Calculating horse affordability

pookie

pookie

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If this sounds ridiculous or makes no sense, be gentle....I'm not normally as dappy as I am at the moment!
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I've not bought before solely because I've chickened out in case I can't afford it - I've never sold or rehomed a pet and any horse I get is almost certainly going to be with me for life. So I've always stuck to loaning or sharing. It's not just the unexpected happening, like job loss, it's even as simple as me worrying about the actual expenditure.

When you guys first decided to buy, what costs did you calculate and how certain were you it was all totally affordable?

Obviously there's livery, feed, insurance, vets/farrier, tack, rugs....but even though me and OH are certainly not on the breadline, pricing these things up still makes me concerned about the money side. OH is totally supportive and v excited by the prospect (even wants to learn himself!), but I think I'm going to feel bad about spending several hundred quid a month on something that may well be just my thing....

Ok, I'm rambling. I'll shut up now
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I feel just the same...........

I think that it is a sign that you are likely to be a responsible horse owner, I kind of wish I'd taken the plunge when I was still at the ignorance is bliss stage........ I feel like I'll never feel ready to take the plunge.

My only advantage is DH already rides so it would be a share in terms of money, knowledge and time.
 
I worried, so I found a horse who is fairly cheap to keep.
He is a good doer, so no feed and minimal hay in winter, he is on grass livery, which is cheaper anyway and you don't have to buy bedding, and he only has fronts.
He costs me around £200 per month.
 
I tried calculating how much my horse would cost me and that went out the window!!! I pay for full livery (as my job only allows me to do that even though I reckon I could cope with DIY!), and don't feel guilty about spending it! It's something I've always dreamt of - and I'm sure you have too! There's always a way to save money a month if you need too, but my advice is to save more money before buying so you have some extra in savings as a back up!

That sounds like I've bought mine, but my boy is on loan with a view to buy, and i'm saving as I have him - wouldn't recommend because I was supposed to be at a certain amount, and I'm alot lower than predicted! lol, but at least I have till June to save!
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Pooks, its never easy unless you are rich, rich! However you can do things to make it easier on yourself. Buy a relatively good doer, buy something that can live out and is hardy enough to not need rugs. Research local yards and find somewhere thats cheap but still has the facilities you need. Also buy everything off Ebay within reason - I never buy things from tack shops and most of my things are second hand (who cares if it works?!) will think of more now...
 
There are lots of ways to keep horses, the biggest outlay can be if they are unwell, so I would always suggest you budget for good quality vet insurance cover.

I keep my horses at my home which saves money and relationship wear and tear. Although the B soc. has to be paid.

If you worry about the money too much you won't do it. At the end of the day a minimum requirement is a safe field with grass in it. They do not need a posh yard with 5* facilities. My horses live out in the summer months and it saves a lot of money and time and they are much happier for it.
 
Is your siggie you? If it is I'd not be looking to buy a horsey until I knew what the baby was costing you
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Horsey - nobody can afford it if you calculate the costs in the cold light of day
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Thanks everyone - so glad you don't think I'm mental
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It's not like pet ownership is new to me - we've got two dogs, two cats and a bunch of rescued rabbits. But horses are obviously in a completely different league. I try to be as good an owner as possible and research everything to a ridiculous degree before taking the plunge.

If I don't do grass livery, I'm gonna need at least part livery as the new baby and my job will, at least for a while, mean I'm restricted on time. I think not knowing how much the baby will cost (it's my first) is a big part of my concern, and maybe after a few months I'll feel more secure.

As far as the grass livery's concerned, I've been umming and ahhing over that one. One half of me says good doers should have no problem being out year round (and obviously many prefer it!), but the other half worries about things like theft, the sudden need for box rest etc etc. I'm a right worrier, aren't I?!
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You guys are fab and so supportive. Thank you! Keep the replies a-coming!
 
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Pooks, its never easy unless you are rich, rich! However you can do things to make it easier on yourself. Buy a relatively good doer, buy something that can live out and is hardy enough to not need rugs. Research local yards and find somewhere thats cheap but still has the facilities you need. Also buy everything off Ebay within reason - I never buy things from tack shops and most of my things are second hand (who cares if it works?!) will think of more now...

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Yep agree with this.

I dont think there's a good way of calculating how much a horse costs. There's always something, so try and have a bit of spare cash set aside for those unexpected vet bills. (not trying to scare you, just reassuring!)
I'm the same as well. I rarely buy things from tack shops except my hat which was, of course, fitted. Most of my riding clothes have been bought at boot sales, off ebay etc.

Keeping a horse doesn't have to be MEGA expensive if you don't want it to be.
 
Prices range all around the country, but this year as an experiment, I've written down every penny I've spent on my boy. This includes livery, haylage, bedding (rubber matting so not much), feed, shoes, insurance, lesons, competition entries, riding clothes for me, trailer maintenance etc. The only thing I haven't included is fuel to get back and fore to the yard and to competitions as I also use the landrover for normal driving so it would be impossible to calculate.

He's on DIY livery at a mid range yard with a school that's included in the price, £20 a week in summer, £28 in winter including haylage. He's been out of work since June so my summer costs have been less than they would normally be, no feed, lessons or entry fees and vets bills covered by insurance(other than £125 excess which is included). He doesn't go with out anything he needs, but I don't believe in pampering them so he doesn't have any luxuries either and I'm not one for spending a fortune on clothes to get filthy at the yard, but I have had to buy a new body protector, hat and boots this year which has pushed it up.

My average monthy bill is working out at about £270. With competing over the summer (just riding club stuff) I think it would be closer to £320. If I had just hacked all year and not spent money on lessons entries and all the equipment I need to compete it would be about £230 ish. Hope that's a help for you!
 
Honestly? I didn't really do the maths
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If I had, I'd probably never have taken the plunge & bought her. But financially, we get by ok.

Along with the basics, you could factor in petrol, vaccinations, dentistry, physio/chiro, clipping (if you don't do it yourself), lessons, competition & clinic fees...

My mare's on DIY livery & lives out during the week so I only have to do one trip a day, to keep petrol & bedding costs down. I never go to tack shops to browse, just compare prices & buy online. I buy hay straight off the field (£2.20 a bale rather than £3.00+) & pick up woodchip bedding from a local recycling place.

She's not cheap but she is affordable & more than worth the sacrifices (like driving a shed of a car & having cheap haircuts
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). Wish you all the best!
 
You can keep a good basic horse relatively cheaply especially if it can live out. I used to keep mine in London at very little cost. However you do need to have the resources of a large capital sum in the bank in case anything goes wrong. (Insurers don't cover the horse for the first few month's) and have the habit of excluding the bits of the horse that you have previously claimed on.
 
I used to have my horse on grass livery, but worth keeping on good terms with a local livery should you ever need to emergency rent-a-box!

The money I save on normal things - here'd Ed (gratuitous photo alert)
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mean that I have a tiny next egg for emergencies.

He only wears front shoes (another plus point, shoeing costs are halved) he doesn't eat any hard food (he's a fatty!) and has very basic tack and grooming things (all the essentials but none of the bumf!) He would love to live out all year but my yard likes them to come in in night in winter.

My yard is my only extravagance, its quite expensive but I love it there!

Oh and can I add, since you have experience - get a sharer - I have one and she makes my life much easier and helps with his exercise too!!
 
Keep 'em coming for me too please
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When I last did some research, livery round me worked out at about £25p/w DIY, for a nice yard with a school. I did see one yard for £10-15 p/w but I was not impressed by that one.

Insurance is crucial IMO! Vets bills are scary for my dog, for a horse I would probably die!
 
I think you'll find it less than the baby
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. Then again, one can get by on remarkably little for a baby, one does not have to go mad
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. That's a lesson I wish I'd learnt early on lol.

Money side apart, what about energy and time? I'm gathering that you'll be going back to work fairly soon (forgive me if I'm wrong!). Babies are kn*ckering in the first few months
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Money side:
Part-livery will depend where you are in the country, around here it is approx. £35 per week;
Depending on what is included, bedding: shavings £7 bale, straw £2 bale, hay £3 bale;
Feed: from £0 to £100 per month;
Shoeing: every five to seven weeks depending, circa £60 (a trim £20);
Back man: ever three to six months, £50;
Dentist: every six months, £25;
Saddler: every six months, £40;
Insurance: we pay two at £25 and one at £90 every month;
Then there's: rugs (always get ours from sales/clearances), they occasionally need replacing
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;
Tack: once purchased, so long as ned is settled in what you have then not too many extra bits needed.
 
I do know someone on benefits who managed to keep a horse so it can be done on a limited income.

I am a bit like you as I did not want to get into a situation where I might have to sell due to finances. Before I bought my pony I also saved up a years worth of livery plus a bit extra which I have put aside just in case of emergency.

Another suggestion is to work out what you think it will cost to keep your horse and then put aside that amount of money for a few months and see how you cope. This will also help you build up some savings so you will feel more secure.

Vets bills tend to be the things that are unavoidable and hard to budget for. My pony lives out all year and is only shod on the fronts and I would say to cover the basics including insurance and vacinations would cost £200 a month and then of course there are all the extras if you want to compete or have lessons.
 
Thanks for the further input!
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Kit - you need to put a better warning in than that! Damn you for the gratuitous photo! Damn you!
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Great tips though, and a sharer is something I'm more than happy to consider.


Brilliant tips and info from everyone else. I really appreciate it!

Just to answer a few questions/points:

Livery costs cover a massive range. If I can go with grass livery, obviously it's cheap as chips. At the other end there's part or full, obviously a whole heap more expensive. DIY probably won't be possible for me, at least not for a while. Being Dahn Sarf, everything's pricey. But I do think I've found a very good livery - I just need to decide between grass (I think they do that) and part/full.

I've got almost all of the baby stuff already. Talk about prepared! So much so the grandparents to be are already moaning about having nothing left to buy us. Time and energy-wise.....I've just no idea. It's the reason I think I'd be happier paying for part or full livery as at least then the horse's basic care will be sorted and I can find enough time to exercise daily. I'll be on maternity leave for 6 months, but my work hours are flexi so that should make things much easier. Just how knackered I'm gonna be is anyone's guess though
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You know......you guys are making me think it may well be possible!
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Think of a very large number....then double it
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Ok...you can spend very little on keeping a horse, depends on the type.

2 of mine are good doers.....livery is £15pw per horse. The natives get hay and a token 1/2 scoop of happy hoof. They are bedded on straw so very cheap also. I would say they each cost about £25 per week to keep, not including insurance at about £30 per month and farrier every 8w- one only has fronts on so thats cheaper also. They have rugs but only for when the weather is really foul so little expenditure there.

*Big sigh*.....the white one in the sig however is a money pit......he is bedded on shaving, eats Equilage mainly and is fed on Alfa-A oil, Spillers Slow release cubes, speedibeet and has Magnitude Calmer. He needs rugs all year apart from summer cos he is a poof who drops weight easily. I would rather not add up how much he costs me.....the git.

So yes...it can be done cheaply if you get a good-doer, and have a basic wardrobe and quality tack that will last years. If the horse has good hard feet you could go shoeless.

Make sure you have insurance, keep jabs,teeth and feet up to date and hopefully you will avoid costly issues there.

Just do it.....you will find the money somewhere even if it means you never visit the hairdressers again
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I'm in the same position as you Pookie (not the pregnant bit though lol) My friends got a very good to do welsh d, he costs her around £40/week, £30 part diy livery and then the spare gets put away for farrier and vet (not sure if she has him insured...)

Going from that and the type of horse I want (it could be my only one so I'm getting the dream horse lol) I'v budgetted £50/week, the livery drops by £5 in summer so half my money will be put away a week and should cover vet/farrier/dentist/back man/insurance...as and when they come up, I'v also made sure that I still have some of my wages left over for that extra cushion if something happens and I'm looking for a saturday job.

I've decided to start putting the money away after christmas with the view to buy either this time next year or the spring after (depending if I've found the horse) that way I'll know I can live without the money and also have enough for the horse and some extra to get started.

Good luck with the planning and the baby.x
 
Some horses need more visits from the farrier some don't, it's the same with teeth - some horses need it every 6 months some don't...

I phoned around insurance companies for quotes and I lied to NFU about one I got and they price beat it for me
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. Most insurance companies are screaming out for new business so play the field as it were!!

I recommend buying a lot of things second hand, it saves you a lot of money. Also look for bargain bins at events and ALWAYS shop around if you are buying anything new!

Rubber matting is another cost effective way of using less shavings/straw, and use haynets and don't put hay on the floor as some of it gets wasted...

There's lots of ways to save money, and if you do get stuck you can always advertise for a sharer/loaner to help!
 
I always think around £300/month I spend on my horse but probably go way over that!

My only thought, and this isn't a downer on mothers or anything, but would it be better to have the baby, get all that settled and then think about a horse. I don't have kids myself, but a friend of mine has had horses for years and she now has a one year old child. She finds it a real struggle sometimes juggling the two (finanically, emotionally and physically) and she doesn't work.

What's made you think about getting a horse now?
 
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Ah yes! Injections! And vets visits
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Not that I speak from experience in any way you understand lol.

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MrsM....currently you are forum expert on such topics as jabs, vets bills.....a/e waiting times, NHS food.......
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Indeed!
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I officially love my vet, she is brilliant
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A&E waiting times, if one has landed on one's bonce, is negligable
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Straight in, not stopping
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NHS food - bearable
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But don't mention the blasted tea bags or the fire alarm!
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I agree and when I first bought a horse the cost of maintaining really worried me but even then I was shocked at how expensive it is (I am based in the SE). I keep mine on full livery and with shoes this comes to £700/month, I think that part livery and shoes would be about £450/month. I know the livery and shoes is an unusal arrangement but this is what I agreed with the YO and it works for us.

Insurance is a must, I heard a vet years ago say if you cannot afford insurance you cannot afford a horse. He went on to say that one of the worst things was to put down a horse when you knew you could do something but the owner could not afford the bill.

Sadly I am a planner and when I bought my house I worked out my contingency plan in case I lost my job, ie I could let a room, get a cheaper car and put my horse on part/grass livery. I think it is essential to not just work out how you pay now but also how you can pay the essentials if something goes wrong.
 
Well I have had my horse 17yrs now and used to keep her at home when we had our own land years back, this was lovely and cheap in comparison.
Then i started keeping her at livery and with time and age it seems to have got more and more expensive to keep her!
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I have just had to try and earn more money or work two jobs to keep her at times, even loaned her out temporarily to get by.

I would say that if you total up all your costs and then perhaps add another 50-100quid a month and you will be about right!
My horse definitely absorbs any spare money I have, my OH does not approve, but ho hum, tough poop!
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Since selling my horse i've been able to put £500 into a savings account each month, plus been able to buy some clothes which is way more than i ever thought (or admitted) it cost while i had her. This was livery during the week and DIY at the weekend, with the occasional lesson or trip out. Somehow it all adds up and i never sit work out how!
 
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