horse people?
- Thread starter FoxyWench
- Start date
Guess I'll throw in my two cents...
A few things to keep in mind when keeping a horse at home:
Your horse will be happier with a companion (more expenses but worth his peace of mind). You will also never take another vacation unless you can find a reliable horsesitter OR find someone who might board at your place and be willing to share chores/horsesitting time in return for expenses. (That's what we've done and it works out well - no money changes hands; we split the feed/hay expenses, she buys the bedding and she's available to watch the horses whenever we have to go out of town. She also gives us access to her pastures during the summer.)
Your schedule will revolve around your horses. You are looking at 7 days a week, twice a day usually, especially if there's any stall time. Horses don't care if there's a blizzard going on, it's 100 degrees out or you have the flu, etc. - they need to be cared for every single day. You'll need to know what to do in an emergency and what constitutes an emergency that needs a vet's expertise.
Having a lot of acreage is great but it's expensive unless you're out in the middle of nowhere and unless you work from home, the commute will kill your extra time. An ideal situation would be to look for acreage with access to public/federal land. Knowing how to keep your pastures in shape is also essential if you don't want a weedy mudlot.
If you're a new horse owner, I'd really recommend boarding for awhile and soaking up as much horse management knowledge as possible before having your horse at home. I know two people who killed their horses through sheer ignorance of horsekeeping knowledge. Not trying to scare you or rain on your parade, just wanted to point out a few things about horsekeeping. It IS wonderful to walk out and see your happy, healthy horses playing in the field but there is a price.
Gustav: What a pretty boy! I like Morgans (the old-fashioned ones from Lippett or Brunk lines) but I'd steal your boy in a heartbeat!
A few things to keep in mind when keeping a horse at home:
Your horse will be happier with a companion (more expenses but worth his peace of mind). You will also never take another vacation unless you can find a reliable horsesitter OR find someone who might board at your place and be willing to share chores/horsesitting time in return for expenses. (That's what we've done and it works out well - no money changes hands; we split the feed/hay expenses, she buys the bedding and she's available to watch the horses whenever we have to go out of town. She also gives us access to her pastures during the summer.)
Your schedule will revolve around your horses. You are looking at 7 days a week, twice a day usually, especially if there's any stall time. Horses don't care if there's a blizzard going on, it's 100 degrees out or you have the flu, etc. - they need to be cared for every single day. You'll need to know what to do in an emergency and what constitutes an emergency that needs a vet's expertise.
Having a lot of acreage is great but it's expensive unless you're out in the middle of nowhere and unless you work from home, the commute will kill your extra time. An ideal situation would be to look for acreage with access to public/federal land. Knowing how to keep your pastures in shape is also essential if you don't want a weedy mudlot.
If you're a new horse owner, I'd really recommend boarding for awhile and soaking up as much horse management knowledge as possible before having your horse at home. I know two people who killed their horses through sheer ignorance of horsekeeping knowledge. Not trying to scare you or rain on your parade, just wanted to point out a few things about horsekeeping. It IS wonderful to walk out and see your happy, healthy horses playing in the field but there is a price.
Gustav: What a pretty boy! I like Morgans (the old-fashioned ones from Lippett or Brunk lines) but I'd steal your boy in a heartbeat!
thank you snark, and great info...
the plan isnt for a LONG way in the distant future (itll be a while before i can afford my own place like i want) and between then and now the hope is to find someplace where i can actually go, start to learn to ride properly, the actual basis of horse care, grooming ect, and if i have the funds eventually get my own horse even before i have my own place with the eventual plan to move my horse onto my own property, at which point yes i would be adding another to the heard because im hoping id still be with my bf at this point and he actually enjoys horseback riding, though hes like me and only ridden trails a few times...so the idea would be to do it together.
vacation time isnt a big deal, i havent been on vacation since i moved to the us (7 yrs) with no plans to do so anywhere in the neer future, my dogs are too important and they are NEEDY so ive given vacation time up for them anyway, adding a couple horses into the mix isnt a big deal in terms of having no me time...i prefer it that way lol.
but yes the plan would be to learn more about horses (general AND specilized about whatever breeds i decide to look into) before even considering buying one...
the plan isnt for a LONG way in the distant future (itll be a while before i can afford my own place like i want) and between then and now the hope is to find someplace where i can actually go, start to learn to ride properly, the actual basis of horse care, grooming ect, and if i have the funds eventually get my own horse even before i have my own place with the eventual plan to move my horse onto my own property, at which point yes i would be adding another to the heard because im hoping id still be with my bf at this point and he actually enjoys horseback riding, though hes like me and only ridden trails a few times...so the idea would be to do it together.
vacation time isnt a big deal, i havent been on vacation since i moved to the us (7 yrs) with no plans to do so anywhere in the neer future, my dogs are too important and they are NEEDY so ive given vacation time up for them anyway, adding a couple horses into the mix isnt a big deal in terms of having no me time...i prefer it that way lol.
but yes the plan would be to learn more about horses (general AND specilized about whatever breeds i decide to look into) before even considering buying one...
Just an other view. Horses don't have to be tonnes of work. A good pasture with large south facing shelters. Clean drinking water etc etc. With easy keepers (as drafts are) they can live out, without grain. Yes you need to check on them daily, but in the grass growing months, no feed needs to be given (unless you have a very abnormal draft). In the winter months hay will need to be fed, but really unless you are clipping the horse they don't need to be stalled. I have worked at barns where horses were soooo maintained, and I have kept horses aunatural. Both work. If you are not showing etc, then it is much easier to keep a horse healthy and sound letting them live out. I worked at a barn that many of the show horses lived out a fair bit. They were some of the healthiest horses I have ever worked with.
They do need companions. This is a good job for an older retired horse, that needs a good home.
They do need companions. This is a good job for an older retired horse, that needs a good home.
Yeah, I know they don't have to be a lot of work, but better to plan for it than not... Plus, you never know if a drought will dry up the pastures 2 months earlier than usual. And, unless you cross fence and rotate pastures, horses can turn a field into a wasteland in a season.
Our horses are out most of the time (they spend the summer rotating through our neighbor's pastures). Our barn is set up as sort of a run-in (14 x 48 on the horses' side), with gates we swing shut to separate everyone at feeding time. We do keep them in the barn/paddock (1/2 acre) at night, it's just easier than yelling for them at 4am to come in to eat. It's also the safest place come opening day of deer season when all the wackos are out shooting at anything that moves.
Our horses are out most of the time (they spend the summer rotating through our neighbor's pastures). Our barn is set up as sort of a run-in (14 x 48 on the horses' side), with gates we swing shut to separate everyone at feeding time. We do keep them in the barn/paddock (1/2 acre) at night, it's just easier than yelling for them at 4am to come in to eat. It's also the safest place come opening day of deer season when all the wackos are out shooting at anything that moves.
dekka thank you, i was actually wondering that because in the uk alot of horses are simply "left out" they essentially take care of themsleves in terms for food, have a good shelter in the feild and a good water supply and the owners just leave them out, coats cange ready for the winter and there fairly easy keep in terms fo the actualbring in bring out, but i wasnt sure if that was an option in an area like ct where theres snow... not that im planning on staying in connecticut my entire life, but assuming the horses are in good condtion can they stay out pretty much year round if provided a deacent shelter?
If horses can live out in Ontario, I am sure CT wouldn't be an issue. Some of my guys turn into yaks in the winter. But they sure are toasty.
And our pastures dry up in the summer, so we just toss out hay. (well actually where I am now we don't have enough land for actual pastures, they get hay year round) But this year was so dry, the trees wilted. So most people put hay out in the fields.
And our pastures dry up in the summer, so we just toss out hay. (well actually where I am now we don't have enough land for actual pastures, they get hay year round) But this year was so dry, the trees wilted. So most people put hay out in the fields.
We've got one easy keeper but the other two are not. Sparky's in his 20s and not chewing his hay as well (yes, had the vet out - she said his teeth are just wearing down) so he gets a complete feed with beet pulp added. Chance is just a hard keeper and he's in his late teens, so he's on the same program as Sparky. Just depends on the horse but something to keep in mind if thinking about getting an older horse as a pasture companion - they can require extra attention.
We don't blanket but we do put shavings in the barn in the winter, the horses prefer sleeping on that instead of frozen or muddy ground. Makes for more work but hey, the beasties are happy!
Sparky napping
We don't blanket but we do put shavings in the barn in the winter, the horses prefer sleeping on that instead of frozen or muddy ground. Makes for more work but hey, the beasties are happy!
Sparky napping
^^
We should have a horse/pony picture thread hehe.
Good luck with your search Foxy! I love the big ones too but my heart belongs to the Exmoors. I think you would find lots of suitable horses and many different breeds but I think Louie's suggestion of an Irish is spot on. I guess it depends whats on offer in your area, some breeds might not be very popular and therefore harder to find.
Oh and as for the coloured cobs, well I don't know what its like 'over there' but over here the prices have increased to crazy heights over these last few years, they are smashing horses but the popularity of them has dramatically upped the asking prices.
We should have a horse/pony picture thread hehe
.Good luck with your search Foxy! I love the big ones too but my heart belongs to the Exmoors
. I think you would find lots of suitable horses and many different breeds but I think Louie's suggestion of an Irish is spot on. I guess it depends whats on offer in your area, some breeds might not be very popular and therefore harder to find.Oh and as for the coloured cobs, well I don't know what its like 'over there' but over here the prices have increased to crazy heights over these last few years, they are smashing horses but the popularity of them has dramatically upped the asking prices.
You all are making me yearn for the days of yore !!! We started out with a standing stall years ago and a turn out paddock .....then that involved into show horses (3) and a boarding stable . We paid $250 for a yearling we picked up in Conn and were offered $100,000 !! Never did sell him as it would have cost more to replace him . He truly was EliN's Champion and she did alot of the training in the beginning . He was our " Green " horse !
the coloured are extreemly expensive over here too...mostly because of importing...
id most obvioulsy take on an older experience horse to offset my inexperience, mabe a rescue...
time will tell, theres a stable in NY stat thats offerd to exchange stable work for lessons, if there close enough to me ill take them up on it, they have a belgianx shire that they think would not only work well for me but be good for him too, he doesnt like men but most of the girls at the stable are tiny and this boy aparently likes weight,...so we'll see...
id most obvioulsy take on an older experience horse to offset my inexperience, mabe a rescue...
time will tell, theres a stable in NY stat thats offerd to exchange stable work for lessons, if there close enough to me ill take them up on it, they have a belgianx shire that they think would not only work well for me but be good for him too, he doesnt like men but most of the girls at the stable are tiny and this boy aparently likes weight,...so we'll see...
Bonston Banker>>what a cutie. Looks so much like Kobi, the gelding I worked with. (not so much like Sasha, lol who was even stockier than that)
Foxy>>that is great news, sounds perfect. (and thanx for starting a horsie thread)
Bubbatd>>do you have any pics from the 'days of yore'?
Mrose>> what are brumys like? My only 'expose' to them was through those books..can't remember the name it was about the wild horses, they talked to eachother.
Foxy>>that is great news, sounds perfect. (and thanx for starting a horsie thread
)Bubbatd>>do you have any pics from the 'days of yore'?
Mrose>> what are brumys like? My only 'expose' to them was through those books..can't remember the name it was about the wild horses, they talked to eachother.