Ranch | April 2, 2020 08:45 AM | |
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Lol yes. The question of money. My mother and I are very close, so we're planning on moving out there together. She will help with some expenses, and I'm going to be looking for a job. I have lots of experience training dogs, so that is a possibility.
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Ranch | April 4, 2020 09:27 PM | |
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I have less than a year of horse experience, and horses are a lot of work! They spook and break their halters, fences, doors. They all of a sudden get injured and need the emergency vet out in the middle of the night. They go through huge amounts of hay and bedding every month. I've dealt with a super sweet (but spooky) Arab, and a grouchy mean quarter horse. Some of you costs will depend on whether your horses have good or bad feet, wether they have a weaker immune system, or just their size. I suggest leasing for sure, and having some more experience before getting lots of horses and dedicating your life to them. Good luck on your dream as well! I too want a horse eventually in my life. Edited at April 4, 2020 09:28 PM by Sagebrush
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Ranch | April 5, 2020 09:23 AM | |
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Aww thanks. I will definitly look into leasing a horse first. I want to make sure im doing it right, and that the horses and safe, happy, and well taken care of
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Ranch | April 7, 2020 12:37 PM | |
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I would say quarter horse all the way it you want a nice riding horse. There are tons in the US, so you would be able to find one to fit any budget. There are plenty of calm, gentle older horses out there. There are horses with and without papers. You can find a good, ridable horse for anywhere from $1000 to over 10k, but a solid, experienced horse in there late teens should be around $2500. Plus, quarter horses are a calmer breed generally. My stallion is the only one of mine who has ever broken a piece of tack, and he broke a thin halter when he got a thorn in his eyelid and we had to get it out. As long as you get nice, thick ropes with heavy snaps and 2 ply halters, you should be fine. Just keep them out of the rain. . I have around 25 horses total right now, QHs, TBs, and a few minis. There aren't a ton of daily work for me because they are pasture kept and fed round bales. My three elderly horses come out every evening to eat 5 gallons of mush each. I would have a ton more work if everyone was stalled. Everyone has roofs to go under, so there isn't a need to stall. I trim the feet on our horses and am buying a set of floats so I can file any sharp teeth this summer. I also keep banamine and penicillin on hand in case I need to give a shot after a vet has been out or if they colic. Pain relief helps a lot in recovering, so we make sure to have banamine on hand. If you pasture horses, you don't need to worry about exercising every day. A good, broke horse can even go a few months without riding and be fine. Feed will be your biggest expense by far. For other animals, I recommend moderate sized cattle, like 1200 lbs adult cows, Boer or nubian goats, and large laying hens. Cows and boer goats are nice to have because they're always worth something as meat. Cows around also just as fun and crazy as horses. They can be trained to do anything a horse can, but they think differently, so it takes and entirely different strategy. Nubian goats are nice, gentle milkers and come in a variety of stunning colors, so I like them for the milk they produce and eye appeal. Laying hens are almost a given for a homestead. Buff Orpington hens are my personal favorite. I don't recommend pigs because they turn anything that isn't concrete into a sloppy mess. And they scream.... Constantly. If you get any cows, go for a nice maternal beef breed like red angus or simmental. Black Angus are going out of style and aren't as good quality as the reds. Having a jersey nurse cow around is also handy because they usually take extra calves easily and save you a lot of time if a beer cow can't or won't take can of a calf. Dairy goats can also be trained to hop up on hay bales and let orphan foals nurse in the event you get an orphan. Having 4 or 5 momma cows and a bull is a great way to have a little extra income each year from the calves. 25 acres would more than enough pasture for a small herd like that in summer, but with as far north as Oregon is, he prepared to feed a lot of hay in the winter. That's my take on what kind of farm animals I like having and what a horse should cost you. I have a ton of small animals, mainly rabbits, and 30 cows in addition to my horses, and they all live on 10 acres. I would kill for 25 or more. I hope you find your dream property and set a set of nice horses. You'll have to show us pictures when you decide on some. I'd love to see what you end up with.
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Ranch | April 7, 2020 01:26 PM | |
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aww thank you so much for all that great advice! i learned so much reading that post! im definitly thinking about a place called, "Double L Kigers" they breed purebred, registered kigers, and then a BLM mustang or two. thats 3 horses, and maybe a QH too! ive been looking into goats, whats your opinion on alpines?
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Ranch | April 7, 2020 02:40 PM | |
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Goats will get out a lot lol but they can be really good friends for horses if they are by themselves.
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Ranch | April 7, 2020 04:21 PM | |
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yes, ive read a good amount about them being good "company" animals for horses! plus, they can provide milk for well, milk, and also cheese. worse case scenario (say you run out of food) they can also be eaten
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Ranch | April 7, 2020 08:14 PM | |
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Yeah and you can breed them and sell the kids for exstra pocket money
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Ranch | April 7, 2020 08:49 PM | |
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Lucky Ranch said: aww thank you so much for all that great advice! i learned so much reading that post! im definitly thinking about a place called, "Double L Kigers" they breed purebred, registered kigers, and then a BLM mustang or two. thats 3 horses, and maybe a QH too! ive been looking into goats, whats your opinion on alpines?
Goats are great, they'll eat anything and if there is patches of plants anywhere you want to out the horses that are dangerous (plants such as ragweed) you can chuck the goats in there and they'll have it gone in a week or two, its a great alternative to de-weeding the whole thing. Another thing you have to know is what horses can and can't eat, which plants are poisonous to them and which are good. You must be able to know if a bale of hay is good quality or bad. You will always be able to find good deals on quality hay if you know your way around it. Edit: typo Edited at April 7, 2020 08:49 PM by Moonglade Manor
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Ranch | April 8, 2020 09:09 AM | |
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You might want to think about miniture donkies. They take care of themselves easily and they don't eat everything is sight. They will eat thistles and other weeds and mainly wont affect them. Also good company. They also help keep the peace between bulls XD.
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