Hippotherapy - Do you think I should have a horse?

Do you think I should have a horse?

Ok heres the deal. My dad won't get me a horse because he thinks Ill grow out of the "horse stage". I am 14 years old and I work at a resturaunt. I take riding lessons once a week. I used to help out at a therapeutic riding stable. I would take care of the horses(feeding,grooming, tacking up, exc....). I am a A student in school and have never failed before. I really want a horse but do you think I should? Please be honest. P,S My parents have the money but they just think Ill grow out of it. They said maybe next year if I still love horses:) A little positive. I also plane to go to a college with a stable nearby.(sorta picked one out already) P.S.S Im sorta the girl that is always left out. Not many friends to keep me in the way of owning one. I dont even care to go shopping! Every girls life.

Public Comments

Honestly it sounds like you have the passion and love to have a horse but the real question is... do you have the time space and money? Taking care of of a horse is expinsive and a lot of hard work. Say goodbye to most of your free time and hello to the god life=)I was in the same situation now My family lives on a horse farm with 15 horses!! Dont give up hope
well hunny that depends because if you love horses and you have a love or passion and a lot of space go ahead ceep in mind that you have to graze it
well horses are something kids grow out of and they take a lot of time care compassion and its really expensive to get a horse to begin with. your going to be in highschool next year right? do you think you'll give up part if not all your social life to take care of the horse. horses require a lot of commitment.
You do sound like a very good girl who can follow through with what you set out to do. Are you planning on going to college? That is probably the time your dad thinks you'll outgrow the horse stage, when you go away to college. Darlin', let me tell you...owning a horse is vastly different from taking riding lessons, working in a stable from time to time, etc. It requires an every day commitment. Not that I don't think you are up to it, I just don't think you understand the level of commitment required. On the bright side, you will never outgrow your love of horses and so, when you are grown, through college and into your career life, you can get a horse or at least work towards getting one. How do I know? I'm 56 years old and my parents promised me a horse when I was 16. Then I did something that they didn't like and took back their promise. I've had a horse for 4 years (she was 2 1/2 months old when I got her). Everyday for 4 years, spring, summer, fall and winter (sometimes minus 35 degrees) I've hauled 5 gallons of water morning and evening, fed her twice a day, loaded my pickup truck with hay bales and then off loaded them back her at the farm. I've paid for the vet, for the farrier, for trainers, saddles, boots, blankets, the equine dentist, etc. Don't give up on your dream. You have your whole life ahead of you. Hugs.
Having a horse involves more than just you. Your parents will have to fork over the money for unexpedited medical bills and provide either the land at their house or get you to the barn if your board since your not old enough to drive. Buy a trailer and a truck etc,,,,,, If you were my kid and you had all A's like that, you bet I would. My son is spoiled and gets to show mules and I am behind him making sure his grades are a C to show. You sound responsible, you sound like a good kid and yes if you were mine I would do it. However, its financial for the parents and if your parents don't have the funds and a horse would put a huge burden on them, then I can understand the parental side of it also.
it sounds like you really want one, but horses are a lot of money. its very hard to find a really good horse thats under $2,500, plus the cost of the board every month (usually 200 and up) . if your only taking lessons its hard to really understand what its really like taking care of a horse, like if your horse is afraid of something or has a bad habit you don't really know what to do because the lesson horses are already perfectly trained. and horses need lots of time. so if you have a job and go to school i don't see lots of free time (school during the week and job on the weekends, during the school year) the choice is really yours but those are some things you should think about
You could always try getting one on loan for a while then you can see if you can afford one and also see if you get the time and keep your enthusiasm to eventually buy your own horse. You sound like a very sensible young lady and i hope everything works out for you
ok here r some things u need 2 keep in mind: do u have the $? if ur parents arent going 2 help u out, u wont b able 2 afford it. do u have the time? the rule @ my barn: if u own a horse, u have 2 ride it @ LEAST 3 times a week do u know wat kind of horse, how 2 get it, etc. is ur trainer going 2 help u look? do u have the equipment? (that can b really expensive 2!!) r u experienced enough? u failed 2 mention how long u have been riding. but u sound very dedicated ( : but if this sounds overwhelming, u can try leasing. or half leasing. u and another student @ ur barn can both lease a horse. its like renting. this works if there is a horse u love 2 ride and want 2 b able 2 ride it all the time. but if u r satisified with the horse(s) u ride, u may decide u dont need 2 own/lease one. hope that helped!!
I have loved horses all my life and i am turning 14 next year and i got my first horse last year. I think that if you really believe that you should get a horse and you love them, then get a horse, but if you have other things that will get in the way and you think its a long stage then i would stick with riding lessons. Good luck
I was in the same situation when I was buying my horse. I had a job, school, and friends to keep up with. At the time when I bought my horse she wasnt my main priority, and should have been. Now that I have grown up a bit and understand that my parents do not have the money to waste, and it is not fair for my horse to watch all of the other horses being ridden, groomed and grazed and not her, I began to really understand what taking on responsibility is. It is hard to turn down going to the mall with friends for your horse but sometimes you have to. Just make sure you are willing to give your horse the attention it deserves. My suggestion would be to find someone to lease with at first so that you can focus on everything you need to like school and work. I would find it much easier if I had someone to help me out considering sometimes I work day after day and dont get to see my horse for a week. Also leasing will prove to your dad that you are ready for your own horse and wont grow out of it..good luck!!