Have I budgeted enough for my own horse?

[ArklePig]

I know @smolmaus he is VILE, and nothing helps.

But he is the best boy so I try not to think about it.

 

[TheLoneWanderer]

I have 2 but I will break down the cost of one monthly in Hertfordshire
DIY - £210
Bedding £96
Hay £40
Feed £25
Shoes every 7 weeks £80 full set

 

[Hannah♡]

Hi all thank you for the responses I’ve spoken to my coach and she thinks this is enough as NI prices are much cheaper than England.

 

[Ratface]

I budget £550 a calendar month for Old Horse. £100 of that goes into the Disaster Fund. Disasters such as unexpected injury = vet visit/s, or onset of acute/grumbling colic. If OH presents with colic which doesn't resolve over an approximately 12-hour period, I would have him pts. He's 30 and doesn't owe me a farthing. Definitely my horse of a lifetime.

 

[Wishfilly]

FWIW, my livery is £170(ish) a month including ad lib hay and a bale of bedding a week (could have more if I wished). Livery costs vary a lot around the country, and it depends on a lot of factors. Livery is usually the biggest cost for any owner, so that will affect your "running" costs a lot.

At the start, you'll probably want to buy lots of different things for your new horse, so don't forget to budget for that, too!

 

[ownedbyaconnie]

Not sure anyone's mentioned saddle fitter, twice a year minimum, 3 times better.

I did but I had you on the mind having just seen you ?

 

[Onlywayisup]

You need to build up a contingency fund as you will need to pay an excess on any insurance and people tend to forget that - i.e. if you wish to claim for say an accident or whatever there will be an excess. Its a gamble - you can try to keep your premium down but pay a higher excess if you don't think its likely the horse will get injured or you can pay a lesser excess but a higher premium if you think its more likely the horse will get injured. No one has a crystal ball but you can make a reasonable guess.

Also factor in the costs of rugs (two of each weight are recommended for turn out, i.e no fill, 100g, 200g and 350g if clipped) and one of each weight for overnight stable rugging although I make do with layers as its easier. If you have two of each weight for turnout, one can be drying out whilst the other is used.

 

[Birker2020]

??

 

[TheSubwayDino]

Bit late, but this is how much I budget for! All my costs monthly are around 360 and that includes livery (£185) and insurance. I think it's because he's such a hardy pony tho ?

 

[Red-1]

I keep mine at home and spend loads!

Rigsby is messy in his stable and uses £21 a week bedding (1,092 a year). Baby horse only £14.

Rigsby is expensive on forage as is on high fibre Horsehage. £3.50 a day (£1,277)!!!

So, Rigs is about £200 a month in just forage and bedding!

He has feet done by the farrier now (although I used to do them myself- I feel my age!) he isn't shod and is done when the other is, so that is only £25 a month.

His vet checks this year was £297, that was for worm count, blood test to test for EMS and dentist this month and vaccinations, teeth, worm count and Cushings test in autumn.

He doesn't have a saddle fitter as I do it myself.

He is insured with Harry Hall at £6 a month 3rd party as he would have loads excluded.

Wormers - we are careful and only do 2 a year, another £5 a month. That is almost £300 a month in total.

He needs antihistamines in summer, and Ventipulmin, so another £30 a month, spread over the month.

This is for a retired cob!

We won't mention his disaster of colic, not covered on insurance, of £1,600, I haven't included that into the figures.

I know you could say that Rigs is high needs, but TBH, any horse can have medical needs, or develop them once you have purchased. In balance, he isn't rugged, shod, I don't have lessons so no travel and he needs very little hard feed. His insurance is also very cheap and I have no travel costs to see to him.

I don't think £400 is enough.

That said, you sound sensible that the £400 is what you will have once you are supporting yourself in your own home, so presumably have a stack more right now. You also have savings. You only live once, so I would buy the horse now and enjoy. You could always sell again if it didn't work out when you buy your own place. Anything can happen in life, you may have children by then or any other number of scenarios.

 

[AUB]

£800 monthly here.