Can anyone actually afford their own horse?

[hobnob]

Im 19 and don't have my own yet. But the true cost (after everything else we need to spend on to just blooming live!) is so terrifying I'm worried I never will! Ideally I'd never like to be in debt and like to think I'm sensible with money. I would also never want to have to scrimp and save so much that it compromised my horse's welfare, or my own. But horses, debt and/or poverty seem to go hand in hand from what I see in real life and on here, at least for the average person... unless you're a lucky beggar with money, or work so hard you barely see the horse! I haven't spoken to many people that manage just fine with having horses in their life, both financially or with time!

Do people just spend way too much on their horses on unnecessary things or is it even the basic needs that are far too costly?

Scary subject I know.

Ps. looking for a share/to help out in Worcestershire if anyone knows of anything..

 

[9tails]

I pay for my horse first, she gets the best hay, quality food, best rugs, shod every 6 weeks, dentist etc, etc. I wear black socks under my black trainers because there's a hole in the toe.

 

[touchstone]

The bottom line is that horses just aren't cheap to keep!

There are ways to do it more cheaply though, I think there was a book out years ago for people who kept horses on a shoestring.

Keeping a hardy native type that goes unshod easily and rarely needs pampering/expensive feeds is a sensible way to keep costs down, especially if you can rent/own your own land. Then you can spend money on them if you want to rather than when you need to as regards rugs etc.

I'm sure if you are determined enough you will own your own horse.

 

[Jill Crewe]

Do people just spend way too much on their horses on unnecessary things or is it even the basic needs that are far too costly?

Part of it depends on what type of horse you buy and what you want to do with it. I'm always careful with money and plan everything before I do it. I recently bought a new horse and worked out all my finances first.

I bought a native horse so that it would be a good do-er - he can live out 24/7 and doesn't need any extra feed - just grass and hay.

However - life doesn't always follow your plan and I am having to stable him at night at the moment because it is stipulated at my livery yard because the fields are so wet (but this isn't a problem) also due to unknown dental problems I did have to buy him extra feed for the first month and pay out for vets bills. So the costs were originally more and has left me with little cash for Christmas - but once things have settled down the general cost of keeping him will be fairly minimal - especially in the Spring when he will be out 24/7 and there will be lots of grass to eat.

As with any hobby - you can spend thousands on it if you want to have loads of extra kit and so on but the basic thing is for your horse to be looked after properly and cared for and this doesn't have to cost the earth in my opinion.

The biggest cost for me I would say is the farrier - when I got my first pony it was about £30 for a new set and it's more than double that now!

 

[Sugar_and_Spice]

It's a bit of both I think. Lots of people spend on things they don't really need. But you're right, the average horse owner gives up other things in life to afford their horse, and sometimes has to make decisions based more on finances than anything else eg. compromise over which yard to be on. Those who can afford it no problem, tend to need full livery due to the hours they work. I think horses are a bit like children, in the sense that if you wait for the 'right time' to have them so you're fine financially and time-wise, then you may find you wait forever. Life isn't perfect and if you want something enough, sometimes its better just to go for it and make it work out somehow.

If you aren't willing to make sacrifices then you'd be better off sharing. It's much more affordable and there's not quite the same sense of responsibility. When you own a horse who you consider part of the family, the weight of responsibility that you feel knowing you're in charge of their future, their health and happiness, is huge.

 

[giddyupalfie]

I am also 19 and have three horses. Well technically two of my own and one on a sort of loan basis (I care for him for my OH's mum but she covers all costs, I basically just have to keep the thing alive ) I do struggle sometimes, both financially and on a time scale but I think most horse owners do TBH. Sometimes I wish I waited but I love them all too much and couldn't be without them now so I just have to suck it up and get on with it

 

[hobnob]

Well at the moment I'm at college and though I earn enough to just about cover the cost of a native type living out, I can't justify "just about" covering costs because if something was to happen I wouldn't forgive myself for not being able to afford the extras it needs like box rest, etc..if that makes sense! But I would sacrifice things I want for a horse. I've been waiting for 13 years now for my own so I can wait a little longer. But I agree that a share would be good for me right now, just a case of finding the right one!

 

[Tiarella]

I'm 20 and have had my 'own' horse since 2008. Ive always totally paid for him myself but thankfully I still live at home and don't pay too

They can ALL be expensive if anything happens to them. But to keep in general once you have tack etc isn't actually that bad. But I have a new forest pony, not a thoroughbred. They're all different.

Shame you don't live in warks - could of shared/loaned mine!!

 

[cob&onion]

I have 2 horses but am very lucky that i also own a 3.5 acre field - they are both natives so live out 24/7. They don't cost me anything in the summer as they live on nothing!! in the winter i use a large round hay which costs me £25 every 2 weeks.
They are both barefoot at the moment and get no hard feed.
They cost me in insurance which is £30 per month for them both ATM as they both turned away and won't be ridden till next year.
They also get a trim each every 10 - 12 weeks @ £25 each
Then there's the cost of wormer's @ £25 each - I worm 3 x per year


However when they are in work next year they will cost:
£70 in shoes for mare every 8 weeks - there cost in hay during winter
Insurance will go up for both so say £50 - £60 per month for both

Me and my OH work, both 31 and have 2 school age kids plus a baby on the way! - OH is self employed and works hard. I am normally self employed so therefore earn every penny i spend on them. Currently on maternity leave till next June so have taken a cut in pay! we are also lucky to own a home outright so don't have many out-goings like a big mortgage etc. Plus we don't really go out alot nor do i drink alot - would rather spend the £50 on a night out on something other than a bad head!!

I would not be able to comfortably afford TWO horses at livery though.

However when am in work i am able to afford little treats such as new things for them/shows/etc and able to get any saddle checks done regular with the cob being young and changing shape!!
I also like to have a riding lesson twice per month @ £30 - however the lessons are a treat!! the essentials come first.

My horses are my sanity though!!

 

[Wagtail]

Well at the moment I'm at college and though I earn enough to just about cover the cost of a native type living out, I can't justify "just about" covering costs because if something was to happen I wouldn't forgive myself for not being able to afford the extras it needs like box rest, etc..if that makes sense! But I would sacrifice things I want for a horse. I've been waiting for 13 years now for my own so I can wait a little longer. But I agree that a share would be good for me right now, just a case of finding the right one!

You are very sensible. Shame more people are not like you. Would save many horses from neglect. When things are going well, they can be quite cheap to keep, as other have said, if they are a hardy native type. However, you then may face a problem such as laminitis and you would have to stable for weeks and feed soaked hay and pay vets bills. My lami mare has cost around £1500 in vets bills (paid by insurance) over the past year. But next year, I will have to fund this myself. She needs more expensive feeds, supplements and medicines to keep her well. So not cheap at all! If you end up with a laminitic (which is more common with the hardy native types) then they may not be able to live on grass at all and you will be faced with buying hay all year round.

 

[Pipkin]

Me and OH have 3 each, but thats only because they are kept at home, no way could I afford 3 on livery.
This month is a bit tricky for me because it's not only christmas, I've just had one back from being backed which cost me £550, my number 1 mare is currently in horsepital at the moment so that's another cost.

I do go without for my horses but at least I have six healthy happy animals to show for it rather than p***ing it up against a wall so to speak (which is what the majority of my friends do)

Next year will hopefully be cutting back to four, in all honesty keeping six is ridiculous so hopefully the welsh yearlings will go to showing homes

Spring, I have vaccinations done and the dentist

Summer costs me nothing except shoes and wormer.

winter £60 a week on hay, £50 a month on straw, £30 a month on feed. £220 on shoes every 7 weeks.

 

[ponypilotmum]

I only keep natives as they're meant to be cheap to keep. **ironic smiley**

The stereotypical native - no shoes- not much hard feed - lives off fresh air

The reality of it is: if something goes wrong you end up shelling out. If you have a fatty you have to muzzle / piggy paddocking it - cost of energiser, batteries, fencing, vet... if you want to ride any decent amount you need to clip - rug - stable = hay, feed, shoe, bedding, stable equipment....
If you want to move yards, you need transport which is really expensive.

Then there's rug cleaning, horse attire, your own attire.

Then you get that one native that won't keep weight on and has to be rugged to the eyeballs and fed stupidly expensive special food, and kept entertained so it doesn't drop more weight.

Marry a bank manager or farmer is my advice!

 

[Firewell]

I spend only what I can afford. It is expensive, I budget £500 pcm for my horse. I don't have any debt whatsoever not even an overdraft and I have a savings account with back up funds as well in case of emergency. Like if my horse needed surgery and I couldn't contact the insurance company in time or whatever.
I would panick if I couldn't afford my horse!

 

[swampdonkey]

I went into horse ownership really clueless about costs and if I knew then what I know now then I wouldn't have bought one because I couldn't afford one.
But saying that I realised the costs pretty quickly and rather than sell my boy I upped my hours at work.
I have upped my hours every year as livery and hay prices get higher every year so I have to up the income but don't regret it one bit.
I could keep my horse much cheaper than I do now but choose not to but to work more hours.
I think it's a little like having children, if you work out the costs properly I think many of us couldn't afford them but you do! You find the money for children just like we all do for our horses.
Like most I don't have treats for myself or go out socialising or spending on new clothes but wouldn't have it any other way and while I can work to pay for my horse I will never be without her.
Family and friends don't understand that I would rather have a horse than holiday every year and some family members even think that my children have less because of me having a horse but my children are happy and my husband is happy to go without holidays so that I can have my horse.
Forever grateful to my family for supporting me in my passion and couldn't do it without their understanding and support.
If you really want it OP you will have it, you need to make it happen!! and I'm sure you will.

 

[Skipadeedooda]

I have owned my boy since I was 16 and paid for him myself from age 19 when I started working. I have to say it was an eye opener as parents previously covered livery costs but I wanted to now take full responsibility. It came down to cost V time. He was on full livery and I started to get annoyed as I was paying for a service and in essence I ended up taking my own horse in and many more, changing rugs and mucking out. It was a case if "oh if ur going to field can you grab this horse and that horse, oh just change rugs while your there, have they got enough hay".... Boiling point was Xmas day when yard went total DIY myself and another livery were the only 2 out of 25 that went up so we ended up feeding, haying and changing water in all stable so horses didn't suffer. So what was I paying for? So long rant but I decided I could keep the horse a lot cheaper by finding a private DIY yard and in the grand scheme of things not really take up much more time. My parents were concerned I was taking on too much but I was never happier and although it was a big commitment with no fall back, I had a horse to care for and wasn't the type to just pop up at weekend. So if you are willing to commit to early mornings and hard work 365 days even after a late night out/hang-over then you can do it reasonably cost effective. If you want to the option of not going to yard, popping up once/twice a week it'll be atronomical costs. Also makes a difference sourcing your own hay, bedding etc and often you can get better quality cheaper than if you were at a yard. Although you cannot guarantee it, you would expect at the age of 19 your salary will hopefully increase with time so costs will get easier.

 

[applecart14]

No I can't really afford mine. I am really stringent about putting £100 a week aside (I get paid weekly) to pay for my horse's rent, etc but then I get hit by a vets bill or something else and then the money goes to that instead. If I have a day off sick I don't get paid for it (I am a temp) or if I need to attend a sudden vets appointment, or similar I don't get paid for time off either as I have to give 14 days holiday notice!

It is really annoying. So in short, no I can't really afford my horse, and have to make huge sacrifices, I rarely eat out, or buy new clothes, although I manage to compete every weekend as my little luxury

I am lucky that I still live at home and my Mum and Dad help me out hugely with both their time and their money, Dad helps me with my car insurance, tax & MOT, etc. But he has plenty of money, doesn't mind in the slightest, is more than happy to do so, and knows that I work hard and love the horse and am truly dedicated so is fine about it.

Without my parents I would have had to have sold my horse many years ago. But I struggle because I refuse to have HP, loans or massive overdrafts, and I am not in debt.

 

[FairyLights]

I pay for my horse by not doing other things. Always have fro 40 odd years. eg dont go to the hairdressers dont go out for meals or to the pub or nightclub. dont go on holiday. buy clothes from second hand shops. if you want a horse enough there is always a way.

 

[MerrySherryRider]

I have two and afford them because they take up all my spare time and are so fulfilling that spending money on other things is unnecessary.
Keeping horses cheaply, irrespective of breed is down to management and a bit of luck. An unstressed, happy and stimulated horse costs less in maintainance.

Find the best grazing,shelter/stabling etc that is appropriate for the horse and source the best professionals and use well fitted tack and rugs. Good forage and time in the fresh air will do more for your horse than any magic supplement money can buy.

Know your horse well so that any changes are dealt with before they become a problem. With a hoof pick, a brush and a pot of sudocreme you're half way there. Every tack room in the country is bursting with bits of kit that seemed the answer to everything but in reality weren't.

 

[daisydoo]

I think the average person whatever that is can afford to maintain a horse, it's more of a lifestyle and v time consuming than a hobby. Mines on DIY and funny when I think back how much money I used to spend on clothes and going out clubbing I don't do that anymore to the extreme so I haven't had a shock as such at how much I'm spending on my horse I wasted so much money on rubbish in my teens, its all about priorities. I buy a lot on eBay as well! also I know if I had an unexpected hefty vet bill I could cover it.

 

[JinglebellJessi & MistletoeMagic]

Im 20. I didnt have a horsey upbringing so no parents to pay or help out. I started loaning at 17, continued part loaning until i was 18 then took on a full loan. When i was 19 i bought my mare for £500. Until earlier this month, when i lost my loan pony. I was paying for them both.

During my full loan i kept my gelding in diy for £15 a week, i was at college 5 days a week and had a weekend job that brought around £80 per week. I managed comfortably, never went without. But he wasnt shod, fed, stabled or rugged. When i got my mare i was paying £60 livery a month for both £30 trim every 10 week or so, they never need it! And around £30 a month on food and hay.

You seems smart and intelligent. I suggest maybe a part loan, then full loan just so you have that option to give then back be there a finacial emergency, however i never gave my boy back! He was put down in my field and spent his last days with me

 

[maisie06]

I pay for mine by sacrificing other things! I am not interested in fashion so I don't buy many clothes, I don't wear make up either so huge saving there! I hate nightclubs, so no need to buy overpriced drinks at the weekend. I'm not bothered by beach and sun holidays either.
I only happy hack now so don't have to pay for lessons/competitions etc and also have cheap to keep natives.

 

[Jnhuk]

I didn't have my own horse until I was 30. I exercised and competed on other folks horses which never cost me any £ apart from car costs to get there. If you are good enough rider and sensible person, there are always opportunities out there for someone who needs an extra pair of hands to help and/or exercise. Sharers were less common then as they are now.

 

[Littlelegs]

Mine are very cheap to keep. Both healthy good doers, cheap farm livery with on site cheap hay & straw available, which is only required winter. Only feed is a very token gesture of hi fi. One gets trimmed 3/4 x yr tops, other every 6wks at £20 a time. Experience means that other than jabs & dentist I rarely pay for help. Last vet bill except for jabs was 4yrs ago when I bought one in a state. The one abcess we've had since was from a piece of metal & friendly enough with farrier he sorted it in passing for free. As I have lent my calm mare to be a steady influence when he used to do a neighbours difficult youngster. Farm round the corner so no travel costs & only minutes travel. Yes we have horses instead of other luxuries, but I'm a single mum with a 7yr old so not exactly on a big income, I'd say I'm very average. Can't afford the petrol for a car that will tow, or a lorry, & certainly can't afford to compete properly. But daughter does local shows in hacking distance & older she gets whilst still small enough to ride tinies, the more offers she gets which can be traded for something we can't afford. Eg hopefully she's riding a sec a local dealer has for photos, viewings etc. In exchange, he's taking her pony to a meet at xmas.

 

[hobnob]

Im 20. I didnt have a horsey upbringing so no parents to pay or help out. I started loaning at 17, continued part loaning until i was 18 then took on a full loan. When i was 19 i bought my mare for £500. Until earlier this month, when i lost my loan pony. I was paying for them both.

During my full loan i kept my gelding in diy for £15 a week, i was at college 5 days a week and had a weekend job that brought around £80 per week. I managed comfortably, never went without. But he wasnt shod, fed, stabled or rugged. When i got my mare i was paying £60 livery a month for both £30 trim every 10 week or so, they never need it! And around £30 a month on food and hay.

You seems smart and intelligent. I suggest maybe a part loan, then full loan just so you have that option to give then back be there a finacial emergency, however i never gave my boy back! He was put down in my field and spent his last days with me

My parents are non-horsey too. They are supportive but don't think they understand why I'd be willing to spend so much on a horse I used to help my friend out with her horses and my mom, bless her, would wheel the barrow round after me while I poo picked, handbag over her shoulder, wincing as I chucked it in

I'm looking for a share/part loan at the moment but because I can't afford a car until I'm working full time I have to rely on bike/lifts/buses which is a pain in the backside. Keeps me fit though I suppose haha!

 

[TarrSteps]

Well at the moment I'm at college and though I earn enough to just about cover the cost of a native type living out, I can't justify "just about" covering costs because if something was to happen I wouldn't forgive myself for not being able to afford the extras it needs like box rest, etc..if that makes sense! But I would sacrifice things I want for a horse. I've been waiting for 13 years now for my own so I can wait a little longer. But I agree that a share would be good for me right now, just a case of finding the right one!

I also think this is very sensible. Horses are, whether we like it or not, a luxury, but they are a luxury with feelings and needs, one that will suffer if we make a bad choice. Also, the world is a bit different right now and fewer people can confidently predict their future earnings etc.

It can be tough to find the right situation but you sound like a sensible, realistic person and that should be a point in your favour. Perhaps think about a wanted ad, either locally or a classified. I suspect you will have people hounding you with opinions!

Good luck.

 

[pottamus]

I afford my horse by doing part time work in the evening alongside my full time job! My horse has pretty simple needs too - I rent a field from a farmer to save livery costs and have a mobile field stable in it. He only needs hay at night and is not rugged either. My evening jobs pay for his field rent, hay, chaff feed and shoes.

 

[Prince33Sp4rkle]

as long as you can afford the basics, and to save a bit each month towards emergencies etc, you dont need to spend silly money on rugs, new tack, trends, etc etc.

im the worlds worst for wasting ££££ on pretty things, but i only do it because i can, if it came down to it, the basics and emergencies are always catered for first and whats left over is my money to "waste" on all the sparkley tat i want to.

not competing and not running a lorry make it much cheaper and if they live out on good grass that will save a heap too.

speak to as many local people as you can to give you a realistic idea of what it will cost per week or per month for livery, hay, etc etc.

 

[Perfect_Pirouette]

I think you're being very sensible!
I just about manage. Horse is on DIY livery at £150 pcm incl hay and straw but I have him on pellets so he costs me about a further £15-£20 a month on bedding. I also have him on assisted DIY as I work fairly long hours a 40 minute drive away from the yard. So I pay an additonal £65 a month for 7 days TO or Bring ins. He is insured at £40 a month, I have fortnightly lessons at £30, sometimes weekly but that REALLY does stretch me. I compete about once a month too if I can.

HOWEVER, I am not one of these people that says 'I don't buy new clothes/go out/wear make up etc' Horses are my life, I love them but I'm sorry, I do still need a life outside of them where possible so yes, I occasionally buy new clothes, I try and have 1 or 2 'clubbing' type nights out a month with friends and try and ensure I have enough to go to cinema/drinks/dinner with my OH occasionally too.

If I didn't do the above then I could 'manage' having a horse a lot more comfortably. Oh and also if I didn't have debt! Hopefully my debt will nearly all be gone next year though so that should make things a bit easier.

Honestly, just save, save, save save and wait until you have enough each month to be able to more than 'manage' in the mean time get a share. Best of both worlds then

 

[Spyda]

Nope.

 

[hobnob]

I think you're being very sensible!
I just about manage. Horse is on DIY livery at £150 pcm incl hay and straw but I have him on pellets so he costs me about a further £15-£20 a month on bedding. I also have him on assisted DIY as I work fairly long hours a 40 minute drive away from the yard. So I pay an additonal £65 a month for 7 days TO or Bring ins. He is insured at £40 a month, I have fortnightly lessons at £30, sometimes weekly but that REALLY does stretch me. I compete about once a month too if I can.

HOWEVER, I am not one of these people that says 'I don't buy new clothes/go out/wear make up etc' Horses are my life, I love them but I'm sorry, I do still need a life outside of them where possible so yes, I occasionally buy new clothes, I try and have 1 or 2 'clubbing' type nights out a month with friends and try and ensure I have enough to go to cinema/drinks/dinner with my OH occasionally too.

If I didn't do the above then I could 'manage' having a horse a lot more comfortably. Oh and also if I didn't have debt! Hopefully my debt will nearly all be gone next year though so that should make things a bit easier.

Honestly, just save, save, save save and wait until you have enough each month to be able to more than 'manage' in the mean time get a share. Best of both worlds then

I don't blame you for wanting a life outside horses! Good on you for wanting to spend time with friends and OH, I would too - I think it's essential really, and horsey women's OH's seem to put up with a lot so they deserve attention haha! Good to have a balance imo