I'm saving up for a horse.

Okay.. It is extremely possible for you to have your own horse even next here. Here's how I did it: =)

1. When I turned 15, I got a job. I did anything I could to get a job. When you're 15, it's not difficult. Fast food restaurants are ALWAYS hiring, and I don't know about where you live, but around here, if you drive down the road and stop at farms, a lot of them will hire you on the spot.

2. This summer I started looking at horses. I started with Craigslist. There are suprisingly good quality beginner horses on there for stunningly low prices. Then one day, I fell in love with a beautiful black Morgan gelding. Fast forward a month or so, and he was mine. A lot of owners who are committed to selling their horse will let you make a deposit. I did. I payed half his price + the trailoring fee to bring him down. That was $350, which is about a month of pay at minimum wage.

3. After I found one I liked, I started saving. Almost all of my money went into the bank. Most of this I planned to use for vet bills. I bought used tack. Used tack is your friend! I bought my saddles for $100 and $120. Both came with headstalls, etc.

4. So now I merely needed somewhere to keep him. If you have friends with horses, talk to them first before looking at boarding stables. They may be your cheaper option. I currently board my boy at my boyfriend's house with his sister's mare. I pay only the cost of hay per month, about $75, but I also have to feed once a day, water horses twice a week, break ice, etc. etc.

5. The hard part is going to be when you think about vet costs. An emergency could happen and the bill could end up being $3000 or more. You have to KNOW how you're going to pay those bills. Are you prepared to sell your horse if you have no other way out?

Just like you are doing, I gave up everything to get my horse. It gets alot easier once the costs of the horse and tack are out of the way. Then you just have little things like board, trimming, and worming to worry about. Also, regular checkups and teeth floating every now and again. The advice I have for you is this: There is always a way if you are willing to go the distance.

I already have my own horse, and let me tell you this: get a vet check on the horse before you decide to buy him.
There are countless scammers and greedy/dishonest people out more than ready to drug a horse to sell it. The person who sold us Otis knew that we were inexperienced buyers and young horse people. She knew that he was for me, an eleven year-old. She claimed he was a child safe packer pony, but in reality he is a chronic bucking horse with soundness issues.
That was three grande down the drain and, five years later, Otis is totally unrideable.

If I was you, I would start off leasing a horse. I don't think you have any comprehension of how difficult it is to be completely financially responsible for a horse when you're only 14 and have very little income. I'm afraid that if you go and buy a horse with your saved money, you'll end up struggling to just break even with the cost of board, farrier, feed, vet bills, and so on. You'll risk digging yourself into a huge hole, and what happens when you can no longer afford to feed your horse or an unexpected vet bill comes up?

If you lease a horse, it's a lot more affordable than owning one and you can quit the lease at any time (usually, depending on the agreement). You won't be responsible for all the expenses and you'll gain a lot of experience so you'll be more prepared to own a horse when the time comes. There are even free leases out there. I'm not trying to be negative, I just don't want you to bite off more than you can chew.

^ I agree...start leasing or maybe even part boarding.

I don't know what the Australian equivalent is but:
- my horse cost £2000
- I had him vet checked before I bought him (i recomend that)- £120
- his saddle cost £200 but he still has a little weight to use so a bought a tempoary one for £100
- bridle - £40(ish) and other tack (boots, headcollars etc) probs about another £50.
- rugs £55 for outdoor and £35 for sweat/fleece (which he ripped appart within a month of having him)

Ongoing costs
- hay £2.70/bale (about 1 and a half bales in the winter/week)
- food about £6/ 3 weeks (not sure depends on his excercise)
- shavings- £7/week

- I don't board him but our stables cost $5500
- we havnt got a trailer yet but we're looking to get one for about £2000

Seems like a lot when written like this (and I've probably left loads off) but IMO its worth it! My parents finally gave in when I was 17 and they knew it would be expensive but as far as I know they have regrets.
I didnt lease a horse at 1st I just bought one and learned fast! But up until that point I had been riding regulary and competitively for 10 years, had my horse 3 months now and learning something new every day :)
Good luck and find a nice one!

Good for you! You know, the very first few times I boarded, I actually worked in exchange of board. It was years ago with my first horse.

Good for you for being so excited about saving up for your first horse. Nothing beats having your own horse

For all of you freaking out over a 14 y/o who doesn't have money or a job, did you read this last line? She's asking if she saves all her money from everything, could she possibly have enough to buy a horse in 6 or 7 YEARS. Not now.

Horsekind, don't let people discourage you from your dream. If you work hard, save your money, and life doesn't get too much in the way, you very well may be able to afford a horse at some point.

I didn't even get to ride as a kid, much less have a chance to be around horses, but I knew I would always have at least one. It's THAT kind of determination and drive that will make you succeed, not the people telling you what you CAN'T do.

Is it feasible now for you? No, especially since your parents can't help you. But don't let anyone tell you it's impossible. I'm living proof that it's VERY possible to have nothing but a dream, and turn it into a reality.

Not only do I have 4 horses now, I have my own 5 acre farmette where all of us live. I also have a Great Dane, 2 barn cats, a truck, and a trailer to haul the horses around in.

If you have the will, you'll find the way. Good luck.

Leasing = Amazing! This is what I do, and it's sooo much cheaper than owning and Moon might as well be mine. It's a fabulous arrangement! I also worked around horses for years until I started leasing and learned a ton. I just got a job recently and started paying a part of my lease (a great feeling by the way). I would def go with leasing if your a first timer

You said you know people who train racehorses? What kind? STB or TB? When you're finally ready to buy a horse that could become one of your best connections, there are a lot of very healthy sound racehorses that just arent fast enough on the track that are pretty cheap. You might want to look into that.

Keep saving your pennies and youll get there... just wait til you have to buy a house! *poops pants* that's what im doing right now lol

I am 18 and I work a part time job 3-4 days a week, 8 hours a day and I get paid $8.25 an hour. I work 4 hours a week at the barn I board at, and I do a semi rough board were I clean my horses stall daily. My board costs $525 a month. And that includes my work and semi rough discount.
Farrier costs me 140 dollars every 5-6 weeks. My horse's hooves grow fast
Vet shots cost about 100 dollars twice a year
Dentist once a year is around 160 dollars
And then buying/replacing tack and buying sprays and first aid stuff is like, 10-30 dollars a month on average. Sometimes I don't buy anything one month, sometimes I buy a lot.

I think its deffinitly worth it though, and I have medical insurence on my horse which is like 600 a year ( it depends on the age and worth of your horse)and that covers major surgries.