People on here say they've only been on a horse, say 4-5 times, and they ask about buying a horse? It frustrates me because they don't know what they are doing. Why can't they just simply get lessons for a few years first? It would stop yet ANOTHER horse being hurt from a careless know-it-all. What are your thoughts?

I BIN RIDIN GO' 6 MUTHZ AND IM REDDY 2 BUY A HROSE. I CAN WALK AND TROTZ AND SOMETIME CANTER SO IF I BY A THOROBREAD OFF THE TRAK WE KAN GRO N LERN 2GETHAR. WUT R SOME OTHAR GUD BREEDZ 4 ME??? R HROSES EXXPENSIV?

Yes. Yes it does.

I'm annoyed when people walk up to me and ask, "How much does it cost to buy a horse." I used to give them the whole explanation, but now I ask them, "How much does it cost to get married?" pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com

Those asking in this forum about buying a horse are trying to figure out where to start. I suppose we should be careful and helpful, but sometimes we behave like the college professor who complained to his freshman algebra students, "Every year I work and work trying to teach you algebra, and every year you still don't get it."

So there will always be a fresh supply of young folks who are enthusiastic about horses (and why not?) and who are starting out by asking right here in YA. Parents deal with the same thing when their child announces at the age of five, "I'm going to buy a horsie and ride him and ride him and ride him!"

Each person who asks for advice on buying a horse needs to be told in the nicest way to get in touch with local people who have horses, and to pick up a shovel and get to work. Within ten miles of just about anywhere there is someone who would love to help a young person learn about horses.

Let's examine what I just said. Ten miles of ANYWHERE? What about in cities where you can't keep horses? Yes, there will be someone who used to be a rider, but now has no horse, or perhaps has a horse stabled out in the country and doesn't get out to ride often enough. pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com

So let's not throw too much water on wild enthusiasm. Instead let's repeat, over and over, "Hooray, you want to get a horse. Go take lessons, or find a place where they'll let you shovel poop. Hang around with people who have horses. Read books. We did it. You can, too, but there is a lot to learn."

Just get over it, they probably don't say that they've only been riding 4-5 times and want to get a horse, no one in their right mind would do that.
Everyone has to start somewhere, if you get annoyed by these answers then don't answer them and don't even look at them.
Yes, it might be annoying, but like someone else said how do we get experience? you answer that one.

EDIT- I also agree with lil miss, and also fennec fox, they don't write it like that, and they also don't spell it like that, you don't have to pick on them just because they are thinking about getting a horse! You don't know what past experience they've had with horses, cause they might not put it on here. pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com

Hope I helped, even if I did sound a bit pushy! =]

Whilst I might stop and think - my god if only you knew what you were letting yourself in for - the endless supply of bills - worry and hard work - they might think twice, but no, it doesnt annoy me... all sorts of people in the world - some will do a really good job of being a horse owner and learn along the way when they engage the help of experienced horse people to guide them along the way, but its those that attempt to do it by themselves would worry me.
xx

Mate, get over it!
this is clearly directed at me because you abused me in my question.
Now lets get a few things straight
- first of all...i am not going to go out and buy one tomorrow. I am volunteering with horses so i am gaining experience there. i plan on getting lessons before i have my own horse and i will know what im doing when i ride.
- second of all...my father grew up around horses and has his own horse when he was younger so he would be there to help out and he knows what he is doing. pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com
- third of all....how do you know its going to be mistreated? i would love my horse just as much as you or any other person with a horse.

so don't go judging me before you know everything

It annoys me when people like fennec fox make false judgements about me, i have been riding for 2-3 years, doing pony club and looking after a horse for 6 months to a year.... i only wanted a thoroughbred because i didn't want her to go back in to racing.... to late now :(