It’s the classic clichéd line – the little girl who desperately wants a pony for Christmas. Of course, in most cases it’s not an option. Time, money and space are all significant factors that work against it even being a possibility. But just in case there’s a glimmer of a chance, we thought we would look at some factors you need to consider when thinking of buying a horse.
- Is it a whim? Before you even consider it, think about if your child is the sort of kid who is likely to go off the idea of a horse as quickly as he or she went off Barbies, or Pokemon? The saying ‘a dog is for life, not just for christmas’ applies here too, if not more so – a horse isn’t just a present, or a thing to own, it’s a lifestyle. It comes with a commitment to mucking out and riding whatever the weather, to caring for the animal for a lifetime. It has to be something your child has wanted for a long time, and a lifestyle they are already involved in, and that means more than just a few pony rides last half term
- Do you know what you need? Are you well versed in all the different types of horse feed out there, have you added up what livery, insurance, vet’s fees and shoeing all cost? And have you then multiplied those by the thirty years the horse is likely to live? And probably doubled it just for good measure? Once again, this is an area you and your child need to become experts in before you make a decision about ownership. It might be beneficial to speak to someone experienced to get an idea of the reality of it all.
- Do you know where to buy one? You may have a great relationship with the people at your riding school, or know someone who knows someone, but are you prepared to do some really thorough background research? To find out where the horse has come from, why it is being sold and get all the information needed about its health and history? As in all fields there are some unscrupulous people about there and you don’t want to find yourself paying through the nose for a horse that has been sold without the owner’s permission, or become embroiled in a situation where the welfare of the horse has been compromised.
- Is there a better option? If your child is dead set on a horse, maybe it would be better for them to get a job at a stables or volunteer at a horse sanctuary. This way they will get to see the reality of looking after a horse: the good and the bad. If, in a few years, and many many mucking outs later, they are still keen, then perhaps it’s something you could begin to seriously consider. For the time being, chances are if you are even having to ask if buying a horse is right for you, it isn’t!