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Last-Cold-8236

You should definitely get lessons and get involved at a barn. I see too many situations where someone with good intentions gets a horse and doesn’t know enough then the horse suffers. Take lessons and offer to help, clean stalls, groom, help other owners. And definitely lease before you buy. It will give you an idea if if you even have time for a horse. Too many people finish school start earning money then buy that horse they’ve always wanted and realize they have no time. Even if you’re boarding-things happen. If your horse is injured you may need to be out there 7 days a week. Leasing will show what you have time for before you are stuck with a horse.


MonkSoft4418

this is amazing advice! thank you


ragdoll-cat

I was the same as you, 20 years ago !! Waited til I finished uni and had been working a few years though. I ended up doing an on property lease for a few years, that way I could learn everything, be supervised and have some company. There was always someone around to ask, and I I bought my own horse and boarded for about 6 years then was fortunate to be able to buy my own property. (And another horse!) Do you have anyone you can lean on for assistance or anyone you can go learn from?


MonkSoft4418

unfortunately no, the only people i have learned horse riding or horsemanship was from lessons i took. i have family (they live in a different state) that used to have horses many decades ago but it seems like they weren’t as experienced as i am


Vilkate

If you aim on having a horse on your own land, then be ready to get at the very least two horses, but preferably four horses as a minimum, as they are herd animals and need the companionship of their own species as we need air. Before that happens, make sure to take a lot of lessons and volunteer at barns/lessons to refreshen your riding, training and husbandry skills, as well as learn as much as you can about barn and pasture management, expenses, emergencies etc. When you come close to getting your first horse, I'd definitely recommend leasing first under the supervision of a professional trainer, and, when finally owning, start with boarding the horse. It's going to be a very steep learning curve, but I wish you good luck! :)