2 year old arab

Question
My daughter recently had her horse pass away and she was obviously very
hurt, by the loss.  She would like to adopt a 2 year old gelding from a shelter,
which I think is great but she has never broken a horse before and I am a
little worried.  She helped to train her last horse who was quite wild and had
been abused but she took over that project when he was 6 years old and had
been broken.  She is a very accomplished rider who can ride in many different
styles of riding and she has a genuine love of the animals and has dreamed of
becoming an equine vet someday.  She is 16 years old by the way still in high
school.  How many hours a day/week will she need to put into this so I can
try to make this difficult decision with her and all the facts that go with it.  
thank you in advance, Mike

Answer
Hi Mike!

I am so sorry for your loss.  It is so painful to lose a loved companion.  The bond that girls have for their horses is very special.  I know how she must be hurting.  My daughter lost her first horse to an accidental overdose by a veterinarian.  It took years for her to feel better and it is still a wound for her.  So, watch your daughter closely.  Rituals to mourn the loss such as lighting a candle for her horse and other similar events will help her.  Not many people know or understand the connection between horsewomen and their horses, the loss can be great and felt very deeply.  Sixteen is such a tender age.  

I know that having another horse to care for and continue on with really helped my daughter.  It is not a replacement for the friend she lost, rather a continuation of her growth and education as a person and a horsewoman.  There is nothing better for a 16 year old girl than a horse to love and care for.  Having a horse for many girls is a life saver and such a positive influence in their lives.  I have an e-mail I would like to send to you regarding horses and girls.  It is a must read for any parent.  If you would like me to send it to you, go to my website wwww.Laurelmountainfarms.com and e-mail me.  It is more confidential than giving me your address on this site, which is public.  I'll forward the letter to you.

When ever someone asked us about the cost of horses both in time and money, this letter is the answer I gave them.  Both of my daughters are college graduates and both headed to grad school.  Raising them around horses in a barn was the smartest, best decision we could have ever made.  There was no time for drinking, drugs, boys or any other such nonsense.  There was time for school, studies and horses.  Handling a horse is the best esteem building confidence boosting activity I can think of.  My girls have always been very capable young women that can handle themselves with grace and strength.  Nothing teaches that life lesson better than having to communicate with a large and sometimes unruly gelding that does not respond to anger, frustration, threats, pouting or tantrums.

Owning, starting, raising, teaching a horse is life changing. The horse teaches us so many things.  How to forgive.  How to love unconditionally.  What patience is.  What commitment is.  What is is to dedicate yourself to a goal.  How to work with purpose and joy.  How to find happiness in the mundane and how to think creatively out of the box.  What real communication means without words.  How to be compassionate and how to be strong.  These are only some of the facts.  There is not a more honest creature on the face of the planet than a horse.  Horses do not lie.  A horse will tell the world who YOU are, they keep you honest when all you want to do sometimes is hide the truth.  

So, I can't qualify the time commitment of a new horse.  So much depends on the needs of the horse and the goals your daughter sets for him.  If it is a troubled horse, the fewer cooks in the kitchen the better.  Also, if the training is of the best quality, the horse will retain the information and a daily "school" is not necessary.  What is critical is consistency in daily turn out by qualified, good horse handlers if you are in a boarding barn.  If the horse is at home with you and you have good pasture and shelter for the horse, your work schedule depends largely on how quickly you want the horse to develop.  Training horses with quality is not a race.  Sometimes the slower you go the faster you accomplish your goals.  It is quality first in all things with horses.

Mike, I hope this helps you make a good decision.  As I'm sure you have guessed by now, I'm voting for the new horse!  Not only will it be a blessing to the horse, but the benefit to your daughter is beyond measure.  Best wishes!  If you have more questions, please write again!

Smiles! Denise