Buying a horse/saving

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Tabbatha12

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Hello, can you just answer me these two questions.

1.) how long did it take you to save up for a horse and what did you do to make the money//especially for teenagers// around 13/14 year old

2.) what did you buy for your horse when you got it and how much did it cost?
Thankyou
 
Saving up isn't the hard part. But at 14/15 and wondering how to pay for the horse upfront, I'd be concerned about unexpected vet bills and general upkeep. Vet bills are at least three figures normally!
I actually saved up and bought my own at 14. I worked evenings in a Chinese after school and also worked weekends at the yard. HOWVER, I wouldn't have if my parents hadn't agreed to pay for bills etc once I'd proved I wanted enough to earn it. I saved 2000 and it took me just under a year!
In the end I kept my money and my horse was bought for me. The savings then paid for my first car at 17.

The horse cost 2000.
Saddle 700
bridle 80
bit 30
rugs 500
first aid kit 100
boots 100
and more!
 
As Hayleighm says - it isn't the paying for the horse up front that is the problem, its the bills afterward. You need to budget for livery fees, feed, shoes, vaccinations, insurance. Plus if you want to actually do anything with your horse entry fees, transport, lessons.

I think we have all saved up for a pony at one time in our lives, and it is great to have that goal to work for and the discipline to get there - horses need a lot of discipline and commitment too. But do talk to your parents and make sure the day to day cost is something you can deal with as a family.
 
I know that it's the cost after, we have over £1000 extra for when we get the horse for its saddle, bridle, and month of livery fees. So were ready. But we need extra money incase of unexpected bills as you stated. I just wanted to know how you all saved up enough money and how I could at 13/14.
Thankyou
 
You'll have years of livery bills. Just put money away each month from your income. At 13 or 14 I don't think it would be possible without help, as you have school and exams to revise for.
It would be down to your parents to buy the horse for you
 
You need permission from the government to take employment under 16. Not impossible to get; but a bit of an irritation. There are not many paying jobs available at your age simply because of the regulations concerning younger workers - the good old fashioned paper round is about all I can think of. You might find some local shop work available after school, or possibly babysitting although at 14 you are only just old enough to be responsible for a younger child you are not also related to.

I know it seems like an age waiting to be old enough to do stuff. And I know I sound SO like my mother... but you are only 13/14 for a short while. Don't rush into adult pressures.

Might there be a middle ground? Would your local stables let you work for rides? Not legal I know but just about everywhere does it! Is there a local PC Center where you could start to take your progressive tests to establish a horse based CV? Your can take your BHS Road rider at 12 - but you have to wait until 14 for your stage 1. That might be worth looking into?
 
One word: LOAN !

At the age of 12 I got my first proper loan pony. My parents never considered buying - it was everything from the responsibility to the cost.

In fact I still loan now and I would 100% recommend it - the horse is completely in your care and you can do everything you would as if you owned it (including keeping it where you like - unless you agreed to part loan with the owner, which is another idea to reduce costs and responsibility) - except if something terrible happened the costs of putting it right could be shared with the owner (recently I had a £900 dental bill, and my horse's owner was so lovely and wanted to help with the costs - relieved is an understatement!) Not to mention the horse is not completely yours, and so some of the responsibility is lessened if anything were to happen or if the child were to lose interest (believe me I have seen it far too many times).

Finally as others have said 'saving up for buying' is just the beginning - I'd estimate my horse costs me around £3,000-4,000 a year and thats on DIY livery. So if you were to save your money for the upkeep of the pony rather than buying it, you might find affording the horse much easier.

Hope everything works out for the best, please consider loaning!
 
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