You desperately want a horse and are ready to welcome it into your life – but first, how to get a horse? There are few different options to consider – each with pros and cons. Whether you are considering leasing, buying, or adopting your new best friend, read over the pros and cons and talk to professional trainers and other horse experts for the best advice.
The pros of leasing a horse
Less Responsibility
The type of lease you settle on will determine the level of your personal responsibility for the horse you lease.
There are three different types of leases. Full lease, partial lease, and free lease.
Full Lease:
Full fee and you have full access to the horse, but you also have the responsibility of a lot of the expenses for the horse.
Partial Lease:
Partial fee and you have less time with the horse, but you also have less financial responsibility and care for the horse.
Free Lease:
You have full access to the horse for no fee, but you do have to take care of the horse’s expenses.
You’re not bound to one horse
If the horse you have leased is not the right fit for you or if later you choose to step up your competition game, you can always end your lease agreement and sign a new one with a different horse.
You choose the time you want to spend with the horse
If you have other daily obligations like work or school and can’t be at the barn every day then a partial lease is what you need.
If you want to have the horse anytime you want and you have the time to spend with him every day then you need to consider a full lease.
The cons of leasing a horse
You have less freedom
Even with a full lease, you cannot just take the horse anytime you want or take it anywhere you want. You still need the permission of the owner.
Responsibility for a horse that doesn’t belong to you
Loving someone else’s horse, treating it as your own, and being responsible for the cost of the horse getting injured or sick is something you need to decide if you are willing to do.
Lease fees can get expensive
Lease fees can get pretty expensive when also paying for the expenses of the horse like vet bills and boarding. You’re renting the horse, paying for everything PLUS a lease fee, but it’s not YOUR horse.
How to get a horse for lease?
- You can find ads on the internet
- Check with your local tack shop
- Look through newspaper ads
- Talk with other horse riders
- Most training barns will lease a horse
- Speak to your trainer about it
The pros of owning a horse
It’s YOURS
Once you buy a horse, all the choices are yours to make. You don’t have to ask anyone’s permission to take the horse out, where you can take the horse, or anything else.
You’re the only rider
Unless you lease your horse out or just allow friends and family to ride him, then you are the sole rider. This will help you to judge your progress in riding a lot better.
The bond between you and your horse
You will be the only one riding and caring for the horse. Once you have that bond, that connection with your horse, it’s a beautiful relationship.
The cons of owning a horse
You pay for everything
You have to pay for all of the vet bills, boarding, food, equipment, farriers, and everything.
If you ever need to let your horse go
If you ever outgrow your horse or move somewhere that you can’t have a horse or just don’t have time for one anymore, then you have to deal with everything concerning the sale of your horse. If you outgrow it and need another horse but don’t want to get rid of your first horse, then you double the cost of the upkeep.
You’re responsible for the horse’s health
All care and maintenance fall on your shoulders unless you hire a caretaker for your horse.
How to get a horse of my own?
- Check your local tack shop
- Speak to other horse owners
- Your trainer may know of individuals selling a horse
- Internet ads
- Internet websites such as:
The pros of adopting a horse
Saving a life
There are many horses given up for adoption that are perfectly fine horses. When one is adopted it makes room for another horse to be taken in, thereby saving its life.
Low adoption fees
The adoption fees are normally a lot less than actually buying a horse from a seller or a company. Not to mention that you will actually be rescuing a horse.
Adoptive horses are already evaluated
Do not buy straight from an auction. A horse that is put up for adoption as a rescue horse is already evaluated and seen by a vet. The age, the ability to be trained, and the health has all been evaluated before they are put up for adoption, so you know what you are getting into.
Provisions
Another plus for adopting a horse is that many rescue places for horses will keep up with the vet visits, the horse’s health, shots, farrier visits, and deworming until someone adopts the horse so you know that the horse has been taken care of.
Horses are matched to owners
The rescue workers will do their best to match an owner to the perfect horse for them and they usually have a few horses to choose from.
The cons of adopting a horse
Unknown past
When a rescue place has a horse turned over to them, they usually are not told the history of the horse to be able to pass that information on to you. Some horses have been through so much trauma like neglect, abuse, starvation, and more that these horses are left with issues that need to be worked through. Patience on your part is definitely needed.
Lengthy process
Horse adoption is not as simple as adopting a puppy or kitten. Think of it more like adopting a baby. The process is very lengthy. It usually will require you to have references from farriers, vets, and personal trainers.
Home visits required
Many times, before and after adopting a horse, there will be mandatory visits. Again, think of it as adopting a child. You wouldn’t let a child be adopted without first checking out the home situation, the same applies to horse adoption.
Experience is usually required
Though it is not always the case, a lot of the time a rescue center would rather the person adopting a horse be experienced in caring for one.
How to get a horse through adoption
There are quite a few websites on the internet where you can go to look at rescue horses that are for sale. Below are just a few.
Conclusion
Owning a horse, whether buying or adopting one, is a major responsibility and a costly one. Making that decision is not something you should do overnight or on a whim.
Regardless of how much you love horses and how much you think you want one, take the time to do your research. Go to stables and talk to horse owners. Find someone who isn’t afraid to tell you the complete truth about owning a horse instead of just painting a pretty picture for you.
Weigh all of the pros and cons before you make your decision. If you find that you can afford to get a horse, properly care for this animal and love him, then you are one of the lucky ones. Take care of your horse and he will take care of you.