Is Boarding a Horse fun?

Hey everyone! Ummm,so this is my first thread,so...just telling everyone I am new here!

Anyway! I really want a horse, but I am not sure if I could handle the responsibilites, and keep my grades up at the same time if ikept it at home(considerng it would be my first horse) . So I need some opinions if boarding a horse is just as fun.We are building a house on ten acres, so when we move this summer I will be only 5 mins. Away rom the barn. The only problem is its like $635 a month,so if anybody has any suggestions on how to help pitch in with the cost that would be appreciated! I am not old enogh to get a job though. Please answer

Are your parents going to pay for everything for this horse? Vet bills, farrier bills, for the trailer upkeep, for your tack and for your never ending supply of grooming items? What about lessons other fun things?

Horses are time, money, and work. Its like having a toddler. If you can't keep your horse at home with you (which will save you money) and still have time for it (since it would be an extra effort to drive, rather than walk out your back door) then don't get one. If you don't want to do the work required for the upkeep, like mucking a stall or getting up at 6 am to feed, then you really shouldn't get one.

Well, the barn I ride at provides baically everything.You can use their saddles,until ican get one. The boarding cost includes 3 lessons a week.Plus, they do the de-worming and all that stuff.

I would be more than happy to wake up at six am to feed and muck out a stall, because I already wake up at 5:30 every morning. But I thought ,since it would be my first horse, I should try boarding for a few months. Anyway, we don't have a barn built yet. So I thought for now, boarding would be the best option, but it cold most definetley change in the future.

If you don't think you're ready for it, don't do it. I would suggest a lease. You will be able to ride a certain number of times per week, but you won't be responsible for care, scheduling farrier or vet, etc.
I prefer boarding right now because of my schedule and location, but there is still a lot of responsibility involved and it is very expensive. The big thing is, I would see if you could really afford it. You could maybe muck out stalls there or clean tack to work off a bit of your board, but it's still pretty expensive. From the sounds of it, I personally think your best bet is a lease or some lessons. That takes away a lot of the responsibility and money from owning a horse.

1) If you're doubting your ability to always have time for a horse or are not ready for one, don't get one. Period. Like Spastic Dove suggested, try leasing a horse from the barn you're talking about. Most barns will have lesson horses for lease.

2) You don't necessarily need to go all-out and build a barn. Our horses are 24/7 pasture horses. They have a nice roomy (about 10X20 feet) 3-sided, covered shelter. Inside their shelter is their water tank and hay manger. We have 2 paddocks which can be seperated by a gate. The shelter can also be sectioned off into 2 stalls if need be (nasty weather, injury, etc.). This would eliminate the need to muck stalls regularily. We clean paddocks once a week.

3) Since you are unable to get a job, I'd say don't rely your parents for board money. Keep the horse at home and do the little bit of extra work. It takes 5 minutes to throw hay and feed grain. An hour a week to clean paddocks. It'll really save you (and your parents) a lot of money in the long run, and (I speak from experience) it is very rewarding to care for your own horse and you really create a strong bond that comes with being the horse's sole care-giver.

4) If you don't have the facilities for your horse at home, there's no need to rush into buying him. Buying a horse is a TON of responsibility. You can always make a downpayment or pay for him in full and bring him home when everything is ready for him.

Good luck with your first horse! I bet you're super excited. I know I was. (And sorry for the novel. Lol)

Thanks everyone for the answers! I have just finished leasing a horse, it didnt go to well because I got sick for awhile, and I admit I should have waited to find the right horse to lease because it turned out me and the horse really did not 'click' you no what I mean, our personalities kinda clashed. So that was bad on my part. I should of mentioned that I have been taking lessons for 3 yrs too.

No matter how I put this, it will sound harsh. In no way, are you ready for the responsibility of owning a horse. I would keep leasing. If you kept it at home it would mean you wouldn't have as much time for your friends. Your life would literally be your horses. And if you got "sick", you can't just not go care for your horse.

Your probably right. I hate that though! I am going to start riding a new horse then maybe,if I like him, I could lease him. I have a question though, how are you supposed to know when you are ready?

You really need to know everything there is to know about barn management, feeding programs, heath care, first aid, deworming rotations, shots, etc before bringing a horse home. There are many, many great riders out there who still need a good barn owner to provide the knowledge and expertise to care for their horse. You have to be willing to do night checks, early morning feedings, plan a feeding program, plan a turnout schedule, be available 24/7 for emergencies, understand pasture rotation, hay quality, know what to do for a horse that is colicing or hurt and know when to call a vet. Even though a horse is at home, you will still have feed costs, vet costs, farrier costs, dental costs, trainers, shows, etc. Are you willing to have a companion animal at home as well? Horses are herd animals and need to have a buddy. Are your parents educated about horses and the required care? Are they willing and able to cover expenses, give up vacations, and care for the horses while you are at school or out with friends?

It's not like it's the end of the world if you get sick.

Do your parents have any experience with horses at all?