12 since I last rode- Help me to get back in to it!

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MrsMug

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EEK! Those 12 years have passed quickly. It doesn't seem 5 minutes ago that I was spending all day every day with my beloved pony. But I'm 28 now, with a young family, mortgage and job. Unfortunately the days of pottering about the countryside on my trusty steed had to give way to grown up things.

But now I'm heading headlong towards 30, I feel it is time to rebel and take up riding again! Trouble is, I can't find a riding school local to me- or at least one that makes me want to spend my money with it.

So my thoughts have turned to owning again. But last time Mum and Dad paid for everything - and 12 years have passed, so I'm a bit out of touch. Please can someone give me ball park figures for the following (we live in the Midlands if that is any help)
DIY Livery (guess this will vary considerabley)
A bale of hay
A bale of straw
Farrier
Worming
The average 15hh bombproof horse, no older than say 10 (not needed for competing)
The average 12hh bombproof pony (I'm dreaming of days of me and my daughter up on the yard together...)

Sorry for the long post, any advice for a rusty old girl would be much appreciated.
 
Hello
Welcome to the forum.

Depends where in the midlands really. I'm in the Nottingham area. Some DIY livery yards will include the Hay, straw some won't but will only let you buy it from them at inflated prices.

Normally Hay £2 - £3 per bale

Straw anything from £1 - £2.50

Farrier £50 -£60

Worming depends which wormer and what your worming for but between £10 -£16

12 years ago peeps were a bit more honest about the horse they were selling so Buyer beware.

15hh for hacking around this will vary around the country but I'd say probably £1500 - £3000

12hh for same depends on age £1000 - £2500

You should check out horsemart and all other horse sale sites to get an idea. Hope this helps.
 
Hi Mrsmug...I stopped riding 20 years ago and now live somewhere completely different to where I grew up and used to have my ponies.

I have started to have riding lessons at a local RS but it has always been with the intention that I wanted to reassure myself that I could still ride but knowing I want to buy my own horse again.

Based on the principle that I do want to own my own horse but don't have a clue about livery yards in the area which I now live, I have been searching on the net. Those ones which look like a good option I have been up to visit to see what facilities they offer, what the yards are like and also find out about prices. By the sounds of it you might be best off doing something similar.

I know when I got back on a horse for my riding lessons I really do ache afterwards but I love it and it is giving me the confidence to know when I do go to look at horses to buy i'm not going to get on and fall straight off again.

As my instructor told me it is like riding a bike in that you don't forget but as I told her it takes time for the right muscles to get working again and you aren't able to do the stunts that you used to.

One of the things I have noticed and maybe it's because I have been out longer than you there are things that have changed with horse owning now. It used to be you would only get the vet in to check a horses teeth if you suddenly started to get problems but it seems it is a yearly checkup now and they also have annual injections. The amount of different rugs you get these days is also enormous compared to the days of just new zelands, stable rugs and sweat rugs. Times change and move onwards but based on this I would suggest you look to go somewhere where there are friendly people around who can help you out.

with regard to prices I have been quoted
£23/week for diy livery (includes access to daily turnout and stable)
£5/week for haylage
£5.50 per bale of shavings
£1 /day for morning turnout and feed

I have also found full livery at between £70/week and £80/week which includes standard food, hay, bedding and everything done for you apart from riding.

One of the biggest problems I am finding is getting to know where all the livery yards are...if anyone has any good recommendations for the flintshire area plese let me know
laugh.gif
 
DIY Livery (guess this will vary considerabley)... £20-40 depending upon facilities.

A bale of hay £3 -4.50 Depending upon quality and number you buy.
A bale of straw £1-2 Depending upon quality and number purchaced.

Farrier £50 new set, 35-40 for removes, 10-15 for a trim

Worming £10-20 a go.

The average 15hh bombproof horse, no older than say 10 (not needed for competing) 2.5k plus


The average 12hh 1.5k plus for a decent first pony... you are better off getting one on loan!
 
Having been in the same situation as you, I would really urge you to get lessons somewhere before taking the plunge into owning. I knew I could still ride (in my head) but my body and muscles felt quite differently. Takes a while to get back into it. It's worth spending the time to get back there
 
Thank you all for the advice.

Madmav- i suspect buying is a while off anyway in reality - I have a 2 and a 3 year old to look after as well as a job, I'm not sure there are that many more hours in the day to be looking after a horse currently. But hopefully in the next 18 months. In the mean time I've got friends who will let me borrow their horses for a gentle hack but I'm really struggling with finding a riding school with in 30 miles.
 
Just go for it! I hadn't ridden in 14 years except the odd time with friends and on moving to the country 3 years ago have been hankering after a horse and running to the window every time I heard hovves going past!
laugh.gif


Same problem as you - I couldn't find anywhere to ride locally that was good.

Bought Dillon 5 months ago and have never looked back, you will always find the time to do it if you really want to! (however it is outrageously expensive here in Kent!!)
 
Definitely take some lessons first, I had 10yrs out and am now looking to buy before I hit 30 (a promise I made myself when I had to give up to go to Uni). You do not forget, but geeze do you loose flexibility!! I am really glad I started with lessons. I travel 40 miles to one centre and have 2 lessons every week. I would not like to have bought before retraining my muscles.

How about maybe taking a riding holiday this summer, if finding a local school is the problem.

As to livery, I am looking in a different area but prices generally:

DIY (inc use of facilities - school...etc) - £35-£45
DIY + feed & bedding - £40-60
Part Livery - from £55 +
Full Livery - £75 +
 
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