Horse Shopping?

Your child wants a horse – now what?

It happens to most parents at one time or another. Your child comes to you and asks for a pet. For many, cats, goldfish, hamsters or dogs become a relatively easy addition for most families to make, and owning an animal is great for teaching responsibility and compassion. However, if the animal your son or daughter really wants is a horse, the impacts are much greater.

First, consider your child’s age and stage of development. Is your child old enough and big enough to physically handle and ride a horse? Does he/she have the mental development to observe his/her surroundings and make quick decisions with respect to the animal’s behavior?

If your child wants to own a horse, they will need to learn a lot about basic care and safety, as well as how to ride. Riding lessons or a 4-H Horse Club are excellent introductions and the cost is quite nominal compared to an outright purchase of an animal.

In addition to teaching, many basics required of a successful horse owner, these activities give you and your child a chance to try the activity out before making a long-term commitment.

There are many good riding stables in New Hampshire. You’ll find advertisements in local papers or through the New Hampshire Horse Council. Be sure to ask a potential riding instructor about their experience teaching youth and make sure you ask for references.

Make sure the riding instruction takes place in a safe arena and that your child wears a properly fitted and approved safety helmet. Ask the riding instructor if the lesson includes instruction on how to care for horses as well.

If your child is serious about horses, he/she must realize there is a lot of work involved, including feeding, cleaning stalls, grooming and maintaining equipment. There are many 4-H Horse Clubs and Pony Clubs in New Hampshire as well. Contact your local UNH Cooperative Extension office for information about 4-H Horse programs.

Some stables offer a lease agreement for a horse. The agreement might call for you to pay all or a portion of the animal’s feed, care and upkeep in exchange for your child’s opportunity to ride and show the horse as much as they want.

Be sure to ask questions about who pays for veterinary and feed costs, when and how you can get out of a lease or whether you can transport the horse off grounds for shows. Get a written lease that clearly outlines the cost and responsibilities of both parties.

If you do decide to buy a horse for your child, prepare to educate yourself as much as possible prior to a purchase. You’ll need to have an appropriate facility, at either your home or a boarding facility. As with a lease situation, be sure to get a boarding agreement in writing. In addition to a shelter and exercise area, you will need space to store hay and feed and a plan to dispose of the manure your horse will create.

Selecting the right horse for your child is very important. Matching your child’s size and skill level to the size, temperament and training of the horse is critical to a positive experience, as well as the safety of your child.

Match a young, novice rider with an older, well-trained animal. Never buy a young horse for a new rider to “grow up with.” You should also consider what your child is interested in doing with the horse. Some horses are much better suited to pleasure and trail riding, while others are better for showing or jumping. Consult with a trusted and experienced person who owns or manages horses and don’t hesitate to ask a veterinarian to check a potential purchase for health problems.

The costs of horse ownership can be very expensive. The cost of buying a horse varies greatly, and the cost of boarding could run $200 or more per month. Consider both the costs of feed and bedding, which can be quite high, as well as the purchase of tack and equipment. You’ll also need a horse trailer (and the vehicle to pull it) if your son or daughter wants to take their horse to shows or events.

There are great benefits to horse ownership. Gaining skills in horse care and riding give a youth greater self-confidence, coordination and agility, and they will learn about responsibility and compassion as well.

Many people who ride regularly do so for exercise and relaxation, and the common interest in horses introduces you to many new people with similar interests. Horse ownership, however, is a great responsibility. Consider the decision carefully. This article outlines some important considerations you must make before buying a horse. Do your homework before you buy a horse; it’s very important. Consult horse professionals, reputable web sites or books, and contact your county UNH Cooperative Extension office for more information.

By Lisa Townson, Extension Specialist, 4-H Youth Development – August, 2004