Unfortunately there are many myths bandied about when it comes to keeping horses, and anyone seriously taken in by such information is likely to be disappointed and disillusioned by his experience.
Before looking for your own horse, make sure that you have not been taken in by any of the top five horse owning myths.
Myth 5: Having My Own Horse will Mean We Bond and Have a Close Relationship
Truth: Horses are not the instinctively loving and loyal animals that dogs are. Some horses will show an attachment to their owner but most remain somewhat reserved and show a distinct propensity to cupboard love, transferring their affections easily to the holder of the nearest carrot.
If you are looking for a deep and meaningful relationship with an animal, you should look at other species. Horses are a pleasure to be around, but most aren’t cuddly, preferring food and their equine friends to their owners. The time you invest in a horse will aid understanding and improve how you work with him, but he may never come running at your call.
Myth 4: Having my Own Horse Will Mean I can Ride in Competitions
Truth: It is not necessary to own a horse to ride competitively. Many of the top show jumpers and three-day-eventers ride horses that belong to other people. If you are paying out to keep a horse, will you have much money to compete anyway?
A skilled rider can often find a horse to take to competitions for a less brave or less able owner. If you are confident about the level you want to compete at you may advertise for a horse to ride on stable notice boards or in papers. Spread the word among friends and contacts. To develop in a chosen discipline, a few lessons on a very experienced horse (a schoolmaster) are the best possible investment.
Myth 3: If I Buy a Horse I can Ride Whenever I Want
Truth: If you talk to horse owners you know, you may be surprised about how little riding they actually get to do. An average figure often quoted is twice a week, mainly at weekends. Why? Because they frequently have so many other commitments on stable visits, such as bringing in or putting out, mucking boxes and preparing feed, that riding can get pushed to one side.
Lesson students simply book the time, arrive and ride, and may have very little idea of the background work that goes into readying their mount, then tending to his comfort after the session. What if your own horse is unwell? You can lose months or even years of riding if your horse is lame. Are you prepared to cope with that eventuality?
Myth 2: Having my Own Horse Will Improve my Riding
Truth: It is not uncommon at all to see riding skill deteriorate once a person has his own horse. Why? Lessons are expensive and once a person has his own horse he may feel further tuition from an instructor or trainer is an unnecessary extra. When the budget is tight, lessons are often the first expense cut.
Gradually horse and rider fall into bad habits, but as it is a slow process, they can understand each other. The rider will only realise her faults when attempting to ride a new horse, when it can’t understand any of her cues.
Riding more often improves ability, but it is also important to ride as many different horses as possible to maintain a flexible and correct style. Tuition is not an optional extra. The best riders in the world have regular lessons all their lives and they are essential to becoming and remaining a good rider.
Myth 1: Having My Own Horse will be Cheaper than Paying Out for These Lessons
Truth: Unless you are paying for private lessons every single day, this will not be true. The cost of buying a horse is the cheapest part of ownership, and the bills mount quickly, from feed and boarding charges, to veterinary care. Cutting corners to keep a horse is a false economy as horses will easily injure themselves on cheap fencing or become ill on poor quality food. Make sure you have looked into the cost of keeping a horse in your area, included insurance charges, and worked out how much you could spare in an emergency. If it would be nothing, you simply cannot afford a horse.
For the sake of both horse and rider no one should be under these misconceptions when he starts to look for a horse. An awareness of all these myths could keep you from a disappointing experience. Know what to expect before you act.
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