Most girls want a horse, but the reality is hard work

Having a horse as a pet is many a young persons dream, but only the fortunate (and well off) are able to realise it. There are a number of reasons for this, which stem mainly from the fact that they can be such an expensive acquisition in the first place. You can expect to pay anything from 1000 and upwards, depending on the size, age and any training the horse has had. Some may argue that you can end up paying just about as much for a pedigree standard dog; this is true, but the initial outlay for such a pet dwarfs any other costs likely to be incurred by owning it. This cannot be said for a horse. The cost of purchasing a horse can often be a lot less than the cost of a years maintenance. Unlike other pets, horses cannot be kept in the house, which means that suitable accommodation must be found - they need shelter and warmth 24/7, 365 days a year. Owners rarely have their own facilities to be able to provide this, and so have to rent accommodation nearby. This must also include plenty of space for them to exercise in when not being ridden. Horses need regular veterinary attention, and at least once a year have to be vaccinated against various diseases, as well as having routine dental work carried out. Horses also need regular hoof care, every six to eight weeks, which is undertaken by a blacksmith, and involves the trimming and/or replacement of their shoes. As is common with most pets, medical emergencies can mean bills which run into the thousands, so pet insurance is an absolute must for a horse.

Other than financial concerns, there is also a lot of work that goes into looking after these animals. A typical horse owners day may start at dawn, when the stable they are kept in needs mucking out and the straw/hay bedding replaced with fresh supplies. They then have to be let out for their daily exercise, before being brought back in later, and secured safely for the night. Horses need to be groomed every day, which can be a very relaxing experience for them and a good chance to get to know the horse for you. The benefits of having a horse are substantial; they can be ridden at your leisure, rather than at the set times a riding school may hire them to you. They can also be entered into shows, which can be a great day out for all the family, and especially the rider and horse themselves.

Despite the heavy costs, both in terms of time and money, involved with keeping a horse as a pet, the experience can hugely rewarding, for they bring a lot of joy to the people who own them. Horse riding is a lot of fun, and is a great hobby for many people up and down the country; it encourages children to enjoy the outdoors, rather than being sat inside all day blowing things up on their computer games!