As a parent, you know the value of bringing pets into the family home. For one thing, pets provide children with vital lessons in everything from caring responsibilities to dealing with death. Having animals at home can even be a great way to bond with your kids better when you look after them together.
Sometimes, though, practicalities may stand in the way of meeting your child’s every pet whim, especially if they keep asking for a horse. Most children dream of horse ownership at some stage but, as well as coming with considerable cost, caring for a horse is a lot more extreme than, say, looking after a hamster.
But horses do bring specific benefits to children, including exercise, stress management, and improved confidence. So, you might not want to dismiss your child’s horse hopes altogether. Before taking the plunge, however, you should make sure they’re serious about this pretty major commitment in the following ways.
They Know Their Stuff
Owning a horse isn’t something you can make as you go along. You need to know a whole load to make this work. For instance, if your child doesn’t understand the need for regular farrier visits, your horse could suffer significantly. Equally, they’ll need to know about the importance of additions like a salt lick in a horse’s diet. And, of course, they’ll need to have a pretty solid grasp on how to position tack comfortably using things like saddle rugs and high-quality horse bits. That’s a lot of things to research, and many children simply won’t bother. But, if your child spends hours reading books or researching horse care online, it’s a much better indication that they’re both committed and in a position to give a horse the best life.
They’ve Had Practice
Even if your child understands the commitment of horse care on paper, it can be a very different thing in reality. Before long, the glamor of tasks like cleaning stables and daily poop picking could soon fade. When this happens, those tasks will fall into your lap if you aren’t careful. To avoid this, it’s worth ensuring your child has some practice beforehand. Something as simple as letting them stay with a friend who has a horse for the weekend could work. Equally, many ranches appreciate the help of young volunteers, which could ensure your child is fully aware, and practiced, in even the less glamorous elements of owning a horse.
Their Interest is Persistent
Few girls in this world don’t plead for a pony at some stage during their childhood. Often, this passion will fade within a few years, meaning you’re better off not giving in. However, if your child has been persistent in their desire for a horse from early childhood into their teen years, then you can rest pretty easy that this is more than just a passing phase. Horse ownership isn’t something you should ever jump into without thought but, if your child ticks these boxes, it’s possible their urgings for a horse truly do have legs.