test drive a book before you buy it and see if it's one that you really want.

 

[Countrymom]

I agree with Farmer Kitty on checking out from the library. I do recommend most anything published by Cherry Hill. She has some good basic health care and handling books. Also some arena books that are neat. I do not recommend Monty Roberts stuff. I find his over glorified.

There are a bunch of magazines out there that I am sure you could pick up and read without spending a fortune on a book. Sampling them will tell you what you want to read.