How much would a foal cost, per month?

[*hic*]

I live at home and don't have to pay for rent or anything. I don't go out and drink or smoke, the only thing that takes any of my money is driving lessons, but by the time I get my foal, I will have passed my test as I'm not even allowing myself to look untill I have passed, I won't rely on parents to drive me around.

Ouch, I think you should factor in the cost of owning and maintaining your own car, or you may not be relying on your parents to drive you around but you will be relying on their not wanting the car when you want it and you are still reliant on them.

Many parents get a bit arsey about having increasingly aged children living at home and contributing nothing. Maybe yours will be happy to have you living with them scot free for the rest of your life but this parent certainly wouldn't put up with it!

If you have to start providing for yourself, or making a realistic contribution would you be able to afford a foal?

 

[Shantara]

you really dont know why people are suggesting you get a schoolmaster for a first horse rather than a foal..REALLY?

I honestly don't!

It's not like I'm a novice (For some reason everyone thinks this? I guess it was a mistake using the word novice in a thread, it's the only thing people seem to remember about me)

I'm good with practical work, but don't have a head for maths (Hence me working in Poundland for a year and a half!) that's why I asked for prices.

I do know what I'm letting myself in for as far as work is concerned, that's why I was asking about price, NOT about how to look after a foal.

 

[Spring Feather]

Annielusian, before you buy your foal take a wander down the the Breeding page on this forum and search through the posts for people who have done the same as you are planning to do. Read about the problems so many inexperienced foal owners come up against and then decide whether you really want to go down this road. It sounds like you're deadset on buying a foal/youngster so nothing any of us say will sway you I'm thinking, therefore the least we can do is point you in the direction of all the pitfalls you may come across in your rearing of the foal.

 

[Rudey]

OP, I have had horses for around 17 years. Sammi I have had for 15 years, and I got him when he was a 3 year old just backed, and gone from there with him. I have helped back a couple of horses, and I broke a little pony in fully. So, you could say I have knotched up some experience....

In January 2009, I took the plunge and bought my second horse. He was a 9.5 month old untouched colt. I can strongly guarantee that money/affording him has not been an issue at all - that was the easy part! What I will say is, although I knew it would be hard work - I did not appreciate how hard that work would be.

The amount of time and effort what needs to go into a youngster providing them with a positive start in life is immense and require dedication and consistency. There are times where you seem to get somewhere, then hit a brick wall, go forwards two steps, and then back another ten, and with time and patience, progress. Having a youngster is not for the faint hearted, it is all blood, sweat and tears!

It has been truly rewarding to see my little one grow, make his debute in the showing world, and successfully competing at County level. I will say that it is the most rewarding thing I have ever done in my life, but hand on heart, I can't see myself doing it all over again with another! It has been very trying at the best of times! If I ever bought another horse - it definitely would be older, where someone else has put in the hard work already! xx

 

[midi]

I don't think a foal is a good idea at all.
You got to think ahead as well, you've also mentioned you want to have a foal bred? when theres already too many horses around.
You've also got to consider whats going to be happening in your life within the next 4/5 years etc, can you guarantee a baby a home? it will be so much harder to sell on a baby than say a horse thats already broken in/done everything.

 

[Shantara]

I don't think a foal is a good idea at all.
You got to think ahead as well, you've also mentioned you want to have a foal bred? when theres already too many horses around.
You've also got to consider whats going to be happening in your life within the next 4/5 years etc, can you guarantee a baby a home? it will be so much harder to sell on a baby than say a horse thats already broken in/done everything.

No, I want to rescue one. Well aware of over breeding and wouldn't buy a dog bred for me, let alone a horse!!

I honestly don't want a schoolmaster. If I did, I may as well just stick to the RS horses.

 

[Spring Feather]

I do know what I'm letting myself in for as far as work is concerned, that's why I was asking about prince, NOT about how to look after a foal.

Oops! That was all my answer talked about Okay well price wise foals are much cheaper to look after than horses AT HOME! At livery your costs will be similar unless you are buying your own hay in which case foals eat significantly less than mature horses although once they get to around 2 years old they are close on eating the same as an adult horse. Worming is slightly less as you use slightly less (no great savings there though). Feeding will be less. Farrier will do trims rather than fit shoes so cheaper. Some farriers will do cheaper trims for foals. You need to be aware that foals outgrow everything! So although you may have to buy rugs and headcollars obviously the foal will grow out of these things so only bank on them fitting for a short period of time and then replace.

 

[lula]

foals, rather like cute kittens and puppies, dont stay that way they turn very quickly into unruly and bolshy yearlings that need someone with more than a little experience and a firm hand to teach them some manners

getting a foal may not seem like the super idea it once did when you're busy out taking your lovely photographs and what is now a headstrong 2 year old kicks out and sends your camera flying into the mud.

sorry i might be being a little dramatic but im simply trying to point out to you that buying a 'cute foalie' take a lot more thought than just what it'll cost to keep each week.

you'll do what you want though whatever good advice you get so i shouldn't waste my time.

goodluck.

 

[*hic*]

I honestly don't!

It's not like I'm a novice (For some reason everyone thinks this? I guess it was a mistake using the word novice in a thread, it's the only thing people seem to remember about me)

Could be the photos posted, could be the questions asked, could be the comments made on other threads. There's nothing wrong with any of that and your enthusiasm is to be commended BUT when it comes to taking on a foal for your first solo project people are worried for both of you.

 

[vixiem]

i dont think you need a head for maths, you just need to do some research. write a list of everything your foal is going to need, go to your tackshop and write down the prices, then head home and grab your calculator. and then add a bit!! coz its always more than what u budget for!!
also the point about the car!! have u got one ? and definatly put your petrol in your budget its expensive stuff!!
im 21 and have a full time job and spoilt as i am my parents still help out with the cost of my horse because they are lovely, id struggle with out them to pay for her and my car and my phone and everything else that seems to eat up my wages lol!

 

[galaxy]

Try not to take offence that people are trying to put you off having a foal.... They are meaning well.

People (myself included) have read you previous posts, and watched your videos, have heard you say this is your 1st horse and that is why they are concerned. No you are not a total novice, but you do come on asking for advise with things that people may think an "experienced enough to bring up a foal" person would possibily not ask? You are not wrong to ask questions/for help, that is what forums are for, but do you see what I'm trying to say?

Buying a foal if you have never had a horse before is ALWAYS going to ring alarm bells in peoples ears. A lot of people ride in RS, get shares etc and still feel horribly out of their depth with an established horse when they get it home.

That is why people are so concerned.

 

[Shantara]

Oops! That was all my answer talked about Okay well price wise foals are much cheaper to look after than horses AT HOME! At livery your costs will be similar unless you are buying your own hay in which case foals eat significantly less than mature horses although once they get to around 2 years old they are close on eating the same as an adult horse. Worming is slightly less as you use slightly less (no great savings there though). Feeding will be less. Farrier will do trims rather than fit shoes so cheaper. Some farriers will do cheaper trims for foals. You need to be aware that foals outgrow everything! So although you may have to buy rugs and headcollars obviously the foal will grow out of these things so only bank on them fitting for a short period of time and then replace.

It was at everyone who was taking the thread in the wrong direction really I always seem to have to explain myself over and over! The thread title says "How much is a foal" not "Help, I'm totally inexperienced and am going to buy a baby!"

Thanks ^^ This is the kind of info I was asking for Very helpful!

 

[galaxy]

I honestly don't want a schoolmaster. If I did, I may as well just stick to the RS horses.

The difference between a "RS horse" and a "proper" horse, esp a schoolmaster is enormous. RS are worth their weight in gold, don't get me wrong, but a nice non RS horse that you can develop and compete on is a completely different kettle of fish.

Have you always ridden in connection with your RS? Have you ridden many horses kept in totally private homes?

 

[Echo Bravo]

And I do know as bred 3 of my own(died years ago) and bought a 6 month old colt begining of Sept and he'd never been touched in his short life it's one step forward and 3 steps back at the moment, took nearly 2 weeks to get headcollar on (foalslips too small) and he's now roughly 12hh and starting to push the boundries a little, you have to know when they really are starting to be pushy or just trying it on and a good routine helps alot, I still say go for a schoolmaster.

 

[Shantara]

Try not to take offence that people are trying to put you off having a foal.... They are meaning well.

People (myself included) have read you previous posts, and watched your videos, have heard you say this is your 1st horse and that is why they are concerned. No you are not a total novice, but you do come on asking for advise with things that people may think an "experienced enough to bring up a foal" person would possibily not ask? You are not wrong to ask questions/for help, that is what forums are for, but do you see what I'm trying to say?

Buying a foal if you have never had a horse before is ALWAYS going to ring alarm bells in peoples ears. A lot of people ride in RS, get shares etc and still feel horribly out of their depth with an established horse when they get it home.

That is why people are so concerned.

Thank you yea, I totally understand what you're saying My RS isn't like most, where you get on, ride, get off. I practically have to look after Ned like he's my own when I go up. That's why I'm asking about costs. I don't pay for his feed, or his worming or shoes, but I do the work.

There's another girl there who is 12 and she got her own foal, when she once arrived at the stables and found her horse had given birth! It must have been pregnant when she got her. She's only 12 and had previously had no experience with horse care. My YO wouldn't let her put a foot wrong with this horse and takes genuine interest. If I did anything wrong with the foal, I'd get told. Loudly.

It's a very helpful yard and I would in no way be alone.

 

[lula]

I honestly don't!

It's not like I'm a novice (For some reason everyone thinks this? I guess it was a mistake using the word novice in a thread, it's the only thing people seem to remember about me)

annie, you described yourself as a novice on the thread you posted asking for advise the time you were too nervous to ride alone in the school.
if people remember that you cant blame them as they were your own words. No one is taking it upon themselves to judge your abilities but from your own posts you do sound like a nervous rider, hence the school master suggestion. Forgive me if im wrong tho.

 

[ATrueClassAct]

How old are you?
Seriously, I could afford a foal on my wage too, had probably more experience than you. (Our yard has two babies currently being raised) it's ********** hard! Presuming your 17? What about Uni, a proper job?
Sorry people like this really irk me.

 

[Shantara]

The difference between a "RS horse" and a "proper" horse, esp a schoolmaster is enormous. RS are worth their weight in gold, don't get me wrong, but a nice non RS horse that you can develop and compete on is a completely different kettle of fish.

Have you always ridden in connection with your RS? Have you ridden many horses kept in totally private homes?

I used to ride on a similar yard as a kid, I'd do everything and not just be thrown on some random horse and told to walk in a circle.
I've ridden so many horses I don't think I could keep count! (I did actually try, I think I got to 80+, I just take a special interest in Ned) This includes, RS horses, private horses, friends horses, ex racers, youngsters, ponies and various others!

 

[lula]

Try not to take offence that people are trying to put you off having a foal.... They are meaning well.

People (myself included) have read you previous posts, and watched your videos, have heard you say this is your 1st horse and that is why they are concerned. No you are not a total novice, but you do come on asking for advise with things that people may think an "experienced enough to bring up a foal" person would possibily not ask? You are not wrong to ask questions/for help, that is what forums are for, but do you see what I'm trying to say?

Buying a foal if you have never had a horse before is ALWAYS going to ring alarm bells in peoples ears. A lot of people ride in RS, get shares etc and still feel horribly out of their depth with an established horse when they get it home.

That is why people are so concerned.

i wish i could say whats on my mind as beautifully and articulately as this. i just come across as grumpy!

 

[*hic*]

The difference between a "RS horse" and a "proper" horse, esp a schoolmaster is enormous. RS are worth their weight in gold, don't get me wrong, but a nice non RS horse that you can develop and compete on is a completely different kettle of fish.

Have you always ridden in connection with your RS? Have you ridden many horses kept in totally private homes?

This is a very very good point for you to think about and try to find out about.

At the moment I have a very experienced friend riding my supersafe schoolmistress big mare. My friend has been riding for 25 years, she's got some really smart dressage experience, has SJed and XCed and is a very nice rider. She's also rarely ridden a "private" horse and is finding my girl quite a challenge just in the way she differs from the RS horses she's always ridden, even though you could stick a novice on my girl and she would look after them.

I honestly think that buying something that knows a bit but needs you to refine its education, teach it a bit more about life etc would be really rewarding and would mean you were riding much earlier than with a foal. I wonder whether an ex-racer might not be just the thing for you and give you a huge buzz. Not all of them are high maintenance bonkers things, I have a nice girl that I didn't pay a huge amount for who is a good doer and is very sensible. That would satisfy your rescuing urges too -so many of these horses need to find nice homes when they come out of racing.

 

[JFTDWS]

Annielusian, you ask why people think you are more inexperienced than you think you are. I think I can answer that. You sound novicey and you sound immature in the way that you post. You don't tend to post informative posts, you post bubblegum comments about horses being cute. You've posted videos of you riding Ned, which aren't awful, but don't demonstrate any obvious skill. You say you want a foal because theyr'e cute and you want nice photos of it growing up - and that rings alarm bells for a lot of people.

I'm sorry, this sounds like a character assassination, but you did ask - and I remember you asking on a previous thread. "Would some power the giftie gie us / to see ourselves as ithers see us" (spelling may be off - my old Scots is rubbish) as it very much were.

My second horse was a youngster - not a foal, but unbroken - I had experience of reschooling and breaking and I was (or seemed) a heck of a lot more confident that you. I didn't have much back up though. I am not going to lie - my horse has turned out great and I love him to pieces, but over the last few years I have doubted we'd get here. He's scared the hell out of me, he's ditched me on the floor, I've made mistakes and he's forgiven me - because I wasn't daft enough to buy a standardbred, amongst other things.

I've seen many young horses ruined by people doing what I did and what you plan to do - and I was bloody lucky mine wasn't one of them. There is no need for you to take that sort of gamble with a horse's future, and with your own safety. I can't stop you from doing it, but I can recommend against it. And that is why I am not answering your original question - it's not an omission.

I apologise if this seems harsh. I did consider pm-ing you, but that would be cowardly I think?

And I'm aware I don't speak for everyone on here - other posters may think this is a grand idea, or that I've gone mad

 

[Shantara]

Lula: I was just nervous because there wouldn't have been a soul around, not even on the end of the phone (Would have taken 45mins+ to get to me) apart from 999. I didn't /have/ to ride that day either. If Ned was mine, I would have got on and done it.

thereaper: I'm 21 and didn't go to Uni It's just another job in retail, but much better hours and pay and it is a 'proper' job

 

[galaxy]

I used to ride on a similar yard as a kid, I'd do everything and not just be thrown on some random horse and told to walk in a circle.
I've ridden so many horses I don't think I could keep count! (I did actually try, I think I got to 80+, I just take a special interest in Ned) This includes, RS horses, private horses, friends horses, ex racers, youngsters, ponies and various others!

but then you'll appreciate the difference between a "RS" horse and a "proper" horse? And you'll see why there is most definitly a very good reason for getting one?


I'm sure you'll have great fun taking photos of your new horse and the progress you will make together

 

[Meowy Catkin]

I honestly think that buying something that knows a bit but needs you to refine its education, teach it a bit more about life etc would be really rewarding and would mean you were riding much earlier than with a foal. I wonder whether an ex-racer might not be just the thing for you and give you a huge buzz. Not all of them are high maintenance bonkers things, I have a nice girl that I didn't pay a huge amount for who is a good doer and is very sensible. That would satisfy your rescuing urges too -so many of these horses need to find nice homes when they come out of racing.

Brilliant idea.

Although she will still need the experianced support that is available to her.

 

[Shantara]

Gosh, it's hard to keep on top of all these comments XD I've had it drilled into me that double posting is evil! Haha


jemima_too: I was actually considering an ex racer, there's 2 at the yard and my friend has just acquired one. But I'm honestly not sure they're for me, it is still a possible option though.

JFTD: Everyone always picks up on the wrong parts of my posts! I like to post in a jokey manner and although I would like to take lots of pictures and I think they're cute and fluffy...that is NOT why I want one and I would never let that cloud my judgment of horse-buying.
My videos of Ned are all in the school, I'm not all that great at jumping and I know it shows in my videos! You should see us out hacking, that shows my true talent.
(Ps: I do often prefer PMs, easier to keep on top of!)

 

[Spring Feather]

Brilliant idea.

I also think it's a brilliant idea! A sensible ex-racer could be just what Annie needs.

Annielusian, I breed them so I see foals year in, year out and to give you the truthful rundown on them ... once the initial buzz has worn off for you I think you'll find foals quite dull really. Honestly they really are. Yes they're cute and they're fun to watch running around the fields and playing with other little foals but as to hands on stuff ... you'll be bored very soon I think.

 

[*hic*]

jemima_too: I was actually considering an ex racer, there's 2 at the yard and my friend has just acquired one. But I'm honestly not sure they're for me, it is still a possible option though.

THe thing is with an older horse you have a good chance of finding out whether they are for you before you buy. With a foal you get what it grows into, with a good dash of how it has responded to your handling, if at three it isn't what you want then you are stuck with it until it's broken and ridden away or face a huge loss on what it has cost you.

ALso although you think a foal will be cheaper that is true at the moment - but at the moment you are relatively well off. At 21 there's a strong chance that just at the time in a couple of years that you need to start pouring money into your foal for breaking kit, tack, lessons etc you will have met someone and be wanting to set up your own place which will make big holes in your income. With a more established horse you could at least get a sharer to help out with costs, or even sell. With a baby horse you are lumbered with paying out or selling.

 

[Shantara]

Spring Feather: Believe me Animal buzz never wears off with me! I've had my doggie for 10 years now and it's still like when I first got her, even if she's old, fat and snotty now.

Is there anything like an ex racer I could get, that isn't a TB? I don't have anything against them, but I don't think they're for me, really. Unless I could find another like Dancer, he was perfect! He could gallop and he would come back to you with a twitch of a finger. I rode him when I was 9 and honestly, I could have put younger kids on him. Sadly he died suddenly of a twisted gut

 

[rhino]

AL - I'm probably going to waffle a bit here, so feel free to ignore me

I was 18 when I bought my first horse. I hadn't been riding as long as you although was confidently riding all the RS school horses, jumping 2'9" plus courses sj and xc, competing at local shows on RS and livery horses etc. I had a youngster on 'free loan' from the RS - i.e. it came back from the breakers and had a bit of a bucking habit; no-one else would sit on it! I had also backed and brought on a young connemara stallion who had come to the yard unhandled and worked with another couple of youngsters.

So, I went horseshopping! Ideally wanted a 3/4 year old so young enough to 'make' but old enough to get on and work with from the start (wasn't as clued up to the importance of groundwork as I am now). First horse I went to see was NOT as advertised. Found the ginger beastie at a dealers, he was the best schooled horse I had ever sat on and what a jump! (he was 8)

From day 1 he was the easiest, most mannerly horse I have ever met. He didn't put a hoof out of place. But, do you know what, I still found it bloody difficult for quite a long time. It's very different when it is YOUR horse and YOUR responsibility at the end of the day. Yes, I had other issues at the time (had just lost my mum) but there were days when I was in tears at the yard wondering if I had done the right thing in buying him! What I am trying to say (I think, sometimes I even confuse myself) is that you can have just as good a relationship with an older horse, you can learn just as much Would your YO consider selling Ned, as you clearly have built a relationship with him already?

Good luck with whatever you choose, but I think people are giving some really good advice on here (except me probably )

Told you I was going to waffle

 

[lula]

Annielusian, you ask why people think you are more inexperienced than you think you are. I think I can answer that. You sound novicey and you sound immature in the way that you post. You don't tend to post informative posts, you post bubblegum comments about horses being cute. You've posted videos of you riding Ned, which aren't awful, but don't demonstrate any obvious skill. You say you want a foal because theyr'e cute and you want nice photos of it growing up - and that rings alarm bells for a lot of people.

I'm sorry, this sounds like a character assassination, but you did ask - and I remember you asking on a previous thread. "Would some power the giftie gie us / to see ourselves as ithers see us" (spelling may be off - my old Scots is rubbish) as it very much were.

My second horse was a youngster - not a foal, but unbroken - I had experience of reschooling and breaking and I was (or seemed) a heck of a lot more confident that you. I didn't have much back up though. I am not going to lie - my horse has turned out great and I love him to pieces, but over the last few years I have doubted we'd get here. He's scared the hell out of me, he's ditched me on the floor, I've made mistakes and he's forgiven me - because I wasn't daft enough to buy a standardbred, amongst other things.

I've seen many young horses ruined by people doing what I did and what you plan to do - and I was bloody lucky mine wasn't one of them. There is no need for you to take that sort of gamble with a horse's future, and with your own safety. I can't stop you from doing it, but I can recommend against it. And that is why I am not answering your original question - it's not an omission.

I apologise if this seems harsh. I did consider pm-ing you, but that would be cowardly I think?

And I'm aware I don't speak for everyone on here - other posters may think this is a grand idea, or that I've gone mad

i dont think you've gone mad i think you put that beautifully.

it almost sounds to me the way she put it; 'the 12 yr old girl at my yard has got her very own foal so i want one too'

i think annie sounds like a lovely girl but whatever very good advice (although unsolicited ) she gets on this thread i truly believe she's going to ignore all of it because as she says herself 'she's wanted a foal since she was 5'and she'll do what she wants so good luck to her, maybe it will work out perfectly, who knows.

life sure is a learning curve