with the price of oil should we all go back to horse drawn?

I think it would be cool to go back to horse drawn buggys, or just horses,because with gas prices being so high,and the fact that they go up almost every day,I think it would be cheaper to feed and take care of horses,especially since horses dont need as much maintenance as a car does,because horses arent made of parts that can break down or stop working,unlike cars,because when it comes to a car you never know when its gonna break down on you.Also since I live in the country most of this county is land and trees so there would be plenty of land to keep horses on,and it would be easier to get around by horse,because horses can go some places that cars cant go.

I would definitely be up for that. Not only would it be more efficient and saves you money, it also is a very romantic thing to do. I would love to ride in a horse drawn buggy, and would definitely treasure the moment with my fiance. We do live near a horse farm, and there are a ample amount of unpaved roads here, that would be just perfect for it.

I feel that for a distace of 2 to 5 miles, a much better option would be riding a bicycle! Not only is it good exercise, there is zero impact on the environment! I could only imagine, if everyone started rearing horses, who would clear ll the manure? Let's not forget that animal manure is a major source of heat trapping methane. Plus, the amount of fields that would be needed to produce the hay to feed the horses would take up valuable argircultural land that could be used for either producing biofuels, or producing more food to alleviate the impending food crisi and life many out of starvation levels.

I've thought of this, too. I'm actually allergic, so I would probably have to hire a horse rather than keep one of my own. One thing, horses have a mind of their own and they are very skiddish much of the time. If they don't want to do something, you really can't force them. You can encourage them, but if they really don't want to do it, they won't. Also, if you don't want to ride or drive your horse, you still have to feed and house it as well as pay for vet bills. If you don't want to drive your car, you just park it in the garage. Insurance companies will sometimes lower your rate if you don't drive a lot. Horses leave messes on public streets that would require taxpayer money to clean up. And, the horse owner's liability insurance would probably be a lot higher. Horses can get lame or sick and you can't ride them while you still have to feed and treat them. If your car breaks down, you don't have to drive or fix it. I love horses, but I think automobiles are a much better improvement over them for overall transportation. The car has even made the horse's life better because most of them don't have to work as much as they used to.

LOL...I only laugh because just the other day me and my husband come up with the same ideal...In small towns like I live in it would be a great ideal to save the extra gas to go a few miles to the store or school with a horse and buggy..

Goatlady.I thimk that would be a great idea.but i`m scared of horses. lol. besides with the weather the way it is ,they would just raise the price of hay.the goverment would buy all the hay and charge what they want.people can`t win.I guess we could do alot of walking,but they would put a big tax on shoes.I`m just kidding, I really don`t know what we will do. you have a great day. THE MIRACLEMAN

Lmao, I thought of the same thing! I was like, "Goodness, maybe I could save up and get a horse instead" but then my Mom pointed out our city prolly had laws against keeping a horse in your backyard. I'm like.."But...we have a small house and a pretty big backyard..we're on the outskirts." I dunno, if things are bad enough that lots of people are getting horses, I don't think they could really do anything about it lol.

that could be a good idea, having a horse to replace vehicles use for few distant could be great, it makes us not too dependent of the oil especially during these times when the price of fuel is really increasing.

If I could afford a horse and buggy, that is exactly what I would do. I cannot afford the cost of gas now. Where I live right now, it is $3.69/gallon. I know it is more in some places but for me, living on a fixed income, this is outrageous. I cannot afford to drive my car. If I could afford it, I would buy a hybrid vehicle. That would probably help with the gas a bit but they are so expensive that you can't afford them either. Something has got to give. Pretty soon, people are not going to be able to afford to drive to work.

If I still lived out in the country where I grew up, I would definitely get a horse and ride wherever I could. I grew up in a largely populated Amish area in Ohio and it isn't easy for them either. They use the heating oil, so they are still affected by the high price of oil. But, they are self sufficient because they all work together. However, in larger areas there should be more sidewalks and places for people to ride their bikes without fear of being run over. cdejac

I guess you haven't seen the price of horses lately, but they aren't cheap either. However, I'd love to be able to ride instead of drive if I could. I saw some story the other day where a guy was doing just that to protest the price of gas.

For short distances in a rural area Travel by a horse is feasible...but on top of feed and vet costs one also has to remember that they need a place to tie or pasture the horse for the time you are busy doing things...and that horses are easier to steal. In respect to short distances...It would also be a viable option to ride a bicycle. Those can atleast be locked up if you need to leave it.

Horses are definitely reliable and hard-working, but it can be dangerous to use them on all roads, and like you said, they cannot go far. You must also take into consideration that you can not only pay just for feed. There are still farrier costs, and you would positively need shoes on horses that pull carriages on roads. That would mean all four feet would need shoeing about every 6 weeks. Then, there are the vetting fees, the shots, the dewormers, etc. Owning a horse can get pretty expensive. Also keep in mind that new inventions are coming out every day, and soon there will be cars that are powered by more efficient electricity sources or possible even water eventually.

In a small town or area, a buggy with horse its okay. I saw one or two buggy in my neighborhood. But in big city probably not a good idea. Car with sun energy or something like that is much more efficient and much easy to navigate. Anyway, people should find other alternative for their vehicles from now on.

A year ago i thought if oil reached the 100$ mark our financial system would collapse. But surprisingly no such thing has happened. The system is able to sustain higher prices not just for crude but other commodities ,services and products as well. The reason the higher prices are sustainable is that there is so much money in the system. Year after year governments all over the world produce money without hedging it with gold. As a result money has become cheap. Production of money indiscriminately is one of the reasons for inflation. The rise is price is marginally because of the rise in value of the the commodity and majorly because of fall in the value of money. So the situation is not as grim as it is made to look. Some people do suffer because of rise in prices but the salaries do catch up. There has been inflation for as long as money has existed, but system has never collapsed ( except in cases of wars and other such situations) so far. Horses? We could try electric vehicles or hybrid vehicles, but horses? i dont think so.

Your discussion reminds me of teachings I am used to hearing at church from I was a child. It was usually said that things are going to become real hard in the future and that we would one day have to return to the things of olden days in order to survive. Well even if I tried to dismiss it over the years it is truly having some bearing now. Thats a question we have often reflected on as well as the possibility of losing eletricity and returning to oil lamps. If things continue they way they are now it will all truly come to pass. (lol)