There are many benefits to having a child grow up with a horse. There are some disadvantages too.

By Doug Butler, PhD, CJF, FWCF

We are often asked, “My daughter wants a horse. “What do I need to know about it?”

Life is more enjoyable when we know what we are getting into. What are some of the considerations when buying a horse? Is it expensive? Are they dangerous? Does it build character and teach responsibility? Yes!

Horses are great tools for building desirable character traits in young people. The responsibility of feeding, grooming, exercising, training and caring for a horse is good for children and adults. It works best if the child has some investment in its purchase and care. It has been said, “The outside of a horse is good for the inside of a man (or woman).” We love horses and have exposed all of our children and grandchildren to them. Some have become attached to them and made horse care their livelihood, others have not. All have benefited from the experience.

But, there are some things that are important to know before embarking on this great adventure:

You need to obtain the right horse for your child – just any ole horse will not do. Novices need older, experienced gentle horses. It’s an old truism that you never find a bad color on a good horse. Many people have the wrong horse because they bought it based on an emotional connection. The services of a finder can help you get the right horse. He or she can find the horse that will suit your daughter’s dreams and plans without letting emotions make the decision before learning the horse’s temperament. Finders may be paid as much as a 10% commission.

Find out the reason a horse is being sold. Is it because the previous owner has outgrown her horse and is going away to college – or is it because the horse bucks, bites, or destroys fences?

Age of the horse is a consideration. Younger horses are usually less dependable than older horses. Horse traders tend to under estimate age. However, some apparent defects may not be so bad. I bought a horse for my kids that was blind in one eye, but gentle and well trained. She was great! They had such fun on her! Consult an expert horseman to help you make the big decision.

Realize it takes time and instruction to become competent around horses. An untrained horse can be dangerous for a beginning rider. If your child intends to show the horse, special training and instruction will be required. You will need a way to transport the horse to shows.

It can be expensive to keep a horse. In fact it has been said that the purchase price is just a down payment on the cost of a horse! Besides feed and board, riding clothes, tack including a saddle, bridle and halter must be obtained. Then there is the cost of veterinarians, farriers, and trainers.

Realize that once you become attached to the animal, you will have a difficult time parting with it, even if your daughter has lost interest. So, you need to accept, before you buy, that you may have this horse for a very long time. You may even have to give it away when the time comes to part with it. If it dies while you own it, you will have a burial cost.