Bare foot is the best!! (for horses and humans) seriously though, nevada and other desert places are ideal for barefooted horses. My dad does natural barefoot trimming and it has worked on 100% of horses, plus you can learn to do it yourself, and it cuts shoe bills down to nothing.

OMG!  Don't even get me started on Ebay. I had to do the 12 step program for that site..lol

Well unless you buy a draft you could shop for halters and bridles.  Polo wraps will fit anything.  Saddle blankets aren't size specific, LOL.  I could go on.    I guess I shouldn't be trying to convince you to go there because then you might be the one trying to outbid me

 Advice on husbands

Majority of men would say "something" about purchasing quite reasonable horse for quite reasonable price - they look at them like cars then.

But!

Also majority of men bite well for really poor condition rescues. They feel like knights saving that poor one, and love them dearly then, maybe because THEY RESCUED THE HORSE, (Ask me how I know that?  I can not take my hubby anywhere near shelters, rescues or especially neglect cases - he wants to take them all home to protect and care).

So... Just for a test - take DH to some horse rescues and ask to show the worse cases and watch his reaction... If he gets restless, nervous, starts going from one leg to another and grumbling something about  "these morons..."you know you are in.

Then the next step is much more complicated - to find the horse who is suitable prospect for you and is in poor condition - show him horse, tell the sad neglect history and ask for saving the horse - I bet you will be in! You will have then all winter to nurse horse back into flesh and muscles, get used to the horse and make friends withit.

But go to really reputable rescue where horses really had been properly evaluated - do not take the first one with "beautiful sad" eyes - winter is coming and so many really good, sound and sweet horses will be looking for somenbody to save their lives.

AnnaCrew:

 Advice on husbands

Majority of men would say "something" about purchasing quite reasonable horse for quite reasonable price - they look at them like cars then.

But!

Also majority of men bite well for really poor condition rescues. They feel like knights saving that poor one, and love them dearly then, maybe because THEY RESCUED THE HORSE, (Ask me how I know that?  I can not take my hubby anywhere near shelters, rescues or especially neglect cases - he wants to take them all home to protect and care).

So... Just for a test - take DH to some horse rescues and ask to show the worse cases and watch his reaction... If he gets restless, nervous, starts going from one leg to another and grumbling something about  "these morons..."you know you are in.

Then the next step is much more complicated - to find the horse who is suitable prospect for you and is in poor condition - show him horse, tell the sad neglect history and ask for saving the horse - I bet you will be in! You will have then all winter to nurse horse back into flesh and muscles, get used to the horse and make friends withit.

But go to really reputable rescue where horses really had been properly evaluated - do not take the first one with "beautiful sad" eyes - winter is coming and so many really good, sound and sweet horses will be looking for somenbody to save their lives.

 

 Oh my, Anna! You are a genius! Or do I mean sneaky?

To the OP, I second Cotoncandie's plan of starting with lessons and then going to leasing. And combining it with Anna's plan, it will give you many chances to expose your husband to horses in a controlled, knowledgeable atmosphere.  There just might be a horse or two at a lesson barn that needs someone to love them. 

For me, the most difficult time to combine horses and children was when my daughter was around 3-6. She was slightly too young to really ride (she wasn't one of those kids who was born loving horses) and as I was a single mother I had to either pay a babysitter in addition to the cost of the lesson, or just stay home. If I'd owned my own horse at that time and had it at home, I could have at least been around horses a bit more, but actual riding might not have happened any more often. 

You sound like a very well-organized person, and as someone else commented, you'll need to be to combine horses and children. I do think it will work out best if you get started on your horsy life now. Then, by the time you do have a child, you'll be so addicted there will be no question of giving it up! You'll find a way. There's always a way if you want something bad enough.

And no, horses don't miss being ridden. If they have other horses for company and have plenty to eat and drink, and preferably can be outside all day, they'll be happy to eat up your money for as long as you like.

 

Welcome to the horsey world!!  I always wanted a horse too and sort of fell into it almost 15 years ago.  Got a free horse that was basically a rescue.  He had some physical issues that required expensive supplementation and after a few years had to be retired.  But we sure had fun hitting the trail while we could and he taught me a lot. 

 I agree that you should take lessons first and have your trainer go with you to pick out that rescue horse when you're ready.  They can help you find a more suitable match than if you went on your own.

I love ebay, too!  You can find many, many great used horsey items there for a terrific price.  There was also a used tack store in my town for a long time that I bought things from--check around your area.

The barefoot trim is a must for my horses--they both do just fine.  I can even do it myself--it's not that difficult with proper instruction.  Sure saves a lot of money and my horses are still sound!

 I hardly ride my one horse 5 times a year here anymore but he doesn't mind.  He always acts the same whenever I do go to ride him again--he's a good boy.  I still see him on most nights when I go to the boarding stable to clean/feed.  I do that in order to keep board costs down.  Many stables will allow that--just ask. 

 Well, don't give up your dream--I'm sure it will work out in time.  :) 

As a trainer who works with lots of first time horse owners and someone who has worked with horses a long time, here's my advise.  If you are dead set on owning a horse, make sure that you have someone knowledgable helping you pick out a horse and do a prepurchase exam.  If you are open to other options, take lessons first.  Find somewhere to ride that also lets you learn about grooming and tacking up your horse, as well as other cares if possible.  Not just a place where you show up, ride and leave.  Volunteer some time at the barn to spend more time interacting with horses and learning what care is involved.  After lessoning for awhile, find a horse to lease.  There are many different options for leasing.  I would find a parial lease somewhere where you can continue your lessons.  There is a set fee every month, so you don't need to worry about expensive board, farrier and vet bills.  I didn't own a horse for the first 9 years I rode, but I rode a ton of different horses which makes you a better rider in the end.

It sounds like you've already gotten plenty of great advice but I just wanted to talk about the child and horses thing. I have three kids, ages 4, 2 1/2, and 13 mos. (Yes, I am officially insane!) Luckily for me I already had horses before the kids. In fact I had horses before the hubby so I never had to convince him to let me get a horse. It was pretty much a package deal, me+horse = one. But in all honesty my horses help keep me sane. I wouldn't trade my barn time for anything in the world. It gives me a chance to get away from the craziness at home. It is definitely good for your mental health to have some sort of hobby that gets you away from the kids and work and sometimes even hubby, no matter what that hobby may be. So if you can financially afford it then I say go for it.

I will add, however, that I do agree with most everyone else and advise that you take lessons first and/or try leasing. I think there is a saying that goes something like "better to want the horse you don't have than have the horse you don't want." Basically meaning it's a whole lot easier to buy a horse than to try and get rid of one. 

I hope everything works out for you. The world is definitely in need of a few more true horse lovers.

 Buying a horse is not like going out and getting a  puppy or a new kitten.  If you do not know how to ride and have no experience I would STRONGLY suggest looking into lessons and/or leasing before you purchase.  Leasing does not always have to be expensive and often times local horse rescues will allow you to lease or partial lease some of their rescues.  It helps them out financially plus you will play a part in helping a needy horse.  

My question to you is without experience, how do you know what type of horse you like?  What type of riding you like?  How could you know?  Do you like short horses or tall horses?  Dead calm horses or horses with some pep in their step?  Do you like riding english or western?  Western pleasure or reining?  Trail riding or jumping?  

Take some lessons, ride some different types of horses and different styles and decide what you want!  Then you will be able to confidently choose a horse and bypass needing to sell the flighty, racy ex-racehorse when what you really wanted was a calm trusty Quarter Horse, or selling the calm trusty quarter horse because you really wanted a nice dressage horse.