Get a dog or a horse?
By volcanoman
@volcanoman (145)
United States
June 29, 2007 12:51am CST
Here is the debate in my house now, should we get an expensive dog or a nice middle aged horse? My oldest daughter (age: 4) is a fanatic about horses, I am quite fond of and enjoy them, my youngest daughter is quite fond of them (age:2), but my wife is all that crazy over the idea and would prefer a dog. We have the acreage to hold one and shelter but would need to install a fence. I would be the one primarily caring for either one and feel much more inclined to buy the horse. Give me your opinions. Thanks
6 responses
@LilyoftheThorns (12918)
• United States
29 Jun 07
I think it is a wonderful idea to get your daughters a horse because they love them. But Honestly, I have to say that I think they are too young to ride :( And I don't think you want to get them a horse if they aren't gonna ride. Younger children are prone to more serious injuries if they fall (I'm sure you know this though ;P) Maybe you could get a dog now, and then down the line i the future you could get them a horse.
And a dog doesn't have to be way expensive. You can go to a local shelter and get a dog rangin from under 100 dollars to no more than 200 (depending on the age you get them). We just adopted a dog from the pound and she is a great pet! :)
@volcanoman (145)
• United States
29 Jun 07
Thanks for the post.
I get told frequently that they are to young but they have both rode (my youngest the least and with an adult) with absolutely no problems. My older daughter has been riding since she was 2 with an adult leading her or in the saddle with her. I certainly would never think of letting them go on their own for a while.
As far as the expensive dog, that is m wife's thing. She has a certain breed in mind and thats just that. We started off with looking at rescue dogs and this is where it has gone. But don't get me wrong I am absolutely not opposed to getting a dog, just kind of torn.
@LilyoftheThorns (12918)
• United States
5 Jul 07
I understand how you can be torn with this. I wish I would have been raised around horses! But no luck =P I just said all that stuff about the dangers of horseback riding because accidents do happen, and they are unpredictable. I was riding the other day and there was a little girl on a horse alone, with NO helmet! (I'm nto saying you would let that happen). But I was shocked because she was trotting on it and stuff, very dangerous.
Can I ask what kind of breed your wife wants? I love dogs and I'm always interested in what kinds other people like =P
@Oeillade (87)
•
30 Jun 07
How much do you know about horses? Do you realise how much work they are, how much they cost to keep and how much time it takes to care for them? You have to make sure you have somebody to look after them if you are away from home, you can't just put them in kennels like you can a dog.
Having said that, I have my own horse and love looking after her. I meet lots of new friends through having the horse and we have a lot of fun together. I would recommend a horse to anyone as long as you have the knowledge or somebody knowledgable to help you.
Your children are a little young to have a horse yet. Start your older daughter with riding lessons at a good stable and see how she takes to it. If you get a horse and just leave it in your field, it is such a waste.
Get the dog first and make sure the girls can give the commitment to helping you look after that before you take on the responsibility of a horse.
Good luck!
@volcanoman (145)
• United States
2 Jul 07
Thank you very much for the post. I really do appreciate the advice.
@natzmclean (36)
• South Africa
11 Jul 07
I do think that a dog would certainly be the easier option if you are going to be the primary caregiver. Horses are very expensive and difficult to look after. And unless you are experienced in caring for a horse, i wouldn't recommend doing it yourself. Not only do they need proper nutrition, feet trimmed regularly, vaccinations and deworming etc. they can also be very costly should they require veterinary attention. Just a thought.
@Nickers27 (51)
• Australia
29 Jun 07
Why not get both. I have alot of pets and they are all so much fun. Some horses can be alot of work though (some dogs too) its just luck of the draw I guess. I have 2 horses and one is 27 years old I have had him for 15 years and have had the vet to him only 2 times. The other one is 6 and I have only had him 6 months and have had the vet out 5 times already. Still they are fun and I would not get rid of them for anything. You have the room for a horse and a dog by the sound of it so get both :)
1 person likes this
@volcanoman (145)
• United States
29 Jun 07
That is a great idea and is one that I have been working on. If I can get my wife to decide on a rescue dog instead of, I believe it is called, a golden doodle we probably could afford them both. Thanks for the post.
• United States
29 Jun 07
Having a horse is not something that kids get to do everyday where a dog is very common. I would go for the horse myself just make sure you check the temperment of the horse so that the girls can ride them. We have had a horse for about 13 years and when he was 3, we could put young kids on him with no problems. It really depends on the horse.
@sflemin2 (19)
• United States
30 Jun 07
rescue dogs are great! what kind of dog does your wife want? certain breeds are just not worth it sometimes. cocker spaniels are relly sweet dogs but they have TONS of health problems and dont age well. shih tzus usually dont stay cute and they also have health problems. chihuhuas can be VERY aggressive and take time to train, i wouldnt want to try that with a small child around. poodles are pretty good though. just do your homework.
however, shelter dogs are usually mutts. mutts actually tend to live longer than pure bred dogs. i have a feeling your wife would fall in love with some of those shelter pups!
