So you want a horse?

With this past Sunday being Father’s Day, I have done much thinking about my father. There is no doubt that I am Daddy’s little girl.

When I was 8 years old, I gained an interest in horses. My mother will tell you next thing she knew we were standing in a pasture full of horses that were for sale. Luckily the lady selling the horse saw how inexperienced we were and suggested that I start taking riding lessons. Since that day, horses have been a part of my life.

Horses have played an important part in the relationship between my dad and I. Every day after school, he would take me to the barn. He never missed a horse show and reminded me to “cowgirl up” when I fell off.

As I look back to this time in my life, I realize the sacrifices my dad made to support me and my interests.

Raising, training and showing horses can be an important part of a child’s life. It helped shape me into the person that I am today. Showing horses teaches our youth responsibility, showmanship, a respect for life and develops a bond between the trainer, parents and other youth.

So if your child comes to you with this interest, where do you start? One of the best things that I can suggest is to look to someone with knowledge about horses. This information could come from a trainer or from services like the extension office.

Horses are expensive to say the least, and finding a trainer that has lesson horses or a horse that you can lease is a great way to begin. I rode my trainer’s lessons horses for years before my parents decided they were ready to purchase a horse for me.

Other things to consider are the care and maintenance needs of the horse. Horses need good quality feed, hay or grass. They also will need to be vetted on an annual base, plus the emergency situations.

Depending on your style of riding, your horse will probably need to be shod about every 4-6 weeks. Are you planning on boarding the horse at a stable? If you plan on keeping your horse at home, you will need adequate acreage, about two acres per horse. You also will need horse safe fencing and a way to store feed, hay and supplies.

These are just a few things to consider before investing in a horse. Horses have been a big part of my life, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. For more information, please contact our office.

Our office is looking to hire a county extension associate/resource manager. Please visit www.hr.uga.edu, select staff openings and posting position No. 20161217. Applications are being accepted for this position until July 6.

Dates to remember

June 23: Agronomic Crop Field Day, Tifton

June 27-29: Master Gardener Sprout Camp, Perry (please preregister)

The Fall Series of Gardening with the Masters will begin in August.

The 4-H has many day camps this summer. Please contact the office for more information

This story was originally published June 19, 2016 at 2:58 PM with the headline "So you want a horse?."