Horseback riding as a hobby is no small investment. Buying a horse will run you about $5,000 in the middle range. Monthly upkeep costs in the Houston area where I live (including stall fee, care for the horse, feed, a nice riding arena, and cleanup) are about $600. So you want to be careful about choosing a horse, stable, and trainer. Here are a few tips I’ve picked up from riding and working with horses all my life.
Choosing a stable and trainer
1. Visit your local stables. Meet the managers. Get a feel for the type of stables they are. Do they cater to more mature women, or do they cater mostly to children? Do they offer lessons? Pay attention to the types of clients you see at the barn.
2. Find out if your local stables have trainers you can talk to, and then sit down and get to know them. Think of it as an interview. Ask about their experience. Are they willing to spend time with you? Training with horses is very time consuming. Look for someone who is willing to help and guide you – not a clock-puncher.
3. Consider finding a female trainer to work with you. Generally speaking, women trainers are better at working with beginning women riders. They tend to offer more detailed explanations and have a higher patience level.
Choosing a horse
1. When choosing a horse, visit a local stable and ask for help. It rarely works out for a beginner to choose a horse on her own.
2. Look for a horse with good temperament. Temperament is much more important than whether a horse is pretty.
3. There are many different breeds of horses. Explore them all. Some are smoother rides. If you have certain health conditions, this may be a particularly important factor for you. The Quarter Horse breed tends to have a nice, easy, willing temperament, and their gaits are smooth. They’re not real hyper, so they’re great for an older woman.
4. Choose a nice horse that’s a little older, like you are! Horses are like wine and women – they get better with age. A horse over age 15 is usually a good choice for an older woman. Younger horses may be pretty, but they’re a handful, like a puppy. An older horse makes a far better companion and is probably very reasonably priced, too. Many of my clients (women over 50) choose 19 or 20-year-old horses, and that has worked out very well.
5. These days, it’s smarter to lease a horse than to buy outright. Remember, a working horse’s lifespan is about 20 years. Often, horses live 35 years or longer, and they’re a big financial investment besides. So it makes sense to get to know the horse before you buy. Often you can take advantage of a lease-to-buy option. If you bond with the horse, and feel comfortable and secure, then buy it.
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Sounds very interesting.
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