a guy at work came up to me yesterday and said "my wife is looking for a horse, can you give me any advice?" I asked what kind, he said he didnt know, just wanted "a pretty one". I said what horses have you had before. none. Do you have a nice place for keeping horses? no. they live in a beach condo, but plan to board. I asked if they knew how much it costs to board. no. I asked if they had ever ridden a horse. once. as a child from an hourly rental stable. I said, you know what you initially pay for a horse is nothing compared to what they cost, you have to feed them, worm them, have their vaccinations, he said oh my, like dogs huh? All that? I said, oh yeah but like quadruple the cost of dog shots etc. I said maybe he should lease one for a month first. He said "I am just afraid its gonna be like all our other pets. She gets them and I end up taking care of them and I dont even like the dang thing." and I said "well, picture a 1000 pound dog to feed, house, walk all over you, be disciplined, loved, fed well.... he said oh my... i asked where his wife got the idea she would love a horse as a pet and he said oh she saw that movie Flicka... i said well here is my advice, be very careful making this decision, and if you do decide to go ahead with it and get a horse, tell your wife to pick one like she would pick a man, dont go for the flashy spirited young handsome one, go for the old been there done that one that is quiet and sweet no matter how he looks, and doesnt mind working hard for a living.
Janice -- even good horses have bad days sometimes.
