How are people affording to buy horses at present?

[Waxwing]

I think if you keep a horse on full livery, which I do, six to eight months of not having a horse gives you a chance to save a decent amount towards a new one, if you are in a position to set that money aside. I appreciate this depends how much you want to spend on said horse. I am very fortunate that we cleared our mortgage two years ago, DH has a well paid job, mine isn't badly paid and I do an additional on call job which pays about half the monthly horse costs. DH likes rusty Italian cars and I like horses, neither of us are interested in having a new kitchen or having expensive "stuff.". Assuming the current horses rehab is successful it is likely that I will be selling her in a few months and due to her now having medical history I am unlikely to get very much for her. I will then get saving. I am still paying to ride twice a week as its good for my mental health and my riding had got a lot better when I was riding her four to five times a week.

I do appreciate that I am very fortunate to be in a household with two good incomes and no mortgage. If either of us couldn't work keeping a horse would only be viable if we moved to DIY. ( My very vague retirement plan is, assuming I healthy enough, is to have a hairy something on DIY livery that I can pootle around on.)

Although my horse owning journey hasn't been easy I still want to continue. I like being able to ride when I want, not just in planned lesson, so either the current horse stays, or more likely there will be a replacement once I have done some saving.

I

 

[Ample Prosecco]

Having just bought a horse I realised quickly I could not afford a horse already out doing a job. I’d have to go young. Of the nicely bred 3 year olds i enquired about, prices have ranged from 6-12K for very similar horses. Ie nicely bred, no issues. I think people are either dropping price heavily to reduce stock before winter (the 6k ones) or are pricing at near what they are hoping to get in Spring as 4 year olds - probably intending to sit on them over winter (the 12k ones) . If the horse sells early - great. If not, no biggie.

Luckily Myka was much nearer 5 than 10k. My budget was 8 (my assumption of what I can get for Lottie and Felix together) and she was well within that. I have borrowed in the meantime.

Felix has been advertised at what I think is reasonable for a very well bred 3/4 RID with a great temperament and I’ve had zero genuine interest. So I am waiting till Spring now. They are out there if you are prepared to buy young or with issues.

I think the real problem is that the dross is priced too high. Nice horses seem about right to me. But weeding out dross to find quality is a minefield.

 

[Birker2020]

.

Birker, you’re doing really with your weight loss.

Stick at it and get your weight down more so that you are within the weight limits to get riding again at a RS or trekking centre before you go trying horses again. You know what the targets are to be able to do that, keep at your weight loss regime, and soon you’ll be able to reap the rewards.

You’ll be much better placed confidence wise to go trying horses with some recent hours in the saddle.

ETA I’ve recommended the very good trekking centre on Cannock Chase that I ride at to you before, Birker. It’ll be within comfortable reach for you for a day trip, it’s 48 miles each way for me and well worth the run. There’s a selection of decent sized horses of 16hh upwards there. A book of 6 x 2 hour treks in wtc for £400 over very varied terrain would set you up very well to be riding fit again.

Thank you Tiddlypom.

By the time I've lost enough weight to be able to go riding again at a riding centre it will be this time next year, maybe longer so I can't wait that long. I've already had my stable held for 18 months, the y.o has been very good to me, I honestly can't expect her to go for much longer. If it was my own place fair enough but it's not.

I have one of the best, if not the best stable on the yard so I'm very lucky and I'msick of sitting on my own in my bedroom at 5pm at night being depressed so a horse would really help me out.

I get what you are saying though, I really do. So I'm hoping I might be able to have some lessons on a mechanical horse not far from us.

I already feel much more like I'd be able to cope trying horses now I'm not looking so heavy. Although i saw myself on a teams meeting on Tuesday and was horrified lol I'm sick of making excuses so I'm definitely going to start the fitness journey, starting tomorrow with a spin class! And in the week after work, once I've visited Mum.

I'm going to spin 3 times a week and swim twice. That's my plan.

 

[BBP]

I went for a breed that isn’t that popular (PBA). Unbacked at 5 (perfect for me as I dont want weight on their backs til 5, but others think that’s late). Didn’t bother vetting as clearly a bit dysfunctional and would fail. But meant I got a beautiful horse at a great price (low 4 figs), I think I will have a lot of fun with. Luckily for me the fun starts at unravelling the dysfunction from the ground, it isn’t about getting straight to riding.

 

[TPO]

Thank you Tiddlypom.

By the time I've lost enough weight to be able to go riding again at a riding centre it will be this time next year, maybe longer so I can't wait that long. I've already had my stable held for 18 months, the y.o has been very good to me, I honestly can't expect her to go for much longer. If it was my own place fair enough but it's not.

I have one of the best, if not the best stable on the yard so I'm very lucky and I'msick of sitting on my own in my bedroom at 5pm at night being depressed so a horse would really help me out.

I get what you are saying though, I really do. So I'm hoping I might be able to have some lessons on a mechanical horse not far from us.

I already feel much more like I'd be able to cope trying horses now I'm not looking so heavy. Although i saw myself on a teams meeting on Tuesday and was horrified lol I'm sick of making excuses so I'm definitely going to start the fitness journey, starting tomorrow with a spin class! And in the week after work, once I've visited Mum.

I'm going to spin 3 times a week and swim twice. That's my plan.

I've tried to write this a few times in my head and the tone is always too open to interpretation. I just want to state that it's not coming from a place of malice or bad intentions.

I've been following your SW thread and personally I'm a fan of SW. I know it has its critics on here!

You've been doing really well but I can see you falling into the same traps that I do. When I follow it properly I drop weight easily and relatively quickly then I get cocky and start freestyling with the guidelines. Some of the meals that you've posted push the boundaries of SW and I 100% know about the temptations on construction sites, even more so in this dreich weather.

I can guess at your current weight based on your previous posts stating it and your weight loss. I absolutely don't believe that it would take you until this time next year to make a weight that would make you ok for RS/treking.

TPs point is spot on. I really think getting lessons/hours in the saddle before trying horses again. The sort of blunt part that I can't figure out how to sugar coat. If you think you'll still be too heavy for an upper weight limit then why is it OK to try and buy/ride a horse at that weight?

Given your time off and confidence wobbles getting hours in the saddle is crucial. You'll feel so much better in yourself and your own judgement when trying horses, plus be more able for any high jinks.

Like I said I absolutely think you could be at least another 3st down by the end of March if you stick to SW guidelines.

You can't out exercise a bad diet. Your meals are sometimes quite "beige" on the SW thread. They really encourage you to eat the rainbow and fill 1/3 to 1/2 of your plate with veg. From someone who could eat their substantial weight in pasta, and loves bolognese, what a difference it makes filling half my plate with spinach, tomato and cucumber before a (flat, not heaped) portion of pasta and bolognese taking up the other half. Using a smaller plate helps trick your brain too. I always allow myself seconds but honestly by the time I've eaten thr veg I'm full. Eating slowly and with consideration (I'm a fast eater usually ) make a difference too. Same with having at least half a pint of water before meals.

Do you get the SW magazines? There's loads of meal inspiration in them. The SW website has hundreds of recipes too.

I do know where you're coming from, I'm 4st (at least!) overweight. I spent most of my life slim but as life/work/broken horses/no riding mounted up I just ate and ate and ate. I'm 5ft5 (& a half) and last weekend weighed 14st 13.75lbs

My horse has been off for over 3yrs with various things and circumstances. I wouldn't think of riding anything at my weight. Putting aside my wright my riding fitness is zero, my point of balance is out of whack (I was approx 12-12.5st when I last rode Vinne and I felt totally out of whavk at that weight so it would only be worse now) and I have zero core strength.

I'm hopefully () able to resign from my job this year so want to feel better in my skin for starting somewhere new and I'm really hopeful that Chip makes it through this winter healthy so that I can finally pick him up next spring. Both of those this require me to lose weight and get fit.

I started following SW (my at home version of) on Monday and I'm as of this morning I'm 14st6lb. I've made sure to eat 3 meals a day, I've felt full after them so less snacking and, because I have a sweet tooth, still been able to have a sweet treat so I don't feel restricted or deprived. I'm aiming for 1st off a month, which isn't unrealistic for the first couple because I have it to lose. I'm an avid procrastinator and even 5 days in I'm having to keep reminding myself about how I feel and how i want to feel along with how I want to be at my best for Chip.

instead of sitting on your bed feeling delated can you go for a walk? It doesn't have to be 10k steps, every little helps. I went to an absolute beginners line dancing class and it was a lot of fun and, considering how my legs felt the next day, a lot more work than it felt. If you don't want to go out could you get one of those walking pads for indoor? Or do a free low impact YouTube work out? I've just discovered moveswithmolly and I think it would fit your criteria too.

I'm really guilty of all or nothing. I didn't get this overweight over night but I expect to lose it in 2wks what works for me is tracking weight daily then taking an average. I'm aiming for 2lb a week and hoping for 3.5lb. Every time I feel despondent about only 1lb I go and lift the pound of flour in my cupboard.

Keeping a food diary and/or meal planning might help you? It's so easy to forget/ignore "syns". I keep seeing all this cool Halloween food and now Xmas ranges are out I'm literally salivating (& I'm week 1!!). I constantly have internal pep talks that the food will still be there and I don't need to buy and eat it for the sake of it. That it was there last year and it'll be there next year.

I'm procrastinating again because instead of typing this I'm supposed to be setting up my treadmill that's been in its box for 13 months... I'm fairly active with doing the horses and walking the hyper dog so that shows how many calories I'm consuming to be this size.

I honestly do know where you're coming from both with weight loss and wanting to ride. I came home from Blair horse trials all fired up wanting to jump again (& also thinking Chip was dying again) and while trying to console myself looking at ex racers knew it couldn't be anything rideable now because I'd be too heavy to hit the ground running. It was 2/3yr olds that would have at 6-12mths as field potatoes while I lost weight to ride them. It kinda sucked.

You can do this. You've been doing it. Like I said by my guesstimate if you stick to SW and up your activity I don't see why you can't be RS approved weight for April.

spiralling now but I've been sad a lot and I eat my feelings. It was a horrific time losing vinnie, my job is horrible (not the actual job I do but the politics with the company), Chip has cost tens of thousands and keeps trying to die, I eat my feelings then get sad I'm overweight so eat more to console myself (I'm not very bright!) and it seems like an impossible task to get back to my happy weight (10st4-11st). But just need to keep on keeping on.

Regarding your stable hopefully the YO uses it a while longer since it's at her disposal and that gives you a chance to save even more.

Sorry for hijacking the thread. I tend not to overshare on here and I'm sure someone will have something to say since they'd never let them self go but I really wanted birker to know that the sentiment about getting to a comfortable weight for a horse to carry truly wasn't me having a go.

Since I'll probably get crucified might as well get hung for a sheep as a lamb...

When you're next horse buying... if your physio friend truly did green light Lari and you didn't just hear what you wanted because you fell for him please, please find someone else to accompany you when horse buying. I didn't comment at the time but I did watch the sales vid and see the photos. There were red flags all over the place and sadly they came to fruition. I would really hate to see that happen again.

Not that it's my place to volunteer anyone but if I was buying I'd run it past ihatework. That's what I did with the 2yr old I liked the look of. She maybe doesn't want a bar of it but I really respect her opinion and her knowledge.

So yeah sorry again for hijacking. It is my attempt at being encouraging and I hope it comes across how I intended it too.

 

[TwyfordM]

Couldn't afford to buy or keep a second horse at the mo!
If things improve I'm still looking at years saving to get the budget I need.

I just want something safe, sane and possibly decent enough to do a bit of showing. Doesn't need to be well schooled/jump the moon. Pretty much a nice looking plod. I couldn't find anything under £5k.

Mysti was free

 

[Birker2020]

I've tried to write this a few times in my head and the tone is always too open to interpretation. I just want to state that it's not coming from a place of malice or bad intentions.

I've been following your SW thread and personally I'm a fan of SW. I know it has its critics on here!

You've been doing really well but I can see you falling into the same traps that I do. When I follow it properly I drop weight easily and relatively quickly then I get cocky and start freestyling with the guidelines. Some of the meals that you've posted push the boundaries of SW and I 100% know about the temptations on construction sites, even more so in this dreich weather.

I can guess at your current weight based on your previous posts stating it and your weight loss. I absolutely don't believe that it would take you until this time next year to make a weight that would make you ok for RS/treking.

TPs point is spot on. I really think getting lessons/hours in the saddle before trying horses again. The sort of blunt part that I can't figure out how to sugar coat. If you think you'll still be too heavy for an upper weight limit then why is it OK to try and buy/ride a horse at that weight?

Given your time off and confidence wobbles getting hours in the saddle is crucial. You'll feel so much better in yourself and your own judgement when trying horses, plus be more able for any high jinks.

Like I said I absolutely think you could be at least another 3st down by the end of March if you stick to SW guidelines.

You can't out exercise a bad diet. Your meals are sometimes quite "beige" on the SW thread. They really encourage you to eat the rainbow and fill 1/3 to 1/2 of your plate with veg. From someone who could eat their substantial weight in pasta, and loves bolognese, what a difference it makes filling half my plate with spinach, tomato and cucumber before a (flat, not heaped) portion of pasta and bolognese taking up the other half. Using a smaller plate helps trick your brain too. I always allow myself seconds but honestly by the time I've eaten thr veg I'm full. Eating slowly and with consideration (I'm a fast eater usually ) make a difference too. Same with having at least half a pint of water before meals.

Do you get the SW magazines? There's loads of meal inspiration in them. The SW website has hundreds of recipes too.

I do know where you're coming from, I'm 4st (at least!) overweight. I spent most of my life slim but as life/work/broken horses/no riding mounted up I just ate and ate and ate. I'm 5ft5 (& a half) and last weekend weighed 14st 13.75lbs

My horse has been off for over 3yrs with various things and circumstances. I wouldn't think of riding anything at my weight. Putting aside my wright my riding fitness is zero, my point of balance is out of whack (I was approx 12-12.5st when I last rode Vinne and I felt totally out of whavk at that weight so it would only be worse now) and I have zero core strength.

I'm hopefully () able to resign from my job this year so want to feel better in my skin for starting somewhere new and I'm really hopeful that Chip makes it through this winter healthy so that I can finally pick him up next spring. Both of those this require me to lose weight and get fit.

I started following SW (my at home version of) on Monday and I'm as of this morning I'm 14st6lb. I've made sure to eat 3 meals a day, I've felt full after them so less snacking and, because I have a sweet tooth, still been able to have a sweet treat so I don't feel restricted or deprived. I'm aiming for 1st off a month, which isn't unrealistic for the first couple because I have it to lose. I'm an avid procrastinator and even 5 days in I'm having to keep reminding myself about how I feel and how i want to feel along with how I want to be at my best for Chip.

instead of sitting on your bed feeling delated can you go for a walk? It doesn't have to be 10k steps, every little helps. I went to an absolute beginners line dancing class and it was a lot of fun and, considering how my legs felt the next day, a lot more work than it felt. If you don't want to go out could you get one of those walking pads for indoor? Or do a free low impact YouTube work out? I've just discovered moveswithmolly and I think it would fit your criteria too.

I'm really guilty of all or nothing. I didn't get this overweight over night but I expect to lose it in 2wks what works for me is tracking weight daily then taking an average. I'm aiming for 2lb a week and hoping for 3.5lb. Every time I feel despondent about only 1lb I go and lift the pound of flour in my cupboard.

Keeping a food diary and/or meal planning might help you? It's so easy to forget/ignore "syns". I keep seeing all this cool Halloween food and now Xmas ranges are out I'm literally salivating (& I'm week 1!!). I constantly have internal pep talks that the food will still be there and I don't need to buy and eat it for the sake of it. That it was there last year and it'll be there next year.

I'm procrastinating again because instead of typing this I'm supposed to be setting up my treadmill that's been in its box for 13 months... I'm fairly active with doing the horses and walking the hyper dog so that shows how many calories I'm consuming to be this size.

I honestly do know where you're coming from both with weight loss and wanting to ride. I came home from Blair horse trials all fired up wanting to jump again (& also thinking Chip was dying again) and while trying to console myself looking at ex racers knew it couldn't be anything rideable now because I'd be too heavy to hit the ground running. It was 2/3yr olds that would have at 6-12mths as field potatoes while I lost weight to ride them. It kinda sucked.

You can do this. You've been doing it. Like I said by my guesstimate if you stick to SW and up your activity I don't see why you can't be RS approved weight for April.

spiralling now but I've been sad a lot and I eat my feelings. It was a horrific time losing vinnie, my job is horrible (not the actual job I do but the politics with the company), Chip has cost tens of thousands and keeps trying to die, I eat my feelings then get sad I'm overweight so eat more to console myself (I'm not very bright!) and it seems like an impossible task to get back to my happy weight (10st4-11st). But just need to keep on keeping on.

Regarding your stable hopefully the YO uses it a while longer since it's at her disposal and that gives you a chance to save even more.

Sorry for hijacking the thread. I tend not to overshare on here and I'm sure someone will have something to say since they'd never let them self go but I really wanted birker to know that the sentiment about getting to a comfortable weight for a horse to carry truly wasn't me having a go.

Since I'll probably get crucified might as well get hung for a sheep as a lamb...

When you're next horse buying... if your physio friend truly did green light Lari and you didn't just hear what you wanted because you fell for him please, please find someone else to accompany you when horse buying. I didn't comment at the time but I did watch the sales vid and see the photos. There were red flags all over the place and sadly they came to fruition. I would really hate to see that happen again.

Not that it's my place to volunteer anyone but if I was buying I'd run it past ihatework. That's what I did with the 2yr old I liked the look of. She maybe doesn't want a bar of it but I really respect her opinion and her knowledge.

So yeah sorry again for hijacking. It is my attempt at being encouraging and I hope it comes across how I intended it too.

Thank you

 

[FlorencesLegacy]

As the title - I know horses have been too cheap for a long time but wow. It's a lot of money to find for the ordinary person.
After some really bad luck with horses, it's hard to justify spending so much as well. Maybe it's time to look at ROR prospects. Anyone else struggling a bit?

Luckily a good job allowed me to buy a 5 y/o low five fig horse last year. On the other hand, that same job is very demanding which means I cannot ride as often as I would like.

I’m SO grateful for having the money to have him, but sometimes ponder if I would rather enjoy being time-richer.

I also have him on full grass livery at present (which he loves!), which means more money for mortgage/home/bills.