SHOULD YOU OWN A HORSE?

You may want to buy a horse of your very own.  Millions of people do.  That desire to have a horse is a prerequisite for being a good horse owner, but it certainly isn't enough to answer the question, "Should you own a horse?" in the affirmative.

Much more than desire goes into determining whether you are well suited for horse ownership.  If you are thinking about buying a horse but aren't yet sure whether you are truly a "horse person" or if you might be on the verge of making a serious mistake, there are a few questions you should ask yourself before taking any action.

These questions can't provide a foolproof answer, but they will make you think a bit about what it will mean to own a horse and might give you a better understanding of whether you should buy a horse for yourself.  Let's look at a handful of provocative queries that will help you decide if you should take horse buying by the reins or if you should let the prospect trot right by.

Why do you want a horse, anyway?  That seemingly simple question can reveal a great deal about your suitability for horse ownership.  Are you interested in owning a horse based upon deeply held sentiments and feelings, or are motivated by whim or more shallow rationales?  Those who feel strongly about horse ownership and who are able to sense a deep internal desire to have a horse generally tend to be better owners than those who simply felt like it was a "good idea."

Do you need a horse to meet your goals?  Take a few moments to think about what you would like to achieve as a horse owner.  Is it really necessary to own a horse in order to accomplish those goals?  For instance, if you merely want to take occasional country rides, you might be better off finding a stable at which you can do just that without being forced to invest in a horse and to take on the attendant responsibilities of ownership.  On the other hand, if you want to make a horse part of your every day lifestyle or have an eye toward equestrian competition, horse ownership will make much more sense.

Can you afford a horse?  There are less expensive pastimes than horse ownership.  Not only will you be buying a horse, equipment and tack, you will also have ongoing expenses associated with the care of the animal.  If your finances are tight and you don't have wiggle room in your monthly budget, you might not be positioned for horse ownership.  If, on the other hand, you can bear the costs and will not find yourself forced into difficult decisions should an unforeseen expense arise, you may be better able to handle the responsibilities of horse ownership.

Obviously, three simple questions like these won't give you an absolutely accurate idea of whether you should own a horse.  They should, however, get you to think more about what it will mean to own a horse and whether it would really be a decision that would suit you and that would fit into your lifestyle.

There are thousands of people who have decided to become horse owners without spending the time and exerting the consideration necessary to make a wise decision first.  Although those impulsive decisions may, occasionally, work out wonderfully they are often a source of great frustration and disappointment.  Not only is the mistaken buyer negatively effected, the innocent horse may also experience unnecessary hardship.

Owning a horse can be an amazing experience?for the right person.  For the wrong person, horse ownership can be a disaster.  Take the time to consider whether you are well suited for a horse before making a purchase.  One great way of doing that is to look into resources that discuss the horse buying process in greater detail.  By learning more about what is involved in preparing for a horse and finding the right mount, you can gain a much better understanding of whether horse ownership is right for you.