I am glad you guys suggested a few things that I haven't thought about like lease a horse, what kind of barn I want for the horse, what kind of horse shoes, etc. I am curious where do you guys like to keep your horses? In the barn? With the herd? Just curious. Which one will make a horse feel happy and safe?

How does a lease horse work? Is it the same as owning a horse? Am I responsible for all health care, feeding, and shoes? I really don't know anything about lease horses or have not heard of one before.

I can understand that not all horses act like dogs, but do they take their time to get to know the person before they feel comfortable? Do they miss their caretakers?

I thank you guys for making me think twice before I go with young horses. I was reading on PMU and nurse mares and how many of their foals end up in slaughter/horse rescue because of insufficient home. I know I could provide one a great home for the rest of its life, but I really don't want something I can't handle. I would go with an elder horse that is way so broke for beginners.

It's great that you're doing so much thinking and asking questions well in advance. It will set you up for a much better experience

We're free-leasing out my daughter's event horse right now. Locally, it's very common to "free" lease a horse, meaning there is no actual lease paid on the horse, but the person that 'leases' him/her is responsible for all care and expenses as though the horse were their own.

It can be a great option as a first experience. You still experience the expenses/work of regular care, but don't have the same kind of commitment.

My personal preference re: barns is that horses are in stalls at night, turned out on pasture during the day. I always fed grain in the barn, and any hay that was going to be fed outside was separated into several piles with some distance between them. There is almost always "that" horse in the herd that likes to push the other horses off their hay piles, so it helps to have several to move between.

Whether you buy or lease, it's a good idea to find out what a horse's pasture presence is like or if there are any incompatibilities. For example, my daughter's horse is very pushy with other horses. He doesn't quite accept that he is a gelding and will harass mares, so he can't be turned out with them. He will also fight with other 'dominant' horses. If I wasn't there when he was gelded, I would wonder if the vet got the whole job done. But I was, and know he did. It's just his personality. He is great with people, but will steal hats off peoples' heads and run off with them.

Knowing all this kind of stuff is helpful if you buy or lease a horse and move them to a new barn.

I think the decision to go with a reliable older horse is a very good one. They're just fun. I am an experienced rider but my last horse was an older Percheron gelding I had free leased from a friend. He was just cool I could take him out riding and relax, take pictures, and just have a good time. If I wanted a little more excitement, my daughter and I would switch horses. Her horse was quite hot. Most of the time though, I was quite happy to plod along on my older fellow.

My horses are on a dry lot in the winter, in the summer they are with my small cow herd (6 very, very short cows) on rotational grazing pasture.

I would not want to keep a horse stalled. They are healthier mentally and physically when they are on pasture/turn out with at least one companion animal.

Horses are individuals, some really like people, some could care less, some are nasty. There are too many nice horses for me to want to mess with the nasty ones.

A lease can be anything from you paying for all the upkeep and maintenance to you just paying a set fee and riding the horse on schedules days/times.

I had no idea you could lease a horse, or part of a horse (that sounds weird LOL)
This is a really exciting thing for me to learn, I have wanted a horse since I was 5 and the want has not diminished with time but we don't have the space, facility or means to furnish what a horse would need full time for life....but leasing or sharing a horse might be an option in the somewhat near future!!!

Come visit and we can go for a ride!!

Your only a days drive from me.....

I share-boarded & leased before buying my own horse, in spite of the fact that I don't ever remember NOT wanting a horse of my own & having ridden since I was six & spending tons of time around horses being a 'barn rat'. It is a great learning experience to share the responsibilities of a horse before taking one on solo. Even if you board your own horse there is still so much that you need to know & care decisions that you need to be able to make, much more than you can learn from books & forums etc. There is no substitute for hands on learning.

It is good that you are asking questions before jumping in with both feet, but honestly, based on the many very basic questions you have asked, you are a very long way from being in a place of knowledge to manage your own horse. Take the time to get into it slowly & lean,learn,learn. You will not regret the time that you spend learning & enjoying a lease or share board with the guidance of the horse's owner, until you find out if owning is what you really want & you have the knowledge to do so.

Another thought, I don't know how much riding experience you actually have, but by leasing you can continue honing your skills & then when you are ready to purchase you will be able to get a horse that will be at a level that you can enjoy for many years, rather then to be buying & selling to always have a horse that is at your level of training you want. I personally found it boring to ride a horse that did not challenge my skill level, but that is just me. Now that I am old, a crazy hot horse is not what I would want to put my leg over. LOL

Lessons and then a lease would be a great place to start, I agree with everyone.
It is a very fun world with lots of nice people who like animals,outdoors,and exercise.
Horses can be magic.

We own 4, foaled some T-breds for the track, husband and sons barrel raced for years.