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horse lovers
I have been looking for a beginners horse for myself and 4 daughters for months now. I 've tried locally, newpaper, rescues and no luck. My big hurtle is that my husband won't pay over $500. The daily cost and up keep isn't an issue. I'm getting desperate, I've been riding and I'm an ok beginner rider but I don't want to be great just good enough to share some small easy trail rides w/ a horse on our farm. A senior horsewould be perfect. Its a childhood dream to have a horse to love and take good care of. Does anyone have any ideas? Anyone have or know of a horse that needs a new home? [img]/forums/images/icons/confused.gif[/img]
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Re: horse lovers
$500 is not a reasonable price for a horse. I got all three of my horses from a horse rescue group, where they buy up horses destined for the meat market at auctions. My wife and I are not accomplished riders either, and two of the horses we got are quarterhorse geldings who had been at a summer camp that closed. They were starved and skin and bones, but we got them back into great shape. They are gentle, sweet and loving, and since they were used to having kids riding on them, they're pretty much bomb proof. But even from a rescue group, you have to reimburse their expenses, such as the cost for them at the auction and vet and farrier fees. Our two boys cost us $1600 for the two of them, which I consider incredibly cheap, considering what great horses they are.
Very occasionally you hear about someone willing to give up a horse to a good home, but usually there are issues of some sort with the horse. Tell your husband he's not being realistic, because he's not. Then contact the horse rescue groups in your area, and tell them what you're looking for.
Just remember, horses are wonderful animals, but they are a lot of work, and are expensive to keep, even if you have a barn, considering vet and farrier fees.
Also...one more thing. Horses are herd animals, and you really should have at least two. Some horses will enjoy a goat or two as a companion, but a horse alone can lead to trouble. They will get bored and lonely, and all sorts of negative behaviors could develop, such as cribbing, where the horse bites on wood in his/her stall or fences while swallowing air. It's a destructive habit, and believe it or not, they get sort of a high out of it, so it's very addicting, especially to a bored and lonely horse. You have to realize that horses are intelligent and social animals, with many needs.
Good luck!!!
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Re: horse lovers
Believe me, I sadly know that $500 is not reasonable. This is killing me, it like I can touch my dream w/ my finger tips but can't grab it. I have one rescue that has been conversing w/ me, just don't have a beginners horse. Just like when you go car shopping, your already sold when you go, its just which one, so I'm having a hard time w/ the waiting game.
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Re: horse lovers
I agree with everything Rich said. Your target price is too low and more than one horse is mandatory, IMO. When we got our first one, we had to wait until our barn was finished (you have a place to keep the horse, right?) to get our second. It was enough to break your heart to see a horse all alone. Fortunately, a neighbor down the road had horses and theirs and ours could 'talk' and visit occasionally.
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Re: horse lovers
yes, we have a 11'x 12' stall and we'll keep the horse w/ the 2 calves in the pasture, not the stall. The stall is empty and lonely. [img]/forums/images/icons/crazy.gif[/img]
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Re: horse lovers
If you're really set on getting just one horse, ask your local rescue groups if they have any companion horses. Companion horses have some kind of issue that makes them unrideable, but they're still good company for another horse. Occasionally, a rescue group may give one to a good home. Even a companion horse can be an enjoyable pet. We consider all three of our horses pets, and we would love them just as much even if we could never ride them again. Horses are very social, and usually enjoy human companionship, and are very responsive. Unfortunately, unless you plan on moving into the barn, a horse still needs a full time companion, so please think twice before getting a single horse. I really don't know if horses and cows are compatible as companion animals. I know they can graze together, but I don't know if they interact enough to keep a horse from getting terribly bored and lonely.
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Re: horse lovers
I couldn't agree with Rich and Mike more. The initial cost of the horse is the easy part. If you can only afford $500 for a horse, and I don't mean to be cruel, but you shouldn't have a horse. One vet emergency will be more than $500. You will spend $500 or more in one year of good foot care. $500 won't even buy you a good saddle. And I see this all the time too where people buy a cheap saddle that doesn't fit the horse and then wonder why the horse won't behave. Well it's because he's hurting. Heck you'll spend $500 a year in sawdust if you are keeping him in a stall any amount of time. Horses are expensive IF you take care of them. You'll spend almost that much in good vet care for a year. I really hate to see this kind of thing. People want to pay nothing for a horse and think they won't have to pay anything to keep the horse.
You get what you pay for. You need to spend at least $1500 and up for a good broke younger healthy horse. Also just remember when you are looking for that dirt cheap horse. Ask yourself how much your life and the lives of your children are worth. One bad accident with a cheap horse nobody wanted and that $500 will be the last thing you think about. Also one trip to the doctor for a broken bone or worse will take care of that $500 plus alot more.
If I sound harsh I am trying to be. If you can only afford $500 now then save up for a couple years and get a couple thousand together that will buy a reasonable horse. Also make sure you've budgeted at least $100 or more a month for care for the horse. Also you need to budget at least a $1000 for good tack and basic horse supplies. Horses are not cheap. And they can be very dangerous even under the best of circumstances. You said you had four daughters. I don't think you could live with yourself if something bad happened because you bought the cheapest horse, cheapest tack, and gave the cheapest care to the horse. Best of luck to you but go in with your eyes wide open.
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Re: horse lovers
COWBOYDOC, it's funny U said that! I'm a want a be writer & I just finished a 3 page article on "Horse for Sale"!! Ma'm take all this as constructive critizim! The boys are right & U don't want to take the most valued possessions you got( U'r children) and put them on a horse that could possibly kill them or injury them for live!!! The expense ='s to 50 lbs of feed a wk(at least) and hay, figure a bale a week, horse shoer every six wks or so! Normal vets bills not including the accidents & injuries! Oh yeah, tack, let's see English, western or austraian! Now let's multiply that by 4 girls! Sorry! Don't even think about X's 4! I'll tell U what, your best bet is to find stable to work for riding lessons or find someone to teach riding lessons(kids & U) and let them start that way, then you'll see who really wants to have a horse! Then start there!
Again I apoligize for such frankness But really be sure before u jump!!! roho
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Re: horse lovers
doc's message prompted me to do something I usually don't do...I created a report in Quicken to see what we've spent on the horse's this year.
As background, we do not show our horses (3 of them), they are strictly pleasure horses, so there's no 'unusual' tack purchases. There were no unsual health issues this year. We use wood chips for bedding. The farrier is here approximately every 6 weeks, the vet once a quarter. While we do buy other (non-horse) related items at the feed store, the majority of it is equine. We buy hay locally, although this year we've bought less since I fenced in a 3 acre pasture.
We've averaged $200 - $250/horse/month.
Some people golf, some take vacations, some buy new cars every year. We have horses. [img]/forums/images/icons/grin.gif[/img] As doc said, please do not underestimate the time and the money needed to properly care for horses. There are too many sad stories of people who bought a horse and were overwhelmed by the time they take, the money they take, or both.
Regarding buying a horse...If you don't know much about horses and what to look for, take someone along who does and who you can trust. This can be a friend, a riding instructor, a horse vet, even a farrier. While all but the friend will probably charge a fee, it's well worth the money.
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Re: horse lovers
MikePa,
You've laid the situation out pretty well, IMO, life would be pretty dull around my place if I quit everything that does not generate a positive cash flow. These therapeutic activities help keep my sanity and, I think, reduce my medical costs. Doubt that Mrs TK would agree. [img]/forums/images/icons/grin.gif[/img]
TK
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Re: horse lovers
MikePA hit it pretty well, but I will add a few things....
If you have never taken care of a horse before, you might want to consider boarding it near home for six months. This gives you an opportunity to learn a lot from other boarders and the owner of the barn. We did this when we first bought our horses. Although we had both done a little riding before, we learned an enormous amount of information in six months.
Another consideration is that once you have horses, it is very difficult to pack up and go away for a weekend. We're fortunate to have another horse family right down the street to help out when we go visit the daughters in the next state.
That said... our two horses are 'family members' and we find it very theraputic to go clean the stalls, etc. [img]/forums/images/icons/smirk.gif[/img]
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Re: horse lovers
Great…..another chance for me to be contrary. Or maybe I should say I agree with much of this conversation but not all.
I agree that you have a huge responsibility when you accept the care of a horse (or anything) so don’t take it lightly. Nothing kills a horse quicker than being alone so have something it can herd up to. In a pinch even a goat will work but ideally it’s another horse. Vet care is important so plan on those from time to time along with scheduled shoes or trimming from a farrier. You will get what you pay for from a farrier so don’t be cheap. A bad farrier will cripple your horse. You will need some sort of shelter for both of them so make sure you have separate stalls for both the horses. I am not sure how cold it gets in your area but I bet it gets cold so plan on keeping them warm in the winter and try to keep them away from the mosquitoes on the summer (West Nile Virus). They need to have access to good feed to keep their weight up and you should mix it around so its healthy. They don’t do well on just pasture grass so you will need to supplement them on occasion. I also bet you will want to take some lessons from a good local trainer for your safety and education so factor that in as well. Beyond owning them you have a RESPONSIBILITY for their health and happiness. So…….plan this out and go in with your eyes wide open!
Ok…..having said that I agree with much of what has been said let me be contrary……
Do you need to spend $500 on a horse. Nope. Can you get a good one for that price or free? Yep. I think I might have mentioned this to you (or maybe it was someone else) but you can get a good horse for free if you have the patience and the right contacts. I just had a really hard time finding a home for a 12 year old bomb proof gelding that did reining and ranch work. The price……Nothing. He has great breeding, is sound, has great ground manners, will pack and take care of a kid like the best babysitter in the world. He will lope a circle on autopilot, steer where you want him to go, change leads if you even think about it and fold in half if you ask him for a sliding stop. He can bully a cow as needed and box one anytime you ask. For about 9 years he has paid his dues. Now he needs a good home where he can be taken care of, loved on, groomed on and go on trail rides and let me tell you………I had a heck of a time finding the right someone to take him. I finally did. The condition was that she leases him for $1 per month for 6 months and during that time I can take him back any time for any reason. After that, if it goes well, it’s going to cost her another dollar bill and the cost of the paper transfer and he is hers.
You can also keep them for not a lot of money. If you have good pasture you don’t overgraze, take their shoes off (just have them trimmed) and keep them wormed, you can keep them happy and healthy. I think that there are a lot of people that can find the money on a monthly basis but find it hard to take the initial hit. If you are in that camp then keep looking.
Here is a good rule of thumb….if you are a new rider and want to get horses, have your facility ready, have planned out and acquired everything the horses need to be happy and healthy, have budgeted AND set aside that amount for about 6 months, have budgeted the time it takes to keep them feet down, have already taken general equine classes and have a good equine vet and farrier lined up then you are about ready. If you have not already done at least those things then work at ‘till you have. One of the best ways to learn is to do….I bet a local trainer would let you clean stalls and help out in exchange for some lessons and general education. This gets everyone used to the amount of work, commitment and you learn along the way. There are some really great clinicians out there you might audit before you get a horse. If Ray Hunt ever gets to your neck of the woods sign up. As Richard can attest he is the best. If you can join a Bryan Neubert clinic take that one as well…..he is really good. Most of the others are just selling sticks with a snot rag and videotapes, so pass on them.
Every one of us here started ignorant so don’t let that stop you but please don’t learn at the horses expense. If you are not 100% certain you can provide the best of care and are dedicated to doing it every single day all year, despite the weather, then do the horse a favor and get goldfish.
Mark
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Re: horse lovers
thank you everyone! I'm going to look at a bombproof gelding tomorrow in my price range. Nervous, yet hopeful. The up keep $ isn't the problem, its the intial cost. I'm ready emotionally and physically to put the work in. He doesn't want a huge amount into the horse then for whatever reason it not workout. I KNOW it going to workout, I'm going to make it work! I do thank everyone for pointing out all sides. Thats way I write in and take everything under consideration. We've got the calves and other small animals that need to be petsitted during vacation. I know the stall stuff and I have a trainer I have been riding with. I'm an ok rider, don't want to be supper great, just good enough to take us on little walks. I just want to love the horse, instead lovin' the calves like a horse and have to watch them go to processing. Hopefully now it won't bother me so, I will still have someone waiting in my pasture for me to love. To feel so at peace when we are walking through the forest. [img]/forums/images/icons/smirk.gif[/img]
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Re: horse lovers
Am I missing something? Monthly expense is no problem, just initial cost and you've been looking how long? If you would set aside the monthly expense as if you had the horse, by now you'd have saved enough to buy one for considerably more than $500 if it were required.
There are programs for acquiring mustangs that might be worth considering.
[img]/forums/images/icons/smile.gif[/img] Pat [img]/forums/images/icons/smile.gif[/img]
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Re: horse lovers
Gee pat, wished I would have thought of that. So simple and logical, I was blinded by the fact that was the amount I couldn't think of anything else.
I sorta like everyone fretting over me, I'm aquiring good info in the process.
Today I need best wishes! [img]/forums/images/icons/laugh.gif[/img]
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Re: horse lovers
<font color="green">Do you need to spend $500 on a horse. Nope. Can you get a good one for that price or free? Yep. I think I might have mentioned this to you (or maybe it was someone else) but you can get a good horse for free if you have the patience and the right contacts. I just had a really hard time finding a home for a 12 year old bomb proof gelding that did reining and ranch work. </font color>
Good info. other than I think this is extremely bad information. Why in the world would you give away a 12 yo gelding that does all of that??? I don't know of anyone in this world besides you that would give away an animal in his prime and able to do those kinds of things. If he has good breeding, is sound, and able to do all you say that animal is worth over $10k easily and that's on a bad day at the sale barn. You seem to give relatively good advice and know what you are doing but why in the world would you post here that kind of animal would be available for free?? [img]/forums/images/icons/confused.gif[/img] I have been all over the country and know horse people all over who are very generous but unless it was for an extremely good cause you never ever see something like that happen. Finding an animal like you described just to be given away would be about as much chance as winning the lottery. Heck finding an animal like to buy for $10,000 would be hard to do!!!!!!!!! For whatever reason you want to give away something that valuable is fine but it sure as heck isn't realistic for someone to find even a hundredth of what that horse is for free. [img]/forums/images/icons/crazy.gif[/img]
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Re: horse lovers
Good point on the expenses Pat.
I wouldn't consider a wild mustang for a lady with minimal horse experience and four little girls as a viable alternative though. I think that would be the worst thing for someone to do in her situation. Getting a mustang trained to ride takes alot of patience and alot of know-how. At the minimum that horse would need three to four months with a trainer that knows how to handle mustangs and even then it would be a year or more of consistent riding before you would want to trust that horse yourself to ride much less four little girls.
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Re: horse lovers
<font color="blue"> There are programs for acquiring mustangs that might be worth considering. </font color>
One of these centers was within 5 miles of us before they consolidated them a few years ago.
No way I'd recommend a wild mustang to someone with very little experience. Heck, I wouldn't recommend one to someone with experience if they didn't also have a lot of time to work with them. [img]/forums/images/icons/shocked.gif[/img]
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Re: horse lovers
Training a horse is way beyond the abilities of even fairly experienced horse lovers. The first horse we got on our farm is our PMU rescue Belgian mare, Rosie. We got her as a tiny 4 month old fillie. I managed to line train her, but we still have to have a professional trainer teach her to drive, and maybe ride. She's a sweet horse, with naturally good manners, but I would never trust anyone to get close to her without me there, even our vet and farrier. She is good at listening to me, but she makes a game out of any command that anyone else gives her, and with a 1700 pound horse, her well intentioned playing can be very dangerous. Actually any poorly trained equine can be very dangerous, and as much as I love my Rosie, if I had it to do over again, she would not have been my first horse. I've been around horses my whole life, and I foolishly thought I could manage to train one myself. The trainer we're going to use has already evaluated Rosie, and actually says I did a good job for a novice, but that is only because she is extremely bonded to me, but I'm still careful because I know she can be dangerous, even though she doesn't mean to be. So please don't follow my bad example, and unless you're experienced training horses, like Cowboydoc, don't try it on your own!!! Thinking back I know that I'm lucky that I was never hurt.
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Re: horse lovers
<font color="blue"> </font color>
Training a horse is way beyond the abilities of even fairly experienced horse lovers.
I can recall the days when horses were the prime mover for farm work and most people had saddle horses. Can't remember any of them having a proffessional trainer.
Egon [img]/forums/images/icons/grin.gif[/img]
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Re: horse lovers
Egon, I think "professional" trainers were around, even back then. And as now, and in any profession, some were better than others. Of course, I'm sure there were lots of do-it-yourselfers, just as there have been do-it-yourselfers as well as professional mechanics taking care of our transportation needs in more modern times. I can remember my Dad talking about one of his first jobs working for a horse trainer in the 1930s.
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Re: horse lovers
<font color="green">I can recall the days when horses were the prime mover for farm work and most people had saddle horses. Can't remember any of them having a proffessional trainer. </font color>
There have always been professional trainers Egon. That's not to say that they all had trainers, but back in that day you were around the horse everyday. You had to learn basic horsemanship skills or you starved.
Have you ever watched the old westerns or some of the Amish horses today? Yeah you can ride them but I sure as heck wouldn't consider them broke. Big bits, heads jerked on, bucking, face going the other way when neck reining, horses running off, no flex, etc. etc. Not what I would consider a trained horse even though you can ride them. Training has also come a long way. Gone are the days of a true horseman jerking a horse 10 times to stop them, pull left to go left an pull right to go right. It used to be you blindfolded one, snubbed them up to a post or big strong horse and jumped on and let her buck. I rarely have a horse buck anymore. There are better ways and it leads to a much better horse in the end.
Even an old cowboy like my grandfather learned a new way from the way his father and grandfather did it. He got to be friends with a couple of the real horseman of our time, Bill and Tom Dorrance when they were up in Wallowa, Oregon. Then later he got to be friends with Ray Hunt down in Mountain Home, Idaho. Those guys are what I consider horse trainers, not horse breakers. I learned just from watching and listening. You never talked as a kid back then. Although I don't have to tell you that. I came away with an education that money could never buy you and an appreciation for horses that many will never understand. My day job pays for all that I never could have gotten from just training horses but my heart is sure with the horses and that's why I get a little passionate over the horse issues. [img]/forums/images/icons/wink.gif[/img]
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Re: horse lovers
Doggone; knew I'd get flammed. I gotta admit there have always been horse trainers available.
Think I was trying to say that most people then did not make use of them.
From our area there were two or three regular Calgary Stampede Chuckwagon competitors. They all did their own training. As time went on and horse breeds changed it got so that the outriders were hard pressed to keep up with the wagon.
Unruly horses didn't last long. Some might get a second chance but never a third. One also tried to position themselves as best possible to avoid injury.
The old western movie depiction of a cowboy probably had little in common with the reality of a working cowboy other than the hats and boots that the working cowboy could'nt afford.
Egon [img]/forums/images/icons/grin.gif[/img]
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Re: horse lovers
egon, are you recommending that a self-proclaimed beginner rider, like opie744, buy a wild mustang as their first horse?
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Re: horse lovers
Egon in no way did I mean to come across like I was flaming you. I'm very sorry that you took it that way. All I meant was that yes you are exactly right it used to be people did train alot of their own horses. It's much different today where horses are a luxury rather than a necessity. Most people are so busy with other things it's tough to spend much if any time learning how to train a horse yourself. I don't think there are too many horse skills being developed today. I guess you could look at it like cars. Back when cars were a luxury and horses a necessity. Now it's horses are a luxury and cars a necessity for most people. Most everyone knows how to drive a car, but not a horse. And back when most people needed some instruction on how to drive and take care of a car, especially those first ones!!! [img]/forums/images/icons/wink.gif[/img]
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Re: horse lovers
Nope, a fully grown wild mustang is out as well as some other fully grown breeds.
But buying a wild mustang colt may be an altogether different matter. It may work, it may not. Depends on heritage and personal handling.
I'd not recomend buying a colt from some of the other breeds though.
Don't really know much about horses but did spend some time around them when they were used for work rather than pleasure. Completly different perspective.
I do have a hoof rasp, some tongs for handling hot horse shoes, the proper hammers and some horseshoe nails also.
Also know they really like curry combs and cats think they make for a great bed.
Egon
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Re: horse lovers
Doc:
flaming you.
No offence here. It was just a figure of speech on my part. Many of my comments border on the verge of irony or is it ignorance??
[img]/forums/images/icons/grin.gif[/img] [img]/forums/images/icons/grin.gif[/img]
Egon
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Re: horse lovers
I'd say it's irony Egon. I don't think there's one shred of ignorance about you. [img]/forums/images/icons/wink.gif[/img]
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Re: horse lovers
Richard, I have to admit I was a bit surprised with your reply when I read it. Perhaps the motivation is different here. [img]/forums/images/icons/confused.gif[/img]
In this case this horse has paid his dues and his noggin is starting to get knotted up when run hard in the show pen. He is no longer going to be a solid 72-74 Non Pro without serious time off so why not retire him? If that can be done with a good assurance the rest of his days are pleasant ones, then I am all for it.
For context let me say that my wife and I have been fortunate to work with and for many in the horse industry including nationally recognized breeders, auctioneers and trainers for some time and have seen all sides of the horse industry in Working Cow Horse/Reining/Cutting. Recently I saw a horse go through the Select Sale at Snaffle Bit last year where the purchaser was trying to back out of the purchase after the gavel went down. I was standing with the breeder when this person came up to argue his case. Without batting an eye the breeder turned to a friend of mine, who just happened to be standing there, and asked her if she wanted the horse for free. Within a short time the deal was completed for no money.
I am not sure anyone is harmed by letting people know that there are good and spectacular deals out there if they look. It might be a long shot and they may find its not worth the time to look around but that is up to them.
Best of luck with your Smart Chic baby.
Mark
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Re: horse lovers
Egon, what I meant was that in today's society, only an extremely experienced horsemen or horsewoman should attempt to train a horse. As Bird and Cowboydoc said, times were different when people depended on horses, but now days, the average horse person just doesn't have those skills. Or at least I don't have those skills. [img]/forums/images/icons/tongue.gif[/img]
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Re: horse lovers
My motivation is to give people real information. Why would a breeder just give away a prime horse? If the horse was at the Snaffle Bit Futurity Sale they had to pay I believe $600 just to register that horse for the sale. Then they would have had to pay the PO fee or the full sale fee. That could have run over a thousand dollars. Most breeders I know are trying to make money not give it away.
I find it about as realistic to get a horse of the caliber you gave away or your friend gave away at the Snaffle Bit Futurity about as likey as winning the lottery. Your situation must allow you to give away five figure horses and I applaud you for being so generous.
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Re: horse lovers
We got lesson/ 4-H horse that has been doing lessons w/ children for 14 yrs. He's older than that. He'll be coming home this weekend. [img]/forums/images/icons/grin.gif[/img] [img]/forums/images/icons/grin.gif[/img] The owner just wants a good home for him, the $ isn't the object. Well, the owner got a GREAT home for him and we are excited. Being that this has always been a dream, then to have to claw every inch to get there, I truely am GRATEFUL for the horse.
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Re: horse lovers
That sounds like a really great horse for you. That horse should be pretty kid safe for you. If he's an older horse a couple things will really help keep him going. The first thing to do would be to get a good equine dentist to look at his teeth. He can evaluate his teeth and let you know what the best feed recommendations would be. Older horses are very susceptible to respiratory diseases. Be careful about keeping him in a confined area. Make sure he has good shelter and if the temp. gets cold use a blanket for him. Also make sure you keep him current on all vaccinations, especially west nile. West Nile is devastating to older horses. Lastly make sure you get a good farrier. There are many times issues with older horses feet and a good trim/shoe job can make the difference between an old warrior being lame or sound. Best of luck to you and enjoy your new horse.
PS- older horses really need good company. I know you can't get another horse right now but get a goat. Horses will usually buddy up with them but you usually won't see them buddy up to the cattle. Especially if this one has any cow blood in him.
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Re: horse lovers
Thanks for the congrats, [img]/forums/images/icons/smile.gif[/img] I know you care about the animals, again thats why I listen. Thanks for those points, I believe that I have a good vet and I'll check w/ her about the teeth dentist. The only thing that haven't found is the farrier. I'll ask my trainer, vet and guy at the feed store. Out here word of mouth is still pretty reliable. [img]/forums/images/icons/wink.gif[/img]
All of the girls rode on him and while one of my toddlers was on him the in the arena, the pasture is very close, all the other horses jumped for some reason. He did nothing but stop walking and looked. I was holding my daughters hand at the time, so I would have felt him jumped and he didn't. That sold me.
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Re: horse lovers
I'll keep an eye out for a goat, sometimes they are free or very low cost. 4-H seems to pass them around too.
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Re: horse lovers
Good to see you found a nice horse. They do appreciate a little curry comb work on the shoulders and back.
Work it right and you can get the goat to stand on the horses back.
I've seen it.
Egon [img]/forums/images/icons/grin.gif[/img]
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Re: horse lovers
" only an extremely experienced horsemen or horsewoman should attempt to train a horse. "
If it takes this type of person to train the horse only this type of person should be riding it. The horse just seems to know how much competance is on his back.
The biggest problem is finding a horse with the genetics that make it amiable to training by the common person.
Egon
[img]/forums/images/icons/grin.gif[/img]
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Re: horse lovers
Now that would make a great picture. [img]/forums/images/icons/smirk.gif[/img] I'm just happy to get up on his back. He rides so easy too. It always amazes me that a grand animal like that lets us do that. [img]/forums/images/icons/cool.gif[/img]
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Re: horse lovers
I got a buck pygmy goat years ago at my wife's insistence to keep our stud company. They couldn't stand each other and after a week started fighting with each other. I was never happier to get rid of that stinky thing. The goat guy I bought him from told me as he refunded my purchase that a lone goat would usually worry himself crazy, more herd instinct than horses. So I guess you'd need several goats to make the idea work. Did I mention it really stunk?
I have an idea your horse won't be lonely anytime soon. Don't brush all his hair off right here before winter!
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Re: horse lovers
You do have me pegged there. [img]/forums/images/icons/wink.gif[/img] Between the girls and I, he maybe begging us to go back into the house and leave him alone for a little alone time.
What can I expect when it comes to adjustment to his new home?