Okay, so you think you want a horse, huh? Let me tell you, it ain’t like the movies. I’ve been around these majestic beasts for years, and I’m here to give you the straight dope on what it really takes to own one of these animals. First off, decided to get a horse. Man, that was a big day. I started looking around, you know, just browsing. Then boom, found the perfect one.
Bringing her home was a whole other story. Needed a trailer, needed to get the land ready, fences, shelter, the whole nine yards. It’s not just about having a field and calling it a day, oh no. There’s way more to it. I started building the fence myself. Bought all this wood, and wire, got the tools. Days I spent out there, sweating under the sun, wrestling with those posts. Then the shelter, don’t even get me started on that.
Then you got your regular upkeep. We’re talking feeding them, and it ain’t cheap. These guys eat a lot, you know that I guess, but it is not a joke! I’m hauling bags of feed every other week, seems like. Then there’s the hay. You gotta make sure it’s good quality, or else you’ll have a whole different set of problems. I remember one time, I got a bad batch of hay, and oh boy, the vet bills that month, don’t even ask. But I keep up with them. I set up a schedule, early mornings before the sun gets too hot.
And the vet bills, let’s talk about those. Routine check-ups, vaccinations, dental work – it all adds up. Plus, horses, they’re like big, clumsy toddlers sometimes. They get into everything, and accidents happen. I’ve dealt with colic, laminitis, you name it. You gotta be prepared for those unexpected costs. I call the vet, make the appointments. Sometimes it is an emergency, and then you really are in a hurry.
- Housing: I’ve got a stable and a good chunk of land, but maintaining that is work, and it sure ain’t free. You got stable fees if you are boarding, that is like rent but for your horse.
- Food: Hay, grain, supplements. It’s like having a teenager who only eats gourmet. And the price depends on the weather, and that is something you do not control.
- Vet care: Regular check-ups are a must, but then there are the emergencies. Those can set you back a pretty penny. And trust me, they happen.
- Gear: Saddles, bridles, blankets, brushes. It’s a whole wardrobe and toolkit rolled into one. And it ain’t cheap either, let me tell you.
Here’s a little breakdown of what I deal with:
So, yeah, owning a horse is a big commitment. It’s a lot of work, a lot of money, and a lot of, well, poop. But, at the end of the day, when you’re out there riding, or even just watching them graze in the pasture, it’s all worth it. They’re amazing animals, and they teach you a lot about responsibility, patience, and the simple joys of life. Just make sure you go in with your eyes wide open, and your wallet even wider. They are not cheap, those things will cost you an arm and a leg. But, they’re worth it, at least to me.
