Buying a first horse- start up costs

ArklePig said:
Hi everyone, I've only really had time to skim these until now. Thank you all so much as usual for taking the time to give detailed responses :)

There was a couple of things I hadn't factored in, such as failed vetting and transport etc.

I'm deffo okay with second hand where possible and I'd rather put the money into making sure my horse is healthy and happy so deffo the money on a correctly fitted saddle, initial dentist, physio and vax etc are the top of my priority list. - and yes to emergency cash if it needs the vet in the early days before insurance kicks in. Stage 5 vetting is also non negotiable so I guess I need to be prepared for some fails. Also I have no horsey friends (it's why I'm such a torture on this site!) so deffo need to factor transport.

If it has any colour or style preferences for the likes of rugs and saddle pads though he may get over his sense of embarrassment quite quickly. ?

I'm a little overwhelmed right now, it's doable, but looking at it in black and white quite frankly makes me want to lie down in a dark room for a bit.

And yes, sadly I'm after the horse everyone wants-I know a true first horse safe but not a plod is gonna cost me.

As an aside can I interest anyone in a kidney?
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Have you thought about a private loan? It saves a lot of the start up costs (the horse will usually come with a lot of what it needs) and is a good way to ease yourself into horse ownership. It'll also be a great way to meet some horsey friends!

I would say with rugs, sometimes style preferences are a welfare thing- some horses get very rubbed by certain brands of rugs, and not all rugs fit all shapes of horse well. I know that was intended as a joke, sorry!

If you'd be willing to consider something older, that would also bring the purchase price down quite a bit, and older horses (been there done that) can make great first horses.
 
I completely agree, don't let it get overwhelming. As long as you've got the vettings, saddler etc sorted the rest can be made as cheap as you want. Some of it you can even buy now such as grooming kit, feed bowls etc if you have somewhere to store it and that could help spread the cost for when you first get a horse.

As others have said I also really wouldn't dismiss an older horse, it will reduce it's price significantly and possibly be the better fit for you anyway. They often have a huge amount to give still and can be great teachers and much easier and more patient than a younger horse.
 
I am with WindandRain on this one. Get the horse first. Often, they come with tack anyway! I got a pony that came with its own toothbrush back in the 1970's - but that is an aside. As it will be at full livery, I really don't think you will need much more than a head collar with a long lead rope and small grooming kit to start with. Not all horses need rugs, boots etc. and not all horses are shod. You will just have to make sure that you have money put aside for first visits for farrier/trimmer, possibly vet and possibly saddle fitter, and then budget for the regular outgoings of farrier/trimmer and vet for jabs etc. I think that trainers may or may not be needed, so you can budget to suit yourself. Have fun! All very exciting :-)
 
Thanks Wishfilly. I think i would consider an older horse, I guess it's horse specific on what type of job they'll be doing, ultimately I'll be guided on my instructor on whether it's the right horse for the right job and all round a good buy.

I had actually thought that a private full loan would be ideal for me, but they seem nigh on impossible. I totally understand why, after some very sad threads on here. I don't know who would want to loan out their horse to a novice first time loaner/owner. It is annoying though cause I could give a horse a great life and it could work for an owner so I guess in short - I've not discounted the idea jsut don't know if its realistic. :)

The one thing mentioned I do have is a grooming kit and detangler and all that good stuff so I guess that's something! ?
 
ArklePig said:
Thanks Wishfilly. I think i would consider an older horse, I guess it's horse specific on what type of job they'll be doing, ultimately I'll be guided on my instructor on whether it's the right horse for the right job and all round a good buy.

I had actually thought that a private full loan would be ideal for me, but they seem nigh on impossible. I totally understand why, after some very sad threads on here. I don't know who would want to loan out their horse to a novice first time loaner/owner. It is annoying though cause I could give a horse a great life and it could work for an owner so I guess in short - I've not discounted the idea jsut don't know if its realistic. :)

The one thing mentioned I do have is a grooming kit and detangler and all that good stuff so I guess that's something! ?
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Loans can be hard to find, but there are people willing to loan horses out there, so it might be worth asking your instructor to ask around or maybe putting out a wanted ad. Might not work, but worth a try!

If you're willing to consider something a bit older, it will knock money off the price.

But good luck- it is very exciting, and honestly, once you have the horse, you will find a way to make it work!
 
I guess things have changed but I have never had any disposable income I have managed to keep horses and ponies on a shoestring for 50 or more years. Not so expensive to set a new one up now as I also have 50+ years of accumulated stuff. I started out with a horse it arrived in a cattle float it had a tatty rope halter and that was it. Next purchase some days later was a leather headcollar way before the coloured ones. A bit of string and we were away looped it round and rode on a string tied to the headcollar. He was a 4 year old, green broken Irish TB never raced. Rode bareback for months finally managed to get a bridle but is was more months until a saddle was bought. Flat serge lined affair that we stuck a pllowcase under to prevent the serge getting hairy. We rode bareback I taught my mate from school to ride bareback and we had so much fun
 
In all honesty with your first horse, I wouldn’t be going spending £100 on a bridle, £75 on a fancy bit, another £100 on a fancy girth.

I’d be going for a reasonably priced second hand bridle. (Or personally Gallop bridles are perfectly fine for the price.) bog standard single jointed or french link bit in the appropriate size. Second hand “normal” stirrups can be bought for £2/3. Girth £5.

Once you’ve got the horse home, sorted, and ridden, you will then have a better idea of what changes you may need to make. I’ve often also found that different saddles need slightly different sized girth’s, or the length you thought you needed wasn’t quite right. If you’ve got a couple of cheap and cheerful ones, you won’t end up wasting a whole pot of cash
 
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