Budget

[tullyho]

I'm looking to buy a horse in the near future but not sure if my budget is suitable for what i'm looking for. I'm looking for a more experienced cob type in it's early teens, with my budget altogether being £3500. Around £2500 will go towards the horse and the rest will go towards vetting, possible travel etc. Does this seem like a reasonable budget?

 

[OrangeAndLemon]

It really depends on the horse and what you need but there are other costs.

Are you going on livery and is it full or DIY, either way, be prepared to have a month in advance as a deposit just in case (not all places ask for this but some do) Have you already identified a place for your horse to live and asked about prices, waiting lists etc? At my yard I had to pay for a new bed of shavings (7 bales at £7.50 each)

If you've shared before you might already have tools like forks, shovels, wheelbarrows, water buckets, feed buckets, haynets etc, if not then factor these in

What about insurance costs? At the very least you'll need public liability which you can get with HH One club or BHS membership but I wouldn't be without proper insurance which I pay yearly at around £500 a year, you can do it DD monthly.

Tack, even second hand will need another £500 minimum and then think about any rugs you'll need, you don't need to buy at full price, second hand is a good option for a new horse until you figure out what kit your need. I bought my saddle but hadn't thought about stirrups, stirrup leathers, girth etc, luckily I was able to source all of these second hand for just £25 (in a shop I'd have easily been paying over £100). My saddle was £500 second hand and my bridle was made to measure for £90 but I don't really like the reins so had to buy special (extra long) ones for another £50 (which he then snapped on a hook outside the door just a couple of weeks later)

You'll need lessons to get you started. I also pay for additional schooling because I work hard to pay for him so can't get to the yard in the week and need to keep him working on exercises to build his core. I have also invested in lessons to help us in ground work to help me with learning how to manage him on the ground.

After all of this you'll need some contingency just in case.

Its not just the cost of buying and getting them home, don't forget the ongoing costs of livery, insurance, farrier, feed, balancers.

Good Luck, it isn't impossible but it'll be easier on you if you don't have to worry about being short on cash from day one.

 

[tullyho]

I've owned horses before so i'm aware of the ongoing costs, but i might try and increase my budget a little just for reassurance. Otherwise i think i'm sorted with tools and stuff :biggrin4: