Im hoping (many years from now!) I would love to rescue / adopt 2 horses (so they have company?) dont care about colour/sex or anything like that, just would love to give 2 a home, they wouldnt be for riding, just so they can have a lovely life, so what things would I need for this?

Im guessing that a house/stable and then a shelter in the field, say, on the other side incase it rains. what would they eat? How often would teeth/feet need to be done?

This is a very long time away but Ive been reading my books (I used to ride) and just thought Id ask!

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well firstly you will need alot of money!

1) stables incase of vet treatment or bad weather
2) field of atleast 2 acres
3) hay and depending of breed, additional feed
4) feet trimmed every 6-8ish weeks
5) teeth checked a couple of times a year
6) field shelter
7) proper and safe fencing and field management (may include field rotating)
8) rugs depending on breed and age of horse
9) plenty of your time, morning and evening
10) insurance

i may have forgotten some bits, but their the basics!

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* vegan hippie girl <3

Have
female Royal python
male Bengal cat
7 Golden Spiny Mice

Want
indian stick insects

LoL I dont think anyone thinks horses are cheap! Kinda a given!!
That sounds all fine, what I was thinking!

noticing your sig! I breed bengals! and my family are vegans lol!

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haha awesome! im just in the proces of turning my bf vegan. he has been veggie for 2 months now and he thinks he is staying veggie! Its always nice to meet some more vegans

What is your stud prefix? Do you have a website?

Yeah, i guess most people know that horses are defo not cheap lol. you get a handful of people that think that you can just shove them in a field and leave them! (not saying that i thought you were one...otherwise you wouldnt be on here asking!)

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* vegan hippie girl <3

Have
female Royal python
male Bengal cat
7 Golden Spiny Mice

Want
indian stick insects

Their Teeth.. if you get a good dentist, they will advise you on when thye next need doing.. so sometimes they might say in 6 months or may say next visit 12 months..

Farrier is the same he will advise you whether it be 8 weeks or slightly longer if horses aren't in work..

Re fields i would say two horses need an acre and half each... But personally I would want at least 5 acres then you can split and rotate the fields.. Keep on top of any weeds and muck remove..

My Id and Idx tb could eat an acre and half in a week and that was on a weed free field in the summer...

If having stables in the field I would make sure you have a small area fenced off around it.. But that you can leave a gate open for access for them if need be.. but when they are in leave the gate open.... Or you could encounter when you open the doors the horses start to charge out..

And even though the horses would not be ridden you would prob find they would stil enjoy a stroll down the road for some different scenery..

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This may be an obvious one but thought I would mention it just incase -

water!

It might be easy to rent a field but if no water accessible it is a crap job in mid winter to keep on taking fresh water down to them every day.

I have 2 horses and they are on a livery yard on a DIY basis and when we had the severe temperatures a couple of weeks ago - my bf was taking up to 12
* 5 gallon drums of water a DAY to them - in the field and in their stables.

The other thing is their backs - even though they won't be being ridden - it would be good to get their backs checked once a year just to help them. My old pony is 31 and hasn't been ridden for 5 years but I still have her back checked each year - it just makes her happier and more comfy.

But I think everything else has been covered.

Oh - have wormers been mentioned?

My 2 are dodgy - 1 OAP and 1 15 year old with a buggered check ligamet and trust me they are very expensive pets!

But good for you thinking about things way in advance rather than jumping in without thought

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My family :
Sox 31 year old pony
Zara 15 year old horse
Chloe 12 year old black Lab
Sasha 9 year old black Lab
Francis (allegedly) 14 years Rescue Dog
Tosh 17 year old rescue dog - RSPCA prosecuting owner - sadly pts 28.07.11
Saffron 18 month old tortoiseshell cat
Spike, Prozac, Ginger and Snap, and now Ritz & Ryvita the Guinea Pigs

R.I.P Gabby Guinea Pig - passed away 26.01.11