Horse Wanted

meangene

I really want to buy and keep a horse, I have no idea where to start. Has anyone ever bought a horse before? I suppose i would like a relatively young horse, what kind of money would you pay, what breeds are the best. Is there stable I can rent in the North Dublin Area??

Any help in this area would be appreciated,

Regards,

Meangene

evilmonkee

First I would suggest that you do not buy a horse until you gain some experience.
You need to gain experience first as:
1. horses are a LOT of work
I understand that you have considered this, but without experience it is very hard to perceive how much work it is. There is nothing quite like mucking out a stable in -6C to make you realize how much work is involved.

2.horses are expensive to keep
Livery (where you board your horse at a stables, VERY EXPENSIVE), food, vets, farrier, bedding, tack, coats / jackets, grooming supplies, transport etc. all are very expensive. And that is before you consider costs for time, showing, riding lessons, your own clothing etc.

3. horses need constant training to avoid bad habits / owners need experience
As you are asking about this, I think it is safe to assume you are not an avid rider (as riders would know where to look for a horse, apologies if I am wrong).
Horses need a rider / owner who will keep them calm, teach them proper behavior, and handle them properly and safely.
By not doing this you risk serious (even fatal) injury to yourself, your horse, other people, other animals and property.
Horses can develop medical conditions rapidly which can kill them in hours (eg. colic). Owners need to be experienced and know what they are doing to be able to ensure the safety of the animal.
Because of their size and naturally nervous disposition, horses can do serious or fatal damage to people who do not know how to read their body language and be aware of potential triggers.

Choosing a horse is difficult
Picking a horse requires knowledge. It requires knowing what uses the horse is for, suitability for the conditions which you will keep it, conformation, disposition, owners skill level, food needs, age, sex etc.
These are not things which you can read up on and know. You have to see them and learn first hand.

There are hundreds of things I have missed, but I feel these are the basic points.

What I would suggest is that you volunteer at a local rescue (or if there are no equine rescues nearby, often riding schools accept volunteers). By doing this you will gain all the experience I have spoken of above, then you will be in a better position to care for a horse.
By doing this you can also build bonds with like minded people and perhaps even get a discount on livery costs in the future by volunteering at a stables.

Cherry Blossom

OP what experience do you have with horses and what do you want this horse for exactly? You are going to have to be very specific. The one thing I will say is that unless you have years of experience with horses you definitely do not want a young horse. Is there any particular reason why you have posted this here instead of the equestrian forum? Full-livery (stabled) in Dublin costs from €75 per week upwards. €75 a week is what I was paying in Dublin for DIY livery - this was after an employee discount of 50% as I worked at the yard full-time. Vet's fees, farrier fees (€50 upwards every 6 weeks), transport (if needed) etc. are not included in this.

Jen Pigs Fly

So much fail sorry, I've worked with horses for 17 years, from the age of 4. They require specialist care and knowledge. You are aware that they require vaccination at least once a year? Twice for the first starting lot, they need their feet done regardless if they're barefoot or not every 6-8 weeks, they require worming every 8 weeks - 3 months depending on wormer, they need dentist work at least once a year, chiro visit at least once a year, some horses need it every few months, my horse need chiro every 3 months due to her bad back.

What do you know about basic horse care? The symptoms of hoof thrush, laminitis, tooth problems, back care, veterinary care, vaccinations, strangles, colic, heaves, cushings, tetnus, influenza, Eastern(EEE)/Western(WEE) and Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis(VEE), rabies, equine herpes, Ehrlichiosis? That's the tip of the ice berg.

You do not want a young horse, they are not suitable 'first time' horses, young horses are very testy, especially yearling/2 year olds, think stroppy 14 year old, they will test you constantly, biting, kicking out, pulling, tugging, pawing out.

They are strong animals, who require a gentle touch, they're flightly, and often injure themselves, vet fees for a horse start at €70 which includes call out and consultation.

I will run you through how much my 10 year old arabian mare costs in 2011

€3780 for the year livery - and I have her cheap because I thought lessons
€175 for farrier work, she is barefoot, it would cost on average €420 p/year to keep a horse shod
€800 for veterinary care, she sliced her leg open after getting stuck while rolling in the stable
€60 chiro visit
€70 dentist visit
Rugs and extras €250

That's basic, upwards of €20,000 has been spent in the 3 and a half years I've owned her.

They're expensive, get some lessons <snip>.