{"id":167,"date":"2010-04-30T19:15:57","date_gmt":"2010-05-01T01:15:57","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/horsetrainingresources.com\/blog\/?p=167"},"modified":"2010-04-30T19:29:44","modified_gmt":"2010-05-01T01:29:44","slug":"horseback-riding-benefits-of-horse-ownership","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/horsetrainingresources.com\/blog\/general\/horseback-riding-benefits-of-horse-ownership\/","title":{"rendered":"Horseback Riding: Benefits of Horse Ownership"},"content":{"rendered":"<link rel=\"stylesheet\" href=\"http:\/\/horsetrainingresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/plugins\/trustjacker\/css\/authover.css\" media=\"screen\" \/>\r\n\t       <link rel=\"stylesheet\" href=\"http:\/\/horsetrainingresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/plugins\/trustjacker\/css\/simplemodel.css\" media=\"screen\"\/>\r\n\t          <script type=\"text\/javascript\"\r\n\tsrc=\"http:\/\/horsetrainingresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/plugins\/trustjacker\/js\/jquery-1.7.2.min.js\"><\/script>\r\n           <script type=\"text\/javascript\" src=\"http:\/\/horsetrainingresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/plugins\/trustjacker\/js\/jquery.simplemodal.js\"><\/script>\r\n           <script type=\"text\/javascript\" src=\"http:\/\/horsetrainingresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/plugins\/trustjacker\/js\/authover.js\"><\/script><script type=\"text\/javascript\">\r\n\t\t\t\tvar jq = jQuery.noConflict();\r\n\t\t\t\tfunction openPopup(url,width,height,delay,useajax,iframe,exitt){\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\talert(url);\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tauthover.configure({\r\n\t\t\t\t\tiFrameAttribute : {\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\"name\" : \"autFrame\",\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\"id\" : \"authFrame\",\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\"src\" : \"http:\/\/wikipedia.com\",\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\"height\" : \"100%\",\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\"width\" : \"100%\"\r\n\t\t\t\t},\r\n\t\t\t\tmodalContent : url,\r\n\t\t\t\twidth : width,\r\n\t\t\t\theight : height,\r\n\t\t\t\tdelay : delay,\r\n\t\t\t\tpopupUseAjax: 0,\r\n\t\t\t\ttargetUseIframe: iframe,\r\n\t\t\t\tpopupIsRedirect: useajax,\r\n\t\t\t\texitAlertText: exitt\r\n\t\t\t\t});\r\n\t\t\t\tauthover.triggerModal();\r\nreturn false;\r\n\t\t\t\t}\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/script><p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/horsetrainingresources.com\/horse%20care.jpg\" alt=\"horse care stable\" width=\"340\" align=\"left\" border=\"2\" height=\"228\" hspace=\"5\" \/><strong>Horseback Riding: Benefits of Horse Ownership <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Ever feel the need to justify having horses?\u00a0 While they&#8217;re lots of work &#8211; it is generally very fulfilling work and enjoyable &#8211; especially when you and your horse have built a good relationship.<\/p>\n<p>Anyone who has raised, trained and cared for horses understands this well. \u00a0 What follows is an excellent article from Dr. Depew of the LSU AgCenter.\u00a0 As usual, Dr. Depew gives solid insight and I couldn&#8217;t agree more.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Here&#8217;s\u00a0 his message:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Horse ownership can be very exciting and rewarding. The primary  reasons for horse ownership are companionship, recreation and  relaxation, says LSU AgCenter animal science professor Dr. Clint Depew. <font class=\"bodytext\">&#8220;Many young people have developed their confidence and self-esteem  through horse ownership,&#8221; the LSU AgCenter equine expert says, noting  that horse projects tend to be a family activity, which yields many  benefits because of family interaction. &#8220;Horse ownership is a very  desirable and positive self-enhancement activity,&#8221; Depew says.<\/font><\/p>\n<p><font class=\"bodytext\">The responsibility for daily care and management of the horse comes  with horse ownership. Horses need to be groomed, exercised and fed  daily. Their stalls and surrounding areas need to be cleaned and  maintained.<\/font><\/p>\n<p><font class=\"bodytext\">The initial investment in the horse is only a small portion of the  actual cost of ownership Depew points out, cautioning, &#8220;When considering  the purchase of a horse, weigh the benefits against the cost and  responsibilities carefully.&#8221; He says before purchasing a horse, it is  advisable to take riding lessons and\/or work at a riding stable to  assess your interest and commitment.<\/font><\/p>\n<p><font class=\"bodytext\">&#8220;Spending time with horse trainers and attending horse clinics will  give you an opportunity to learn the skills needed to care for horses  and evaluate your desire for ownership,&#8221; the LSU AgCenter horse expert  says, adding, &#8220;You should talk to horse owners, trainers and county  agents about the cost of maintaining a horse.&#8221;<\/font><\/p>\n<p><font class=\"bodytext\">Depew says the average horse will need a minimum of 2 acres of  pasture to provide adequate forage to meet its nutritional requirements.  Some type of shelter is needed and facilities for tack, feed and hay. A  wash area is needed for grooming and a trailer for transportation. By  assessing the cost of horse ownership and gaining experience with  horses, potential horse owners can make informed decisions about  purchasing horses.<\/font><\/p>\n<p><font class=\"bodytext\">When buying a horse, buy a horse that fits the rider and the rider&#8217;s  goals, Depew advises. For example, it is important that inexperienced  riders purchase an older experienced horse to learn on. Older horses  generally make fewer mistakes and will tolerate more errors by the  rider. Young horses are less predictable, more strong willed and require  a more experienced rider.<\/font><\/p>\n<p><font class=\"bodytext\">Generally geldings are steadier and more reliable than mares. If  trail or recreational riding is the desired goal, an experienced trail  horse should be purchased.<\/font><\/p>\n<p><font class=\"bodytext\">&#8220;It is always advisable to obtain professional help when purchasing a  horse,&#8221; Depew says. Assistance determining the horse&#8217;s temperament and  ability will require an experienced horseman. Look at the horse several  times and in different situations to judge ability and temperament. With  good help and a proper evaluation, most errors can be avoided, and a  suitable horse can be purchased.<\/font><\/p>\n<p><font class=\"bodytext\">After the purchase, Depew recommends taking regular riding lessons to  improve your skill and knowledge. &#8220;You will need good equipment and  tack to have a safe riding experience,&#8221; he says, adding, &#8220;Establish a  rapport with a veterinarian, a farrier and local trainers to have an  appropriate support team for your horse project.&#8221; LSU AgCenter parish  agents also have information about horse care and feeding.<\/font><\/p>\n<p><font class=\"bodytext\">&#8220;If you purchase an appropriate horse and learn to ride and care for  your horse correctly, you will enjoy many years of enjoyable horse  ownership,&#8221; Depew affirms. &#8220;Good luck with your horses.&#8221;<\/font><\/p>\n<p><font class=\"bodytext\">&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8211;<\/font><\/p>\n<p><font class=\"bodytext\">Want a great book to get you started?<\/font><\/p>\n<p><font class=\"bodytext\">Take a look at <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/horsetrainingresources.com\/RidingBook.html\" title=\"Horseback Riding: The Complete Beginner's Guide\" target=\"_blank\">&#8220;Horseback Riding: The Complete Beginner&#8217;s Guide&#8221;<\/a><\/strong>.<\/font><\/p>\n<p><font class=\"bodytext\">It teaches all you need to know before you get started in expensive lessons.\u00a0 Hundreds have used it successfully to start learning at home and then will start formal lessons when they have come up to speed.<\/font><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Horseback Riding: Benefits of Horse Ownership Ever feel the need to justify having horses?\u00a0 While they&#8217;re lots of work &#8211; it is generally very fulfilling work and enjoyable &#8211; especially when you and your horse have built a good relationship. &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/horsetrainingresources.com\/blog\/general\/horseback-riding-benefits-of-horse-ownership\/\">Continue reading <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3,4,30,5],"tags":[7,191,33],"class_list":["post-167","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-general","category-training-tips","category-horse-training-videos","category-horseback-riding","tag-horse-training-tips","tag-horse-training-videos","tag-horseback-riding-lessons"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/horsetrainingresources.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/167","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/horsetrainingresources.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/horsetrainingresources.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/horsetrainingresources.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/horsetrainingresources.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=167"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/horsetrainingresources.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/167\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/horsetrainingresources.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=167"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/horsetrainingresources.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=167"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/horsetrainingresources.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=167"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}