I am willing to bet that if you were to do a poll on which pet is the most desired by young children, most would answer that they wanted a horse. While dogs and cats continue to be the most popular pets, the fact is that horses have always, and will always, have a place within the hearts of animal lovers everywhere (they are officially one of man's two best friends). The obvious reason that more people own cats, dogs and fish rather than a horse is not because of the fact that they don't want one, but because of the incredible amount of work involved in having a horse as a pet.
And make no mistake; taking care of these animals requires a significant amount of investment both in terms of time and in money. They are large animals and that means they tend to eat a lot and need a lot of space in order to be at their best, space that more often than not is scarce in a world that is becoming increasingly urbanized.
Nevertheless, horses are not quite as out there as people might think when it comes to their upkeep. We are going to take a look at a few of the considerations that you need to keep in mind when it comes to purchasing a horse as your pet.
Initial Outlay of Cash
Most people assume that a horse is going to cost thousands of dollars to buy in the first place. This could be true, but as with any purchase, it all depends on the horse that you want to get. Age, bloodlines, training, and so on all factor into the initial purchase price of a horse.
As with any type of pet, one of the first things you are going to want to look at is what type of horse is right for you at the moment. If you are just starting out with horses, the last thing you want is a five year old, high-strung thoroughbred stallion. It will be impossible to learn on and a big waste of both of your times. (Remember, you should always consider the horse's needs just as much as your own). An older horse will probably do, and it will cost you much less as well.
Space
We mentioned space above, and it is worth mentioning again. In order to stay healthy and happy, a horse needs a lot of space. You need to be realistic; you probably won't have the chance to go out riding every day, but your horse still needs the opportunity to get daily exercise. This means buying (or in most cases renting) space somewhere in the countryside where your horse can run if it chooses on those days you are not available. Most of the time people opt for boarding stables, which have exercise space, shelter, and people who can feed your horse when you can't make it out. Again, this all costs money.
Food
Ever hear the expression "eats like a horse"? Well, there is good background behind it. Horses eat a lot, and it's not just grass growing under their feet either. Healthy horses need a variety of foods in their diet, and it all costs money. And in winter, they will need even more to make up for the lack of natural greenery.
Speaking of feeding, don't forget your responsibilities when it comes to cleaning up after your horse. That food goes through a horse about ten times a day, and that will start to accumulate. If you don't like the idea of mucking out a living space on your own, you will have to think about hiring someone.
Personnel
It takes a lot of qualified professionals to take care of one horse. Vet bills, farrier appointments, and so on can start to add up. Your horse needs its feet looked at twice a year, and medical check-ups along the same time frame. Don't neglect the health of your animal.
Tack
If you own a horse, you probably have intentions of riding it. Most of us just aren't Comanches from the 19th century; we can't do the bareback thing. That means you have to be ready not only to buy a saddle, reins, ropes, and other tack but to keep it all in great shape so it doesn't hurt you or your horse!
Don't underestimate the responsibility of the horse owner. Horses are a lot of work and can cost quite a bit of money besides. However, if you are committed to your pet and are aware of all the considerations, owning a horse can be one of the most rewarding relationships there is.
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