So, I decided to get into this whole horse training thing. It’s been a wild ride, let me tell you.
First off, I had to figure out what I was getting myself into. I mean, training horses isn’t exactly a walk in the park. I started by reading up on it, you know, just to get a basic idea. Turns out, it’s a whole lot more complicated than it looks in the movies. They made it seem like being a horse trainer is easy.
Then came the fun part – finding a horse. I wasn’t about to just jump in and buy the first one I saw. I looked around, checked out a few, and finally found this young colt. Cost me around $4500, which wasn’t too bad. I thought I was getting a good deal, but boy, was I in for a surprise.
- Finding a suitable horse:
- Researched different breeds and their temperaments.
- Visited several stables and farms to observe horses.
- Consulted with experienced horse owners for advice.
- Finally found a young colt for around $4500.
Once I had the horse, the real work began. I started with the basics, like getting him used to a halter and leading him around. Let me tell you, horses have a mind of their own. It took a lot of patience, and I mean a LOT, to get him to cooperate. And I did it by myself!
After a few weeks, we moved on to more advanced stuff, like ground work and getting him used to a saddle. This is where things got really interesting. There were days when I felt like I was making progress, and then there were days when it felt like we were going backwards. It was a real emotional rollercoaster.
The cost, though, that’s a whole other story. I initially thought I could handle it, but it quickly became clear that training a horse is not cheap. Besides the initial cost of the horse, there were vet bills, feed, gear, and a bunch of other expenses I hadn’t even thought of. If I have purchased them all new, it would cost me nearly $6500. I spent close to $1000 a month, and that’s on the low end.
- Basic training and handling:
- Started with getting the horse used to a halter.
- Practiced leading the horse around to build trust.
- Gradually introduced the saddle and other tack.
Financial Aspects
- Initial investment:
- Spent $4500 on purchasing the horse.
- Incurred additional costs for initial vet checks and vaccinations.
- Monthly expenses:
- Allocated around $1000 per month for feed, boarding, and routine vet care.
- Had to purchase essential tack and equipment.
But you know what? Despite all the challenges and the money I was sinking into it, it was worth it. There’s something incredibly rewarding about building a bond with an animal and seeing them learn and grow. It takes a long time to regain their trust and retrain them, which can take three to six months.
I’m not going to lie, there were times when I wanted to give up. Times when I thought I was in over my head. But I stuck with it, and I’m glad I did. It’s been a learning experience, to say the least. And who knows, maybe one day I’ll even get good at this horse training thing. But for now, I’m just taking it one day at a time, one hoof at a time.
In the end, I realized that being a horse trainer is not just about teaching a horse to do tricks. It’s about building a relationship based on trust and respect. It’s about understanding that these animals have their own personalities and their own way of doing things. And it’s about being patient enough to let them learn at their own pace. It’s a lot of hard work, but it’s also incredibly rewarding. And I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
