Considerations of Horse Ownership

Lately, there has been a lot of discussion about horsesyou do a dog or cat. Now, you have a shoeing bill.
that have been left neglected and starving due to gasFurther, when you walk your dog, you can wear
prices, costs backyard breeding and other factors. As Iwhatever you want, however, this is not the case with
thought of this, I realized that many people do not reallyriding or working a horse. You will have to have certain
sit and think about all that is involved in owning a horse.types of riding apparel to ride your horse. This includes
First of all, a horse is not a dog or a cat. You can notboots, jods, gloves and protective helmets. All of these
keep a horse in your house. A horse is generally keptitems are strictly for the protection of you and your
in some sort of barn.horse. Again, there are other types of equipment that
Second, there are completely different expenses withare necessary such as lunge lines, bitting rigs, bridles,
a horse. When your dog, cat, gerbil, hamster, or whatcarts etc. All of these things can get very costly.
have you gets sick, you put it in a carrying cage andThese ideas are just food for thought when
take it to the vet. This is not the case with horses.considering buying a horse. We did not cover the cost
Either the vet has to come to you and charges for aof feed, bedding and monthly board. I also did not
vet call or you have to load the horse into a trailer andcover costs incurred in breeding horses. Those will be
truck the horse to the equine hospital. In order to docovered at a later date. Before, you consider buying a
this, you must make sure you have certain supplies tohorse, research very carefully all that is involved in the
be able to safely trailer the horse. You will need a leadcost and care of owning a horse. Research at your
rope, halter and probably a blanket to truck the horse.local library, talk to people, and go to some local barns
If you do not own your own trailer, you will have toto get some general ideas.
pay someone to ship the horse to the veterinary clinic.Horse ownership is a very serious commitment as you
Third, There is certain protective equipment a horsecan not take the horse to the local humane society if
needs which other animals don't. Things such as legyou decide it isn't going to work out. Maybe if more
wraps, fly masks, and protective boots just to name apeople would take the time to really consider the true
few. Also, a horse needs to have his horsescosts of owning a horse, there wouldn't be so many
professionally done by a farrier. Many horses alsohorses starving and the need for so many rescue
need some sort of shoes whether they are weighedhorse associations. We all love these animals, but
shoes or protective plates. Some horses needowning a horse is a very serious decision and much
corrective shoeing. You can not clip a horse's nails likethought should go into it.