Bringing a Horse into the Family
From The Humane Society of the United States
You would be hard pressed to find a little girl who would not be thrilled to have a pony. For some, an interest in horses is a passing fancy, eventually replaced by another hobby. For others, that first pony ride at the county fair is the beginning of a lifelong love of all things equine.
Having a horse in the family can be a rewarding experience. The therapeutic benefits of interacting with horses -- in and out of the saddle -- can have a positive impact on your child’s growth. Young horsemen and women learn personal responsibility, problem solving, self-confidence and communication skills through riding and taking care of their equine charges. It gives them a productive outlet for their energy, plenty of exercise and a greater understanding and appreciation for the outdoors.
For most budding equestrians, the first step of horse ownership is riding lessons at a local barn where your child will learn how to safely lead, groom, tack up, and ride correctly. Many barns offer young riders opportunities to participate in horse shows, giving them a taste of the rewards and challenges of creating a winning partnership with their horse.
It is in riding stables and backyard barns where the echo of “I want a pony” often begins. While riding lessons are a great intro to the world of horses and a low commitment way to gauge your child’s true interest in horses, they typically do not teach your child everything he or she needs to be a successful horse owner.
Of course bringing a horse into your family will impact not only your child’s life, but that of your family. Being a successful owner requires a great deal of time, money and a lasting commitment to the care and well-being of your horse. The keys to a long-term, successful relationship with your horse are twofold: making sure you choose an appropriate horse for your goals, skill level and resources; and having the knowledge and understanding to properly care for your horse daily.
A great source to help families prepare for the realities, joys, responsibilities and challenges of horse ownership is The Humane Society of the United States’ Horses: Companions for Life program. For potential, new and veteran horse owners, the program gives access to information and resources they need to have a long, successful relationship with their horse.
The new book “The HSUS Complete Guide to Horse Care” is an indispensible resource where families can turn to understand what it takes to own a horse – as well as options like lease vs. buy breeder vs. adoption and rescue, and more. It also looks at ways to have horses in your life but not necessarily own one! The HSUS wants people to understand that a horse, just like a cat or dog, is part of the family and deserves humane care for his entire life.
Here are some of the most important things to consider before adding a horse to the family.
1) Does my child need a horse of her own? Riding lessons are a great introduction and a wonderful way for kids to develop confidence and learn responsibility. However, riding lessons do not give you all of the information necessary to be a horse owner. A good way to test the waters is by leasing a horse which typically involves paying a portion of the boarding costs for someone else’s horse in exchange for riding and care privileges. By leasing, you can get a better sense of how willing your child is to schlep to the barn in cold weather to make sure the horse has fresh water, or deal responsibly with sudden lameness or behavior challenges. If leasing isn’t an option, consider gaining some valuable hands-on experience by volunteering at a local horse rescue, therapeutic riding center or community stable
2) Do we have the resources to care for a horse? Whether you keep your horse at home or at a boarding barn, basic care costs a few thousand dollars per year. In addition to food (hay and grain), water (8 to 12 gallons/day) and shelter, horses require regular hoof care, dental care, de-worming, vaccinations, tack and equipment and more. Training, lessons, transportation to shows, show fees and attire quickly add up. Horse owners must also be prepared to deal with injuries, illnesses and special needs as they occur. The purchase price is usually the cheapest part of having a horse. It is the ongoing financial outlay for care/training that can add up.
3) How will we choose our horse? Horse shopping should be approached with the same careful consideration, thought and planning as buying a home or car. First-time horse owners should not foray into the world of horse shopping unassisted. A horse-savvy friend or teacher is a good resource as are the hundreds of horse rescue organizations across the country. These rescues take in adoptable horses from a variety of circumstances and match them up with appropriate adopters. Unlike breeders or trainers who stand to gain from selling a horse, rescues are primarily interested in ensuring the horse and rider are a good match. They have a variety of horses to choose from of all breeds riding ability and temperaments—and if a horse does not work out, they will typically take the horse back.
4) Am I willing to provide a permanent home for our new equine companion? Horses can live well into their thirties, and many remain rideable well into their twenties. For a twelve-year old girl who wants her first horse or pony, a horse in late teens/early twenties would be an appropriate age. You never want to pair a young inexperienced horse with a young rider. Even if you choose a horse in his twenties, he could live an additional 10 years or more. Are you willing to provide care to the horse for the remainder of his life? If you cannot, are you willing to find another loving home for the horse? Many new horse owners do not realize that horses sent to weekly livestock auctions run the risk of being sold to middlemen for slaughter plants.
For more information visit humanesociety.org/horses_equines
