I've been wanting a horse for about 3 or 4 years now, and still haven't gotten one. However, I was thinking of getting one next year and wanted to make sure I was well-prepeared for everything that I could be. Is there anyway someone can give me the basic necesssities and estimated costs so I can save up and get everything ready before I actually purchase the horse? (I live in Alabama if that helps with anything)

Another question I have is mare or stallion? Since this is my first horse would it be better to buy a mare or a stallion? And what would be a good age to begin with? I would like to have a foal, but obviously I don't know if it would be something I could do because I've only helped groom horses, I've never even ridden one!

 The last comment I have is the purpose of the horse. I would like to start off as just a pleasure ridder (though I don't know the real difference between Western and English besides the make of the saddle which I learned in a class), but was wondering what else I could do to keep my horse stimulated. I don't plan on doing much competition, so it wouldn't be something necessary, just a side thought.

I know I ask alot of questions! Thanks for any help you can give!!!

 I second everything Flakemusic has said. If you've never even ridden at this point, by far the best idea is for you to find a stable where you can take lessons. The basics of all riding are the same, and for your first year at least you'll be working strictly on basics. It's much harder to ride than it looks like from the ground! You might even discover that you don't really enjoy it.

If you love riding, the next step I'd suggest is becoming a barn helper. You'd start by cleaning stalls, then go on to feeding and other general chores. This is hard, dirty work but if you do it with a good work ethic it earns you everlasting respect in the horse world. It will also give you more exposure to different horses in different situations, how to handle them and keep safe.

After all that, find a horse to lease, preferably at the barn where you've been taking lessons. This will be your next step in becoming fully responsible for a horse by yourself. And by the time you get that far, you'll realize how much that involves! Horses can easily injure themselves or get sick - how do you know how bad it is?What do you do?

 All along the way, READ. There are thousands of books on riding and horse care. A book can't teach you to ride, but it can give you the background to know what you should be looking for. Read about horse anatomy and horse health, too, if you plan to own some day. Then talk to your riding instructor about what you've read.

Go find a place to take lessons - and have FUN! You're starting on a great adventure.

Anytime.

You seem like you're eager to learn and like you'll make a great, responsible horse owner one day. Good luck and hope to hear about your rides.

Agreed -- lessons are a great start and will go along way towards helping you learning what you need to do to ride safely and get a feel for the horse world.  That said, I would also definitely recommend leasing to you after you have had some lessons.  I had been riding for over 20 years when I bought my first horse and I STILL was boggled at how much I didn't know, they will always catch you off guard!  And budgets are great, just know that it will always cost more than you think, LOL!

Solaris:

I had been riding for over 20 years when I bought my first horse and I STILL was boggled at how much I didn't know,

There's just not a lot of reasonableness where your own horse is involved. Better to learn common sense with other people's horses, then you can have a tiny bit left over for your own.

Which reminds me, there's actually a great book called "Riding Other People's Horses" which gave me a lot of encouragement and good ideas in the decades before I could afford my own.

Out of curiousity, do you have anyone that you know really well, and have a good relationship with that knows horses really well.  The reason that I ask is, Its always good to have someone to answer questions, get advice from etc.  IMO this person needs to be someone that will be totally honest with you.

When I started with horses I didn't have a lot of experience caring for and disiplining/teaching them.  My parents both had horses when they were kids and teens and they gave me a lot of advice and critiques.  You need to have someone that you trust to "mentor" you because you are more likely to listen to them and go to them for help if you trust them.  Also, don't take everything that people tell you personally, don't believe everything you hear.  Don't be afraid to ask for a second or third opinion.  Everyone has a different way of doing things, just because its right for them doesn't mean its right for everyone else. 

That being said, listen to what people have to say with an open mind.  If they have a lot of experience with horses and their horses are happy, healthy, and a pleasure to work with, chances are, they know what they are talking about.  On the other hand, if they don't have experience, and/or their horses are not happy, healthy or a pleasure to be around, you probably want to get a second opinion.

This all made sense in my head, hopefully it came together alright on "paper"

My Gracie:

Solaris:

I had been riding for over 20 years when I bought my first horse and I STILL was boggled at how much I didn't know,

A scratch! OMIGOD! Will it get infected and kill her? She's grumpy today! OMIGOD! Is she going lame/overworked/turning into devil horse/hates me????

AHAHAHAH!  That is exactly true.  "OH NO -- he looks sleepy standing in his stall, I think he must have a fever/be colicing/have some horrible infectious fatal disease.  Oh -- maybe he is just sleepy."

 I actually do :)

She's the one that I got the area to take lessons at from, and she even said she would take me out sometimes when she's free because she actually teaches at the place I plan to attend lessons.

I'll keep her around so she can be my knowledge slave and answer all of my questions :P

Thanks for that advice! I'm sure it'll come in handy soon and quite frequently.