I have just decided I want a horse. I don't know much about owning a horse so I'm going to wait until the summer after next so that I can learn what I need to. I have a couple friends to help me and I would appreciate any book recomendations. I have 7 acres and I can devote about 1 of them to my horse. Is that enough to manage any pasture area? I can pasture the horse on my neighbor's farm but I would like him to live here at my house. The reason for only 1 acre is that my property used to be a tree nursery and there are hidden holes where they dug up trees. I have a good trail mowed that I can use for daily exercise and also plenty of land I can go for long rides on.

It sounds great! But just make sure you know that horses take a lot of time and energy! I used to think it would be like having a cat or dog but it is much more work!

That's why I'm waiting a year before I get one. I have alot to learn before I can truly decide if I want to make the commitment. I know the more prepared I am the more enjoyable it will be. When you say they are more work than a dog; is it because of their size or is it because they are a more fragile animal, or is there something else.

Horses are more work than dogs because their needs are different. You must clean out the stall, clean their hooves, brush and bathe them, keep your tack cleaned, and go outside even in the coldest weather to care for your horse. And be sure to keep their water from freezing! Also, you must handle hay bales and grain sacks. Horse food costs more than dog food and you need a farrier every 6-8 weeks to trim your horse's hooves. They also need shots, and de-worming. The rewards are many, and there is nothing more wonderful than a relaxing ride on your own horse, but you must be prepared to spend the necessary time with him/her. Have you been trail riding or taken any lessons? Is there a stable near you where you can spend some time around horses and see how they are cared for? You may want to get "Horses for Dummies", it is a good basic book on horse care. If you decide this is for you, good luck and have fun!

if your not too sure about getting a horse yet but you really want one- ask lots of questions. talk to horse owners about horses too. horses can be expensive if you board them... but can be a lot of work if they're on your own property. there's lots of pros and cons though. i'm sure you'll enjoy it. 1 acre pasture for a horse should be okay if you are sure to give the horse plenty of hay besides just turning it out b/c ideally, i've heard to have 2 acres a horse (i think thats what they said! all i remember is that it was a lot!)if your expecting the horse to graze for all it's forage. also, horses always do better with a buddy- whether its another horse or even a goat. they are companion animals and they're more comfortable with other animals to be social with.

horses are a lot of work. there are lots of different cares horses are constact grazers and a pasture with hiddin holes is very bad because horses like to be frisky and buck around and all that and one step in one of thosse holes with make your horse hurt himself very bad you might have to ethunize him if u cant afford to help him get over his induries horses take lots of attetion and lots lots of love they think of u as part of there heard and vet bills for when you horse has to stay over night at the vet cost a lot there is just so much for u to do to take care of a horse you have lots of stuff to do you have to have a pasture without any holes in it and have a grazing pasture and a comapaing for the horse plus the feed and tack but ya anymore questions let me know ok but ya my mom is probably a better person to talk to then me well email me later ok if u have anymore questions ok ttyl

Basically the exact same thing that gusser_my_horse said, here are the things you need to keep in mind...
1.Shipping horse gear for horse shows=$2,000
2.rider attire for regular, & for shows=$5,000
3.the horse=$50,000
4.boarding=$2,000 a month
5.training=$300 a month
6.food and water=$300 a month
7.vet care=$500 amonth
8.show fees=$100 each time
9.truck&horse trailer=$200,000
10.farrier care=$300 a month
11.saddle=$2,000
12.bridle=$200
14.slint boots etc..=$200
15.clippings and blankets=$300
Your total is $313,900 and thats just for the first month, good luk=

dont worry it isnt going to cost that much you can get a saddle and bridle for400 dollors and the horse isnt going to cos that much you can get a good horse for 1000 dollors im sure you can aford it i have faith in you

I don't know where horseloverjumper got her stats on the costs of owning a horse. That is so wrong. Shipping gear will only cost about $65 for a pack of 4 boots. And whoever spends $5000 on riding clothes is an idiot- lol. You can get nice jodphurs, a helmet, a show coat, a show shirt, and boots for $300 max. And I would never spend $50,000 on a horse. I am getting mine for $2200, and he is a professionally trained Quarter Horse whose owners no longer ride, and want him to have a good home. Board is never going to be $2000 a month. And you want to keep him on your own land, so you dont need to worry about board. Training price was accurate. The vet does not need to come out every single month. Annual vet checks are all that are needed unless you think your horse is injured or sick. Show fees are pretty accurate. Truck and Trailer- i would not spend more than $30,000 on a good truck and no more than $10,000 on a trailer. Farrier care- more like $35 every 6-8 weeks. Saddle and Bridle combo- $400. Splint boots- $50-75. Blankets- $100-200. If you think you can afford this and you have a lot of spare time, then I encourage you to get a horse. They have taught me so much and helped me through a lot. Good luck!

ilovemystic you said that horses got you through alot like what have they got you through because the only time i feel loved is around horses

All of u guys are wrong, people pay different amounts of money for horses, i make sure my horses get the best care so i pay a lot, and i wrote down everything i pay for, and above is what i pay, you guys may pay 100 to board your horse, but i can resure myself that my horses are getting better care, maybe you should take a drive in the rich part of town because thats where u will find me!!!!!!!!