Do You Ride Horses?

[Bluebird22]

Upward of 1,500 at least! Even ponies. And if you have never ridden it will cost even more because the horse will have to be bomb proof in addition to be completely trained. I was looking at retrained ottb's and and only saw one for 1,500. Now if there is a lesson barn near you (if so, please take lessons!!) sometimes they sell lesson horses they can't use anymore (but usually they retire lesson horses because they need expensive shots or just don't work well there) those horses will be cheaper. Just a question, if you have never ridden, do you think it is wise to get a horse?

Smokey: that sounds great then. I was offered to enter trail in the show (am email was sent out asking if anyone could be in the class because right now there are only two people showing In Trail) but I turned it down since Robert hasn't any trail at all.
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I have so many animals to take care of this week! I'm addiction to my very demanding dog and rabbit, I am cat sitting two cats, rabbit sitting, and doing full care of Robert all week. Then if that wasn't enough, I need to pack everything of Robert's up (and sore out what I need from his tack box), take home his saddle, girth, and bridle to be cleaned, get the days I am bringing in/turning out figured out, and finish my posters. HELP! Lol.

[J e n n y]

I have ridden, i just dont ride... I have ridden a horse over the years, but I don't have a horse to ride, so therefore, I do not ride.
I can't get one though I don't have the money to take care of one.

[opal.]

Hey you guys! I am J e n n y and I don't ride horses... YET. I am trying to convince my mother to get me one.. I am not sure though. We are on the borders of the city and country line (In the city technically) and I was wondering... how much in USD would JUST a horse cost? (Already trained for riding) Not the hay, saddle, etc. Just the horse. Any ideas?

I think the point Bluebird is trying to make is that we wouldn't advise you getting a horse unless you've already had quite a bit of experience with them. Horses are a lot of work, and I would never advise anyone who hardly has any experience with them just to buy one. Not only would this mean you probably wouldn't be able to identify a good horse to buy in the first place, but horses aren't really "learn as you go along" types of animals. As Hime said, can you identify lameness? Basic diseases? Do you know how to tack up and untack a horse? What discipline would you be riding? Can you pick a horses feet? Do you know basic "danger zones" around horses? Would you have anyone you would be able to consult or that could teach you otherwise? Do you know how to blanket a horse? Whether a certain type of saddle might make him sore depending on the height of his withers? Steps you can take to prevent colic? The fact that you have to deworm and shoe your horse regularly?

It's not just hay and board. I would /highly/ advise against getting a horse right now until you've taken some lessons. In fact, I wouldn't advise anyone buying a horse until they'd been taking lessons for /years/. If you'd like to learn to ride, buying a horse and just "seeing how it goes", essentially, is /not/ the way to do it. If you had more experience with horses you would know this.

Sorry to be so harsh, but I really, really don't think it's a good idea to get a horse.

[MochaTheLlama]

I have ridden, i just dont ride... I have ridden a horse over the years, but I don't have a horse to ride, so therefore, I do not ride.
I can't get one though I don't have the money to take care of one.

You don't have to buy a horse to ride it. ^^ I don't own Poco, I lease him.
Leasing a horse is like the same thing, except less money and hassle. You don't have to pay vet bill when they get hurt, you don't have to pay farrier bills, or any of that! You are usually required to take lessons though, which isn't bad it all because it's what makes you a good rider. Plus, usually in a lease you can go out whenever you want two or three times a week. If you lease a horse you usually only go out there one other time in the week besides lessons anyways.
The thing with leases though, is you have to know what kind of riding you want to do ( english jumping, english dressage, western pleasure, etc. ) and you have to find a good, reliable barn.

[gam]

Or even better, take lessons! To buy and own a horse you need to be experienced around horses. Taking lesson will not only teach you how to ride, but how to take care of a horse and how to behave around them. After a while taking lessons, then try a lease, but if you still want to buy, then ask your trainer. It helps a ton to have the opinion of a trained professional instructor on what's right for you. Baby steps!

[I ♥ My Appaloosa]

I ride English on my appaloosa. I do cross country and I am learning hunter jumping

[AnimalTraining101]

@Krazy-The appy is beautiful!!!!

@Jenny lessons would probably be a better route to take truthfully if you don't have that much experience it won't get you anywhere. I learned from experience. You need to learn how to take care of a horse before you get it and learn how to be alpha horse.

[opal.]

I have been riding for four years English, riding my appaloosa Chester, my usernames explanation. I hunter jump a lot and I am training for cross country.
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@KrazyAppaloosaRider
I think you said the same thing just a page ago. I'm sorry we missed your first post, but if you could simply quote it and ask if that was missed it is less "spammy". Also, you might want to wait a little longer for people to post a response before quoting/reposting the exact same thing. Your appaloosa is very pretty and I'm glad you're enjoying riding.

[excalibur.]

@everyone: I am getting another horse (yay) for eventing. I am either getting a Irish Sports Horse, Thoroughbred, Dutch Warmblood, Hanoverian or Oldenburg. Which horse breed do you think would be better suited for three day eventing?

[opal.]

@everyone: I am getting another horse (yay) for eventing. I am either getting a Irish Sports Horse, Thoroughbred, Dutch Warmblood, Hanoverian or Oldenburg. Which horse breed do you think would be better suited for three day eventing?

I would go with a Duchy if you had the choice. TB's are amazing for those who can't affored the extremely pricey warmbloods. Hanoverians are a /dream/ for dressage, but there are better breeds for jumping. Irish Sport horses are good and lanky for jumping but their movement isn't spectuacular for dressage (although Ringwood Magister was in Olympic dressage, I found his conformation and movement medicore, thus why he didn't score as highly as the others). Oldenburgs are really well rounded but I'd prefer a Duchy over an Oldenburgh personally.

I am /so/ jealous you can afford multiple warmbloods XD You'll have to get pics once you get him/her!