How do you know you're ready?

How do you know you're ready to buy a horse? I know you've got to have the money for the horse, boarding, supplies, and the inevitable middle of the night emergency vet visit. But, in terms of you as a rider: when did you decide to do it? What made you bite the bullet and jump into horse ownership?

I've been riding for about a year and a half, I'll have the money and can make the time this fall, but I don't know if I should. I know that I'll be moving once I get my professional degree in two years, but don't know where. I know a lot of people sell their first horse after a certain time and a lot of people feel like they should hang on to them forever as thanks. Not sure where I sit- it would probably depend on my relationship with that (at this point, hypothetical) first horse.

I ride friend's horses, and I ride lesson horses. I'm not unhappy with it by any means, but I wonder if I would get more out of it if I could build a relationship with my own mount. The lesson horse I was riding the most just got sold, and my friends' horses that I ride don't have an arena to work in or trails safe enough to solo ride, so I think I'm also feeling a little frustrated.

With your level of experience you are going to want to get a horse that is completely broke. You might need to spend around 5 or 6k to get a horse that would be really good for you to learn on and one that will be easy for you to maintain at home. I don't know what you were looking to spend but I think it is really important that you find a quality horse. The horse that you get could completely change your outlook on horses so it is really important to find the right one. I would look to your riding instructor for advice when selecting a horse. I wouldn't advise you to go out looking for one on your own because you have limited horse experience and sellers somtimes use that to their advantage.

Good luck with your decision. I hope all works out well! =]

5-6 thousand?? No way. You can find super great well-broke horses for a lot less than that right now.

Best way for you to know if you are ready is if you can afford to take care of the board/care each month with enough money for vet/farrier expenses and maybe a little emergency fund.

If you've got a permanent job and the means to afford it then you are well on your way. Good luck in your search!

My trainer and my vet would definitely be involved in finding the right horse, no question about that! I'm more concerned about, or trying to decide IF I should go looking for one or just stick with what I'm doing right now.

I think I'm asking what or how having my own horse would change things. I know it would add expenses and there's always the concern of the RIGHT horse for me, which my trainer would help with. What advantage would there be to owning my own as opposed to lesson and friends' horses? I think that bonding would change things... but never having a horse before, I'm not sure how. How would it help my riding? I know it's a big responsibility, I'm trying to sort out things rationally. Because so far as my heart goes, I've wanted a horse since I was six, and I finally might be able to afford it, so it's all WANTWANTWANT!

Well not owning your own horse you don't have the expenses to pay. So, that's probably the biggest thing. That said, there is a lot to having your own horse and making the decisions yourself on what you're going to do.

With someone else's horse, you are at the mercy of what they want done with the horse.

Will it change your riding? I don't know, it may. Will bonding be different. I think so. A lot of people I know never fully bond with a lease horse because they know it isn't going to last. So I'm sure that part would be different.

It really comes down to what you personally want. Do you want your horse and are your financially, emotionally and mentally ready to do so. Let that be your guide.

If you keep the horse at home you have to get up about a 1/2 hr to a hr earlier to go take care of the horse before work, and the responsibility is there again when you get home. You will have to find someone you trust (harder to find than you may think) to take care of your "baby" while you go out of town or on vacation. Your riding ablility may get better if you are riding more frequently but it wouldnt change much past the usual if your riding the same amount. If you deside to board you have to find a facility that you trust that will treat your horse as if it were there own and treats you with respect (which can also be hard). But once you get settled in with your new horse I'm sure you will have a lot more fun! You won't have to worry about when you can ride your friends horse and trying to schedule a time that you can ride. You will be able to ride at free will and you will be able to take your horse where ever you want when ever you want to do it. On the other hand the expense is a lot more than just riding someone elses horse. You have to pay board, farrier, vet, supplements(if you deside to give them to your horse), tack/equipment, and if you decide to show there is the expense of show clothes and entry fees. The bond you can create with a horse is amazing. That will probably be the biggest pay off of getting your own horse. You will learn to love and trust your horse more than you can some people. You will always have someone to talk to when you are having a bad day and you just want someone to listen. (It may sound corny but it really can make you feel better) If you need some time to get away or some time to think just hop on your horse and go for a ride to clear your mind. Sometimes I think my horse is what keeps me sane.