First horse - Starting costs.

[lor]

Hi there, 2 years ago I was taking lessons on a friends "bombproof" horse. Turns out he was actually only 4 years old recently broken an spooked, cantered, threw me, twisted my knee in the stirrup an then kicked me in said knee ripping the stirrup from the saddle before cantering off again. At this point I was only at the stage where I was learning to trot. It was my first fall an I had only been riding a few months, it knocked all my confidence I had built from my few months riding and from all my time working at riding schools. I've always wanted a horse but after that I wasn't so sure, then the friend moved away an I was horse-less. Its taken until now for me to find a job, save money make friends and new contacts before I was sure I want a horse and feel I am finally in a position to have one and make it work. So I've found a horse, I haven't been to see him yet but hopefully will tomorrow. I'm looking for casual hacking, nothing fast so the 22 year old happy hacker been there done it all I've found who's free, seems the perfect choice for me. Obviously his tack an rugs come with him, for a price. Obviously I'm going to give my horse (should I get him) everything an anything he needs, no expense spared, but.. I don't want to me throwing money away. If he has good hooves, do I need to shoe him? Or can I just do the fronts? Do I need to spend X amount every 6-8 week for shoes? Little things like that, I'm not trying to cut corners but I don't want to be spending what may be unnecessary money if I can help it. If he has good grass, does he need hay AND hard feed, my friend is adamant that her horse only needs a little hay an grazing, nothing else, but others on here have said a horse goes through a bag of feed a week plus a bale of hay per day. I know each horse is different but any advice would be greatly appreciated. He's a 16'1 22 year old Irish Sports Horse so you've a rough idea! Thanks in advance!

 

[JanetGeorge]

There are a lot of questions there!!

Point one - be careful with a 22 yo. He may be perfectly suitable for what you want and last until he's 30 - or he could die (in a costly manner) in the next year!

Whether a horse needs shoeing all round depends on the individual's feet! I have a 22 year old ISH (brood mare) and if she was hacking, she'd need shoes all round. Her sons and daughters have all had MUCH better feet, thanks to the stallion used.

Feed also relies on the individual but a 22 year old doesn't have teeth as good as they were at 10! MOST horses need hay/haylage through winter even if the grass is plentiful - it's qualty tends to be low. And an ISH is often at least 50% TB - they tend to need more.

I'd be a bit worried about someone giving away a horse of this age - suggests they don't care! MANY horses of this age (and younger) that are given away have ended up being slaughtered for profit.

 

[be positive]

Without wanting to sound too negative the first thing to think about is how sound and healthy is this 22 year old? at that age he is possibly going to require some regular veterinary care which is not going to be covered by insurance, free may sound ideal but the purchase price is only the starting point, it is the day to day expenses that add up, especially if he proves to be unfit to ride in the near future.

Shoeing will depend on the horse, many can go without shoes but it is not just a case of taking them off and hoping, if he has been shod for many years he will need time to adapt, require careful management and a suitable diet.
Feeding will again depend on the individual, he may be a good doer but at that age and size is likely to need some hard feed to maintain weight and allow him to have supplements which he will probably require for his feet and joints, hay will depend on the amount of grass and the weather but a horse of his size can easily eat 1 bale a day in cold weather.

Good luck but think carefully before committing to buying him, a loan period may be a good idea just to make sure this is right for you, it would be unfair to the horse if he had to be sold on again.

Sorry JG, your post was not there when I started, much the same thoughts though!!

 

[Spot_On]

Personally I think it would be better to find one on loan first, and have lessons before buying your own.

 

[dianchi]

Sorry I do not think you should get a horse, you haven't learnt to ride yet and you could have a serious accident.

Get in some good riding lessons including husbandry lessons first.

 

[noodle_]

Sorry I do not think you should get a horse, you haven't learnt to ride yet and you could have a serious accident.

Get in some good riding lessons including husbandry lessons first.

this ^^^


tbh id buy something between 8-12 who has been there and done it and stilll sellable when you grow out of it (ability wise)! in a couple of years....

22 for me is far too old to buy/be given etc... when there are plenty of younger horses very cheap in this economy?

 

[webble]

Sorry I do not think you should get a horse, you haven't learnt to ride yet and you could have a serious accident.

Get in some good riding lessons including husbandry lessons first.

This then maybe look for a part loan to start with

 

[hnmisty]

I would really recommend getting a good stash of lessons under your belt, and then looking for a share/part loan. If you had only just starting trotting before you had your accident (it sounds horrible, good on you for not being scared off!) and have had a two year break, then no offence, but I think looking at buying now isn't your best bet.

 

[EmmyMD]

Sorry I do not think you should get a horse, you haven't learnt to ride yet and you could have a serious accident.

Get in some good riding lessons including husbandry lessons first.

This... maybe look at getting your BHS stage one or something? That's a good place to start.
With all due respect you obviously don't have a lot of knowledge of horses and their management, I would look into lots of lessons, inc stable management, go on courses and riding holidays.

Also i'd never get anything at 22. That is the age when bits start to go wrong, and yes everyone knows that one 800 year old pony that's been in the pony club branch since it was founded and still goes out and jumps every weekend, but they are the exception rather than the norm. My friends has had her horse since he was 12 and the rapid decline in 18 months (he's now 23) is startling.

Not something i'd risk, you could end up with a very expensive thing to decorate a field with.

 

[hnmisty]

Also i'd never get anything at 22. That is the age when bits start to go wrong, and yes everyone knows that one 800 year old pony that's been in the pony club branch since it was founded and still goes out and jumps every weekend, but they are the exception rather than the norm. My friends has had her horse since he was 12 and the rapid decline in 18 months (he's now 23) is startling.

That was me I got Misty at 23/4 (thought she was 17), had 3 great years haring round on her before I grew out of her. Aged 35, she would still tank off with me out on hacks
However, she was a 13.1hh pony...bit different from a large horse. I also know that I was pretty lucky with her. She never needed the vet (bar once when she got lami and then when she died) except for her teeth (dad is a vet so did jabs and PTS). I've read a lot of people saying "yes, I have a veteran" and then turns out they have the vet out to check this and that and the other all the time.

In OP's situation, I would not be taking a horse on at all (sorry!), and I would only consider taking on a horse of that size and age if I had a lot of money, the space to keep a field ornament, and was happy to accept I might only have 6 months with it before it needed retiring and a lot of maintenance work!

 

[pony5]

How about lessons at a riding school in riding and stable management first?

 

[FestiveFuzz]

Forgive me if I've got the wrong end of the stick but if you haven't ridden since your fall and were only learning to trot at that point I'd say you're not quite ready for a horse of your own yet. Instead I would invest your money in some lessons with a good instructor. This will put you in good stead when the time comes to own your own.

I've always found the cheapest part of owning a horse is buying it, unfortunately it all goes downhill after that!

Where the horse you mention is concerned I'd be worried about why they are giving away a horse of that age. I'm not saying it can't work but you would need to go in with your eyes open and have a hefty chunk of cash set aside for any issues that inevitably crop up or be prepared to PTS at the sign of a problem.

It sounds like you're trying to do this all on a tight budget so perhaps a share might be more suitable for you?

 

[BeautySoph]

It sounds a little like you are rushing like other ppl on here have said. I have been riding once or twice a week since I was 10.. I am now 26 and have had my own horse for 6 months and even that decision scared me !! But now i hve her its the best thing I've ever done. If you have no idea about costs of things and how often they need doin then you still have a lot more to learn i think.. Loaning is a brill idea thats what I did first. It gives you the practice and experience before committing to having your own. Good luck with it