Adding any new animals to your homestead is a big commitment, but a horse raises a whole range of things to think about. If you have been dreaming of owning a horse since you were a kid now that you have a little land, you may feel like it is the right time to go ahead and turn your dream into a reality.
However, before you rush out to buy a horse, there are many things to consider to make sure that you are not only making the right decision by purchasing a horse, but also that you pick the right horse for you.
The Cost to Buy a Horse
Cost is always a massive thing to think about when buying a horse, as they require a big financial commitment. Having the money to purchase the horse in the first place is one thing, but keep in mind the continual costs that can arise, such as stable bills, shoeing, food, vet bills, insurance…and the list goes on.
To help you navigate your way through equine law, you may want to use the specialized services of an equine lawyer to help with the purchase agreement.
There Will Be a Time Commitment
If you are already rushed off your feet taking care of your homestead, adding a horse to the mix could leave you struggling to complete all your jobs. The commitment to buy a horse is big terms of time and money, and your commitment to taking care of them needs to be for the long run.
Stables Are Necessary
Do you have somewhere for your horse to live already available on your land? If so, you will need to make sure that it is the right size for your new addition.
If you don’t have enough space to house your horse on the homestead, you will need to look around for boarding to find one with the right amount of space for your horse, and in a location that you can easily access to take care of your horse.
Choose the Right Horse
Choosing the right horse for you is such as personal decision to make. However, there are a few things to think about to make sure that you find a horse that is perfect for you:
Who will be riding the horse? Will it just be yourself, or are you planning to let younger members of the family learn to ride on it? If your horse will be ridden by a range of people with different levels of experience, you will need to choose a horse that will feel comfortable with this.
Do you have the time, knowledge and experience needed to train a younger horse, or would you be better with an older horse with more experience?
Buying a good horse and then taking care of it, is never a decision to be taken lightly. Even on days when you don’t feel like it, you will need to go out and take care of your horse. However, despite owning a horse being time-consuming and expensive, it can also be a hugely rewarding and enjoyable experience.
As a horse owner and a retired breeder, I always ask my potential buyers have they considered the end before they begin? All those what if’s that you really do not want to have come about but eventually do. I ask them too, how long do you think a horse lives? Where do they plan on keeping it, is it zoned properly, So many things to know before getting one. Do they know how to ride? Can they get tack, what breed is suitable.. there are 1001 questions to ask yourself before you get on. In short, horses are easy to buy but harder to sell so be careful! The market is flooded with too many horses and rescues will play on your emotions vs your common sense. Do not buy on impulse.
Great points made, Karen! Smart to ask questions before the poor horse becomes a problem due to lack of forethought!
Buying or loaning any horse is a very time-consuming hobby. Consideration needs to be given as to how you would adapt your daily routine to care for a horse.