My boyfriends cousin owns 5 horses, in which one is on its way in spring. They are giving the colt to me for free, which would is my first horse. She said that training horses are easy and willing to help. However, in order for them to give me the horse is that i need a place to board. The horse is a mix breed. but not sure what types of breeds. I used to work as a volunteer at a stable for 5 years, but that was years ago. so basically i don't remember much about horses than i used too. She also said that the best time getting a horse is when its very young, plus she said that its expensive to buy a horse when their older. Is it expensive to keep a horse?? Can you guys give me some advice!! Thanks!!

snoopy01

Keep in mind that there is no such thing as a 'free horse'. Figure on at least $200/month to take care of your horse and maybe two or three times that (especially if someone else boards your horse, rather than you doing it yourself). If this seems high to you, check out http://wowhorses.com/cost-of-a-horse.html

How old is the horse? Most horses need about 3 years before they are ready to ride. Getting on a horse which is too young can permanently damage it's back and other parts. If the foal is a new-born, you may have to pay 3 years of stabling (plus medical, ferrier and other costs). If you are using a professional stable, this could over the 3 years run you $10,000 (see the reference in previous paragraph). If you want the fun of seeing a foal mature, fair enough. However, if your objective is to ride, you can likely buy a mature and trained horse for less than than, which you can start riding immediately.

Don't get too excited by the idea of getting a 'free horse'. The cost of a horse is keeping it, plus the associated costs (e.g. medical, training, saddle and tack, etc.). For the average horse, purchase price is relatively small. So, forget about the idea that it is free. Think of it as a very expensive business (e.g. minimum $2000/year for many years). Then think about what you want (e.g. a foal, a riding horse, etc.). Given the size of your investment, make sure that what you are getting is exactly what you want, or it isn't a good investment of your money and time.

sercet star

yes it expensive but it doesnt matter about the cost it would enjoy doing it or not if you get foal you need to train it or the foal is going to messed up! Buying the horse is cheapest part paying everything else is diffcult you got pay food vet bills and all rest !! BUT goodluck whatever you do

AuntSwee

I was a stable hand at a boarding place for horses. The saddest part of the day was when the horses would look for thier owners who never showed up. I would work for 10 to 12 hours in the barns. Most of the horses knew me better than thier own owners. I would make me so angry to see these beautiful smart animals just stand in the stall day after day. Mostly because the owners would leave instructions that they be the only ones to exercise the horse, then the horse would only come out when the stall was being cleaned or once a week. If you are going to take on this responsiblity PLEASE see your life long friend more than once a week. I no longer work at the horse place because I couldn't take how people wanted a horse for a status symbol.

energyze

Hi,
She said that training horses are easy and willing to help
Horses are not easy to train, especially if you are inexperienced. They take commitment, time and money. To someone who is'nt experienced, a foal is the worse type of horse to get. You really need to know what you are doing and commit yourself to spending large amounts of time, EVERY day, come rain or shine, to train and care for it. Horses are like a bottomless pit when it comes to money and unless you are truly commited, I would urge you to think twice.
Yes, foals are very cute, but what would you do when it satrts getting bolshy and hot headed. Be honest with yourself, how much do you know. It is a horses life you could ruin as it will not forget its early lessons.
If you are serious about wanting a horse, then I would suggest that you spend as much time as possible around them. Help out with friends, or work volountarily in a stable. read as much as you can. Begin riding again.
The best sort of horse for someone like yourself would be a schoolmaster horse, who will forgiive you your incompetance and will help you learn and who has had all the groundwork done already.. Not, a foal who will be relying on you for proper training, commitment and care.
Unless you have loads of money and can pay for someone to give you professional help to give this foal the best start in life, then I would seriously forget it.
I dont mean to sound harsh, I'm sure you are acting with the best of intentions, but it is a HUGE thing to take on board. Seriously, think very long and hard about this.

shazamataz

She's had 2 years to think about it
Thread is from 2007

energyze

oh yes!!! oops!!
Thanks for that, I will make sure I read the date before I put my energy into writing back!!
Get a bit carried away when its to do with horses!!
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