There seems to be a trend. Lots of families have started getting livestock, especially horses as a pet for the family. Clearly, this is a bit of an unconventional pet! It’s not the type of animal you can keep in the home and see all the time. But, there can be benefits to owning a horse, and there are miniature options which add to the cute factor so while I don’t necessarily think horses should be “pets”, rather they should be horses, it’s still a very popular choice for lots of people.
If this is something you’re seriously considering, then my advice is to think things through as much as possible. Many people want a horse, but the reality is that they’re not suitable for every family. In fact, they’re suitable for very few families when treated purely as a pet. So, here are some crucial things to know before you get one:
Horses come with lots of challenges
A horse is a lot of work. It’s much harder to care for one of these animals than a dog or cat. They require extra maintenance, and they need it more frequently. Not to mention the variety of health conditions a horse can develop. They’re prone to many problems that your average vet isn’t equipped to handle, and it’s mainly thanks to their large size. So, you have to be aware of the issues and how to treat them. Thankfully, there are plenty of treatment options out there, like CBD for horses. Just make sure you understand the different challenges that present themselves, and how to deal with them. You may realize that you simply don’t have the time or resources to keep up with everything.
Horses need lots of space
Clearly, a horse has to be given loads of space. Therefore, you need to keep them in a field. If you own a field, then you’re very lucky! If not, you’ll probably have to pay someone to keep your horse on their land. Additionally, you need to pay for the use of stables to keep them warm and dry during bad weather. This throws up all kinds of financial conundrums for you and your family. Can you afford to pay for all of these things? If not, then maybe it’s better to find a more affordable family pet to welcome into your life. Just remember, there is no such thing as a free horse.
Some horse sellers will try and rip you off
Buying a horse is way more complicated than buying a dog or cat. For starters, you can often get these pets by going to animal shelters and picking one up for free. With a horse, you’ll have to pay a lot of money. So, work out how much a horse costs, then see if you can afford them. Furthermore, horses aren’t created equally. Some breeds are worth more than others, and sellers know this. As a result, many will try and rip you off by claiming their horse is something it’s not. If you don’t know how to tell the difference, then it’s easy to overpay for a horse that really isn’t worth that much. Keep that in mind as you’ll need to either read up on how to buy a horse or find an expert to help you with the purchase.
After reading this, you probably fall into one of two camps. You might think none of these things is a problem for you. In which case, you’re more than capable of getting a pet horse. Alternatively, you may realize that this is too big a task to take on. So, it could be time to forget about your horse dreams and find a different pet instead.
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