Hi,new here with a few questions

Lessons are normally £30 so if you go once a week then thats £120 a month
I would say allow at least £400 a month for keeping a horse.

hmmm most likely a wind up..
 
Well firstly I'd like to say thank you for such a warm welcome, it's nice to know someone who asks nicely for a bit of advice is slated on there first post??? With my limited experience of the horse world so far I have come across mainly nice friendly people but that doesn't seem to extend to this forum? In answer to your above (mainly rude) posts I'm grade 3 in the school I'm using I don't know if it's got 3 fancy initials, I'm not a wind up and while I maybe totally inexperienced compared to the obvious geniuses amongst you we all have to start somewhere???:mad:
 
hollieeb said:
Lessons are normally £30 so if you go once a week then thats £120 a month
I would say allow at least £400 a month for keeping a horse.

hmmm most likely a wind up..
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Going 3 or 4 times a week so it's costing nearly that anyway especially as I'm taking two daughters on most occasions!
 
I bought a pony recently for £150 I had a vets bill within 5 days for £176 and kitting him out with tack and specialist rugs cost £600. To be fair I knew w
 
Well if you are serious if you have two daughters who ride i would steer clear of an ex racer and look at something chunkier about 14.2 a family all rounder. A nice coloured cob is always a good bet and they are usually capable of doing a bit of everything. They are capable of living out all year with no rugs or just a thin one to keep cleaner for riding. They also only need small amount of hay if good grazing. Ex racer even my good doer needs haylage 24/7 in winter loads of rugs, hard feed to keep weight on and in really bad weather he has to come in as he is still used to the pampered race life of living in so doesn't cope with bad weather. He also has supplements for ulcers he needs boots on for turn out and riding as he over reaches and brushes leading to vets bills as well as needing regular physio and farrier due to racing ruining his back and having poor tolerance to feet growing long
 
Emma.b said:
Going 3 or 4 times a week so it's costing nearly that anyway especially as I'm taking two daughters on most occasions!
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So, your sometimes short of time/money yet you find the time/money to have lessons 3/4 times a week?

I'm going to assume this isn't a troll post because I know what it's like to be accused of being a troll and It's not nice :rolleyes:

Okay first of all an ex racer isn't a good idea. They may be cheap to buy but cost a fortune to keep, because they need extra food, rugging etc to keep weight on and are more prone to injury and expensive vets bills so it really is a false economy. Also as you are returning to riding and this is presumably your first horse you want something that has been there, done that and is easy so you can just get out and enjoy them - and something your children can ride too. What about a 10 year old + pony around 14.2?

Next of all some horses can live out on grass livery, others can't it depends on the individual horse. You may find it cheaper to go to a DIY yard.

Assuming you keep your horse in the cheapest way possible you still have to pay for DIY livery, insurance, farrier, teeth and jabs, hay and feed, bedding, equiptment, fuel to get to the yard and there are sure to be plenty more costs! Depends on your area of the country but it will probably be in the region of £300 per month if you do everything yourself and have a relatively cheap to keep horse. Time wise they will most likely take up all your time. You will have to go there in the mornings AND the afternoons bare minimum - more if they are sick or have appointments. And this will be every day of the week, every week of the year.

Maybe you could consider finding a schoolmaster to share (ask if they do shares/loans at your riding school) that way you get the fun of owning a horse 3 or so days a week but you still get time off and it's much cheaper (usually £25 a week approx).
 
if money is tight dont buy an ex racer.
they are into self harming and cost a bleeding fortune though initially maybe cheap to purchase. they get into your heart and bleed you dry emotionally & financially, maybe we were just unlucky :(
 
if you are finding having lessons extensive then dont go and buy a horse!

you say you haven't ridden for 18 years so even with your own horse you will need professional help.

some ex race horse are great but generally they are not good first horse.
some horse can live out early but others like the tb breed not so easily.

Maybe find a horse to share to start?
 
Thank you to those who reply'd nicely sharing sounds like a good idea although it has been a dream of mine to own since I was young. Money can be tight but 400 a month is possible.
 
Emma.b said:
Thank you to those who reply'd nicely sharing sounds like a good idea although it has been a dream of mine to own since I was young. Money can be tight but 400 a month is possible.
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If it is your first horse, you also need to add in the cost of lessons for yourself. If your kids want to ride, they will need a competent child-friendly instructor or they won't enjoy it and improve. £400 is the bare minimum a horse will cost. And don't forget the little extras that they like to throw at you - ripping an expensive rug to bits after one wearing, throwing a shoe, losing a headcollar in a muddy field. One of ours managed to do all these things in one day at a cost of over £100 for new rug, emergency visit from farrier and new headcollar.
Also don't forget the times you won't be able to ride because it is lame or unwell or the kids are unwell so you have only got the bare minimum of time to go to the stables, muck out and feed.
 
Grade 3 is probably just something your rs uses, not a national standard. While it may be a dream to own, you currently lack the experience. Therefore what you need to do is gain it, preferably by sharing a schoolmaster. Everyone does start somewhere. But because there's an animal involved, imo certain basics need to be learnt first. I've known (& helped) many novices buy & start out with first horses in the past, & its all gone well. The difference is to yourself their attitude. All have bothered to learn basics, such as whether horses need stables & how much they cost to keep & buy, what type is suitable etc long before they thought of buying. And none bought as a cheaper option than lessons. When my then 4yr old wanted pet mice I refused till we both knew the basics. And horses require more knowledge than mice, so dreams aside you can be equally practical. You can own an ex racer one day if you put in the work, but not now.
 
Emma.b said:
Hi, new here and a possible new owner of a horse:D
I have recently got back into riding after not being on a horse for 18 ish years, and am loving it, but lessons are costing me a fortune so I'm considering buying one! So my questions are firstly I have viewed an ex race horse as they are cheap,is an ex racehorse a good idea?
Secondly my local school has the option of not putting him/her into a stable but in a field will they be ok all year round in field?
Thirdly we have three children so time and money can be a little short some times what is the reality of the financial and time constraints of owning a horse?
Thanks in advance Emma x
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Hmmm sorry but I agree with the others - I think you should share first, then loan possibly wvtb?

I got back into riding at 20, having grown up with horses in my family (grandparents) I had some knowledge but still not nearly enough to go straight into owning (do we ever have enough knowledge?) so I started slowly and finally achieved my dream of owning my own at 30.

It is hard, it is expensive and I always say to friends, if you havent got your own land, I allow £250 a month for diy livery / farrier / worming / feed/ hay / bedding / vet / insurance / vaccinations....should I continue?!!

When I told my friend who's horse I was sharing I wanted to loan "because I am spending £25 a week already" she just laughed.

I have had numerous sharers and am now in a position to move him to a yard that offers all year turn out, 24/7, although I do have a stable, so my costs are more than halved BUT he can live out as he is a "hardy cob" and luckily I have lots of rugs anyway (even though I wasnt going "to get into that old game"!!!

Time - it really is a massive factor, think of adding in another school run, say 8am to muck out feed / turn out / rug and then 4pm to bring in / hoof pick / rug / feed......

As for buying an ex-racehorse, not in a million years for a 1st horse, I have friends with huge experience that still battle with their ex-racehorses, seriously, avoid (as lovely as they are I am not disputing that, but you need experience).

Gosh I am so sorry I sound so miserable but you did ask and I think you meant it when you wanted honest advice.

Good luck with whatever you decide.
 
I'd advise looking for a horse to share to start with and seeing how you get on. Even living out a horse is a huge responsibility and needs tending to twice a day every day all year round.
 
I agree with a lot of the other replies - try sharing first.

Apologies if this isn't a wind-up, I just think you need to have a really long think about the time and financial implications. On DIY livery, you have to go morning and evening, every single day of your life.

If one of your children is really ill and has to have the day off school etc, you still have to go to the yard. Do you go on holiday with your family? You would need to pay someone to take care of the horse. Also insurance will not cover everything that could go wrong by any means - have you got a decent wedge of cash to cover emergencies?

A decent family cob or native pony should see you right, something you and the children can ride - and would 'hopefully' live out most of the year with the right management.

Unfortunately I think that common sense says that an ex-racer is not a suitable first horse for anybody! Especially not if children want to ride too! Don't get me wrong, some ex-racers are lovely and quiet, but they will have been carefully re-schooled by someone very experienced indeed.

Good luck whatever you decide :)
 
Emma.b said:
Been quoted around £50 a month insurance is that a good price?
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Firstly, I'd like to congratulate you on your witty response to my comment about a "wee while" very good!:rolleyes:
On what basis were you quoted £50 a month? Do you have a horse already? Or was this just a figure pulled out of thin air?
On a serious note, I rode as a teenager, rs stuff. Was my dream to own my own, and at 40 , after some more lessons and a stable management course I bought a horse. BIG mistake, thought I knew enough, thought I could ride well enough. I couldn't, and it was totally confidence blowing. I now have my own horse, got her when she was weaned, she's now 9 , and I still feel sometimes I'm not good enough. So, my advice to you is, don't rush, get some more lessons and experience under your belt, and take advice from your instructor. Perhaps a share is the best idea, it's a huge undertaking to do it all on your own.
As far as the accusation of being a troll, if I had posted my intentions when I bought my first horse, I know I would have got the same reaction, so try to understand that people reading your post may be suspicious.
I wish you the best of luck. :)
 
Hiya, and welcome - we're a nice bunch really (well mostly lol).

I too would recommend avoiding ex racers - they can be hard work even for experienced horse people (and expensive, with those stick thin legs :D) I would also say steer clear of Welsh cobs - and before anyone jumps down my throat, I have one, ridden many, and love them, but they can be quirky, and spooky.

I think loaning or sharing is the way to go, that way you can gain experience, whilst still having backup.

Maybe look at doing a BHS horse owners certificate (if they still do them), or even start your stages. All this will set you up nicely for owning your own horse when you feel ready.

Good luck :D
 
Emma.b said:
That's exactly why I am here!!!
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For a bombproof family cob type that does a bit of everything, I would think you'll want a budget of 3k to buy.

Budget at least 300pcm for general care, make sure there is always spare cash for emergencies

Even if the horse is a hardy type that can live out, a stable is good in case horse is sick or injured

Hope that helps :)
 
So far you have given us a idea of your riding experience,but no idea of your practical skills or knowledge of horse care etc. do you arrive at the rs to a horse ready tacked up for your lesson, or are you more hands on? I'm not trying to put you down, but if you are genuine, you need to understand that reading that you are having riding lessons, thinking of buying an ex racer, is this a good idea, is a bit alarming. For instance, as an owner, you have to take responsibility for your horses health, would you recognise the signs of ill health, and know how to treat, or when to phone the vet? Do you understand the need to worm, or use worm counting? It's a very steep learning curve becoming an owner, even with a bit of knowledge and experience, and can be overwhelming.
Can you perhaps give us more information on your experience, so that the advice you are given is appropriate?
 
I am the same. Lessons dont stop when you have your own horse especially if you want to keep learning etc... I would defo go down the share option as if time & money are tight owning prob wouldn't be the best option & I mean that in the nicest way! & if you do decide to buy you would be best not to go for a TB but for a hardy bomb proof cob like horse ..

LJN said:
I have more lessons per week now I have my own horse than I did before...
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Emma.b said:
Thank you to those who reply'd nicely sharing sounds like a good idea although it has been a dream of mine to own since I was young. Money can be tight but 400 a month is possible.
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Yes but the dream and the reality of things are v.different! I would definately share first to see how you get on rather than jump in the deep end. That way you can save up for a decent horse as well. You don't want to buy a bargain horse and get it home to find it has a list of issues as long as your arm and you have no idea what to do (please see various threads on here).

If you are really set on buying please make sure you have experienced people around to help you. Try the horse several times in different situations and get your instructor to come with you. Then if you really like it get it vetted before bringing it home. Be realistic in your riding abilities and don't over horse yourself. Buy and read some books on basic stable management and/or do your BHS stages.
 
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