Buying first horse

[equilife02]

It is a really good point about the extras. Because truthfully I don't know how I spend so much, but I do! Not 200 pounds a week, but some examples of some essential extras in last few months:
December 1 horse needed a tooth removing. Since it was a back one this had to be done at the clinic and she had to stay there for 3 weeks recovery, plus subsequent 2 vet visits when she was home
January same horse had a hoof infection. 2 vet visits, farrier to come and take shoes off, 2 weeks later farrier to come and put shoes back on. Plus vet advised to get some special boots to wear which cost 280 euros.
January other horse showing signs of not being happy with bit despite recently having teeth done. Vet visit to check him
Both horses needed psyllium because colic from sand in this area is a problem - cost 30 euro per horse
Last weekend horse 1 had clicking sound from back legs. Vet came Monday morning. Luckily nothing to do

But actually I think that on the budget you have you can afford a horse, what worries me more is the security of it. Because first jobs are often much less secure than others, and the fact that you seem to be having some difficulties to get one says that you won't walk into another if you lose it. In this case you need to have sufficient savings, or agreement from your family that they will support the horse until you find work. If they agree to this then I would say you are fine. But you do need to also remember that it may mean that you have to live at home for a very long time, and if in a year or two you want to get your own place you probably won't be able to afford to keep the horse. Really good luck because it sounds as if you are going about this in exactly the right way, saving money and looking carefully at the costs. Could you ask the owner of your shared horse, or maybe some other horse owner to help you? When you start work ask them to tell you EVERYTHING that they spend on their horse and for 6 months put that amount away in a separate account. This will give you a very good idea of what you have left to live on, and will also boost your savings.

Well as I said. Only I will know when I’m financially able and have adequate savings, what I initially was asking is how long/how much savings I should have before I get a horse. You can’t tell me that I will loose my first job. No one I know lost their first jobs, they left by themselves when they got a better job. And as I said again. I’m not about to go and buy a horse tomorrow

 

[ownedbyaconnie]

I get it’s bit offputting when people aren’t saying yes of course you can afford a horse on £600 a month because it’s not what you want to hear. But you asked for advice and people are giving it so try not to take it to heart.

I spend £400 a month on what I consider basics. Insurance, farrier, diy (no assistance) hay, very basic handful of pony nuts and chaff, dentist etc. That’s not including getting rugs reproofed each year, paying for someone to clip, lessons, transport, replacing tack etc.

It depends on the horse you’d like and your experience level but I would save £4-5k for the horse then another few hundred for 5 stage vetting and transport. Then another few hundred for all the checks (even if previous owner says it was done) like dentist, saddler. If horse comes with no tack then buying all that can easily get close to £600-700.

Basically save a lot and have a 0% purchase credit card as back up for emergency vet fees or some extra savings.

 

[Maesto's Girl]

It's not the money that got me but the time. Luckily I now have mine on part livery 4 days a week and full livery 3 days a week when I have 4 hours worth of commuting. I did do DIY and I can tell you now - winters are awful. However horsey you are - doing twice a day (at least) 7 days a week in the dark is miserable

That said - a summer day at the yard is unbeatable!

 

[Winters100]

Well as I said. Only I will know when I’m financially able and have adequate savings, what I initially was asking is how long/how much savings I should have before I get a horse. You can’t tell me that I will loose my first job. No one I know lost their first jobs, they left by themselves when they got a better job. And as I said again. I’m not about to go and buy a horse tomorrow

OK, no one is telling you that you will lose your first job. But I also know many companies that take on apprentices and keep only a handful when they finish. I am not telling you that you will lose your job, just saying that it is a possibility that you must plan for, and what if you do? No one here is trying to be unkind to you, and we all have different appetites for risk. I have to tell you however that to me your work situation seems very insecure, as is mine, and given this I would not personally be happy if I could not keep my horses for a considerable time without income. I agree that if you are living at home it is easier - you could get part time work in a bar for example and make enough to pay for the horse, but a few thousand in savings does not go far if problems arise. I really do wish you luck, but I also think you should consider whether you are actually very lucky to have a share horse, and whether this should not be enough until you see how your working life evolves.

 

[Winters100]

I get it’s bit offputting when people aren’t saying yes of course you can afford a horse on £600 a month because it’s not what you want to hear. But you asked for advice and people are giving it so try not to take it to heart.

I spend £400 a month on what I consider basics. Insurance, farrier, diy (no assistance) hay, very basic handful of pony nuts and chaff, dentist etc. That’s not including getting rugs reproofed each year, paying for someone to clip, lessons, transport, replacing tack etc.

It depends on the horse you’d like and your experience level but I would save £4-5k for the horse then another few hundred for 5 stage vetting and transport. Then another few hundred for all the checks (even if previous owner says it was done) like dentist, saddler. If horse comes with no tack then buying all that can easily get close to £600-700.

Basically save a lot and have a 0% purchase credit card as back up for emergency vet fees or some extra savings.

Great advice, except (in my opinion) for relying on a credit card for emergencies. It only starts at 0% and on her salary she won't be able to pay it quickly. She should not be going into debt at her (or indeed any) age

 

[PaintPonies]

How long has it taken you to save the 3.5k - by the time you've doubled that you should have a better idea of where you are job wise etc. Do you have a yard in mind where you would keep the horse? Maybe when you start getting close to your target savings you can start investigating costs in your area. Livery, hay, bedding, farriers etc etc.

You sound sensible and you've done well to save what you have so far. Life is too short to be held back from a dream/passion that you really want. The only problem with a dream that involves a living breathing animal is that they can throw unexpected problems at you and when that living breathing animal is a horse any problems usually come with a hefty bill attached! As long as you're confident that you can cover day to day costs and have a back up plan for unexpected costs then go for it

 

[Ellzbellz97]

Well as I said. Only I will know when I’m financially able and have adequate savings, what I initially was asking is how long/how much savings I should have before I get a horse. You can’t tell me that I will loose my first job. No one I know lost their first jobs, they left by themselves when they got a better job. And as I said again. I’m not about to go and buy a horse tomorrow

No one is telling you that you'd lose your job, it's just reality it happens sometimes. If you're looking for a decent horse 3-4k most insurance companies will want to see atleast a 2 stage some 5 stage vetting certificates, I paid about £350 for my 5 stage, and about £600 on new tack! Horse insurance for a 4k horse will be around £40-£60 a month depending on who you use, you then have the excess which you must pay for any claims.

I'm currently living at home, pay rent still, but I tell you now I wont be moving out for a long time due to having a horse and how costly it is! Good luck whatever decision you chose to make x