Buying my first pony

[evie.equine]

So some of you may recall my last post where I asked what you think would be right for my situation loaning or buying and I have some exciting news, my parents have agreed to give me a £35 weekly budget for livery and feed (liverys cheaper near me) so I will be getting my first ever pony! The only catch is I have to pay for insurance and the actually pony but I have had a pony savings account for a little while. If you have any tips or advice I would love to hear them as I only know the outskirts of the big equestrian word I'm jumping head first into! Also please bare in mind I have been riding for 6 years and have had lots of experience in stable care ect and have just done 8 hours stable experience today at my riding school helping out so I do have some experience!

 

[quiteniceforacob]

Bring an instructor with you to view - especially if you don’t come from a horsey background.

Have you factored in costs for farrier every 6 weeks? How will you get to the stables twice a day (if diy)? Remember you need a stash of money initially for things like tack, rugs, etc. And you will need to keep having lessons even with your own horse!

Good luck

 

[Aperchristmas]

The weekly budget may sort you for DIY grass livery depending on your area, but it won't even nearly cover you for extras like the farrier, vet bills, feed in winter etc. All the things I've mentioned are real welfare issues so are non-negotiable, no matter how skint you are - hence why I mention them.

If you could find a loan horse where the owner still contributes some of the costs (e.g. a part loan or share), you might be able to afford this. Are you on any horsey facebook groups for your area? You might come across something there.

 

[fredflop]

I think you need to try and talk to your parents again, in an adult manner, if they are open to it.

£35 a week will be lucky to get you basic diy grass livery, ie kept out in a field. If you are needing diy livery where they come in overnight, for at least even part of the year, it will cost more. Both of these livery options are likely to leave you with very little time to ride the pony, as your either looking after it. Or, in the case of grass livery, probably can’t ride for half of the year. (Attempting to tack up a pony in the middle of a field in winter with no stable, and trying to squeeze a ride in before it gets dark is not fun.)

Also, the pony “running costs”. Farrier/dentist/saddler/physio. I’ve had a massive uphill struggle trying to get a saddle for my horse. After fitting I’ve had the saddler back out twice to readjust as my horse has changed shape very quickly. My parents certainly wouldn’t have paid for so many saddle visits in short succession. They would have just said it’s got a saddle, I’m not paying again. They’d probably have been ok with a dentist once a year… but the physio, you can forget that. (My mother went loopy when I suggested my dog might benefit from a chiro visit. I was 20 at the time…)

as suggested above a loan/share where you contribute may be a better option.

 

[twobearsarthur]

As well as hard feed, livery, initial cost of buying a pony and insurance. You’ll need to factor in hay/bedding/supplements, the farrier every 6 weeks, worming/worm counts, vaccinations, saddle fitting, lessons, dentist and possibly physio. All your start up equipment from buckets, rugs, tack, grooming kit, first aid kit, boots etc....
Funds for covering unexpected costs such as destroyed rugs, damaged tack, lost shoes, transport, insurance excess etc....
To be honest £150 a month may just cover basic DIY livery where you do everything yourself but will leave little spare money for anything else.
Time wise if you’re on DIY livery, you’ll be needing to visit a minimum of twice a day everyday of the year for pony checks, field and fencing checks and poo picking if it lives out or changing nets, water, mucking out when in. As well as ride.
As previously said it might be a good idea to look at a share or part loan to start off with.

 

[evie.equine]

The weekly budget may sort you for DIY grass livery depending on your area, but it won't even nearly cover you for extras like the farrier, vet bills, feed in winter etc. All the things I've mentioned are real welfare issues so are non-negotiable, no matter how skint you are - hence why I mention them.

If you could find a loan horse where the owner still contributes some of the costs (e.g. a part loan or share), you might be able to afford this. Are you on any horsey facebook groups for your area? You might come across something there.

Sorry I don't think I worded it right, my parents are happy to pay for everything so get bills farrier dentist feed ect but I have to pay for the horse and tack and think I want to buy for them. I would never buy a horse if I wasn't financially ready for it because that would just be cruel for the horse, the £35 is mainly just for livery, thanks

 

[Lipglosspukka]

So to be clearer. They have said you have a budget of £35 a week just for the cost of livery and any hard feed, which should be okay.

That being the case, you will likely be looking at a native type pony that doesn't need much/any hard feed. The budget wouldn't stretch to cover the cost of feeding a tb for example.

 

[Trouper]

I think it might help if you could give us some idea of the sort of pony you are looking to buy. That way we could give you more detailed advice on the sort of costs you are likely to meet over and above the basic livery costs.

 

[ycbm]

You must be very excited, a first horse is always really special.

But do make sure that your parents realise that insurance has a hefty excess on it where they will have to pay quite a lot of money if the horse gets ill or injured even if the insurance covers it. And that once the pony has been ill with something, eg lame in a foreleg, a cough, that illness is then excluded and no claim can be made if the pony is lame or coughs again.
.

 

[throwawayaccount]

you must be very excited!

£35 is quite a tight stretch as not taking into account other variables- farrier, dentist, etc.

would your parents not be willing to pay for the insurance? petplan gives a month free I believe but has relatively high upfront costs, when claiming. (for me anyway, mine is £500 per claim.. gulp) but there are better ones around! the insurance anyway, I assume it'd need to go in their name depending how young you are?

I paid for my first pony myself when I was 16, sort of- I got £30 a week EMA (yep..the good old days) plus £15 weekly off a part loaner that helped. Back then, rent was £18 a month, hay was £4 a bale etc..so quite cheap!!!

I also did odd jobs like gardening dog walking etc so had at least £60 a week which 'afforded' most things.

right now, with current mare, the costs are neverending..plus you need to factor in things like first aid kit, rugs, grooming kit, tack.. if the pony doesn't come with tack.

would recommend having a chat with parents and be honest about unexpected costs and the fact it could/most likely will, cost more. they will value your honesty and openness- which will most likely go in your favour.

good luck!

 

[evie.equine]

I've had a conversation with my parents and they said more money just isn't do able at the minute so I have decided to continue looking for a part loan and enter my first jumping comp on the 13th of June at my riding school on a riding school horse! Any tips would be much appreciated!

 

[Lipglosspukka]

Well done for being so responsible about this.

 

[millikins]

I've had a conversation with my parents and they said more money just isn't do able at the minute so I have decided to continue looking for a part loan and enter my first jumping comp on the 13th of June at my riding school on a riding school horse! Any tips would be much appreciated!

Well done, that seems very sensible for now. I don't know how old you are but my daughter worked as a pot washer at our local pub from when she was about 15 to help finance her hobby. It's hot, sweaty and hard work but in a busy pub it paid well. And perfectly safe, even with a late finish either the landlord brought her home or a female member of staff.

 

[fredflop]

I've had a conversation with my parents and they said more money just isn't do able at the minute so I have decided to continue looking for a part loan and enter my first jumping comp on the 13th of June at my riding school on a riding school horse! Any tips would be much appreciated!

you will be much happier getting the riding in rather than trying to look after a pony before and after school.

whilst it’s a dream to have your own pony, and spend all weekend with him/her… in reality it often doesn’t work out as well

 

[Wishfilly]

I've had a conversation with my parents and they said more money just isn't do able at the minute so I have decided to continue looking for a part loan and enter my first jumping comp on the 13th of June at my riding school on a riding school horse! Any tips would be much appreciated!

This sounds really sensible! Good luck for your comp!

I don't know how old you are, but part loaning (and indeed owning) is much easier when you have your own transport, so it might be better to look at getting your CBT and a scooter when you are 16 (assuming you aren't already). This is a super cheap way to get your own transport, and means you will be able to access horsey opportunities in a much wider area.

People tend to prefer part loaners with their own transport, in my experience. But good luck, I hope you find something.

It is tough when you don't have horsey parents and can't afford to buy, but the more you ride different horses now, the more you will improve! And it will help you figure out what you want when you come to buy!

 

[Surbie]

That's a much better idea - and it takes a lot to take on advice and realise you're not quite there (YET!). Do you have any DIY/livery yards that cater for younger riders near you? There are 2 like that near me and the ponies there tend to have a sharer as well as an owner, and there is a lively pony club atmosphere with lots going on and adults around to ask for help. (I would have loved it at your age - couldn't cope with it now I am old and crabby!)

 

[evie.equine]

That's a much better idea - and it takes a lot to take on advice and realise you're not quite there (YET!). Do you have any DIY/livery yards that cater for younger riders near you? There are 2 like that near me and the ponies there tend to have a sharer as well as an owner, and there is a lively pony club atmosphere with lots going on and adults around to ask for help. (I would have loved it at your age - couldn't cope with it now I am old and crabby!)

ahaha I'm currently helping my riding school with this new pony who hasn't been ridden in a while and needs a small rider (me) as he's only about 12'2 hands so that should keep me busy for a little while but I am still asking around the local liveries if they have any owners who need any help!

 

[Not_so_brave_anymore]

Another massive bonus of just carrying on at the riding school is that if one pony goes lame you can just ride another one. Even a mild dose of laminitis, or a tendon strain (or a million and one other "mild" lameness issues) usually involves 2-4 weeks box rest then 4-8 weeks gentle rehab, never mind serious illness or injury. It's always miserable having a broken pony, but I think it's especially hard if you're young and you miss a whole summer's riding.

 

[Marigold4]

ahaha I'm currently helping my riding school with this new pony who hasn't been ridden in a while and needs a small rider (me) as he's only about 12'2 hands so that should keep me busy for a little while but I am still asking around the local liveries if they have any owners who need any help!

Don't give up on your dream though. There's nothing like having your own pony! Keep working on your budget and talking to people. Think about the part-time job idea. Lots of people on here have full-time jobs and horses and still manage to find the time to look after them and ride, so if you don't have to travel far to get to school, you should have time to do both. How to get to the stables is a big issue - are you close-by? I used to cycle 4 miles on main roads to mine when I was 11, sometimes in the dark, even in the winter, but I think parents are a bit more safety conscious these days.

 

[babymare]

Don’t know your age but what a sensible approach. Good luck in the jumping comp. let us know how you go.

 

[evie.equine]

I live about 15 mins away from my riding but luckily my parents don't mind taking me there and back! Also if I am more helpful around the house they are more willing to drive me to competitions and spend more money on horse riding so of course I'm taking advantage of that! I'm going to the stables again today so I'm getting A LOT of experience from helping out and I am getting a few free rides with work in my parents favour!

 

[brighteyes]

I was going to say that £35 was nowhere close to how much a pony costs to keep and they are very expensive to buy. Even for the most experienced, there are massive pitfalls so I agree with keeping on with the riding lessons and looking for a share or part loan as a way to have them in your life while you learn and earn and save!

 

[Trouper]

Well done you for the way you are approaching everything. Let us know how the competition goes on the 13th.

 

[Marigold4]

I live about 15 mins away from my riding but luckily my parents don't mind taking me there and back! Also if I am more helpful around the house they are more willing to drive me to competitions and spend more money on horse riding so of course I'm taking advantage of that! I'm going to the stables again today so I'm getting A LOT of experience from helping out and I am getting a few free rides with work in my parents favour!

Maybe make a list of all the expenses for the pony and ask the yard owner to help you. Then you'll have a really clear idea of how much it all costs for a month/ year. You might be able to find a loan pony if you can prove you are a going to be a really good horse owner. You can buy lots of things secondhand on ebay. My parents and I had no clue when we got my pony but we managed. You'll have to economise on other things though, like expensive phones and contracts, but if you want a pony enough you'll be happy to do so.

 

[Spirit2021]

You where a lot more sensible than me when I was 18 years old I bought a horse couldn’t really afford it . Truthful I barely had 100 a week to cover all the cost because my horse was stabled and on Dly with extras . To be honest I did daly other things like feet trimming.

 

[evie.equine]

Maybe make a list of all the expenses for the pony and ask the yard owner to help you. Then you'll have a really clear idea of how much it all costs for a month/ year. You might be able to find a loan pony if you can prove you are a going to be a really good horse owner. You can buy lots of things secondhand on ebay. My parents and I had no clue when we got my pony but we managed. You'll have to economise on other things though, like expensive phones and contracts, but if you want a pony enough you'll be happy to do so.

That's a good idea really, im sure there is a livery at my stables looking for some help! For my competition I am looking for a dark green saddle pad and baselayer because dark green suits all horses in my opinion so I have been looking on eBay and depop but haven't found anything yet. My phone bill only costs £8 a month for 12 GB and I'm not fussed about having the new phone (I have an old iPhone 6 and have a few old androids to go through if I need) so that's not a big expense for my parents. I might do a big clear out on Facebook giving me some more money to save and I have only asked for money for my birthday (10th June) so that will be more money going towards all my horsey stuff, Thanks!