What Makes a Good Horse Owner?

Money to pay for proper care is important, but to me it's not what makes a good owner. As one of the previous posters said, it doesn't take much to call out a vet or a farrier.

A great horse owner is one that starts out with an open mind, a strong driving desire to improve, and immeasurable patience. I don't really think that someone really experienced necessarily has to be the greatest owner (though they are really good), because nobody just starts out being totally awesome and knowledgable. Someone with no ego, and is man enough to set their pride aside and admit that sometimes yes, they do need help. It's also someone who realizes that no matter how great you think you are, there is no limit to the amount of horsemanship you can learn. And of course, someone who loves the animals they're working with.

Thanks for all the posts guys!!!

That's why I never bought a horse - thanks for bringing it up!

I think a good owner realizes that horses are a lifestyle, not a hobby or pastime, and they WANT that lifestyle with all their heart and devote all their free time to it.

I think a good owner eats, sleeps and breathes horses and does their best to care for their needs within their means.

You can have a wealthy person who is a poor owner, or a poor person who is a good owner (as long as the horse's needs are still being met).

It is about actually caring about your horse's health, training, exercise, hooves and that their tack fits them properly. Giving them good care rain or shine, in sickness or in health. Realizing they are an actual living being and having empathy and understanding.

Just basically being devoted to your horse the way a good dog owner should be devoted to their dog. It's a lifestyle in my opinion. Because it will take away a lot of your free time and money so you better want it a lot!

You hit the nail right on the head as far as I'm concerned.

I didn't mean money was the only thing, just in addition to what the above was saying. My cousin had always wanted a horse and when my grandma got her one for Christmas she loved it very very much. That horse was her ONLY friend, she is sort of one of those recluse sort of girls that everyone at school made fun of. Anyway, she vowed to never ever sell Fancy and she never did. However she never had the money to take care of her. Her hooves grew too long and she rode her anyway. The horse was only about 14 hands and yet she gave it enough alfalfa and grain (because the horse liked 4 way grain) to feed a working racehorse! The horse went lame with a bowed tendon, the vet was never called. As soon as she was walking without a limp she started riding again "she's not lame, she's not limping." Fancy ended up with a permanent limp. Then she moved the horse to a place where she had nobody to ride with and the horse was in a 10X20 stall. Because she was alone she wouldn't ride her...and yet kept up the feed rations "because she's hungry." The horse got fatter and fatter and eventually foundered and died because when it got sick, "I can't afford a vet."

I tried to step in and offered to pay full board for a stable where she would have people to ride with (and hopefully help her see the light) but she refused to take her to a stable again (she swears the SO of her last stable caused to bowed tendon).

Now it is about 10 years later and she has been doing her homework, researching horse care etc in the hopes of getting another horse and the other day she asks "do you think I contributed to Fancy's death?" I think she's finally getting it.

So this is why I posted that you need the "means" to take care of a horse too or at least the knowledge that if things happen down the road and your situation is no longer favorable for the horse, you need to find it a home that can. There are a LOT of people out there like my cousin who believe in the "forever home" and that is a really really good thing in most cases, but sometimes it can go wrong.

Part of being a good horse owner also includes doing what is right for the greater population- breeding responsibly always, selling an animal in an honest light, and not stepping in on a horses behalf unless the horse is in mortal danger.

I like everyones responces so far...Im going to make a simple list lol

1- Love! You must love your horse
2- Common sense...it helps...
3- The intellegence to know how to hadle the horse and to know when the horse is to much and you need help
4- Money...it helps...lots...
5- Time, you need the time to bond with your horse.
6- You need to be tough enough to handle the hard stuff. (death, injuries, etc.)
7- A level head. No matter what happens if you get upset it makes things worse and if you panic your horse will panic.
8- The facilities to properly care for a horse, or access to proper facilities.
9- Knowledge: Know what care the horse needs and how to care for it.
10- The ability to never be closed minded and always continue to learn.

There we go! 10 qualities of a good owner. I think the things listed are a good start...and everyone elses posts are wonderful as well!

An understanding of what you are doing is an advantage. To ask for help and brush up on knowledge makes a good horse owner . I think

Thanks for all the posts guys! They've all been helpful!