Owning a horse is a dream come true for many people. Whether you dream of taking part in an Olympic sport like show jumping, or just want to trek across the countryside on horseback, there are many great reasons to own a horse.
You may have spent a childhood watching Black Beauty, or My Little Pony, dreaming of owning a horse of your own one day – even as an adult, you may surround yourself with a horse sculpture and books about horses. But what is the reality of owning a horse – and what should you consider before taking the plunge and making the dream a reality?
Cost – Money is one of the biggest factors when it comes to owning a horse – after all, they are not small animals and they require feeding, somewhere to live and veterinary bills to name just a few things. Look into all of the costs involved from the start.
Time – Another enormous factor is time. Horses consume more time than any other pet, and you must be able to devote that time to your horse. You can of course hire people to help out when you are on holiday, but a lot of time and effort goes into looking after horses.
Information – Before you begin and go off and buy a horse, make sure that you are knowledgeable about a horse’s requirements. Go and speak to some people who already own a horse and see if they will mentor you. It would also be a great idea to take some riding lessons, so when it comes to riding a horse of your own, you are competent.
