Horse ownership for a newbie!?

[NorthernNoodle]

Okay so all my life I've loved horses. All my life I've wanted a horse of my own, but I'm no fool - my yearly salary at present is what I would need to keep a horse in the first place - and I need to eat! So, it's been a dream, an ambition of mine if you will... but coming from a family with no horsing background and growing up in a city the tides are very much against me. But I have a plan. A five year plan. I'm training to get a job in the medical field and I will graduate in four years and will maintain more than twice my present salary, as well as options for night shift etc so I'll be able to afford a nice little plot and insurance. I want to do my research and immerse myself in horsiness so I volunteered at the local sancturay and I know in my heart I want a horse-friend so bad but seeing those poor guys I help with be neglected by ignorance has made me determined to do it right. Can anyone give me any advice on the issue? I would like to rescue and give a new friend a fresh start. In five years time. Looking ahead! But I can't just jump in that would be irresponsible. Come on, constructive criticism welcome but don't be mean. Thanks!!! xx

 

[oregano13]

It sounds like you have thought about this a lot and aren't rushing into it, which is great! Also, thank you for volunteering to help animals in need. Take this time to research care (there's a lot to learn!), and make sure you have an emergency fund saved up before bringing one home is my advice. A sick or injured horse can really rack up some bills, and it's best to be prepared! Horse ownership is rewarding but also a big responsibility, and you seem to realize that, so thank you for being responsible!

 

[generaljackass]

You should get a unicorn. Unicorns are great because when you want it around, you just close your eyes and *poof* it's there. Then when you're done with the unicorn, you just open your eyes & it's all gone. I know it sounds crazy, but it works. Also, unicorns are much more useful around the house than normal horse. Mine does the dishes, cleans the bathrooms & even makes dinner!!

The only problem with unicorns is that they make big messes. They excrete white-fluffy poop that sparkles but what most people don't know is that this stuff smells terrible. I'd take cat turds over unicorn anyday. Also, we're not talking about a cute little pile. The average unicorn leaves 2-3 65lb piles per day... yes that's somewhere between 100-200 lbs PER DAY!!! It takes a lot of energy to fly around and leave that nice sparkle trail, but the amount of waste they produce is still surprising.

Anyway, that's my $0.02... good luck.

 

[midnight_ashes]

A rescue horse is not suitable for a first time horse owner. You would be better placed to volunteer for a few hours a week at a sanctuary, or to donate money to a charity (or both!). It's also not ideal to keep your horse at home when it's your first. I'd suggest livery on a yard where you can be offered lots of help. I wrote a booklet called "The Beginner's Guide To Riding and Horse Care" - email me at petsandponies@aol.co.uk and I'll send you it.
Perhaps you could loan, or part loan, a horse before buying your own. This is a much more suitabl option for first time horse owners.