subject: Getting Serious About Horse Riding [print this page] Horse riding is a sport that is enjoyed by thousands of people across the country. It is a great way to keep fit and there is nothing better than developing a strong relationship with a horse. Most people start by taking horse riding lessons at a club and this is a brilliant way to work out if horse riding is indeed for you.
Deciding to get more involved in the sport and perhaps buy your own animal is a big step to take and not one that you want to take lightly. Owning and caring for a horse is a big responsibility and you should conduct a lot of research before making any kind of decision. For starters there is the amount of time you will have to devote to looking after the horse and feeding it. Horses need to be kept fit and although you will most likely be buying a horse to ride it, dont underestimate the amount of time you will need to spend exercising the animal.
Another consideration is the amount of money you will have to spend on food, care items, riding equipment and all manner of other things. This alone is a stumbling block for many people who simply do not have the available finances to be able to afford a horse of their own.
And even for those people who can afford it and have the time to spend on a horse, they may well realise that they dont actually have anywhere to keep an animal. If you live in the city rather than the countryside then you will have to work out if there is land nearby where you can let your animal graze, and whether that solution is practical and again, affordable.
The best way to start is to carry out plenty of research and the internet is one of the best places to start. Also take the opportunity to speak to as many people as you can. It is not possible to get too much advice and remember that the more people you ask, the more chance you will have of hearing a variety of views and being able to draw your own informed conclusion at the end of the day.
