I have been playing with the idea of adopting a horse from the human society. None of my kids is old enough to ride now, and I haven't ridden since I took a class in college, and I rode in a couple shows in high school - my sister-in-law had horses; I've never owned a horse. I know enough to know that horses are a lot of work and require regular vet visits, etc. I've asked others about general cost and how often hooves need to be trimmed, etc. My dogs and cats go to the vet regularly and are kept up-to-date for all their shots. I know that there is a huge difference, but I'm just illustrating that I am a responsible pet owner - many around here are not - and I'm not going into this totally blind and stupid.

Would it be a crazy idea to adopt a younger horse intending to do just ground work for a few years or even just to keep as a pet? I have a child with special needs and he connects with animals really well, and helping to rehab a horse would be a great confidence boost for him (actually most of the horses from the humane society here are rehabbed already, but he doesn't have to know that). We have the space for a horse (on 30 acres) and I love the idea of adopting a rescue animal, but is it a waste to adopt a horse if we may never get around to training it to ride? My niece has a horse, and she's been riding in 4H shows for the last 2 years, but they're acting kind of snobby when I ask my dumb novice questions, so I though I'd ask here since I know that some of you have rescue horses.

Thanks

I think adopting a horse or pony, or any animal for that matter, is a very noble deed...BUT, as you already know, a horse is vastly different from other pets. Just so you know, I own and work with horses, as well as live on a stud farm, so I do have some experience with them! They need vet checkups 1-2 times a year, hoof trimming/shoeing every six weeks, dentistry every 6-12 months, worming every 12 weeks or so, vaccinations, food, eqiupment etc.etc. You need to make sure your horse will fit your budget. Also, horses are herd animals and one horse kept alone may not do well. You don't necessarily need another horse, I've seen horses happy with a donkey, goat, sheep and one even became best friends with a cow. Also, lack of experience, especially with a young horse, can be very difficult, but if you have lots of help from experienced horse people, you might be okay. In my opinion, you do need to be quite experienced to actually break a horse to ride, as a bad job can ruin a horse for life. I would suggest talking to as many people as possible (riders, breeders, vets etc.) who know about horses and weigh up the pros and cons carefully. And good luck!

There's a saying in the horseworld :

Green + Green = Black + Blue




If you REALLY are considering owning a horse, you should be looking for an older, well broken in one. A younger (green) horse paired up with a first time owner is ASKING for trouble.

Remember that people selling horses are like used car salesmen. Take along someone experienced! Have someone ride the horse a few times, and see what sort of equipment it needs(as saddle fit is SO important--and can be tricky).

They also take up alot of time, and require a ton of grooming.


They are SO worth it, but its a big deal.


Oh, and sometimes you can contact Therapeutic riding camps and see if they would sell one of theirs.

I hear ya!!
I almost did this four-ish years ago. I have an aunt that runs an amazing "odd & unusual" farm and she was given a horse that was a rescue. I wanted Sweetie SO BAD!! Buttttt, it wasn't meant to be. (He ended up having health issues I couldn't handle & afford) Here's what you could do to fix your horse questions/cravings: volunteer at a farm, ranch, training stable, S.T.A.R.S., or other rehab ranch... it will help you put in perspective your needs/wants. If you can do that for a few months and it feels right, go for it. If you find yourself burning out, well... ALSO, where you volunteer might be more open to questions. Horse snobs bug me-- if they love the gorgeous beauties, share the info with us newbies!!! Best of luck!

I completely agree here - I think the best thing would be to volunteer at a local stables and you can really find out what it is like. xmas day, new year's day, you gotta be there for them.....twice a day!

i know someone who took on a horse (please dont take this as an impression I have of you, it is not, i'm just providing a scenario example) and thought she could feed him grass clippings....and sugar beet without soaking.
all i'm trying to say it there are simple little things that may seem completely 'ok' as a animal 'non-horse' lover, but do not work with horses.

all i'm trying to say is make sure you have a good grounding of exactly what your animal will need - again maybe voluntering would be a good idea...or maybe go on a basic horsemanship course.

all the best, and please keep me informed...i'll be greatful to give advice as an when. we should start a horsey forum really, i'm sure their must be a load of 'oss folk around...all dieting like mad to get back in the saddle!

Can you & your child take lessons first? The discipline of weekly lessons & handling horses again is good. Do you have 4H for kids or Pony Club going on near you? And then through lessons you'll find yourself immersed in a particular barn's culture, and thus will find your way into the local horse community while learning, almost by osmosis, about all the best sources for feed, bedding, tack, vets, transport & etc.

[Says me, who hasn't been up on a horse in 11 years, but has indeed thought that, after losing 100 pounds, I need to unearth my paddock boots & saddle from storage at my parents' home.]

Everything all of you have said is the reason I've only been "toying" with the idea for 6 years now. I took a basic horsemanship class in college as an elective and it taught me enough to know that there is a lot I need to learn. There is a stable across the street from us where they do English riding classes, and they've been good neighbors, and I'm sure would help also. I'm going to sign my kids up for lessons at a stable where they offer introductory classes for children and adults and also do a summer camp for special needs kids. My niece is involved in 4H and is quite accomplished although just a beginner because she was paired with experienced horse owners who also train their own horses. I would never take on attempting to train a horse on my own, but I have enough contacts here to handle it. Also, in the future if we do finally decide to take the plunge, I am also going to adopt a donkey. May sound crazy, but my aunt always kept a "guard donkey" to protect her sheep from coyotes. Which brings up another question - do donkeys need to have their hooves trimmed the same as horses? I'll have to research that, too

They're having a Pet Expo event here this weekend where all the local humane societies will be including the ones with horses for adoption, and I'm going to go talk to them, but I'm thinking that there's no way I'll be ready for at least a couple years. The class I took in college taught me enough to know that I have a lot to learn, and I'm very research oriented so I won't do it 'til I've learned everything I can first. I have a lot of resources here, too - my FIL has 3 horses and grew up on a farm, so I've been asking him what feed he gets and how much, etc. and how often the vet is out. I have many relatives who are farmers and ranchers, but my branch of the family isn't, but at least I have many people to turn to for help. Thanks for all your help, and I'll keep you updated....

Ditto, Ditto, Ditto

The only reason ( I am am not very familiar with horses & care, until I adopted one) that I jumped in with both feet is because my sister is familiar with horses and the horse is actually kept on her property. I have learned alot but am in no way an expert.

As far as riding horses or just keeping one as a pet, I don't see anything wrong with having a horse just for a pet and not to ride, in fact, if (when) our rescue get's healthy enough to ride, if she isn't rideable then I am ok with her just being a pet.

If I were choosing a horse to adopt that I wanted to ride or work with a special needs child, I would look for a horse that has no bad habits, a good calm horse that has been proven would be safe around your child. A lot of times animals that need to be adopted have other issues, I can tell ya our mare likes to lean on people, she isn't mindful of where she puts her feet either and if you aren't quick she will step on ya. She also is a cribber ( chews up wood, usually the fence). She wasn't keen on bathing at all when we first got her and her behaving for the farrier wasn't too good either. She is still horrible when you try to do anything with her teeth/mouth.

[QUOTE=kuchick;3250991] Which brings up another question - do donkeys need to have their hooves trimmed the same as horses? I'll have to research that, too [QUOTE]

not sure about what grazing arrangements you have in the usa, but over here (uk) tend to graze horses and donkeys seperate/have paddock rotation/poop picking/etc due to the worms that donkeys can carrry

Good luck, and yes, donkeys also need hoof trimming.