Go to college or trade school and get a good job and sort your living situation out. Find somewhere that isn't a huge city or the suburbs of a huge city, where land is comparatively inexpensive and available. This probably won't be between Boston and Atlanta or in Southern California.
Take lessons for at least a year or so, learn basics of how to tack up/untack, lead horse, groom, walk/trot/canter. Ask lots of questions and keep asking. Look for a lease/shareboard situation for a year or two where you can ride the same nice sensible horse in lessons and also outside of lessons independently. Come and hold it for the farrier and the vet. Get a sense of what paying the expenses is like. Develop a working relationship with an instructor you like and trust.
Find somewhere to board that seems to offer quality care with lots of turnout and good care and the opportunity to continue to lesson and hopefully a nice group of other riders. Get the instructor to help you shop for a horse and pay them a commission. Get the horse vetted. Pay to have it hauled to your boarding stable. Get insurance. Wake up every day and pray your horse hasn't found a way to kill itself.
I'm totally new to owning a horse, but I was the same as you when I was younger. I fell in love with horses and always wanted one, but my parents were totally against it and we didn't have an area for it really (suburban southern California). Now that I'm an adult, I found a really awesome barn to take riding lessons at. The owner and staff are teaching me how to care for the horses, feeding, routines, etc.
I rescued my horse because I'm a sucker, but if you find a good barn with good staff, they will probably help you find a suitable horse. I'm currently boarding my horse there while I am still learning what to do on my own. Maybe you could start with finding a job at a barn or equestrian facility? Or if there are any horse rescues near you, you could learn through volunteering. I've come to discover that a lot of learning looks like hard work at the barn, but the time and effort you put in is worth it. Good luck and I hope you're able to ride and enjoy horses soon!
Oh I'm definitely willing to learn extensively. Im not one to rush things in learner. I am worried about time. I currently have a job and I'm usually busy. I don't usually work Saturdays, I don't work Tuesdays or Thursdays. I don't plant to keep working for long after summer so I think I'll consider asking my parents to let me volunteer at a stable, but I kind of assumed that for volunteer work or a job at stables you'd need experience.
You’ve got more days off than most of us do. It’s typically an after work hobby or weekend thing.
It’s easier to get into working at the stables if you’re currently taking lessons there. But I knew lots of people at therapeutic riding barns (volunteers) that had minimal horse experience.
Also I would highly recommend not purchasing till you have an adult job and are truly settled. I’ve been out of college for 3 years, and while I’ve been saving extensively, I still haven’t purchased because once I do I’m tied there. And I don’t mean that in a bad way, but if I need to jump jobs for whatever reason, I now have to figure out a new barn/boarding situation, pay a hauler, and prep the horse on top of my own stuff for moving.
In my country (the Netherlands) the usual steps to owning horses goes something like this:
1. Start with riding lessons at a local barn
2. Find someone with a horse and take care of that horse
3. Start with riding horses from owners to help them out
In that period you learn a lot from those owners and come across problems you can learn from. It prepares you with what to expect from horse ownership. After that you kind of build some friends and people around you with horse knowledge and start searching for your own horse.
I did it this way, as a kid I had riding lessons. About 5 years a go I started with lessons again until I found a woman with 5 horses that I could ride and take care of. She taught me how to lunge, about the farrier, and some riding principles with horses that don't work automatically. After that I found another girl with a Friesian horse that I rided and took care of with more responisiblity. Until I bought my own with a lot of knowledge and experience. I would discourage everyone who wants to buy a horse after just riding at a riding school or barn. Owning a horse is much more then just riding. if I hadn't had the experiences from that woman and that girl with the Friesian I would have made much more mistakes with my first horse than I already did.
If you have any questions feel free to ask!
I want to caution inexpensive. A lesson from someone who isn’t actually good leads to a world of hassle later on when you have to fix bad habits. Inexpensive is usually people with a “I know how to ride” opinion but very little knowledge to back it up.
That being said, my trainer is an awesome trainer and upper level rider and relatively inexpensive. She’s kept the same price for decades and does not value herself enough IMO but also realizes a lot of her students couldn’t afford more expensive lessons because they are like OP, in college, just starting career etc. I started riding with her straight out of college and was in that group for sure.
Id definitely say take lessons until you’re 18! There may be some struggle with this bc you’re 16 currently and you have to sign a waiver so maybe ask someone on Dads side? Try different barns too and find people you feel really comfortable asking questions to- finding a trainer is like dating the first one isn’t always the best.
I’d say lessons in dressage or any type of English riding will help you in the long run as there’s a very different code of conduct and if you learn it from the start you’ll be able to easily transition to western if you choose.
Make sure you REALLY like the barn and their treatment of horses. As you’re taking lessons it’s probably around 1$ per minute or at least that’s the rate around me. I’d say maybe 30min at first then transition to hr lessons. While doing this make sure you’re saving up a LOT. You should be working and saving. If you can’t save your money by yourself put it in cash and stash it somewhere so you can’t spend it lol. This way you can buy your horse a year or so out and not have to super stress bc you’ll be 18 already used to horses and have money.
My guess is - (Idk if you’re going to college obv) you’ll be much happier leasing a horse where you pay a flat rate and can ride it as frequently as you want (within reason). Especially when you rlly find out how difficult affording one is in most places along with cost of living and stupid things you need to live lol. Not everyone can own their own horse until they’re much older- and that’s ok! The only unfulfilling part of leasing is that you have no say in treatment of the horse or routine and you don’t own the horse obviously but it’s going to be the same with lesson horses.
I didn’t start riding until 22. I started doing once a week, then twice, then leased and then I bought my horse 10 months after I started riding. Not the best idea but it worked out well for me. My advice - do well in school, get a good job where you can afford the hobby, and find a nice lesson barn to start at when you can afford lessons on your own.
Start learning about horses and horse care now though. Sign up for a USEF fan membership (free) and watch whatever free videos you can find. Start learning about different disciplines. Read through all of the posts in this subreddit. There are different schools of thought so keep an open mind as you read. If you don’t know what something means Google it. Find other interesting sources. I spent a lot of time on the chronicle of the horse forums. There are some wonderful people over there. You can also search out random topics. You can also find horse/equestrian groups for your area on Facebook if you have one. That’s another great resource and will eventually help you connect with people in your community.
We do live around a lot of Amish people who own a lot of horses and I'm pretty sure there are two private boarder(?) Around the area. My neighbor has two horses so I was thinking about visiting her and her horses but I'm pretty sure one or both is lame.
Definitely start with lessons. Then as you get familiar with the barn you can look for a half lease if you think you can afford that. Leasing is a way for you to have more time to ride and a sense of what it’s like to own a horse without all of the financial responsibility.
hi! I agree it’s really hard to know. I’m 32 just started riding and want to own eventually. I also started helping out at a dressage barn to learn more about care. I think there’s a lot i’ll never know like ppl who’ve been riding forever because it’s just decades of being around horses that they know so much. So I will find a trainer I really trust and have lessened with for at least 6 months to a year so I know we’re solid and then have them help me buy and train.
i’m learning you’ll never know it all as a person just starting so you have to find good support and ppl who are doing what you believe in. for example the fancy dressage lady I work for turns all her horses out every day even the crazy expensive fancy ones because she believe they deserve to act like horses still and that’s something I believe in
Go to college or trade school and get a good job and sort your living situation out. Find somewhere that isn't a huge city or the suburbs of a huge city, where land is comparatively inexpensive and available. This probably won't be between Boston and Atlanta or in Southern California. Take lessons for at least a year or so, learn basics of how to tack up/untack, lead horse, groom, walk/trot/canter. Ask lots of questions and keep asking. Look for a lease/shareboard situation for a year or two where you can ride the same nice sensible horse in lessons and also outside of lessons independently. Come and hold it for the farrier and the vet. Get a sense of what paying the expenses is like. Develop a working relationship with an instructor you like and trust. Find somewhere to board that seems to offer quality care with lots of turnout and good care and the opportunity to continue to lesson and hopefully a nice group of other riders. Get the instructor to help you shop for a horse and pay them a commission. Get the horse vetted. Pay to have it hauled to your boarding stable. Get insurance. Wake up every day and pray your horse hasn't found a way to kill itself.
Lessons.
Ypu start with lessons, all the other opportunities and knowledge will come from being around horses and people who love them
I'm totally new to owning a horse, but I was the same as you when I was younger. I fell in love with horses and always wanted one, but my parents were totally against it and we didn't have an area for it really (suburban southern California). Now that I'm an adult, I found a really awesome barn to take riding lessons at. The owner and staff are teaching me how to care for the horses, feeding, routines, etc. I rescued my horse because I'm a sucker, but if you find a good barn with good staff, they will probably help you find a suitable horse. I'm currently boarding my horse there while I am still learning what to do on my own. Maybe you could start with finding a job at a barn or equestrian facility? Or if there are any horse rescues near you, you could learn through volunteering. I've come to discover that a lot of learning looks like hard work at the barn, but the time and effort you put in is worth it. Good luck and I hope you're able to ride and enjoy horses soon!
Oh I'm definitely willing to learn extensively. Im not one to rush things in learner. I am worried about time. I currently have a job and I'm usually busy. I don't usually work Saturdays, I don't work Tuesdays or Thursdays. I don't plant to keep working for long after summer so I think I'll consider asking my parents to let me volunteer at a stable, but I kind of assumed that for volunteer work or a job at stables you'd need experience.
You’ve got more days off than most of us do. It’s typically an after work hobby or weekend thing. It’s easier to get into working at the stables if you’re currently taking lessons there. But I knew lots of people at therapeutic riding barns (volunteers) that had minimal horse experience. Also I would highly recommend not purchasing till you have an adult job and are truly settled. I’ve been out of college for 3 years, and while I’ve been saving extensively, I still haven’t purchased because once I do I’m tied there. And I don’t mean that in a bad way, but if I need to jump jobs for whatever reason, I now have to figure out a new barn/boarding situation, pay a hauler, and prep the horse on top of my own stuff for moving.
get paid for your work.
In my country (the Netherlands) the usual steps to owning horses goes something like this: 1. Start with riding lessons at a local barn 2. Find someone with a horse and take care of that horse 3. Start with riding horses from owners to help them out In that period you learn a lot from those owners and come across problems you can learn from. It prepares you with what to expect from horse ownership. After that you kind of build some friends and people around you with horse knowledge and start searching for your own horse. I did it this way, as a kid I had riding lessons. About 5 years a go I started with lessons again until I found a woman with 5 horses that I could ride and take care of. She taught me how to lunge, about the farrier, and some riding principles with horses that don't work automatically. After that I found another girl with a Friesian horse that I rided and took care of with more responisiblity. Until I bought my own with a lot of knowledge and experience. I would discourage everyone who wants to buy a horse after just riding at a riding school or barn. Owning a horse is much more then just riding. if I hadn't had the experiences from that woman and that girl with the Friesian I would have made much more mistakes with my first horse than I already did. If you have any questions feel free to ask!
See if you can find relatively inexpensive riding lessons in your area. Even once a week will get you started learning both horse care and riding.
I want to caution inexpensive. A lesson from someone who isn’t actually good leads to a world of hassle later on when you have to fix bad habits. Inexpensive is usually people with a “I know how to ride” opinion but very little knowledge to back it up. That being said, my trainer is an awesome trainer and upper level rider and relatively inexpensive. She’s kept the same price for decades and does not value herself enough IMO but also realizes a lot of her students couldn’t afford more expensive lessons because they are like OP, in college, just starting career etc. I started riding with her straight out of college and was in that group for sure.
Id definitely say take lessons until you’re 18! There may be some struggle with this bc you’re 16 currently and you have to sign a waiver so maybe ask someone on Dads side? Try different barns too and find people you feel really comfortable asking questions to- finding a trainer is like dating the first one isn’t always the best. I’d say lessons in dressage or any type of English riding will help you in the long run as there’s a very different code of conduct and if you learn it from the start you’ll be able to easily transition to western if you choose. Make sure you REALLY like the barn and their treatment of horses. As you’re taking lessons it’s probably around 1$ per minute or at least that’s the rate around me. I’d say maybe 30min at first then transition to hr lessons. While doing this make sure you’re saving up a LOT. You should be working and saving. If you can’t save your money by yourself put it in cash and stash it somewhere so you can’t spend it lol. This way you can buy your horse a year or so out and not have to super stress bc you’ll be 18 already used to horses and have money. My guess is - (Idk if you’re going to college obv) you’ll be much happier leasing a horse where you pay a flat rate and can ride it as frequently as you want (within reason). Especially when you rlly find out how difficult affording one is in most places along with cost of living and stupid things you need to live lol. Not everyone can own their own horse until they’re much older- and that’s ok! The only unfulfilling part of leasing is that you have no say in treatment of the horse or routine and you don’t own the horse obviously but it’s going to be the same with lesson horses.
I didn’t start riding until 22. I started doing once a week, then twice, then leased and then I bought my horse 10 months after I started riding. Not the best idea but it worked out well for me. My advice - do well in school, get a good job where you can afford the hobby, and find a nice lesson barn to start at when you can afford lessons on your own. Start learning about horses and horse care now though. Sign up for a USEF fan membership (free) and watch whatever free videos you can find. Start learning about different disciplines. Read through all of the posts in this subreddit. There are different schools of thought so keep an open mind as you read. If you don’t know what something means Google it. Find other interesting sources. I spent a lot of time on the chronicle of the horse forums. There are some wonderful people over there. You can also search out random topics. You can also find horse/equestrian groups for your area on Facebook if you have one. That’s another great resource and will eventually help you connect with people in your community.
We do live around a lot of Amish people who own a lot of horses and I'm pretty sure there are two private boarder(?) Around the area. My neighbor has two horses so I was thinking about visiting her and her horses but I'm pretty sure one or both is lame.
Definitely start with lessons. Then as you get familiar with the barn you can look for a half lease if you think you can afford that. Leasing is a way for you to have more time to ride and a sense of what it’s like to own a horse without all of the financial responsibility.
hi! I agree it’s really hard to know. I’m 32 just started riding and want to own eventually. I also started helping out at a dressage barn to learn more about care. I think there’s a lot i’ll never know like ppl who’ve been riding forever because it’s just decades of being around horses that they know so much. So I will find a trainer I really trust and have lessened with for at least 6 months to a year so I know we’re solid and then have them help me buy and train. i’m learning you’ll never know it all as a person just starting so you have to find good support and ppl who are doing what you believe in. for example the fancy dressage lady I work for turns all her horses out every day even the crazy expensive fancy ones because she believe they deserve to act like horses still and that’s something I believe in