Important Advice On Keeping A Horse

Horses make for amazing creatures to have around. They are one of those species which have a very close and unique relationship to human beings, a little like dogs and cats, but in many ways they are much more their own animal and more independent. Nonetheless, they do make amazing partners in many ways, and there are many joys to be had if you are thinking about keeping a horse yourself. Before you do so, however, you will want to think about how you are going to look after them and what you will need to do so. In this post, we’ll take a look at some of the most essential things that you will need to consider before you get a horse.

Photo by Kenny Webster on Unsplash

The Costs

First of all, it’s a good idea to be fully aware of the costs of having a horse, so that you know what’s coming and you don’t get any nasty surprises along the way. Although it does take some money to get set up for having a horse, actually the ongoing costs are not too bad, so it’s something that you might find to be more affordable than you might have assumed. Ongoing costs will include bales of hay, mineral supplement, salt blocks, farrier, dewormer, dentistry and vaccination. If you are boarding your horse, that will likely be your main cost. And of course there are vet bills from time to time - though you should consider getting your horse insured, which could save you money.

The Stable

Of course, the main thing you need in order to keep a horse yourself and not board it is a stable. If you have the space for a stable in your land and you want to get one, make sure that you are aware of the size that you need. You might want to consider whether you are going to need space for more than one horse, or whether you just want a spacious one for the one horse anyway. In any case, take a look around - you are bound to find some beautiful bespoke stables for sale, and it’s just a case of finding one that looks suitable for you. If you are particularly handy, you can always consider building one yourself instead, although it is probably easier to just buy one.

Their Behaviour

It’s also important to make sure that you are aware of their behaviour and what it means, as this can be a clear indication of what they need. Over time you will obviously get a better and better sense of this, but at first you should research what their behaviour means so that you can ensure you are going to keep your horse as happy and healthy as possible. By doing that, you will be taking much better care of them, and you can develop a long and loving relationship with them which will last many years and bring joy to the both of you.