Aaaahhhhhh!  Horse ownership.  It would be so great to own my very own horse and be able to ride whenever I want to.  Just saddle up and go! 

First of all, owning a horse is more of a luxury these days.  I'm sure you've heard jokes about how horses will eat up your money.  Don't laugh.  It is true.  Before you decide to embark on horse ownership, there are many more things to consider than the convenience of riding.  It takes lots of, not only money, but time, to own a horse.  It is nothing like owning a cat or a dog.  The cost of horse ownership has dramatically increased, in time and money. 

Statistics show that 80% of first time horse owners will give up horse ownership within 2 years.  It's sad, but true.  During our present economy, Horse Neglect Is On the Rise   This is possibly due to many factors, one of them being that people just don't understand how much time, money and energy it takes to become a true horseperson.  Plus, many are inexperienced. 

Boarding a horse at a facility is not cheap, nor is it keeping it on your own property.  Horses need lots of food.  The prices of grain and hay, along with everything else, is continuously rising.  You also have maintenance of your barn, fences, pastures, etc.  All this costs you time and money.  If you are constantly running your kids to their different activities, when will you fit in taking care of your horse? 

Then you have veterinary fees, fees for the farrier, dental bills (yes, the horses see a dentist, too).  It all adds up.

Next, is horsemanship.  Are you knowledgeable about horses?  Do you know how to ride?  Just because you have ridden at one of the many stables that offer trail rides, where the horses follow each other, and have never fallen off, does not mean you are capable of riding.  Those horses are different from one you would own.  Real horses have minds of their own and you need to learn about how the horse thinks.  It takes many years to learn about horses and to ride.  Inexperience will only give you an unpleasant experience and may land you in the hospital.  There is a saying among the true horse people: "It takes a minimum of 3 times to fall off of a horse to be a true horseperson." 

If you are serious about getting a horse, go ahead and get one.  Make sure you have the time and energy, plus a long term financial commitment to owning a horse.  Spend some time learning to ride, care and communicate with horses.  This way you and your horse will have an enjoyable experience.

Stay tuned to Part 2, where I will explain what to look for when acquiring your first horse.