| You've loved horses ever since you were | | | | then why not just keep taking riding |
| a kid and have always dreamed of owning | | | | lessons? Ask yourself what you really |
| one. You've spent the last three years | | | | love about horses. If you love things |
| taking horseback riding lessons. You | | | | like mucking out, grooming, feeding, and |
| know how to tack up, muck out, and have | | | | taking care of horses, then you would |
| read just about every book out there on | | | | probably make a great horse owner! |
| the care and feeding of horses. No one | | | | • Do you have the time for horse |
| can doubt that you've put your time in. | | | | ownership? No more showing up at the |
| Horses are no fleeting fancy, but are a | | | | barn, riding for an hour, and then |
| hobby that is here to stay! | | | | heading home to your real life. When you |
| So, are you ready to buy your first | | | | are a horse owner, horses are your real |
| horse? Well, before you break out your | | | | life. If you travel frequently, can't or |
| checkbook you need to take stock of a | | | | don't want to commit to a regular |
| few things in your life to determine | | | | schedule, or have a very busy work or |
| whether horse ownership is right for | | | | family life, then this might not be the |
| you. | | | | right time in your life for horse |
| • Do you have the knowledge? How much | | | | ownership. Remember, horses must be fed, |
| time have you really spent around | | | | watered, and cared for according to |
| horses, and has it been hands-on? If you | | | | schedule, and it's up to you to be able |
| ride at a fancy stable that tacks and | | | | to maintain that schedule. |
| untacks your horse for you then guess | | | | • Do you have the space for a horse? |
| what? You aren't having the full horse | | | | You either need good accommodations at |
| experience! Make sure you know what is | | | | home, or you need to find a place to |
| really involved in caring for, feeding, | | | | board your horse. If you are keeping |
| and cleaning up after your horse. A | | | | your horse at home, at the very least he |
| great way to learn about all that is | | | | needs two grassy acres, a run-in shed, |
| involved in horse ownership, without | | | | and an adequate water supply. If you |
| making a long-term commitment, is to | | | | keep your horse at home you also need to |
| lease a horse. Try leasing a horse for a | | | | know that he'll appreciate some company. |
| year or two and then decide if horse | | | | It's best if you have room for an |
| ownership is really for you. | | | | additional horse, a goat, or some other |
| • Now that you know what is involved, | | | | companionable animal. |
| do you have the desire? Horse ownership | | | | Remember, owning a horse is hard work |
| is a tremendous amount of work. Are you | | | | and can be extremely taxing on your time |
| up for it? If you aren't, that's | | | | and resources. Before you embark on the |
| perfectly okay. If you really love | | | | exciting journey of horse ownership, |
| riding horses but don't enjoy all the | | | | make sure you are ready! |
| extra stuff that goes along with them, | | | | |