Online House Hunting

I Found The Horse, Now I Need To Convince My Parents?

Last year, I found the horse of my dreams. I started taking lessons with his owner on Cody (the horse of my dreams) and then I just fell in love with him. He's the perfect horse for me. He never bucks, rears, takes off with you, bites, kicks or anything like that. He has no past of severe health problems. He's kinda lazy but that's ok!!!! :) Recently, Sue started thinking about selling Cody. My parents saw how devestated I was by this and considered buying him and keeping him at my aunts house for me. But that's about 2 hours away. I would be able to see him every other weekend and on all summers. But my dad agrees with me, "what good would that do?" Then Cody got hurt but now he's better and we're getting him back into being ridden again. Sue is still thinking about selling him... She said to me on the phone the other day, "I would give Cody to you for a VERY good price or maybe even free..." and I talked to my dad about it. He said he'd have to talk to my mom and my aunt about it. when I talked to my aunt on the phone she said "I would keep the horse in my name legally but you could keep him at your local stable so you could ride him and take care of him and he would be your horse." We are going to sit down and have a conversation all together about this tomorrow when my Aunt just happened to be coming up for a work thing. My questions are: 1. How can I convince my dad that this IS a good idea? 2. What is a mature thing I can say to help my parents realize that I'm ready for this? Thanks so much in advance. By the way I'm 14 and have a lot of riding experience and experience with horses!

Public Comments

1. Do a budget. Find out how much the board and care will be and show your dad what you will give up: clothes, parties, proms, etc to offset the cost.
2. i don't know if there is a magic thing to say that will convince them. they know you pretty well, so they will only be able to judge base on how well they know you. the only thing is, i'm not sure if it IS a good idea. does your aunt realize how much a horse costs? if the horse legally belongs to her, she'll have to pay for the board, feed, vet, farrier, hay, and whatever else comes up. also, if the horse legally belongs to her, legally she can do what she wants with it. and there would be nothing you can do. i don't know your aunt, and i'm sure she's a really nice person, but if she decided she has to sell the horse, she would be able to sell to whoever she chooses, and you wouldn't have a say. you want the horse to legally belong to you, and you want to keep it at your stable. you just have to have the money to pay for it. you'll have to talk to your dad, and maybe your aunt is willing to pitch in a little bit. in two years you can get a real paying job and you can pay for the horse too. horses are expensive, and a lot of work, remember!
3. show them a budget before they bring it up. make it all tonight and be ready with it tomorrow. by proving you know how much horses cost, youre showing responsibility. help out around the house, keep your room clean, help with the dishes, dont leave a mess, etc. make an agreement about grades, if they slip what will happen etc. if they say theyll think about it or they say no, respect their decision. acting like a spoiled brat will get you no where. they may change their mind. edit: i agree with the first poster, show them what you'll sacrifice. may was prom month and the same month i got my horse. i gave up prom for my horse. there was no way i could afford to pay for a horse, grooming supplies, tack, vaccines AND a prom dress, hair, nails, shoes, jewelry, 80 dollar ticket and so on. not that i was crazy about going to begin with, but i still gave it up either way.
4. Everyone is defferent so i can't say how to convince ur dad. but how i let my parents know i was mature (im almost 15, it took me a year to convince my parents to buy me a horse) was i compiled a list of everything i would need for a horse nad how much it would cost. Don't let ur voice get all whiney and DONT BEG!! pretty much everyone hates that. kind of go at it like this... "I would give anything for Cody. If you don't understand that then i'm sorry, but that's how it is." and don't say anything more. but when you say it use a very serious voice with a hint of sadness. haha, it really does work. personally, i had depression on my side so i could say "A horse will save my life" and Romeo really has. I wouldn't be alive without him. Good luck convincing your parents! I know i don't know you but i really do want this to go well for you. so honestly, good luck. :D
5. ask the owner if they r willing to do the free lease thing thats what i did u have to pay for everything as if it was ur own horse but u dont have to pay for the horse
6. I agree with everyone else: make a budget, be responsible and above all do NOT beg or whine. Good luck, I really hope it works out for you!