Horses are gorgeous, loyal companions that can be in your life for decades. Like any pet, a horse is a major commitment and will require significant time, money, and effort for starters. Horses are also very large; they require a lot of space on your property. You should be somewhat experienced in horse care before taking the plunge as well, or you’ll likely need a helping hand or two. If you’re considering a horse in your future, it’s a good idea to know the basics to prepare yourself better before making solid plans.

Your Goals

Before becoming a horse owner, you will need to determine what you’ll do with one. There are limitless options, from simple companionship to competition, but knowing your goals will help you plan your time, property, and budget better. For example, if you’re looking to compete, you’ll need proper space on your property for practice. You’ll also need to budget for a decent competition horse. If you plan on breeding horses, you’ll likely need structures that will accommodate multiple horses, including breeding and foaling stalls. Decide what you’ll do with your horse to plan the rest of your caregiving strategies.

Experience Level

How familiar are you with horse riding, body language, and healthcare? If you don’t know anything about horses, it’s a smart idea to get familiar with them before having one of your own. Attend horse riding classes, consult with an equestrian vet, and reach out to other local horse owners to get a feel of what to expect. The more time you spend around horses, the more you can prepare for ownership. It’s a lot more work than it seems!

Property Size

Horses can weigh over 1,000 pounds—they’re not small pets. They need room to sleep, graze, and exercise. Your property should be able to host appropriately sized shelters, pastures for grazing, and riding areas for exercise. You don’t need to have an entire farm, but you’ll want far more than a small backyard. Access to nearby horseback riding trails is a bonus, too.

Farm Structures

Horses will need shelter from time to time to protect them from extreme temperatures, predators, and rain. Shelters can come in many shapes and sizes, from barns to horse stalls, but you’ll need enough space on the property to build these structures. You won’t need a shelter that is excessively large if you only plan on keeping one horse, but you’re going to need to include space for supply storage, grazing, and exercise, too. If you don’t have any farm structures on your property, you’ll need to add at least one, which can cost time, money, and space.

Equestrian Vet Access

Not all vets are familiar with equestrian care. Call local veterinarians to see if they treat horses. You’ll want to consider vets who are willing to do home visits. Otherwise, you’ll need to find a vehicle that can safely transport your horse to a clinic. If there are no equestrian vets in your area, there are telehealth and travel options, but it’s something to keep in mind. Horses need proper care to stay in shape.

Work Schedule

If your career doesn’t involve caring for your horse, you’ll need to know how to balance horse care, too. Will you have enough time to provide exercise and care to your horse at the beginning and end of your work day? Does your job allow for emergency time off if anything goes wrong with your horse? You can think of a horse as having a child in a way—if you work long hours or are tired at the end of the day, you may not have the right career for a horse owner. 

Lifestyle Changes

Outside of your work, you may have to adjust your other obligations to make room for horse care. If you’re a parent, you may need to involve your kids or manage your time better to account for feeding and caring for your horse on top of parenting. You may not be able to sleep in on weekends, as you’ll need to wake up and let your horses out to pasture. You may not be able to indulge in a shopping spree if you’re trying to save money for horse food. Are you able and willing to make these lifestyle changes?

Adequate Budget

Buying a horse can cost you a few thousand dollars, and that doesn’t include property adjustments, food, vet care, and riding supplies. Do you have the wiggle room in your budget to account for this? If using credit, can you pay off the debt without hurting your finances? Sit down and evaluate your income and subtract your expenses. Creating an adequate budget can help you understand what you can afford.

Conclusion

Horses are smart, loyal, and beautiful animals that deserve adequate care, love, and shelter. These animals can be in your life for decades, so you’ll need to do your research and be sure that you can commit to the animal’s care. There’s nothing wrong with getting a helping hand, either, as they’re a lot of work. If you think you’re ready to take the plunge, research different horse breeds and breeders in your area to get started.

Images from: Deposit Photos