A Million + One Questions About Horses

My neighbor was riding his horse earlier this summer and came into my yard to visit. The horse seemed to really like me. I never did find out the horse's name. This neighbor isn't so much an animal lover as he is a part time weekend cowboy for fun. So, I didn't push the issue. I was sort of afraid of the horse at first, but eventually the horse won me over.

So, I've been thinking a lot about horses ever since, more so lately. As much as I love critters/animals/pets, in general, I know nothing about horses. I figure, I'm bored, sleepy, in a curious mood, and only half serious, but I thought this would be a fun topic to start.

Again, I know nothing about horses. So, I have every question you can think of to answer plus some. I know I could buy books galore to read about them, but I'd rather hear real life experiences as opposed to trying something from a book. The advice that usually works best is real knowledge from people with experience, anyhow.

I'm probably still ages away from ever being able to afford a horse, but one day I might like to have one, primarily as a pet, but maybe to ride sometimes too. I don't care about pedigrees or any of that. I don't plan on showing horses or anything fancy like that. The fanciest I'd ever get is to buy the horse some nice neon orange (or hot pink, do they come in hot pink?) leotards, some fuzzy dice (where do you put those on a horse, btw?) and have a pimped out barn for it. I just might like having one as a pet/companion one day.

In the meantime, I want to learn as much about them as I can before I start preparing for one or jump headlong into the responsibility before I can afford it or take the time to do it right. I wasn't raised around horses, so I know nothing except what I hear. I hear they are smart and you can train them and feed them apples and stuff. Is that true? Do you have to take the seeds out of the apples or can the horse handle it?

Do they cost more to buy them as babies or adults? Can you buy just a regular horse or are you required to ask for a certain breed?

Are saddles required for riding? Are saddles better for the horse or not? Or are the saddles just to have a place to put your hands and feet so you don't fall off? Can you train a horse to squat so you can get on them to ride, or do you just take a running jump and hope for the best?

What do you feed them for a balanced diet? Do they make something like Purina Horse Chow or do you have to go all over hell and half of Georgia to get what they need to eat in order to stay healthy? Also, how do you figure out which local Republican congressman to send the horse "output" to, you know...to keep their supply of it full? :P

Also, why do some horses have shiny hair and some have dull looking hair? How do you make their coat super shiny? Is it breed that causes a shiny coat, diet, or grooming?

Where can you get those cool 80s looking neon leotards horses sometimes wear on their legs on TV?

Are girl horses friendlier or are the boy horses friendlier? Can you spay the girl horses/neuter the boy horses? Which is easiest to train? Is there a difference?

Do their shoes have brands like Nike and Adidas or are they just plain old horseshoes? Where do you find blacksmiths in this day and age to buy their shoes? How fast do their feet grow? I want to know how many sets of shoes to buy ahead of time for when it starts growing. Or are shoes custom deals to have made once you get the horse? Do they have to wear the shoes or can they go barefooted? Also, why don't horses wear socks?

Also, what's the best barn setup for just one horse mostly to be kept as a pet/companion, but maybe to ride sometimes. How do you keep them warm in the winter and cool in the summer if they can't live inside the house?

Is 2/3 of an acre enough room for one horse? Can you rent a place to give them exercise for a few hours on weekends, if 2/3 of an acre is not enough, or would it be a bad idea to even try having a horse on 2/3 of an acre?

Can a horse and a dog share a yard?

How long do horses live on average? Can you buy a horse while the mommy horse is still pregnant and watch it being born, so you can get to know it while it is still a baby? Are there some farms that will let you do that?

Can horses be spoiled rotten like dogs and cats?

Do they answer to their names?

Do the solid color horses cost more than ones with white places on them? Are brown horses more expensive to buy than black horses? How do you get one with the shiny coat and a white spot between its eyes? Do they all have long pretty hair on the back of their heads or do you have to ask for that?

I know nothing about horses, literally. So, if you own a horse, would any of you mind telling a little something about horses, in general, and something about your horse's personality? That will be the most enjoyable part to hear about, for me.

P.S. Why have I never seen a lolHorse picture? Btw, keep in mind, this thread will be a lot more fun if there are pictures, so pony up. :D

Goodness, where to start? :) Disclaimer: I worked in a stable to pay for my daughter's riding lessons a few years ago, but haven't actually ridden since I was a kid.

There is purina horse chow out there, believe it or not, but they also require a mix of grains and hay or alfalfa for feed. that's number one. Horses are very social animals and they'll follow you around just like a dog, so your dog and horse could actually have a lot of fun together, and horses can get into trouble if they're too bored. They have to be exercised but you don't necessarily have to ride them if you don't want to. You can run them around in a circle on a rope (I forget what that's called), but riding is fun. You'll want at least a bareback pad for comfort, both yours and the horses. You can mount from a box, tree stump or bale of hay if you don't want to use a saddle with stirrups. You have to tend them every day, cleaning their box if they have one, and they should for rainy or inclement weather. ummm...oh yeah, there are still farriers around who'll come out and shoe your horse for you and that should be done 2 to 4 times a year, more often if some kind of foot problem develops. Vet bills can get expensive too and horses have to have a series of injections a year, don't remember which ones. The barns they had for the horses in Austin had fans on in the summer and you can get a kind of coat for the winter if it gets that cold. I'll go away now and think about it for awhile and probably come up with all kinds of other stuff. I love horses :) and have always wanted one, but never had the space or money. oh, and sometimes you can foster abused horses and even adopt them. my mom's vet has a sign up about donating for the abused horses and mules around here.

Her response... Take whatever is helpful from it...

"I just might like having one as a pet/companion one day....I wasn't raised around horses, so I know nothing except what I hear"

I've had horses off and on for much of my life -- more than 40 years with horses at this point. The best way to learn about them is to hire yourself out at a local lesson stable. There is no shortage of work to be done and at a professional lesson/training barn you'll often be able to swap work for instruction. You'll get to learn with safe horses and supervision.

Horses are an entirely different type of animal than a cat or dog, and I wouldn't recommend anybody get one without first acquiring a huge amount of knowledge and second a huge amount of money. Even the quietest, most even-tempered is inadvertently dangerous simply due to their size.

read some of the best-selling basic horse care books and subscribe to a horse magazine like Equus or Practical Horseman or Horse and Rider.

I did not grow up around horses or own a horse until I was 40 years old. I took lesson in my 30s and leased Thoroughbred and German warmblood riding horses and worked at a breeding/training farm (part-time) for several years before I ever considered buying a horse.

I studied horse behavior and body language, training techniques, stable and farm management and basic veterinary and farrier care not to mention proper grooming and routine veterinary health care, proper care of tack and equipment, blanketing and (leg) wrapping as well as taking (English) riding lessons and doing some showing.

Horses are expensive and inherently dangerous. They are huge animals with potentially dangerous and/or deadly teeth and hooves and can be unpredictable depending on circumstances. If you buy a gekding and he gets injured so that he can't be ridden then you'll have to care for a huge pasture ornament for a very long time. Some horses and ponies can live into their 30s and beyond. Most live until at least age 20.

Don't buy a horse until you've spent at least 2 years riding and working with horses on a several times weekly basis.

Oh yes, you'll need lots of money and time. A horse is a huge responsibility. They depend upon you for everything.

Good luck.

"Do they cost more to buy them as babies or adults? Can you buy just a regular horse or are you required to ask for a certain breed?"

A: Depends on the breed, quality and bloodlines. You can can get a backyard pleasure horse for next to nothing in this market...sometimes even free. Babies (foals) are not recommended for green horse owners...they can be dangerous, and cost a fortune to feed and care for up until they are riding age.

"Are saddles required for riding? Are saddles better for the horse or not? Or are the saddles just to have a place to put your hands and feet so you don't fall off? Can you train a horse to squat so you can get on them to ride, or do you just take a running jump and hope for the best?"

A: Experienced riders can ride bareback for short periods of time, but a good saddle is recommended...one that fits the horse properly first...then the rider.

"What do you feed them for a balanced diet? Do they make something like Purina Horse Chow or do you have to go all over hell and half of Georgia to get what they need to eat in order to stay healthy?"

A: The most important part of a horses diet is good quality forage (hay or grass)15-20 lbs. a day average...you then supplement with a good commercial horse feed, there are many brands out there, just like pet food. Most areas have feed stores that sell horse feed and hay. Some horses need additional dietary supplements for health issues, or deficiencies.

"Also, why do some horses have shiny hair and some have dull looking hair? How do you make their coat super shiny? Is it breed that causes a shiny coat, diet, or grooming?"

A: It can be as simple as a horse being in his "summer coat" or "winter coat" which is duller and fluffier. Diet can have a lot to do with it too...a horses health shows in it's coat. Grooming helps a lot, but I don't groom mine as much as I'd like to and they are still shiny.

"Where can you get those cool 80s looking neon leotards horses sometimes wear on their legs on TV?"

A: You might be talking about "polo wraps" or "sport boots" which are designed for leg protection...there are tons of products for horses...online catalogs galore!

"Are girl horses friendlier or are the boy horses friendlier? Can you spay the girl horses/neuter the boy horses? Which is easiest to train? Is there a difference?"

A: Girl horses "mares" can be a little more irritable because most are not spayed (too expensive and invasive for horses), so they do go into heat. Most male horses "stallions" end up being "gelded" (nuts chopped off) unless they are to be used for breeding. Geldings are usually steadier and more reliable (no hormone interference), but there are some mares that are great too...it all depends. Breed has a lot to do with it as well. I own quarter horses which are known to be pretty level-headed.

"Do their shoes have brands like Nike and Adidas or are they just plain old horseshoes? Where do you find blacksmiths in this day and age to buy their shoes? How fast do their feet grow? I want to know how many sets of shoes to buy ahead of time for when it starts growing. Or are shoes custom deals to have made once you get the horse? Do they have to wear the shoes or can they go barefooted? Also, why don't horses wear socks?"

A: Horse shoes do not have "brand names", but there are MANY types and sizes...the blacksmith or "farrier" will know what size and type a particular horse needs, and has them on his truck. Horses need to be trimmed and re-shod every 6 to 8 weeks. Horses can go bare foot if they have good feet. Mine are all barefoot because I live where the soil is sandy (no rocks).

"Also, what's the best barn setup for just one horse mostly to be kept as a pet/companion, but maybe to ride sometimes. How do you keep them warm in the winter and cool in the summer if they can't live inside the house?"

A: A 3-sided shelter is fine for most horses so that they can get out of the wind and rain. If a horse doesn't grow a decent winter coat, I will blanket in the winter on cold nights (I am in FL). A horse with a good winter coat and plenty of hay to keep their furnace going usually does fine without a blanket. In the summer I have box fans going during the day in the horse stalls.

"Is 2/3 of an acre enough room for one horse? Can you rent a place to give them exercise for a few hours on weekends, if 2/3 of an acre is not enough, or would it be a bad idea to even try having a horse on 2/3 of an acre?"

A: You have to check with your local zoning dept. In most places it's 2 acres for the first horse, then 1/2 acre for each horse thereafter. They definitely need an area large enough to run off some steam if they need to.

"Can a horse and a dog share a yard?"

A: It all depends on if the dog is "horse-friendly", and if the horse is "dog-friendly". Many get along fine, but most horses do not tolerate chasing. Some horses will chase a dog out their area out of instinct, even if the dog isn't bothering them. Again...it all depends.

"How long do horses live on average? Can you buy a horse while the mommy horse is still pregnant and watch it being born, so you can get to know it while it is still a baby? Are there some farms that will let you do that?"

A: Horses can live well into their 30's, most live into their 20's. Pregnant mares and foals are NOT for beginners. I have been involved with horses for 30 years, and I still prefer not to mess with broodmares and foals. A lot can go wrong. I always recommend that first time horse owners go for an older, safe "steady eddie".

"Can horses be spoiled rotten like dogs and cats?"

A: YES! And believe me...it's not cute when a 1,000 lb. horse jumps on top of you because you are holding a feed bucket!

"Do they answer to their names?"

A: Most do...especially at feed time!

"Do the solid color horses cost more than ones with white places on them? Are brown horses more expensive to buy than black horses? How do you get one with the shiny coat and a white spot between its eyes? Do they all have long pretty hair on the back of their heads or do you have to ask for that?"

A: Again, it depends on breed and quality. They all should have the "hair on the back of their heads" called the "mane", some people thin it or shorten it for showing though. Horses come in all shapes, sizes, colors, markings etc.

How's that?

I recommend that all people who are new to horses spend a considerable amount of time "doing their homework" before jumping into horse ownership. Taking riding lessons is a good start, ask plenty of questions. You can also learn a lot by volunteering at your closest horse rescue. There you can learn and help horses in need at the same time. You can also eventually adopt from one of these rescues. My first horse was a rescue, and she was the best horse I have ever owned. I see you are in NC...just google "NC horse rescues" and see if there are any close to you!

Horses are tricky, and not at all like cats or dogs. They need to have their hooves trimmed and shod every 6 to 8 weeks, de-wormed every 6-8 weeks, teeth floated (filed down) once a year, vaccinations twice a year, and of course good quality feed and hay. I will say though that there is nothing quite like owning a horse...they are amazing creatures!