Horseback Riding...where to start

[vicious]

Great info guys, thanks!

To elaborate on my situation, I have pretty good fences, and two donkey's today. They aren't quite miniature, but they aren't full sized either. The problem is, they don't require the same amount of work or care, at least from what the vet told me. I also have a loafing shed, but plan on building a new barn in the next year.

I did not know about leasing as an option, but I really like the thought of it. While I have the ability to care for them, as does my wife, we do travel from time to time so it would be a great option.

I get to Duncan lake quite often during the summer, so I'll talk to them as well.

Why do you keep your hand on the rear as you walk around the back? And yes, it is a serious question.

Thanks again!

 

[oknavy]

Great info guys, thanks!
Why do you keep your hand on the rear as you walk around the back? And yes, it is a serious question.

1. The horse likes it (knows where you are)
2. If you're within reach of the horse's rump, you're close to the horse's legs. If you're not close and you're behind the horse, you're in the kicking danger zone. Watch and learn: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jkct10MkKy8

 

[bettingpython]

Don't forget the safety gear...

 

[RWS]

if you already have donkeys, you can start with one horse. they'll buddy up and keep each other company. how much good pasture do you have? if you have enough grass, the donkeys basically wont need hardly any feed unless the ground is covered in ice or snow. a horse will need a little more, but not much, unless you are riding him hard. maybe a gallon of grain a day or so . you will probably need to keep hay out everyday startin here pretty soon, and until march or april, depending on your grass. around a bale a day (square bale) for 3 head. thats grass hay, not alfalfa.
the loafin shed will do fine for now as long as it has north and west walls. you might want some portable corral panels, so you can set up pens/stalls to seperate them when feeding and help catch them.
the old roping/ranch horse idea is a good one. but if they are 15-18+, they may need special care, feed, etc., translating to higher expense. if and when you buy one, dont cheap out. horses are cheaper than hospital bills, and easier to replace than your wife or kids. you may find free ones, but there is probably a reason nobody wants them. geldings are best, but you can usually find mares cheaper. and absolutely no studs!
a decent used saddle will start at about $300 minimum, and can go a lot higher depending on what you want. bridles, pads/blankets, etc., another $150+ or so.
dont cheap out on the saddles & tack either. it'll save you a lot of trouble and money to get decent stuff to start with, not necissarily fancy or expensive, just good quality. buy a good used saddle, not a new cheap one. find someone knowledgable and hang out as much as you can with em. maybe even volunteer to help at the neighbors when you can.

i build custom saddles, tack, etc. for a living, and have almost 20yrs experience in the saddle/tack buisiness. feel free to ask me any questions, thats how you learn. i will do my best to answer any questions HONESTLY, and not just try to sell you something.

 

[Jefpainthorse]

Great info guys, thanks!

ToWhy do you keep your hand on the rear as you walk around the back? And yes, it is a serious question.

Thanks again!

Actually, you should not walk around the rear... but it happens all the time.

Keeping a hand on a horse when you are close cues YOUR brain so you can do some pre-emptive getting out of the way... if the horse buggers, spooks or kicks.

Equines have great perhiperal vision... but see very little straight ahead or directly behind. IN front or behind is the best place to get kicked or run over if an Equine startles or defends itself.

The safest place to stand near a horse is next to his shoulder. Typically they will bend around you if they move. It hard for a horse to kick you there too.

I'd look into taking a few formal lessons if I wanted to learn to ride as an adult.

I am a western rider... and cannot remember not being of a horse ... but learning how to ride on a English saddle ... on a push- button "schooling" horse will give you some great transferable skills if you want to get your own horses and move into performance horses later.

Your first lesson about horses... They are NOT Dogs. Horses are fairly self centered... and they are PREY animals. WE are predators... and horses will defend there selfs from any thing they find predatory in it's behavior. Socalizing a horse is a whole different dynamic than getting a hungry wolf to share a fire and a pile of dead flesh.

Invest in a couple of books... John Lyons is a good place to start.