Dear Cherry,

Hi, I'm 36 and I have always wanted to own a horse. I have been riding since I was 10 years old. I am now at a position in my life where I can seriously start looking for the right horse for me. where do I start? I know a lot about riding but not much about buying and owning.I have many questions like, how many acres do I need if I keep it on my property? basically I need to know everything. my husband and I are looking for a home in a more rural area of p.a so I can fulfill my dream and finally own my horse. thank you for your time and I hope to hear from someone soon. Karla

How exciting! It would be best if you thoroughly read two books:

Horsekeeping on a Small Acreage Facilities Design and Management,which will answer all of your questions on what size and type of land and facilities it will require to keep a horse. It will also give you information on the needs of a horse so you can plan your purchase accordingly.

Horse for Sale How to Buy a Horse or Sell the One You Have which will take you through the entire process of how to find suitable prospects, how to look at horses for sale, take a test ride, evaluate conformation, the prepurchase veterinary exam, paperwork and much more.

Best of luck!

Dear Cherry,

I'm 28 years old and have been dreaming of owning a horse for as long as I can remember. I've been reading everything I can get my hands on to ensure that I am as educated as possible but am feeling quite overwhelmed. I'm up for the challenge completely but am beginning to think that I'll never "know enough" to deserve the honor of owning one of these precious animals.

Any advice? Regina

Dear Regina,

I agree with you that is indeed an honor to own horses and a great privilege to ride. With that attitude, I expect you will have a great experience owning and riding horses. My advice to you is the same as that to Karla above in terms of some books to read. In addition, you might want to read Horse Handling and Grooming and Horse Health Care which are pictorial guides showing how to perform many of the most common horse handling, grooming, and care tasks. With photos of actual horses to follow, you will gain confidence. You should also find a "mentor", a trusted equine professional who you can ask questions of and take lessons from as you learn about your new endeavor. Best of luck!