15 March 2018
Owning a horse, or horsing around?
Owning a horse requires substantial investment, hardworking physical labour and lifetime responsibilities and dedication. However this can help you establish good routines and habits.
Aside from attending your horse everyday care like feeding, grooming and exercise. You also need to clean them, maintain the facilities, provide training, veterinary care and insurance. Most people who get horses, or want horses, don’t realise the amount of effort horses are. People don’t understand that you need to go to the farm twice a day and how much commitment it actually takes.
When you think of horses, you probably think of: horse riding or beautiful animals which have long hair and a lovely silky body. However it’s hard to do this in winter as the taps are frozen, everything is slippery, therefore it’s hard to do anything with your horse and people never feel in the mood to go. It can take multiple hours for the horse to look presentable and even another 1-2 hours washing the horse to clean all the mud, hay and straw off.
Riding is VERY dangerous. At Liverpool international horse show, the horses did multiple different stunts, which included: horses jumping over fire which only the best riders can train their horses to do. Even just simple jumping is dangerous. One horse from the Netherlands jumped through the parallel oxer, breaking its leg. This resulted in the horse being shotas the break was that serious that he would no longer be able to walk, without causing more damage. Losing your horse or even it just needing the vet for a check-up can be a very scary experience for you and your horse never mind in the middle of an international area packed with people un aware of the possibilities.
Horses are beautiful to watch and they provide a valuable opportunity to learn about animal behaviour; how they move, look, communicate. Their reactions and interactions are fascinating. However it’s not all about this. Owning a horse can be very fulfilling because they can make you trustworthy ( because when entering an open field riding a horse you know will suddenly take off at full speed with you bouncing up and down on its back isn’t in need of your trust, then think again).
One of the biggest responsibilities of owning a horse is the cost. Depending on the horses: breed, age, size, health and ability, it can range from hundreds to thousands of pounds. And that’s just for the horse! Horses on the market can be found at livestock’s shows and on newspaper ads. These horses are not picked based on looks but personality, this ensures your safety. Once you’ve found a horse that you like, you usually have to take it on trial. This consists of multiple challenges that you put your horse through including: eventing, flat showing, dressage, show jumping, working hunter or even just simple work in an open field. However this is what shows people just how good your horse is. In the horse world, showing off is key! I would recommend to own a horse to make sure you are aware of the commitment you will take up, also that you should know someone who owns a horse so when you go on holiday, you know your horses is ok, safe and has food and water.
However, owning a horse is the most rewarding thing I can think of, having this special bond with a creature with emotions just like us. Even though the commitment is a big part of owning a horse, it is the best feeling cantering your horse through an open field and jumping this animal who you love and look after. Ultimately owning a horse should be fun for you and the horse, you should make sure you have the best equipment you possibly can and to just have the best time when you are with your horse.