My parents purchased a pony for me when I was 6 years old. I had begged for a pony for years. For every birthday and Christmas, my standard answer to the question of what I wanted was, "A pony. I only want a pony." Finally, they found a pony. When they went to see the pony, the owner's child showed how gentle the pony was. My parents were satisfied and closed the deal. I was ecstatic when the pony was delivered. I told everyone it was the best present ever. It wasn't. It was finally a relief when we sold the pony. What happened?
* My parents wanted the pony to be a surprise so I never saw the pony until it showed up in our driveway. The person who is going to ride the horse or pony should try it out before the purchase. It's good to also have a trial period in the purchase agreement.
* The owner's child was very experienced with horses and ponies. I was not. The pony quickly realized that he could easily intimidate me. He acted like he was going to bite me. The pony would kick me or try to squish me against trees or the fence. He liked to step on my feet and when I tried to get him to move, he'd put more of his weight on my foot.
* I had only ridden a horse a handful of times and never by myself unless an adult was leading it. At that point of time I was more experienced with drawing horses than riding or caring for them.
* I did not have anyone experienced with horses to talk with me.
Before deciding to purchase a horse, you need to ask yourself some questions.
Why do I want a horse?
To help you make a decision about purchasing a horse, you need to know why you want it. "It would be fun to have a horse" or "I've always wanted a horse" are not good reasons to buy one.
Am I ready for a horse?
You need to get experience with horses first. Taking riding lessons will test how long your interest in horses will last as well as give you experience. If you only enjoy riding horses a couple times a year, purchasing a horse is not a good option. I boarded a horse for someone who fell in love with a horse but didn't have any time for it. He just had to have the horse and purchased it without knowing what he would do with it. He rode the horse three times during the two years that I kept the horse. I offered to buy the horse several times but he was attached to the thought of owning a horse.
How much time do I have?
Caring for a horse takes quite a bit of time. It's not just whether you can fit in a ride a couple times a week. Grooming and feeding must be included also.
Can I afford a horse?
A horse costs more than the purchase price. There are veterinarian bills, food, tack, and the farrier's bills to consider. All these comprise ongoing costs that have to be met in order to keep your horse in an optimum state of health.
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