Five things to know before owning a horse

1. The cheapest thing about owning a horse is buying one. Every six to eight weeks they need pedicures (new shoes or a trimming); every year they need vaccinations and a Coggins test. If you don't know what Coggins is you shouldn't be buying a horse. Horses also get sick and injured just like us humans, and veterinarian bills aren't cheap in most cases. Most importantly, they eat. Every day they need grain and hay, unless, of course, you have that picture- perfect green pasture with an abundance of grass in the spring and summer. The amount of feeding varies depending on their daily routine. Oh, and don't forget. they need a dose of wormer every three months. Don't forget about tack, you know the stuff you use to ride a horse, catch it and take care of them.

2. Color may be pretty but does not always mean the horse has brains.

3. Horses aren't dogs; the only similarity is that you lead them both with a rope or leash. Horses are 1,000- (this varies) pound animals with a mind of their own.

4. Horse are measured in hands (ponies are measured in inches) there is no such thing as a horse being 14 and a half hands. A hand is four inches. So a horse can be 14.1, 14.2 or 14.3 hands. If you want to get into half inches, well that is a story for another day. Be sure to know what a horses withers are.

5.Oh, and yeah, horses are expensive.