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- This topic has 8sd replies, 5 voices, and was last updated 17 years, 8 months ago by
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So I have been around here for a little while and have noticed a couple people talking about horses. Growing up our friends of the family had a horse and so I spent almost every weekend with them at the ranch where he was boarded, my mom grew up on a farm and was just about as *true* cowgirl as you can get. Growing up having a horse, or being able to ride regularly was something I dreamed about. When I was younger my dad had planned that one day he would have an acreage with enough land for a horse. In the end that didn’t end up happening, my dad moved onto the land but we had lost alot of our relationship after my parents divorced and so I let my dream go. I knew that I could not afford the responsibility of boarding a horse and my mom could not either. My love for horses and riding was sort of put on hold and it was something that reminded me painfully of what I had lost with my dad. My boyfriend of 2 1/2 years has a sister 2 years younger than him, she has a horse that she boards at a beautiful stable just outside the city. I have gone riding with her a few times but she is much more experienced than I am, she gives lessons to beginners at the stable. She took me riding shortly after I had a very close family member pass away, my cousin was like my big sister, Mia (bf’s sister) and I went riding and I felt.. I can’t explain exactly what I felt, but the healing nature of such a gentle creature was amazing. The whole time I felt like things were going to be okay with time I remembered everything I had loved so much on those weekends with our friends at the ranch, even though I actually fell off of the horse I was on (she got spooked) the pain of falling and the cliche ”get right back on the horse” helped me more than anything. I realized that I don’t want to look back in 20 years and feel like I let go of something I loved so much for no reason.
So although I don’t have the funds to board a horse properly or the money to move onto land myself (yet) as I am still finishing school I am going to start by first asking Mia to help me some more with my riding confidence as it has been many years since I’ve been around horses regularly. And if that goes well I was thinking about joining some regular lessons and can provide different horses for riding during the lessons. However I also realize that many stables will lease horses for a monthly fee. This is sort of a new concept for me… I was just wondering if those of you who have more knowledge about the process of lessons/boarding/leasing could shine some light. When I am out of school and have a steady job in my career and am financially ready I would love to be able to board my own horse and eventually own my own acreage that would be suitable for horses. I have talked with Mia about the process a little bit, she is very knowledgeable about lessons and horses in general but growing up her parents of course have taken care of all of the technical/financial things as she is just 18, so I will also ask her parents about what they know but unfortunately its more they just provide the finances to give her her dream. They are not that knowledgeable about everything themselves they leave it up to her to take care of horse related things and she does a brilliant job. She is already agreeing to help me get haha sorry cant help it “back in the saddle”
I know this isn’t bunny related but I really do trust all of your advice and opinions more than finding random information online.
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I was also thinking/hoping that leasing a horse would be the best option! I want to be able to have that bond. I have found a few that offer horses for lease and lessons included in the fee. I am going to start riding with Mia some more and when I feel ready I am going to have her come with me to help me find the best horse for me to lease
I’m so excited. I just want the weekend to come so I can RIDE!!!!!!!!!! 
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I grew up doing riding lessons and leasing. I absolutely loved horses, to the point where it was quite literally an obsession. I could never have a horse of my own, as my parents knew I’d never give it up and I’d have to go to university and need to give it up. They were scared I wouldn’t go to school if I had a horse.
I moved when I was sixteen and stopped riding. I didn’t have the time to find a stable to ride at and I was busy fitting in and gearing up for university. One summer in University I decided to try to get a horse job. I started working as a farm hand at a place where they bred european warmbloods (pricey guys) and loved it. I soon was working for the trainer as a show groom and working at another barn. It was quite the experience and I got to ride a little.
Last fall I was looking at ads, and came accross a horse for lease. Why hadn’t I thought of that years ago?? So I replied and got ‘back in the saddle’ . My lease finished up last month, as Jim is going home to be a backyard horse for a few months and then start working with his mom. I do miss him but the cost was a lot on top of all my other bills and I couldn’t ride as much as I wanted, due to my volunteering and the location of the barn.
I volunteer with Wild Rose Equine Rescue; Which is a horse rescue. It’s incredible. The lady who runs the rescue saves horses in all kinds of ways and you get to go out and groom and train and handle the horses. I’ve ridden a bit as we have several horses that just got approved for riding. She basically said when your lease is up, don’t renew it, I have horses here I need you to ride. It’s great and some of the horses, although rescues, are outstanding well bred horses, so very neat to ride them.
As for leasing I’d say definitely look into it. Make sure when you do the contract you aren’t on the hook for vet and ferrier expenses, unless you decide that’s not a problem. Most leases have tack available so the only thing you really need is a helmet and pair of boots. Let us know how it goes for you!!
This is Jimm, the horse I leased:
[script removed]
And this is the website for our horse rescue
http://www.albertahorserescue.com (click on forums to see pictures etc. the rest of the site is basically bare)
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Thank you all so much! It’s so nice to have somewhere to have bunny and non-bunny related questions asked or just to share stories!
K&K – He is gorgeuous! Or handsome as he might prefer
I don’t want to rush into leasing just yet I want to find the right horse while still getting the best contract so I am taking my time and looking through different ads and then I will probably pick a few when I am ready and go and meet the owners and of course the horses. Another option that has presented itself is my boyfriends sister is looking into getting another horse. She is getting more involved in barrel racing and while she does some with her horse now he enjoys pleasure rides and trails more so than the barrel racing. They are planning on keep Ti (her horse now) so that he can be ridden by her mom for pleasure. However she works full time of course and has no riding experience right now she would like to learn however. To make a long story short I may be able to “lease” Ti once Mia finds a horse in order to help pay for the expenses because her mom will not be able to spend a great deal of time with him and Mia will be the one helping me with riding to begin with. This is all a fair bit down the road but it would be a blessing if it can all fall into place as I am already comfertable with Ti and Mia of course knows him better than anyone. I don’t know if they’d even allow me to help pay for his expenses because that is the kind of people they are.. but I would really like to help out if I am going to be riding him and spending time with him. Anyways haha I get all excited just thinking about it, in the mean time I am still looking through ads and trying to learn as much as I can. I’ll keep you updated. Oh and thank you k&k for the link to the rescue. I enjoyed browsing through the site. Now that you have mentioned it I think I might look into volunteering at a near by stable, even if it’s just for helping to groom and excercise the horses there I don’t mind. I also considered taking a second job for the summer at a stable. This is something new I will have to look into
thanks again
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