Buying, Loaning or Sharing?

[SamanthaUK]

Which one would you say is best in the current economical climate?
And for a 15 year old..

Update:
Ok, earning £20 a week minimum. Responsable. Horse loving, Competitant teenager
Ridden since I was 4..

 

[tasteofchristmaschaos]

Depends on the 15 year old, their situation, their financies, their experience etc. Need more info to go on than age!

 

[SamanthaUK]

Depends on the 15 year old, their situation, their financies, their experience etc. Need more info to go on than age!

Updated.

(Adding) Not even bothered about breed etc.. Just want something to love. Maybe show inhand. Ride and/or drive

 

[BillyBob-Sleigh]

I think on £20 per week you'll struggle with paying all the costs for your own/loan horse, perhaps look into sharing?

 

[SamanthaUK]

I think on £20 per week you'll struggle with paying all the costs for your own/loan horse, perhaps look into sharing?

I can't travel too far though, That's the thing. When i'm 16 I am buying a Moped. So until then it's within a reasonable distance.

What's the costs/involvements in sharing?

 

[MuesliMoo]

I think on £20 per week you'll struggle with paying all the costs for your own/loan horse, perhaps look into sharing?

This. £20 a week may not even cover the stable cost, on top of that you've got feed, bedding, hay, tack, insurance, vets fees, dentist, farrier etc.

I'd search for a share in your area, sharing is a great way of learning more about horse ownership, with reduced costs and responsibility

 

[MuesliMoo]

I can't travel too far though, That's the thing. When i'm 16 I am buying a Moped. So until then it's within a reasonable distance.

What's the costs/involvements in sharing?

It depends on what the owner is looking for really, some owners just want a sharer because of time commitments - so there would be less costs involved but you'd be expected to be reliable & help with stable chores - mucking out, poo picking etc. Other people just get a sharer for financial contribution - it could be £30 a week for 2/3 days.

When I was your age I had a great share - the owner didn't want to ride her horse anymore so I got to ride him and look after him for free, but I did work for it - I volunteered for her RDA group every saturday, did her horses on sundays so she could have a lie in etc.

 

[Mlini]

I'd look for a share. £20 a week won't get you very far on your own... You could post a 'wanted' ad?

Just an idea... When I was your age, I got a Saturday job on a livery yard. I got to share a few horses there - For free aswell People are more trusting when they know you.

 

[Ranyhyn]

On that budget, sharing enjoy!

 

[MiCsarah]

This. £20 a week may not even cover the stable cost, on top of that you've got feed, bedding, hay, tack, insurance, vets fees, dentist, farrier etc.

I'd search for a share in your area, sharing is a great way of learning more about horse ownership, with reduced costs and responsibility

Agree with this completly. Owning a horse is expensive!!Cant you go and help out at your local riding stables?

 

[SamanthaUK]

The riding centre I used to help out at doesn't need any more helpers as they've got a lot of people helping out.

 

[MuesliMoo]

what about seeing if there are any horse rescue centres near you that need help? I spent 2 years from the age of 14 volunteering for one, it was blooming hard work, no riding, but I learnt so much and got to handle lots of different horses. Or, find an RDA centre, they always need volunteers and it's really rewarding too. That's how I found my share - I started out as a helper, ended up having a horse to look after, and eventually training to be an instructor

 

[SamanthaUK]

Awwh that's a lovely story Muesli. The next riding centre nearby is Draughton. And it's just out of Skipton. A bit too far for me. (Waiting for my Moped)

 

[PingPongPony]

I can't travel too far though, That's the thing. When i'm 16 I am buying a Moped. So until then it's within a reasonable distance.

What's the costs/involvements in sharing?

IMO, sharing is best for you. There are buses that you can catch if its a bit further away and once you've been at the yard for a bit longer there might be people going your way that maybe wouldn't mind taking you home if you throw in a fiver to their petrol. Costs for sharing vary depending on the horse and amount of chores you are willing to do, area and facilities available, usually though they are aprox between 20-40 pounds per week.
The thing about the moped, i said the same thing as you 'it wont be a problem as once i'm 16 i'll get a moped' well guess what, i bought a moped but that alone cost me so much that i now dont have enough money to tax, mot, insure it and do all my licence and test, plus get the safety gear, it expensive. BUT its more realistic if you share a horse as it is WAY WAY less money than loaning or owning. So, best option for you is sharing. Good luck

 

[ridefast]

Volunteer, and save your money for things like riding hat, clothes, boots. Once you have a moped there will be other costs such as petrol, insurance? Tax? never had a moped. So then you will need to be earning more money, more hours working, less hours for a horse. Share or volunteer

 

[Auslander]

Do you have your parents support? It just strikes me that you are planning to use your own money, and aren't able to go too far afield as you don't have access to transport - which sort of indicates that your parents aren't getting involved. It's great that you're keen to do it, and prepared to spend your own money, but just be aware that you may struggle to find a share/loan who is prepared to enter an arrangement with you because you're still a child - your parents need to be on side.
When I was still doing horsey stuff, I had people your age helping out at my yard and riding my horses, but there is no way I 'd have taken any of them on, no matter how competent/enthusiastic they were, without knowing their parents were happy.

 

[SamanthaUK]

Yes my mum is agreed. I've been wanting a horse for a while.
We were offered one on loan but it was too far away

 

[PingPongPony]

moped cost outline:
moped £150-£250 (thats if you're lucky!)
helmet (never buy second hand helmets) £50-£80
Gloves £20
Insurance £150 per year
Tax aprox £20
MOT aprox £30 (thats if nothing needs work)
licence £50
CBT (test that you MUST pass to drive your moped legally) £100
All that is right at the beggining when you buy your moped so thats (if taking the lowest values) £432.5 staright away, if you're lucky you might get one with mot and tax but not for under £200, still works out the same. It is very expensive. Atm, i've been 16 for a good few months and my moped is taxed and moted and i have a helmet, but i can't afford the rest atm so the moped is just standing in the garage so dont rely on the thought that you will have a moped, find another way of transport that will always be available eg, buses.

 

[JollyTall]

Buses, trains, walking, cycling? When I was your age (and younger), I used to do two 25 minute train journeys with a 10 minute walk at each end, all in all waiting for trains etc took me over an hour, every weekend to get to a yard that I was able to help at. Surely there must be somehwere you can get with a combo of public transport and cycling if you really want it enough when I finally found the right place, I got to do all yard stuff (which I loved anyway), lessons for free and eventually free training towards my BHS exams, my boss paid for me to do my first aid etc so I could be a hack escort, and when I got to 16 I got all thing plus £45 cash in hand a day (she was an AMAZING lady though) and full-time work during school holidays! And then I started getting lifts with another member of staff once they got to know me.

So basically, get on a bus and save your money!