I think that what Beeman means (and correct me if I'm wrong, Beeman
) is that horses are great to have, but a lot of work, especially when you're just getting set up and there is a LOT of work to do, anyhow. My DH is bugging me to get a couple of horses and I've resisted until now, not because I don't want them, but because I grew up on a small farm with them, and I know how much care they require, and at this point, I simply don't have the time to care for them properly, and with him working twelve and fourteen hours a day, neither does he -- he doesn't know the reality, though, because he's never lived it.
Horses tend to be the first thing that people who are intrigued with the homesteading lifestyle, but really don't know much about it yet, put on their list of "wants". That's NOT to say that they don't have value -- just people underestimate the amount of time and energy, and money, keeping horses can require. It's sometimes (not always) a sign of someone who is in love with the idea of homesteading, and completely unfamiliar with the reality.
This has been my experience only -- I'm certainly not casting aspersions on horse owners -- they have my admiration for the amount of time and effort they're willing to expend on their non-edible livestock
I know that, at this point, I couldn't do it.
