Horses are surprisingly popular pets considering that they are large animals that require plenty of care and attention and owning one can be pricey.
Statistics show in the USA, for example, 4 per cent of households own horses with 3 per cent of the horses boarded at home and the other 1 per cent stabled elsewhere.
Buying a pet horse is something of a major exercise that requires careful research and planning for horses can involve considerable time and money.
First you might like to consider the likely budget for having a horse. It could surprise you. Other than the price of the horse itself there's food and accommodation. Some owners pay to keep them in stables, while others can keep them at home. It can involve the cost of building a stable or barn if you don't already have one because the horse will need protection from inclement weather.
You need to know what food to feed them and how to groom them. There's riding hats, strapping, blankets and various other items.
Another important budget consideration is vet fees. When your horse is ill, hurt or pregnant you will need professional help. Then there's transportation. You may need a horse trailer.
You might also like to consider horse riding lessons if you don't already ride. That's more expense.
You might also like to consider horse riding lessons if you don't already ride. That's more expense.
With something like a horse it's a good thing to have a friend who really knows the scene, especially when you actually go to buy a horse.
Before buying you need a vet to check out the horse for its condition. Is it healthy? Does it have any defects?
Then you need to get a reliable history of the horse and find out about its personality. This is when horse whisperer friends come in handy because maybe they can spot flaws on the spot. Is the horse friendly? Can it be ridden with a loose rein or tight rein? Is it excitable? Does it bite?
You have to be especially careful if you are buying a horse for children. It's hard to find a good kids' horse.
Then when you have bought the horse you need to train it so that it recognises you as its leader and friend. This is where I can help by making recommendations for online tuition.
The training courses I recommend for pets on my blog have all been carefully vetted by me personally. In fact I have purchased and used some of them for my own pets. They are good because the people involved believe in what they are doing and love animals and the courses are not expensive and have money back guarantees.
Photo above shows a pet horse named Crom in Queensland, Australia.
