HELP!! Should I take this horse on?

We're trying to advise. Some of the things you've said show that you're not really seeing the bigger picture. As Elvis says, there are a LOT of hidden costs that only seem to rear their ugly heads when you're on the skids and don't have a pot to tiddle in.

An £85 saddle is VERY unlikely to be fit for purpose and worst case scenario is that it will damage the horse so he's unrideable. Your insurance quote is too low to cover horse, loss of use and tack theft. It will be at least double with a reputable company that will most likely pay up. A trim is going to be £20 every 6 weeks, vet for jabs is £50 every year, dentist yearly is around £40 and don't forget the worming programme. On your budget, competing will likely be out of the question.
 
Kelly9512 said:
This is what I'm thinking of
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Sorry but its not coming accross that way and I really do know where your coming from getting attached. But time wise and financially I just don't think you can afford it. Also how will you get to him do you have a car, have you considered how much time you will have before and after uni to do him and all in the dark, trust me it gets testing! Plus doing all your uni work. My friend goes to uni and she has told me there is no way what so ever she could focus on doing the best she possibly could at uni and keep a horse.

Sorry but I think you need to really really look at the reality of your situation. In my opinion if your interests are in the horse- I would tell the owner you cannot afford to keep him and its up to her if she wants to work with you around keeping him or I would let her sell him to a good home of course who have the proper time and money for him.
 
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No, I don't think you should. What happens when he gets ill and needs a vet? What happens when the insurance won't pay? What happens if he ends up needing a special diet which costs more? And a £85 saddle - nooooooo, making it useable will probably cost more than just buying a decent one would, if that's even possible at all.

I had to make the self-same call a few years ago, and it was sad but I knew that it was no good taking a horse on that I couldn't promise I would always do the best thing by that horse - and I knew I couldn't. I could have scraped by as long as he stayed fit, but if he had needed any complex vet treatment that would have been difficult to manage. I would have had to let him down, and that's not fair.

There will be other horses, but if you take this one on and let it down, you will always regret it.
 
And I am grateful for all your advice! I am looking at the bigger picture, I am looking at every option that would be possible! I am putting him first in all of this because his welfare is the most important thing in my eyes! I've said that I am hoping that I will be out of uni by the time I have to make the decision, I know how expensive it can be, all I was asking was for some advice on the matter which I am very grateful for! I wouldn't want to compete him, he's not ready for it for one... I never said that was the saddle I would get, it was just a number that came up when I was looking around, I know the insurnace was very low and I've been very sceptical of that...

I have looked at the reality of the situation, thats why I posted on here, I have said I am thinking about going half with someone I trust before! The owner knows that money would be the issue. As I said at the start, I haven't made a decision and hopefully wont have to for a while. I have not got my mind set on taking him because there is no way I would take a horse on knowing that I could not afford it, I am just weighing up options here, that is all. No decision has been made ad will not be made for a while.

The fact that I'm attached to him is the reason I am on here, if I wasn't looking at the bigger picture I would have said yes straight away when his owner asked but I haven't and have spent the last week researching things, costs etc. in my spare time.

I am very grateful for the comments from everyone!

I am not some child who is jumping straight into it, I have been thinking very carefully about everything!
 
If you can get a sharer who can halve the costs, or you have parents who are happy to bail you out, it may work.
Plenty of people keep horses on a shoestring, I've done it in the distant past but the money worries sort of took the fun out if it tbh.
 
"he would need (saddle, stable tools etc) which amounts to around £171

I have been doing some research into what things cost:

Livery = £41 per week including hay, a bag of shavings, water and use of facilities (indoor achool when not in use by riding school)
Insurance = £17 per month (quoted online) - including vet bills, loss of use and theft of tack etc.
Food = £29.65 (calm and condition, chaff and leisure mix) - after speaking to people I have been told that this would last about 3-4 weeks for one horse"

I would honestly say you cannot afford this horse.

Firstly £171 for a saddle and stable tools is not enough. You need to be so so careful with saddles and only buy from a saddle fitter, specially if it isn't your horse. I have just bought my youngster her first saddle and it has cost £300 fitted and it is nothing special.

Insurance again seems far too low. I pay £50 for 2 ponies just for vet fees and legal liability. I cant see how loss of use, vet fees and tack could be included for that price.

You also need to factor into your monthly costs things like extra bedding (you will need a good few bags to get you going and one a week isnt a lot if the horse is messy) extra hay or haylage if what is provided is not ad lib or a good quality, I think your feed budget is a little too low, any supplements, worming, vaccinations, vet fees, equipment that may need replacing, rugs etc.

Then time on top of that. Can you get up twice a day every day? If not you will have to pay extra for bring in/turn out, feeding mucking out etc. Also the cost of fuel on top of this.

So sorry to burst your dream OP, but I honestky think this is going to cost you more than you have. x
 
I just cannot see that this is a genuine post. If the OP is intelligent enough to go to Uni, why are they coming up with figures such as "£171" ? Why the extra £1 ?

Nope, it's a wind up.
 
Could you share the horse for 6 months as a way of seeing if it worked for you? You could then go on to full loan.

I've kept horses on a shoestring in the past, it is do-able but I wouldn't knacker myself financially for someone else's horse.

£85 saddle needs throwing in the bin I'm afraid.
 
regardless of finances I don't think taking on a horse during your university years is wise, it is a huge commitment that will prevent you from doing other things-can you not speak to the current owner about you having him 3 days a week and someone else loaning him for the other days?
 
OP, what are your plans for when you leave Uni? You need to think about what you would do then job wise? You aren't guaranteed to fall in to the job you want. How secure is your PT job at the moment? I think I saw that you don't drive, which instantly makes anything with horses 100 x more difficult! What would happen if say you do get a job you want but it is 25 miles in opposite direction to your yard, you would spend that much time travelling it may take some of the enjoyment away.

I would say concentrate on your studies, get your self secure financially ( mind you who ever is!) and then get a horse. Its an amazing thing to get your own horse, but can be hardwork and stressfull at the best of times! Surely its better to do it at a time when you can get the most joy possible out of it and not running yourself into the ground?
 
I think you should go for it if you really enjoy the horse, it really is possible!
I had my mare with me for my second year at uni, at a yard a 20 min drive from my house. I saw her twice a day, early morn before classes and then in the evening to ride. I think being at uni makes it doable as schedules are normally pretty low on hours giving you time to make it to the yard even if it's at random times during the day.
I worked 20 ish hours a week, about 3 evenings not finishing until midnight but perfect student hours, so I was lucky in that aspect, and my work earnings paid for my horses keep as well as weekly lessons and the occasional competition. I also had a great social life and went out a few times a week, but was lucky on those occasions I could pay someone to turn her out in the am to give me a few extra hours sleep!
I found that being busy made me balance everything really well, as I HAD to be organised to fit everything in, but never ever felt I was struggling to dedicate time to uni work or was prioritizing one thing over the other!
As long as you have comprehensive insurance to cover any unexpected vets bills and a stash for vaccs and misc costs like new rugs if one gets trashed, you'll be fine
I loved loved having my escape when uni work was getting stressful and would definitely encourage you to go for it!!
 
University work levels get more demanding every term. Cost of books also goes up, as does the amount of socialising. And the social side counts too, as future employers tend to ask what clubs and societies you were involved with. The degree itself is not all you are there for. This is the time where you can network and meet the people able to one day help your career. There will be more and more pressure.

There is no guarantee that you will get the hours you want at work, and if you do get them, what time will you have left to study? After that is done, could you really manage the horse properly?

And there is the risk of you losing the horse at any time, even with a loan contract, as the owner may change their mind or have a change of circumstances. Your possible sharer may not be able to contribute.

Sorry, I think there are a lot of potential things that may go wrong with this loan. If you are really set on it, please talk to your personal tutor about it first. And don't expect to be able to use your student loan to cover any costs, student finance frequently fail to release money on time, and you will need that money for university.

Primark is fine until it isn't fine anymore: eventually you will have costs that you cannot avoid. Graduation for example. Rent of gown, suitable outfit, tickets, photography, etc. It really adds up!
 
Spring Feather said:
How did you lose the last one, if you don't mind me asking?
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When I was around 15/16 I was working with another horse for a friend, he had some behaviour issues or we thought so at the time and we were trying to get him ready to sell. I worked with him for around a year and since I was the only one really looking after him we formed a bond.

His owner would have just given him to me if we could have afforded to look after him but at the time we had literally no money, my mam can only work part time due to problems with her back and we struggled with money anyway.

We finally got him ready to sell and after the second time of trying to sell him, a woman from doncaster came to see him and took him trial and then decided to buy him.

Watching him drive away in that trailer was one of the worst experiences of my life and what made it worse was that I had no say over the matter.
 
Kelly9512 said:
His owner would have just given him to me if we could have afforded to look after him but at the time we had literally no money, my mam can only work part time due to problems with her back and we struggled with money anyway.

We finally got him ready to sell and after the second time of trying to sell him, a woman from doncaster came to see him and took him trial and then decided to buy him.

Watching him drive away in that trailer was one of the worst experiences of my life and what made it worse was that I had no say over the matter.
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I'm sorry. It's always hard saying goodbye to a dear friend. However, consider what changes have really been made since the above experience. Would you not rather you were in a much more secure financial situation prior to getting a horse, rather than risk the history repeating itself once the unexpected bills crop up?

My advice would be to wait until you are finished university and are in full time employment and then you will have a better grasp of your long term financial status.
 
You are at university. Concentrate on the job in hand and do as well as you can, instead of having 3/4 of your life trying to earn money to keep a horse.

I would be so worried that you would end up exhausted and struggling with uni work, instead of putting studies first.
 
I'm sorry....I'm in the no camp.
It may be possible to keep a horse on a shoe string but it's most likely stressful.
You haven't allowed for any illness or injury. Insurance IME doesn't cover for a lot of things and many vets visits result in a bill under your excess so you have to pay.
You haven't allowed for any changes in circumstances or increases in prices of feed, being, yard rent.
What about vaccinations, dentists, farrier, worming...your sums don't add up I'm afraid.
And even a decent second hand saddle costs more than 85 quid.
I'm sorry but I don't think it's do able or to be honest fair on the horse...
 
I disagree with the majority. I've always kept horses on a tight budget and it can be done. You earn enough as long as you're living with parents and not paying a proper price for rent.
The main thing is, you need to know about prevention of illness and injury through management. Along with equine first aid and the knowledge to treat minor things yourself. You also need to be tough enough to realise that you won't be having vet bills/aftercare that runs into thousands and which is not covered by insurance. Instead you'll be having the horse PTS.

You can buy a decent second hand saddle on eBay for about100 pounds, but you'll probably need to buy a few and sell on those which are not the best fit.

But I agree with RebelRebel. I do think the horses owner is taking the mickey. Twice you mention that the owner will sell the horse if she finds she really doesn't have time for him. But she doesn't want to sell so is offering you a loan. Well tough, if she can sell to someone else she can sell to you. "Permanent loan" means nothing. If she doesn't want to sell there's a reason. That reason is likely that she wants the option of having the horse back one day.

RebelRebel said:
I've kept horses on a shoestring in the past, it is do-able but I wouldn't knacker myself financially for someone else's horse.
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As this is the second time you've found yourself in this position OP, I recommend you don't help others out with their horses that need schooling. All you're doing is setting yourself up for heartbreak over and over again. Either get a share horse or buy your own, so you know where you stand.
 
Kelly I do feel that you probably feel like everyone is trying to rain on your parade when you feel yoy are really trying your best to be sensible & work things out.

There is a lot of sensible advice on this thread explaining why it is a bad idea. The main one for me is you are young! These should be the best years of your life...as carefree as possible, enjoying fun things & having freedom without the ties of a full time job/mortgage etc. you shouldn't be saddling yourself with the stress & worry of having to push yourself to make money to keep a horse IMO.

That said....I got my old boy when I was at uni doing my degree. I couldn't drive so cycled to the stables twice a day. I was at uni Mon- Thurs all day, half day on a Friday. I worked in a bar Fridays from 4, Everyother Saturday night & every Sunday from 6pm Saturday & Sunday days I worked at the livery yard from 7.30 am until 5pm.
I was constantly skint, constantly knackered.....but I loved it & wouldn't have changed it for the world ;)
 
I'm another no voter, I'm afraid.

Even if you got the horse, your sums are so under and don't include insurance/farrier, so you're likely to get in a pickle, which would result in the horse having to go later on anyway. It will also mean that you have a lot more stress and hassle during your time at uni as well.

There are so many people want help with their horses or sharers at the moment, I would go down that route, save up what you can (if you can! I never could as a student, even when you got grants) then buy your own horse later down the line.
 
I'm another in the no camp I'm afraid. You say you've spent weeks researching costs yet the costs you've mentioned barely covers anything.

You seem to have missed out farrier costs, yearly jabs, dentist and worming to mention a few things.

Also chances are there'll be the odd vet call out/physio visit and with it being a young horse you're likely to need regular saddler as it changes shape/ gains muscle to ensure the tack fits.

Then there's also the bus costs to consider, the fare will soon add up when you're going twice a day every day. What happens if something happens to the horse outside of bus hours?

I know you've mentioned you'd consider getting a sharer but what happens if the sharer ends the agreement and you can't find another? It would be much better in that situation to have the owner find a sharer to share with you so there's less responsibility for you if the sharer fell through.

My other concern would be that the owner will sell the horse on once you've put the work into it and you will be priced out of buying it.

Sorry to rain on your parade but I really would wait until you're in a more financially secure position.
 
9tails said:
Being cynical, I think your friend is pushing you to pay for the keep of her horse. Does the horse not have a saddle? £171 won't get you much of a saddle along with yard tools.

Your insurance quote sounds suspiciously like an E&L price so it's hardly worth the paper it's written on.

I don't think you can afford to keep him, sorry.
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E&l paid out for me, tiny fight but paid in full.
 
Shysmum said:
I just cannot see that this is a genuine post. If the OP is intelligent enough to go to Uni, why are they coming up with figures such as "£171" ? Why the extra £1 ?

Nope, it's a wind up.
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I don't think the post is in 'twilight zone' at all and unbelievable. I think it's a girl who's got very attached to a pony and wants it badly! Nothing out of the blue really. I hate all the assuming most people are trolls etc, it's getting boring.

Anyway Op I do tend to agree with the others with saying no. I've been in your position before and I was desperate to buy my at the time loan mare. In the end I had to be realistic, it was gutting but her welfare was the most important thing and I knew at the time if she were to be injured or need a vet, I wouldn't of been able to afford it.

I think the option of sharing the pony is a good one though :)
 
Sorry, Id say no also.

I know the feeling of having your heart set on something, however try not not think about it for a while and come back with a clear mind.

What ever you think a horse may cost you, double it. Then you are close. So if by doubling it you end up with zero money for you, don't do it.

The other option of course is seeing if you can do things cheaper. Move the horse to grass livery which may be around 100 per month - although you will then have to add on things like the hay feed shoes jags generally million horsey things you will need. Each option will take you to close to your entire income. Its just not going to work :(
 
Finances aside the biggest investment is time...which you are going to find difficult. It is hard work fitting everything in on a normal day but if there are extra issues it can tip the balance completely.
My horse lives out 24/7 on a couple of acres with a big field shelter and this is £60 per month. At the moment I also pay £60 a month in hay and just wormed him at a cost of £15. He has a balancer feed with chop and kwikbeet daily...this comes to approx £45 a month. He has no shoes and trims are £20 every 8-10 weeks. I have the dentist out 6 monthly at £35 a time and he needs an op to remove his wolf teeth. His insurance is £31 a month with an excess of £135. He has just had to have a new rug at £40. Jabs are approx £50 yearly.
I buy a good hemp based hoof oil at £15 every 6-8 weeks. He has had many headcollars/leadropes.
And this is all on a young horse thats not ridden..!!!
 
I did a part-share while at uni so just had 2 days & fixed expense. I think something like that would suit you better, than taking on the full commitment and juggling work/uni/bills.
Presumably it boils down to cost saving rather than just time with your friend. I personally think they'll decide to sell at some point.
 
I bought a horse in the summer wrote my third year. However, he was a schoolmaster, so I managed to put him on working livery at a riding school at home. It was a friend who ran it, and we came to the deal that she could use him as she wished (me not being there during term time) as long as I could ride/compete when home, and in return she pod for EVERYTHING, shoes, worming, dentist, the lot. He did RDA and was very popular in the RS as well, so covered his keep. And it meant I could come home and have him there and fit!

However I bought him knowing I could do that. I would never have bought him otherwise, and knowing what my difference in costs became the second I moved him after graduation I'm very glad I didn't! He also didnt interfere with work, so I got a good degree.

You have enough to worry about at uni without worrying about affording your horse. I worry enough about Affording everything for my horse now, and I work full time and live at home...
 
I'm another in the 'no' camp; it can be easy to look at the costs through rose tinted spectacles by finding the cheapest things you can, but often you get what you pay for and the cheapest hay / saddle / livery often isn't the best and you often end up spending more. I bought a cheap to keep native, should cost peanuts, but actually costs as much as previous poor doers due to having to have specialist bagged forage, supplements, constant forage and little grass - you can't always predict how much even a 'cheap' horse will set you back financially.

Relying on your student loan isn't a great idea either, it is there to pay for YOUR living costs, not those of a horse, and if your parents are unable to help financially it would be unfair to risk having to turn to them for support.

If you find you get too attached, then I'd honestly consider letting the horse go now rather than having to give it back because you can't afford it, or the owner decides to take back/sell anyway.

As hard as it seems now, it will be worth it when you do it properly, not rushing in because you desperately want it now.

Stick in at uni and concentrate on getting a good career established and then go out and buy your own horse when you are financially secure. Horses bring enough worries on their own without making it harder struggling with no money.
 
Just like to add that it's perfectly possible for a fully insured horse to run you up a 500 Bill in a month.

Week one, tiny cut gets infected needs antibiotics 135 excess.
Week two, nasty kick, horse lame needs stitching 135 excess
Week three, bored stabled horse scrapes head on wall and damages eye 135 excess
Week four, excited after being kept in, turned out horse pulls a tendon needs scan 135 excess.

One broke owner.

They specialise in knowing when you can't afford it too!!
 
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