Cattle

Posts Tagged ‘estimate’

So, you have wanted a horse all your life, but you can’t seem to get your parents to agree to get you one. Well, what you need is a plan, a parent friendly plan that shows your parents just how a horse will affect your life.

Start off by getting a job. I know, everyone says that, but it is really important. By getting a job you will show your parents that you are responsible enough to manage money. You will need at least $500-600 a month to care for a horse, so show your parents that you can earn that much money. Start a savings with your income and set aside enough money to pay for at least two months of board.

Next, find a barn that is local where you could keep your horse. Find out what the costs of keeping a horse there are. Be sure to include vet and farrier costs in your cost estimate. Get all these numbers on paper so that you can show your parents the actual costs.

Now consider what you could be doing if you did not have a horse. Are you currently spending a lot of time out partying or hanging out with friends? Be prepared to lose much of that time to your horse. Show your parents that these things are less important to you than your horse would be. Explain to them that you would be more concerned about paying your horse’s upkeep and working with your horse than going out late to parties or getting into things your parents would prefer you avoid (after all, who can afford drugs or alcohol if all the money is going to the horse).

With this information in hand, sit down with your parents and have a long talk. Discuss doing a trial run of horse ownership. You can either take on a part board situation or a lease of a horse. This way you avoid the initial cost of buying a horse, but still get the chance to show your parents how you will handle horse ownership.

If your parents agree to the trial, be sure to keep up your side of the bargain. Pay your horse’s expenses. Your parents should not have to foot the bill unless there is an unforeseen emergency. Go out to the barn as often as you can, and avoid going out and partying late. If you can keep this up for a year’s lease or part-board, your parents might actually start to see things your way.

Owning a horse is a huge responsibility, and you will need to do everything in your ability to prove that you are up for the challenge. Many kids just can’t manage the stress of having a job and paying for their own horse. On the other hand, parents are stressed enough just paying for the general bills. If you can prove that you will be self sufficient, you will give your parents the chance to accept your proposal without fretting that you will leave them in the lurch.

If you get your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel from a quality breeder, you can be fairly certain that you will have an excellent dog that will bring years of happiness. Overall, it is pretty healthy breed with typically few major health problems to speak of. Nonetheless, it is advisable that you become educated about the breed and learn if your dog may be predisposed to health problems via his family history. Keep in mind that some information given about the health of your Cavalier KingCharles Spaniel may simply be based on past assumptions. For example, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels historically have been reputable for their good eyesight and health. Yet over the past few years, the breed has changed a bit and is becoming increasingly susceptible to eye diseases. Similarly, overall eyesight quality decreases with age for most dogs and this certainly includes your Cavalier. Don’t be fooled by blanketed statements about the breed. Always check your facts as well as the bloodline history for your potential dog.

It is estimated that nearly half of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels inherit eye problems. Retinal dysplasia is the most commonly acquired of these diseases and is also the most serious eye problem that a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel can get. With retinal dysplasia, the retina of the eye has does not properly form, resulting in what is known as retinal folds. The ailment causes blind spots, which are often almost unnoticeable from your dog’s perspective. The disease can also be more serious, causing complete blindness. Again, a bloodline background check is advised so that you can be assured your dog will not suffer from this potentially tragic disease. A reputable breeder should be able to inform you about the full lineage background and whether or not this dog is at risk for eyesight diseases or any other issues. It is disreputable for a breeder to sell a dog for commission if the animal’s lineage indicates the disease to be prevalent and serious. Finding a referred and respected breeder will assure that you can avoid this, and rest easy in knowing that your dog will be healthy and happy for years to come.

As with all breeds, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel has its own particular needs for proper care. Adhering to the guidelines for good health and careful grooming should avoid most eye issues. With proper inspections you will hopefully be able to obtain a healthy dog that does not experience serious eye issues until they inevitably come with age. Yet, on a less serious note, most dogs manage to get conjunctivitis at some point during their lifetime. If your dog has conjunctivitis, thoroughly clean the eyes and clear away the mucus regularly. If the condition persists despite your efforts, you are advised to consult your veterinarian. The veterinarian will prescribe an ointment to be applied regularly. In addition, they will advise that you clean frequently to avoid potential eyesight issues. If conjunctivitis is left untreated, permanent eye damage can result if not careful.