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Should I even be considering buying a horse?

3K views 18 replies 8 participants last post by  poultrygirl 
#1 ·
I'm a college sophmore. And I work very little during the school calendar (only 19 hours a week).
I live...at home :( I dont understand the type of people from the university (most of the girls I secretly refer to as "barbies"--because they must have a made in china stamp somewhere under their fake hair, nails, boobs or short skirts and strappy hollyster tops. Me...Im plain:oops:. I really like cars, and offroading, i dont usually wear makeup, and I just wear plain stuff or western shirts or things with "FORD" on them. I don't want to talk about nails or guys.). I've tried to be friendly and it just hasn't worked. Anyhow..So I dont have any friends..And the time I'm not working, studying or in classes I find myself at home. I find things to do. Mess with my birds. Do homework. Last night I processed a turkey start to finish ALL BY MYSELF for the first time! I was so proud. lol
We have a mustang that's not broke, and also a big expensive APHA gelding that my dad bought for my 11 year old sister but she wont ride him. He's literally been standing for 4 weeks and not been ridden. She won't touch him. So today I went down and saddled and bridled him, and just as I got on and swung the gate open (you could tell how much he wanted to go. He’s 5 years old and has been penned up for weeks rotting). She came screaming down the hill, “He’s my horse! YOU CAN’T DO THAT! YOU’LL RUIN HIM! GET OFF HIM NOW!” And whined and whined and threatened till I had to get off. So now..what is he doing…He’s standing in the corral..Unsaddled and unridden and utterly bored. I feel like he’s wasting.
I really have been wanting to buy a horse to ride on trails and maybe do some arena work with on the days I don’t have classes. But now I’m kind of thinking..All the people I’ve heard of SELL THEIR HORSES DUE TO GOING TO COLLEGE…I SEEM TO BE DOING THE OPPOSITE..SHOULD I EVEN BE THINKING ABOUT BUYIN A HORSE AT THIS POINT IN MY LIFE? I’m gonna be going to this university for at least a year. Or is it more fair that I just try to blow off the idea of wanting a horse again for the sake of it’s not fair to a horse to buy one at this point in my life? I’m so torn.
 
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#2 ·
Hmm. Well you keep them at home right? I would say you could if you didn't have to pay for board or anything. I mean talk with your father about the horse your sister wont even touch I mean its horrible to hear him goto a waste.
So maybe consider asking your dad if you can work with him. I would maybe consider it I mean I am in college and am saving solid for a horse.
 
#3 ·
Can you just talk to your parents about the QH? I understand it was bought for your sister, but is she a legal owner? She's just 11 years old. In the end parents can explain her that he should be ridden.
 
#4 ·
I've tried to talk to my parents about the paint. We've had enough horses since I was small that I know what it looks like whena horse is bored and going to waste. It's a shame because he's really well trained, really honest horse, and Im not allowed to touch him because the 11 year old says so.
I just feel like he's sitting there getting barn sour when he could still be ridden and exercised like he deserves.
She had a "bad" experience: he was tied to a loose horse panel (dont ask me how that works. i wasnt there), while she was sitting on him, and the dog came up and scared him, the paint pulled the panel over over, and my sister slid off his rump and that just "traumatized" her to borrow my mother's words.
Last weekend she had him out on a lead rope, and was RUNNING holding the very end of his lead rope, and he started, what else, cantering,and kicking up his heels. He's excited, young, and she had no control that far out. What did she think was going to happen? I went outside and told her I should walk him back to the corral for her. She screamed "NO!" at me, and as if to spite me, took off, horse in tow...And he promptly kicked up his heels once more, pulled the lead out of her hands, and ran all the way back to the corral (and hay shed) of his own free will.:hide:
 
#5 ·
I've tried to talk to my parents about the paint. We've had enough horses since I was small that I know what it looks like whena horse is bored and going to waste. It's a shame because he's really well trained, really honest horse, and Im not allowed to touch him because the 11 year old says so.
I just feel like he's sitting there getting barn sour when he could still be ridden and exercised like he deserves.
She had a "bad" experience: he was tied to a loose horse panel (dont ask me how that works. i wasnt there), while she was sitting on him, and the dog came up and scared him, the paint pulled the panel over over, and my sister slid off his rump and that just "traumatized" her to borrow my mother's words.
Last weekend she had him out on a lead rope, and was RUNNING holding the very end of his lead rope, and he started, what else, cantering,and kicking up his heels. He's excited, young, and she had no control that far out. What did she think was going to happen? I went outside and told her I should walk him back to the corral for her. She screamed "NO!" at me, and as if to spite me, took off, horse in tow...And he promptly kicked up his heels once more, pulled the lead out of her hands, and ran all the way back to the corral (and hay shed) of his own free will.:hide:
To me she has no buisness telling you cannot ride that horse.:wink: Shes 11 years old your how old? Don't let your little sister take control over what you do she isnt the boss she isn't the offical owner all she does is supposed to ride him and call him her shes not the one who purchased him. Your parents should not have bought a horse for her for him to goto a waste.
I am sorry but thats sad on there part.
 
#6 ·
I say talk to your parents about your sisters horse, the possibility of buying your own horse...

I know a lot of people who attend college, have jobs as well, and still find time for horses (myself included). It's not unheard of and if you have the means and time management skills to do so, then there aren't any reasons why you couldn't, that I can tell.

You say you're going for at least a year? Are you planning on moving schools or only getting a two year degree or something?
 
#8 ·
You say you have no friends and nothing in common with the girls at your school. If your parents decide that you shouldn't ride your little sister's horse I think you NEED to get a horse. Inevitably you will meet other horse people who you will have things in common with and make friends. Your little sister may want to ride with you thereby helping her and her horse. And finally college can be very stressful. As Winston Churchill said The outside of a horse is good for the inside of a man.
 
#9 · (Edited)
I say at least a year at this university because I might be transferring for my last year. But, then again, I have like no money, and unless a full ride of scholarships for Ohio state came through (which we know wouldnt happen), I probably wont be going anywhere. Im just dreaming. Oh well.
And finally college can be very stressful. As Winston Churchill said The outside of a horse is good for the inside of a man.
TrailQueen, I LOVE that quote. It really is true. I was pretty pleased with myself yesterday, even though I didn't get to go anywhere with the horse. I was amazed I even remember how to cinch up a saddle--it feels like its been that long. lol.
And apparently I was going to "ruin" him because he's not my horse, yada yada yada. They argued later he has a sensitive mouth....Um...the bridle I put on him had a snaffle bit..and he didnt seem to mind. So how was I hurting him?
My parents have no problem with me getting a horse as long as I buy. They've always taught me if I want something I had to go out and get it: I bought my truck with my life savings. I pay for my dog to go to the vet, etc etc. If I want textbooks, I go buy them. If I want to go to the dentist or eye docter, I pay. I was just getting a filling last week and yours truely payed. If I want contacts or an antibiotic, I pay out of pocket. Probably why I'm broke most of the time. LOL. I wish they'd instill my little siblings with the same value. So I'm pursing craigslist still hoping someone has an honest horse they're willing to sell for under $1000. LOL
 
#10 ·
Don't want to sound rude, but it sounds kinda wrong. You have to buy everything yourself, but your sister getting everything bought by the parents? Yeah, I understand she's just 11, but then so what? Personally I'd just ride the horse and tell the sister "you don't ride - I do" and send her far away if she starts complaining (if the situation is indeed as you described). But it's just me. Caring for the horse is expensive, you can go broke if you can't make enough and parents don't help with expenses.
 
#11 ·
Are your parents already paying for the care of the mustang? Is it gentle? As you have already discovered just beng around the horse made you feel better about yourself so why not work with the mustang. As long as he isn't vicious you should be able to make friends with him/her. Depending on how well that goes you could progress to saddle training. I'm sure every one on the forum would be glad to help with advice and training tips. Training a horse isn't hard it just takes time and patience. And just imagine riding a horse that you gentled and trained yourself. And if he isn't suitable for riding maybe he could still be your friend. I spend about 10X the amount of time just caring for and being with my horses as I do riding.
 
#12 ·
The mustang is "gentled" per say, but there is no way I could train her. I can pick up her feet, sit on her, at one point in time could saddle her, but there's NO WAY I could saddle break her. But trust me with her personality combined with age and intellect and my lack of horse training skills...It would be a great way to end up in a wheelchair. lol
My parents DO pay hay and panels though, so its a win for me :wink: They've just taught me to pay my own way, and I RESPECT that. Although I do feel broke more often than not.
TODAY'S UPDATE ON THE SEARCH FOR A TRAILHORSE: Someone saw my craigslist ad, and forwarded me an email a friend sent them. Apparently an older lady is hanging up the saddle, and finding a home for her horse. Of course, as is the way with word of mouth a few details were off. I called under the pretense it was an arab, but it turns out the mare is a grade, and the ad had said she was 11, and the owner told me the person who wrote the ad didnt pay attention..BECAUSE THE HORSE IS 16. The mare is free to the right owner, and honestly, I dont know if I WANT her that much. I never realized how freakin picky I was til I get offered something. I guess in my minds I have this bay arab mare, but that's definitely not what Im gonna be able to afford. Im slightly stand offish..cuz at 16 isnt she getting a tad too old??? Her only vice is if she's not the first one fed she kicks :evil: I honestly dont know from the description if I'd be a good fit for the horse, at least until I ride her. And the lady's like "I can meet you half way so you dont have to drive all the way." AND I'M THINKING...I DONT WANNA COMMIT IF I DONT LIKE THE HORSE AFTER RIDING IT!
So my options are at this point, TAKE THIS FREE HORSE. Or keep hoping something closer to my hopes. Or...I have about $1500 in savings right now..I could afford something nicer, but then I dont have money for ANYTHING. Not for gasoline, or contacts, or acne antibiotics. Im very torn.
 
#13 ·
Please, please, please, be VERY careful about "free" horses! Unless you are extremely lucky those "free" horses may cost way more than you'd spend buying a nice BTDT horse. Many are "free" because of the training, some because of the health issues.
 
#14 ·
No sixteen isn't to old. If well cared for a horse with good conformation is ridable up into their mid twenties. Also don't get hung up on getting a registered horse. Papers don't make a horse ride any better. Unless you are going to be breeding or going to breed shows papers are an expense you don't need. If you buy a horse spend that extra money on a better trained horse.
 
#15 ·
Poultry girl I swear I was reading myself in that post, well except for the one about issues with your sister. I am on my last year college and at home and it simply amazes me that so mangy galls give up there horses ( or any animal)when they go to college. I don't do much beyond school and my two jobs, after that I play with my dog and go out to the barn and mess with horses. :) Good to hear I'm not alone by being "unusual" lol.
 
#16 ·
Thank you for the input about buying older horses. I realize there are some, many probably, that are perfectly sound healthy and will be still full of feist and life for another 15 years. But at the same time, after having a horse that died of cancer before she was 20, and also have a Walker gelding who developed cushings sometime after his late teens..I realize that many horses do start to have an increased risk of health problems.
But that's not really what's bothering me. I don't how to put it..But I keep replaying the conversation in my head about this horse...And im JUST GETTING THIS OVERWELMINGLY BAD VIBE. I don't know how to explain it.
I especially feel bad cuz the lady called back this morning during one of my classes and gave me directions and expects me to come see the horse tomorrow. Guess I'm gonna call and cancel here. I need to come up witha really good lie so I don't seem like a complete jerk for changing my mind about a horse all because I have an aweful feeling about this :oops::oops: Im embarrassed.
Also..I know I want an Arab. Anything else I'd be settling, and I'd still be wanting one. So I REALLY hope that a an arab or arab cross mare in my price range appears soon. Craigslist dont fail me now! LOL
 
#18 ·
Well I cancelled on the lady that wanted to give me the free horse. She didn't seem to upset.
My dad had to fly some people somewhere (one of the things he does--manages a plane for rich people) and since I didn't have any classes today (my classes run a monday-wednesday-friday schedule) I came along and went to test ride a paint/arab cross I've been stalking on craigslist. lol. Could really use some advice and input. Read the thread HERE:
 
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