I was talking to my instructor last night after our lesson and asked her if she had any horses of her own. To my surprise, she did not. She told me she'd had a horse since she was 11 and was sort of taking a break from ownership. She plans to lease a horse in the spring. There are plenty of reasons to NOT own a horse - the costs, the short- and long-term time commitments, the cost, the cost...But I'd always assumed that the really good riders naturally felt the need to own their own horses to train and show with. My instructor seems pretty content showing the lesson horses, which makes me believe that I will get pretty far in life doing the same. Our barn has Pony Club, which allows 2 lessons and a free ride each week, all on the same horse throughout a season. Someday I might opt into that. And I would consider half-leasing at some point if it was a low level of responsibility. I don't see myself owning unless I had an affordable place to board the horse (e.g. not suburbs of Boston), and unless that happens, I'm pretty happy window shopping!
the cost really deters me from seriously considering it. it just isn't really feasible for the average person! esp if you have a mortgage, school debts etc. plus i'd want to spend lots of time with them and living in the city doesn't afford that luxury so i feel like "what's the point?"
ReplyDeleteif you can afford, do the pony club! i would love to do the same over this way but i can't afford going out three times a week...
I feel the same way! I'm thinking Pony Club might happen after I get at least one promotion ;)
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