First horse budget

Ceffyl_Cymraeg · 2 January 2023

I'm just wondering what kind of budget I would need for my first horse and all things I would need to purchase + building a field shelter/stables with a hardstanding(I have walked, trotted, cantered and jumped in the school and out on hack). I'm not sure what height I'm 5.8ft and maybe a mother daughter share.

Rusty Rider · 2 January 2023

How long is a piece of string…

Do you mean building shelter on land you own, or are you planning on renting a field? Either way with that kind of set up you’d also need to consider a companion for your horse.

Prices for shoes, hay, etc. will also vary depending on where you are in the country so that would be a useful piece of information.

For what it’s worth, I would think 2-3k would get you the tack, rugs and other bits and bobs you’ll need to get started as long as you buy mostly second hand and don’t want super fancy stuff. As for day to day livery, feed, insurance, etc. I have priced it at about 1k pcm for full/part+ livery in the north west, but again that would vary widely depending on your type of livery, the installations you have access to, the value of the horse to insure, etc.

AmyMay · 2 January 2023

£60,000 should do it.

blitznbobs · 2 January 2023

Amymay said:
£60,000 should do it.

Plus buying the horse and tack of course

dottylottie · 2 January 2023

i’d agree with the 2-3k budget for the basics, i’m budgeting about half of that when i buy, because i’ve already got the majority - the only things left for me to buy are things that are size specific.

if you’re looking for a “first” horse they come with a hefty price tag because they’re worth their weight in gold, so if you’re not able to shell out 10k+ at the drop of a hat (who is?) you might have to compromise on some things - ie a safe solid horse, that’s maybe not the prettiest in the world or best put together (but still perfectly healthy of course!), or look for a golden oldie

Abacus · 2 January 2023

Basic tack - a decent second hand saddle and bridle - from £400 to £600
Headcollar, grooming kit - £100
A couple of turnout rugs of different weights - £70+ each
First aid kit - £70
Assume you have riding kit, hat, boots etc already

A safe sound sensible all round horse of about 15.2+ if older than 14 maybe £5k, if younger more like £8k

If you are keeping them at home, you’ll spend about £3k on a field shelter and as much as you want on other buildings / hard standing / etc. as @Amymay said, £60k might do it!

Not many people launch straight into having their own at home. It would be wise to consider a livery yard first for a whole, to learn all your need to about horse care. Or some riding schools offer share /part ownership schemes for people who aren’t quite ready to do everything themselves.

Good luck.

Bobthecob15 · 2 January 2023

Have you considered a share first? You don't sound very experienced and buying your own horse and keeping it at home if that's what you are doing is very different to having lessons on a school horse. It's a massive commitment financially and mentally! Have you got an instructor who can possibly advise you of the sort of thing you'll need? Mother daughter shares come with a hefty price tag especially if you are a novice as you sound x

blitznbobs · 2 January 2023

And of course if you want at home you will need a minimum of 2 - probably 3 if you want to hack etc

Esmae · 2 January 2023

Trakky14 said:
Have you considered a share first? You don't sound very experienced and buying your own horse and keeping it at home if that's what you are doing is very different to having lessons on a school horse. It's a massive commitment financially and mentally! Have you got an instructor who can possibly advise you of the sort of thing you'll need? Mother daughter shares come with a hefty price tag especially if you are a novice as you sound x

This absolutely. As far as cost goes just think of a number and double it.

J&S · 2 January 2023

Are you the mother or the daughter??? If you are the daughter I do hope your Mum is experienced and knows what she is getting into. If you are the Mum then perhaps you had better take advice from Trakky14, also, don't rely on too much help from daughter who may get distracted by "other" things in life and not want to muck out, clean tack, change rugs, pick up feed, meet the vet or farrier in the middle of the night, etc etc etc!!

The Xmas Furry · 2 January 2023

J&S said:
Are you the mother or the daughter??? If you are the daughter I do hope your Mum is experienced and knows what she is getting into. If you are the Mum then perhaps you had better take advice from Trakky14, also, don't rely on too much help from daughter who may get distracted by "other" things in life and not want to muck out, clean tack, change rugs, pick up feed, meet the vet or farrier in the middle of the night, etc etc etc!!

From the OPs previous posts, I'm pretty sure they are a minor at school, most were asking about doing mounted games on a horse of varying sizes.

Tiddlypom · 2 January 2023

OP appears from previous posts to be aged 14.

OP, minors are usually welcomed on this mostly adult forum, but just a heads up that you should clear anything that you post with your parents or guardians first

.

https://forums.horseandhound.co.uk/help/terms/

4.9If under the age of 18 a User will need to obtain a parent or guardian's permission before posting anything onto the Forum. You should never reveal personal information about yourself, such as your email address, home address, telephone number, school, etc.

FieldOrnaments · 2 January 2023

Oh dear, I do worry about these young folk online. Probably more so than on the back of a pony. (Even your namesake Ceffyl_cymraeg).

Orangehorse · 2 January 2023

The BHS says to reckon it is the same as running another car.

So small car/pony, all the way to expensive car/competition horse.

Bobthecob15 · 2 January 2023

Orangehorse said:
The BHS says to reckon it is the same as running another car.

So small car/pony, all the way to expensive car/competition horse.

Is this so? I take far better care of the horse than I do my car ? and spend far more on the horse!

Gloi · 2 January 2023

Trakky14 said:
Is this so? I take far better care of the horse than I do my car ? and spend far more on the horse!

But they both are an expensive nightmare if they break down with a hard to diagnose problem.

Abacus · 2 January 2023

Gloi said:
But they both are an expensive nightmare if they break down with a hard to diagnose problem.

My horse is worth way more than my car and is kept cleaner. I have an ancient car which I am running into the ground and every year is a bonus. So I don’t really worry about the big bills - it’s not worth paying one… and apparently it’s environmentally friendlier than causing a new car to be made.

blitznbobs · 2 January 2023

Gloi said:
But they both are an expensive nightmare if they break down with a hard to diagnose problem.

horses are worse, you can replace any part of a car but not a horse

Ceffyl_Cymraeg · 2 January 2023

Rusty Rider said:
How long is a piece of string…

Do you mean building shelter on land you own, or are you planning on renting a field? Either way with that kind of set up you’d also need to consider a companion for your horse.

Prices for shoes, hay, etc. will also vary depending on where you are in the country so that would be a useful piece of information.

For what it’s worth, I would think 2-3k would get you the tack, rugs and other bits and bobs you’ll need to get started as long as you buy mostly second hand and don’t want super fancy stuff. As for day to day livery, feed, insurance, etc. I have priced it at about 1k pcm for full/part+ livery in the north west, but again that would vary widely depending on your type of livery, the installations you have access to, the value of the horse to insure, etc.

I live in Eryri north wales and own land. A companion won't be necessary as we will be buying 2 horses

Ceffyl_Cymraeg · 2 January 2023

Abacus said:
Basic tack - a decent second hand saddle and bridle - from £400 to £600
Headcollar, grooming kit - £100
A couple of turnout rugs of different weights - £70+ each
First aid kit - £70
Assume you have riding kit, hat, boots etc already

A safe sound sensible all round horse of about 15.2+ if older than 14 maybe £5k, if younger more like £8k

If you are keeping them at home, you’ll spend about £3k on a field shelter and as much as you want on other buildings / hard standing / etc. as @Amymay said, £60k might do it!

Not many people launch straight into having their own at home. It would be wise to consider a livery yard first for a whole, to learn all your need to about horse care. Or some riding schools offer share /part ownership schemes for people who aren’t quite ready to do everything themselves.

Good luck.

I live really far from livery yards and my yard is shut all winter

Ceffyl_Cymraeg · 2 January 2023

Trakky14 said:
Have you considered a share first? You don't sound very experienced and buying your own horse and keeping it at home if that's what you are doing is very different to having lessons on a school horse. It's a massive commitment financially and mentally! Have you got an instructor who can possibly advise you of the sort of thing you'll need? Mother daughter shares come with a hefty price tag especially if you are a novice as you sound x

I do have an instructor and the lesson horses where I ride aren't the best behaved

Bobthecob15 · 2 January 2023

Ceffyl_Cymraeg said:
I do have an instructor and the lesson horses where I ride aren't the best behaved

More reason to keep going, you'll learn more riding a tricky horse than a ploddy one!

First horse budget

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