Sin pecado

So you want to buy a horse! Great idea! But is having a horse really what you want? Are you damn sure? Because the dream of having a horse is very different from daily reality.
I've written down ten things to consider before buying a horse. Of course they don’t cover everything, but they can be summed up by the word "dedication", which I think does cover (almost) everything. :-)

Please find below my 10 considerations! And let me know whether you agree or not!

1) You and only you will be fully responsible for the horse's mental and physical health, and the conditions he will live in. A horse can not fend for itself, it depends on you to stay sane, healthy and fit.

2 ) The price you pay for buying a horse will (in most cases) not be the biggest cost. If you want to take care of him properly the cost of daily care is not to be underestimated! Are you willing to give up other things you like (books, DVD’s, games, expensive food, holidays) in order to pay for your horse's next deworm treatment or another visit to the vet?

3) It takes a lot of energy... So give it a try first! Try to look after a 'lease' horse for at least a month and see if that is what you really want, because cleaning out stables and cleaning hoofs are going to be daily reality.

4) It takes a lot of attention, think about the impact on your social life, the housekeeping and your relationships with partner and/or children.
Realize that you won't have that much time to spend on other hobbies anymore. This hobby will occupy most of your time.

5) Again time and dedication. Consider you can’t leave the horse all by itself... If you want to go on holiday 3 times a year, you need someone capable of looking after your horse for the time you are gone. Are you willing to stay at home (instead of skiing, lying on a sunny beach or making a city trip to Barcelona?) because you can't find someone suitable to look after your horse?

6) Consider the responsibility towards other people/parties... Hopefully it's something you will not come across, but you should always be aware that in case your horse causes damage to other people's goods, or causes an accident, you will most likely be held responsible. It's a good idea to talk to your insurance advisor before buying a horse.

7) Your horse needs social contact with other animals, preferably (but not necessarily) other horses... Is this something you can offer him?

8) Your horse needs hoof care, daily care and exercise, a visit from the veterinary now and then, regular deworm treatment, good food, a warm stable, lots of training (lessons cost money too), a saddle that fits... Can you provide all of this?

9) Do you know enough about horses to take immediate action in case something goes wrong? Or do you have people near you to help, assist or give you advice? Make sure you know at least one person who is able to answer all your questions.

10) Dedication: you have to be there for your horse every day again...
On those rainy days, when you would prefer to stay at home to watch television, you still have to go out to give him the necessary attention.
After a busy working day you still have to go and give him exercise. Are you prepared to do all this?

I’ve collected these 10 tips because I see what happens when people buy a horse without being aware of the impact of ownership. And maybe I am one of them. :-)
I know I must sound very negative, but it really does have an enormous impact on your life. I am a ‘happy horse owner’ and I would do it all over again, but you really have to love horses A LOT to be able to keep it up. And your horse deserves care and dedication every single day!
But if you find that one special horse, the one that rubs his nose softly against your shoulder, and gives you the feeling that “he is the one” when you look at hem, then by all means go for it! A horse is a wonderful creature, a kind friend and a good listener. Just make sure you can be a kind friend and good listener for him too!

Did you find these tips useful? Please write a comment to let me know!
(thank you darling for the review! X!)