Let’s face it: owning a horse is absurdly expensive. While there are certainly ways to save money while owning a horse (we’ll get to those in future posts), sometimes horse ownership is out of the question given your financial, time, or work situation. But that doesn’t mean that you can’t stay involved with horses. Here are a few things you might consider doing to get your equine fix.
Lease
While full ownership might not be a possibility, leasing a horse can give you an experience very similar to ownership with less of a financial burden. Consider looking for a horse to lease either partially or fully. Free leases are available as well – you’ll generally need to pay for the horse’s upkeep and standard costs like farrier visits. Whatever lease situation you look into, be sure that you thoroughly read and understand the lease contract and your responsibilities before beginning the agreement.
Share a Horse
Sharing ownership of a horse is another possibility. Be careful, though – sharing ownership can be tricky. You and the other owner will need to have excellent compromising abilities, and you will need to share the same approach to horse ownership and care. If you decide to share the ownership of a horse, then draw up a thorough contract that outlines the responsibilities – financial and otherwise – that both parties will have.
Volunteer
Volunteering is an excellent way to spend time around horses with no financial commitment. Therapeutic riding programs and equine rescues are often in need of experienced, reliable help. Local horse shows and events also sometimes need volunteers.
Incorporate Horses in Your Work
Offering other services like body clipping or mane braiding can help to keep you involved in horses – plus you’ll earn some money at the same time. Some barns will allow you to trade work for lessons or saddle time – if you don’t mind cleaning stalls or turning out horses, this might be a great way to stay involved. You can also offer farm-sitting and horse-sitting services to local horse owners when they travel.
Make Alternative Arrangements
Get creative – there are a number of other ways you can find time in the saddle. Many horse owners have difficulty always finding the time to ride their horses, and might welcome your help in exercising their horses a few days a week. If you are a skilled rider who trains at a stable with a lesson program, see if the lesson horses could use periodic “refresher” schooling rides.
There are many ways to stay involved with horses even if you don’t have one of your own. What are some of the solutions that you’ve come up with?
Lease
While full ownership might not be a possibility, leasing a horse can give you an experience very similar to ownership with less of a financial burden. Consider looking for a horse to lease either partially or fully. Free leases are available as well – you’ll generally need to pay for the horse’s upkeep and standard costs like farrier visits. Whatever lease situation you look into, be sure that you thoroughly read and understand the lease contract and your responsibilities before beginning the agreement.
Share a Horse
Sharing ownership of a horse is another possibility. Be careful, though – sharing ownership can be tricky. You and the other owner will need to have excellent compromising abilities, and you will need to share the same approach to horse ownership and care. If you decide to share the ownership of a horse, then draw up a thorough contract that outlines the responsibilities – financial and otherwise – that both parties will have.
Volunteer
Volunteering is an excellent way to spend time around horses with no financial commitment. Therapeutic riding programs and equine rescues are often in need of experienced, reliable help. Local horse shows and events also sometimes need volunteers.
Incorporate Horses in Your Work
Offering other services like body clipping or mane braiding can help to keep you involved in horses – plus you’ll earn some money at the same time. Some barns will allow you to trade work for lessons or saddle time – if you don’t mind cleaning stalls or turning out horses, this might be a great way to stay involved. You can also offer farm-sitting and horse-sitting services to local horse owners when they travel.
Make Alternative Arrangements
Get creative – there are a number of other ways you can find time in the saddle. Many horse owners have difficulty always finding the time to ride their horses, and might welcome your help in exercising their horses a few days a week. If you are a skilled rider who trains at a stable with a lesson program, see if the lesson horses could use periodic “refresher” schooling rides.
There are many ways to stay involved with horses even if you don’t have one of your own. What are some of the solutions that you’ve come up with?
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