Name (required):

  Expression ^{(Optional mood/title along with your name) Examples: (happy, sad, The Joyful, etc.) help)}

  E-mail address (optional):

* Type your message here:
>(Horses are VERY expensive to keep -- even 'free' >horses that you can keep at home. Quality feed is not >less than $10/50#, and quality hay, even here in >'farming' country, is not less than $5/35-40# bale. >The average 15.3h, 1000# horse, doing 'average' work, >will eat between 6 and 8# of feed a day, and 10# of >hay -- Good barley straw is at least $3/bale. If you >do a GREAT job of cleaning his stall, and if he's out >for 12 out of 24 hours, you'll use at least a bale of >straw a week, after filling his stall with about 4 >bales, to start. I never EVER sit down and figure out >how much it costs me to keep the horses, 'cause I know >I'd probably panic. Then, there's 'routine' farrier >and vet bills -- not to even consider the 'extra' vet >care (illness or injury -- horses are not as hardy as >one might think ...). I didn't adopt the horses I >have -- my late husband was a TB trainer, and my >horses are the 'decimated' remains of his racing >stable. My three ponies, I did purchase two, and >adopt one -- I must have been out of my mind! LOL! >The horse's age isn't the major concern, unless he's >had a hard life. You could easily get 5 good years >from a 21 yr. old, but then, you might have to really >baby him. You need to get a vet's opinion -- and >don't expect a 'perfect' free horse. Some conditions >are acceptable, depending upon your intended use. The >vet will be able to give you an opinion. DON'T use a >vet recommended by the person who has the horse now. >Get a vet via either a different stable, or via the >local tack shop's professional recommendations. Even >tho you would not be paying for the horse, the horse >could cost you a fortune, if its not well. You'll >feel responsible. > >Then, there's also the consideration of what to do, >should something unfortunate happen, and the horse >needs to be euthanised. If you can't deal with that >possibility, do your heart a favour, and be happy >either 'sharing' board on someone else's horse, or >with just hacking a horse at the local riding stable. >I've had several horses euthanised. It's not painful >to the horse, and if you are willing to hold them, >while the vet works, you can make their passing very >comforted -- for <U>them</U>. <i>You</i> will be >heartbroken, every time. > >If I didn't have these horses, I would be very happy >to find someone with a horse to share, on a local >state park, or to just hack a horse at a stable. > >Speaking of horses, time for me to bring mine in for >the night! > > > >>Well, I can tell you right Up front I am the wrong >>one to ask about that. I have loved horses all my >>life. And all my life have dreamed of owning one. >>But now I am too old. I have taken a few lessen >>myself. Age 21 is not old for all horses in my >>opinion. I think it all depends on how healthy he is. >>If he has arthritis or not.. etc.. If you can afford >>a horse, and you have a place to keep him, and your >>willing to go thru the hard work of caring for him, >>(brushing daily, cleaning his hoofs, cleaning his >>stall, feeding him , bring him in, letting him out) Go >>for it.. Beverly has adopted 3 horses and 2 ponies. >>Connie has had horses all her life. Both of them can >>help you in that area. Good luck, You lucky lady...
Choose Message Icon: None :-) Happy ;-) Wink :-D Joy :} Smirk <:-} Innocent ☮ Peace >:) Mischief B-) Shades <3 Heart |O Yawn <:P Sick >:-( Angry :~( Sad ? Question *!* Alert Thumbs Up Thumbs Down (!) Idea [Info] Info Oo. Talk [ View Emoticons ]

Notice: Copies of your message may remain on this and other systems on internet. Please be respectful.