[fergiaj]

Just like the title says... I'm getting my first horse today so I want to know how other people decided they were ready.

I thought I was ready after riding horses for many years and wanting to improve myself. I got experience taking care of lesson horses at my barn and I worked with vet students taking care of our herd. I was able to balance school and work really well my first year of college so I felt confident I had the time (and money) to take care of a horse.

How about you guys? I feel like mine was a little too logical, lol.

[Blueeyepaint]

I'm not. But I couldn't let them go to auction.
I have experience riding at stables, I did a bit of barrel racing with my cousins horses back in high school, and before that I rode a lot and learned a lot from a friend who had horses in grades 6-9.
I know the basics, I am able to ride and have ridden some pretty "spooky" horses and I have basic knowledge of body language.
I probably am far from ready to own my own horses, but there is no time like the present to learn right?

Congrats on your horse!!!!

[HotToTrot]

When I was little, I had virtually no horse expierience, I went on arranged group trail rides maaybe five times in my life.... But I found a place to keep a horse in exchange for stall work, my dad bought my first horse for $200, a 8 month old Appendix Filly...and from there...well.....Now I'm a trainer training horse in eventing.....


I never had the luxury or the money to be able to take lessons, and have a trainer... (Not until My Second Horse anyway).nor did anyone in my family really have a huge interest in horses...but my dad was supportive and I had help with my filly from the owner of the far that let me keep her there....andI was trail riding her regularly by the time she was 2 1/2 years old....had her until she was six, and moved into jumping....and thats how I started...kind of just Jumped into the horse world with little expirience...and than boom....now I'm a trainer lol

[County]

I was 15 and knew I was ready when the auctioneer banged his gavel, said sold, and pointed at me.

[Anti-Silence]

I had ridden from the time I was 12-14 just bareback in a pasture. Then had virtually no contact with horses until I was 17. I was on the internet and came across a website for a rescue, and one of the horses caught my attention. I decided it was time for a horse. Mind you, when I went down, I didn't get that horse, I got a different yearling, but I got stupid, went back and got three more a couple weeks later, including the original that caught my attention. I don't think I was really ready for four horses, but I made it work, and now it is what it is, lol.

[Kicks]

Never had to question if I was ready or not - My Grandfather got my first horse for me before I was born - have had horses ever since.

[equestsarah81]

I had ridden/ taken lessons since I was 9y/o for 9yrs and to take some money off my lessons I worked at the barn and took care of our lesson horses for many yrs. I also had a job and my parents loved to teach me about responsibility so they said if I were to get a horse I would have to pay for it and pay for all the care. So my trainer found me a great OTTB that she was asked to find a home for for free. So I made sure I could budget in a horse on what I made and I figured that I could. So that is how I know I was ready for my first horse....

[fergiaj]

It's so interesting hearing about everyone! Keep the stories coming!!

[leaps-n-bounds]

I guess I "thought", not knew I was ready all my life..every single word that came out of my mouth until I got one, pointed to wanting a "horsie of my own". Eventually when I was 10, I found a stable that offered lessons, so I took lessons first. It was 4 more years before I got my horse, and I wasn't truly ready, but I don't regret it at all. He has taught me so much, as I have taught him as well! lol..But now I have two lovely horsies to call my own

[Huntseat123]

I was ready when I was about fifteen, and my mom said "me and your father discussed it, we have 3,000 saved up for a horse." So needless to say, I bought Sam.