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Let's Talk About HorsesPosted Friday, June 5, 2009, at 2:59 PM
The last time I went horse back riding was when I was a young girl living in Maine. I went riding in the White Mountains, and while climbing up a steep hill the horse took off running through the woods and I was getting banged around a lot by tree branches. Lol ! End of Story !! What I would like is to see some responses here about the Joy of owning a Horse. What it cost's to keep a horse? The responsibility of owning a horse? How much pasture you need to keep a horse? Do they have to have a barn or stable? How much food you go through in a month?
How often do horses need to be rode? How often to you groom a horse? How often do you bathe a horse? etc etc and any story you would like to share with the readers about your experience with horses or a story about your horse. See I told you I know nothing about Horses ! I have lot's of questions ! :) Comments Showing comments in chronological order [Show most recent comments first] |
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Marilyn, I am going to briefly give some thoughts and estimates.... but I am sure once I hit submit there will be things I will wish I had put in here. I would love to blog about horses all day and night, as they are one of the true long joys of my life. I would say they ARE the JOY of my life, but I have now experienced both my children and most recently my Grand Children. "nuff said.
What I would like is to see some responses here about the Joy of owning a Horse.
What it cost's to keep a horse? hmmmmm.... I have heard said that you have to expect at least 4-5 tons of hay per horse per year. Right now hay is about $150.00 (minimum) per ton...and up to $200.00. Add on oats, and other feed.... at least 600.00 per horse?
The responsibility of owning a horse? Responsibility is responsibility. You have spoke of once you take the responsibility of an animal, that it should be for life. In many cases with horses that is so, though many times, they are raised and trained to be for sale. I have had some (still have them) that became a part of my family. They go into retirement and deserve to live out their life. And their life is with me. Along with that is the responsibility of keepiing them healthy and happy.
How much pasture you need to keep a horse? I'm not sure of an offcial area needed. But some of mine rotate, and have fields to run and play in as in the wild.
Do they have to have a barn or stable? Not necessarily, but who doesn't want shade in the summer and shelter in the winter? I have both, and it's sometimes amazing (even after all these years) that they will stand out in the worst weather right NEXT to the barn.
How much food you go through in a month? Refer above for hay consumption.... and along with that, for a real working type horse I feed alot of oats, supplements, and all of them get treats. My horses think they are human people, so of course they eat nearly anything they can steal or coerce from you. Burritos, watermelon, cookies.... you name it.
How often do horses need to be rode? Well, lots of people never ride their horse. At times, I ride daily for an hour up to 7 and more hours.
How often to you groom a horse? Horses LOVE to be groomed.... that's how you find the 'sweet' spots on them, and get them to make those wonderfully goofy faces. If you ever get a chance to just watch them, they constantly are grooming one another.... horses have wonderfully developed social skills, .... we could all learn from them.
How often do you bathe a horse? hmmmmmm...I have some that I bathe several times a month. Of course they have to be gleeming and glossy for shows .... and after a long day of work and sweat I like to just rinse them off....they love it.. My horses (some anyway) drink from hoses...or for that matter, they drink from straws and cups any chance they get!
etc etc and any story you would like to share with the readers about your experience with horses or a story about your horse.
Stories stories stories..... I have sad and sorrowful stories... that of course were preceded by joy and awe. Horses have been a constant in my life since before I was 10. My Aunt and Uncle had me spend tons of time on their ranch in Grand View, and those were the beginnings of my 'Wonder Years" I wish every child had the chance to have some of those experiences. That type of life is becoming fewer and fewer to see. It is life at it's fullest, with facts of life right in front of you and it was a good thing. So many children just don't get to see 'Life' and all the consequences. I made sure my children had it, and they are in turn are showing their children. I was given my first horse by my Aunt who could see that I had 'the bug' and my horsey life began! I remember that moment now, and the disbelief that I had a horse! It was Christmas time and I will never forget it. That was 38 years ago, and that horse is long gone, but she was my very best friend for many many years. She taught me patience and loyalty. A horse friend once loyal is always loyal, and they never lie to you, or deceive. My next horse was a sister to that first love, and I still have her, though she is retired and taking care of young ones. She alway loved babies...and would shiver and tremble at the sight of them, so this is how I honor her love.... letting her raise babies (not her own) and teaching them socialization. (sp?) She had 3 with her right now that she is teaching respect and discipline, then I will bring them home and give her others. She is so gray now and has shrunk like old ladies do, but she still stands with dignity and pride. She was an all 'round 'do it all horse' including High School Rodeo a little with my daughter. (Even then as a mature horse, she was fast and determined to win) My children all learned from her, though they didn't all ride her.... And I will bet money when she passes, they all shed a tear. I tear up just typing those words. Mariah is her name and she and I went thru the whole gamut of emotions. Trust me, though I loved her without reservation, there were times I nearly hated her. She was not an easy horse to ride, but she was honest. Once when she was sick, she got pnemonia (sp?) and they told me after weeks of treatment (and many dollars) that she probably just wouldn't make it and that I needed to accept it. Knight Vet Clinic worked with me then and we all brought her back. They said it probably cut years off her life, but she is 25 now, and going strong. Love won out.
I could go on forever about others that I"ve had, or that my friends have had, and the heart ache and such joy that horses have given us.
They make you doubt yourself, and then they reward you for sticking with it.
I just have to say, if you have a child who wants a horse .... truly consider making a horse a part of their life.... it's a never ending gift.
Jessie
I own 9 of this great creatures (3 geldings/boys and 6 mares/girls). We have a 2 month old, a 1 year old, a 2 year old, 3-3 year olds, 2-8 year olds and one 23 year old Mustang which I purchased from her original owner 7-8 years ago. We raise and breed Quarter Horses and also employ 2 trainers for cutting and reining (pretty much year round) for which I did not list costs. If you show a horse...you have to pay entry fees as well (that is another story for another day).
A horse should just about eat its weight in hay each month. I feed grass/alfalfa mix but my mare who has the baby gets grass and straight alfalfa as well as supplement pellets to help her maintain good health and milk production.
Horses need "pedicures" just about every 6-10 weeks (some people keep their horses feet longer). You can trim them and not put shoes on them or shoe them. A trim costs about $35.00 while shoes are around $75.00 per horse (for 4 feet). There are also hot shoes which are more expensive and I have NO idea what that costs.
My horses are groomed about 2 times a week (the ones that are rode daily are groomed before and after each ride). I give a bath 2 times a week in the warmer months. The horses that are rode/worked daily normally get hosed down after each ride with water (it helps to cool them and helps to clear some of the sweat off).
I believe that horses (or any animal for that matter) need shelter. Some are of the opinion that in the wild they do not have this but I (personally) believe in shelter. My horses have fans in the barn and also have a misting system as well for the warmer months. In the winter they can get out of the snow and wind and go in and out of the barn. This is better for the very young horses and also the older horses (IMO). It should be noted that not everyone has a barn and their horses do fine.
In the winter we have heated water for the gang so that their water does not freeze. They will drink a fair amount of water in the winter when their water is warmer (not by any means required).
Hay is about $140.00-$180.00 per ton this year depending on the quality. If you do not pick the hay up yourself...you have to pay to have it delivered (that starts at about $50.00, depending on where you live, per load PLUS the cost of the hay).
I bought 13 stackers of hay (that is about 4.5 tons per stack) last year and it was delivered off the field. We got grass, grass/alfalfa and alfalfa. I have my older mare that gets Equine Senior (a supplement) which is about $15.00 per bag. A bag will last me just under 2 weeks because she also gets hay (some feed only the supplements). Shots on a horse run about $30.00-$40.00 per horse depending on what you decide to do. West Nile is a pretty important shot for this area as well as the others. My vet bills for my horses are in the thousands each year but we also have breeding costs/care in there as well. I will say that vet care for a horse/cow is cheaper than for a dog/cat as far as shots go. Horses and cows are considered stock as opposed to pets to many so shot costs are lower.
On top of these costs there is the purchase of grooming stuff (brushes, soap, etc.), halters, tack, ropes, etc. It is a lifestyle for sure and it is not cheap. Let us not forget panels, trucks, trailer, straw, fly spray, blankets, sheets, etc. The average saddle starts at probably $1,700 dollars. It is not a cheap sport but I would not trade it for the world! I love my horses and try to ride 3 times a week or more. My 23 year old horse does not work much anymore but every now and then we go on a ride. She deserves to have easy golden years...IMO only of course. I will post some more pictures down the road. Hope that helped you out MsM. Thank you for asking about your equine friends and their care. Great blogs/info. Keep up the great work.
By the way...my pup was on Nutro food. I had to take her to the vet today because she is sick! She will be okay and we are going to change her food. Thanks for the info on that as well.
Great post Jess! MsM...we took in a horse that was starved (I did a blog which you can read several months back). We thought he would make it but he ended up needing to be put down (Jess helped me a bit on that one). Anyway...that was my first horse to die. It was not a good experience but it is life and it was better for the horse. I cut his tail and made (had made) 2 shoe flys...1 for me and one for the lady that owned him (out of state) who did not get to say bye. It is something of him that we will always have. Her asking me to take care of her horse was one of the greatest joys in my 38 years (and a true honor).
I would gladly allow a child to use a horse of mine for 4H. Owning a horse is one of the best experiences of my life and it teaches kids respect, responsibility and many other great things. Great post Jess!!
As you can see Marilyn, us horse folks can talk for hours and hours about what horses have done for us. There are about 10 in my horsey family, I'd have to count to be sure, but they all have their place. Lots of them are posted in the photo section of the paper... cuz I'm proud of them! Maybe I will start a horsey blog this summer, while I"m not working during the break. Any thoughts?
Jessie
Thank you for the great Info and the story's. I always had a love for Horses, just never got the chance to become a horse owner. I think starting a horse blog is a good idea.
I would also like to see a blog for people raising children as I am sure they could use support any where they can get it. lol !
Happy Monday !