How much would a foal cost, per month?

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I have 2 yearlings. its just cost me £58 to worm them both,double dose Strongid-P for taprorm too. Don t understimate the cost of a young horse.
 
The hardest thing about having a foal is time...you have to wait along time before you can ride it.
I buy foals and yearlings usually from people who have made mistakes and it hasn't worked out they planned.
You need a good 'nanny' usually an older calm pony who knows the ropes and get them to buddy up. So when you come to trimming,travelling or anything new there is a equine friend.
I always feed a stud balancer just because most of mine are native/ natives crosses and live on just haylage/hay and they are fed this once a day. They winter out 24/7 are handled only when they need something doing to them. I then leave them to 'cook' for 2 -3 years only taking out to go to the odd show or move fields for new grass.
When they are 'cooked' they are broken at 3-4 and go on to be competition ponies.
If you are really wanting one think about what it will do in 3 years time, not what you want it to do. As I have said I buy other peoples mistakes and slot the horse to the job.
Buy a native/native cross as they are hardier and cheaper to keep, and rember it costs as much to feed a good,un as a bad 'un and if its the choice between a smart one that sharpe, and an ugly one that placid always choose the quite one as that is the one that will sell. I have learned that if you buy one with a plain head it stays plain even if the rest of the body improves, and a pretty head looks so much better over the stable door.
So in short livery + D&H Sure grow £14.50, plus hay or haylage =, roughly £12- 15 a week plus all other x's, wormers, gelding £250-£350, vaccinations.
There are lots of people looking for homes for foals this winter and if you are not sure try loaning with a view to buy, so if doesn't work out it will have somewhere to go back to.
Good luck, and it can be very rewarding seeing how they turnout and develope.
 
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Annielusian said:
Goodness, bla bla bla bla. This forum really gets a kick out of saying things over and over.

I don't think "Don't get a foal" really needed 18 pages, now did it? Hm?

I saw someone had said I should ask my YO 'if she's so great' and I have done. She thinks I'd be fine and is more than willing to help and why not? She gets more money and gets to see me fulfill a dream. What I didn't want to do was text her or call her at 8pm to ask a silly question, I thought SOMEONE here might have been able to give me a sensible answer. You're all meant to be horse people, am I right?

You all jump to incredible conclusions, seriously! Youtube videos are the BEST way to judge someone's riding, we ALL know that, gosh!!
No, of course not. Before you judge me, come ride with me. Hell, come and ride Ned!

I know MOST of you are trying to be helpful, but some of you are just being rude, unhelpful and irritating.


Oh, but I forgot. Everyone's a keyboard expert.
I'm asking for this thread to be locked.
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I havent commented on this til now, but I am gonna have to say something! Maybe 18 pages of advising you not to get a foal is excessive, but doesnt it tell you something??
it does grate on me that people put a subject on an OPEN forum, that is open for discussion by everyone, but when you dont like what you hear, you want to close it!
If you have made your mind up and you are goning to go ahead and get a foal, and you feel that you are experienced enough to take one on, why are you here asking questions on how to do it?
 
my 10 yr old daughter just asked why i was :rolleyes: at this thread, just told her that someone wants a foal as a first horse and even she said it's not a great idea as if you don't know what you're doing you could end up teaching it all the wrong things! Wise words from a 10 yr old, shame the OP can't see sense too:(
 
Funny that, I just showed my 20 yo daughter a couple of previous posts and she suggested that the OP would do very well to get a nice older horse to enjoy and learn with. When I told her what this thread was about she was :eek:
 
Edgy. This annoys me. Simple answer don't ask a question on her, expect everyone to say "oh defiantly get a foal there so very cute", it won't happen. If you don't like what you hear don't ask.

Personally I think, including threads I have started I have always got really good advice.
 
Give the girl a break. I buy other peoples mistakes and do know what they have all been from women over the age of 40 who did things the 'right way', or they ran out of money.
They come home get turned out in a field and grown up to be nice animals, all you need is commen sense.
 
Oh for gods sake just go buy one.

Financial or other arguments are just going over your head, so why ask.

Just do what the rest of us have done in our time and make your own mistakes.

I'm sure the nice people on here will still be around to pick up the pieces if necessary
 
Annie, don't take all this too much to heart :-) I think that people genuinely want to help you. I agree with you that it's really not nice of people to criticize or make comments about where you live or work. In my humble opinion, if your working & earning an honest wage, then your doing well & as for living at home, your a lucky girl to have a family that you regard as friends, enjoy your time with them. In this day of global turmoil it's often a very sensible option for young people to stay at home, i've still got a son of 21 living at home & there's no shame to it :-)
Try & expand your horsey experience, make new friends & try lots of different things. It's great that you've got this passion for horses & art. If you ever want new subjects to photograph I've got some terrible 2 yr olds that might pose for you.
Good luck
 
I'm not buying one yet! I've got a whole YEAR before I'm even going to start looking. Which I've said lots of times now. Surely an entire year is enough time to gather savings, possibly get another job, maybe have some time on a stud etc?

I asked for rough estimates for price on here, because I thought I could get a quick, easy, simple answer. I did say on my first post, excluding vets bills and unexpected bills, just the basics.
 
I think that people are just trying to stop you from making a mistake, having seen/heard from experience how horribly wrong it could go. It is frustrating when someone won't listen to advice to stop them making the same mistakes that they did. Getting a foal is jumping in at the deep end to the extreme - of course it's your choice in then end, but people are just trying to help you see that there are other options, and also to show you exactly what you're getting in to.

On a more financial note, I earn about £350 a month (although part time), and live at home, and I can definitely say that even with £200 extra I would be very worried about getting a horse, let alone a foal, there are so many hidden/unexpected costs. And never underestimate just how much money petrol eats up, even with an economical car. Obviously this it just my humble opinion so make of it what you will.
 
Annielusian said:
I asked if I could have a horse on £550 (roughly) a month. Do I know any better? No.

I did NOT ask if I should get a foal or not.
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Do you have any idea how much insurance is for a new driver?

It can be up to £2,000 for the year. That's going to take one hell of a chunk out of your wages.

People aren't posting to be mean, but to try and help you understand, which because you aren't prepared to listen to them it means they are having to be more and more blunt.

I can see where people are coming from. Having seen your videos (and also got an idea about this 'wonderful' YO of yours) I really think you getting a foal will end in disaster :(
 
Annielusian said:
I asked if I could have a horse on £550 (roughly) a month. Do I know any better? No.

I did NOT ask if I should get a foal or not.
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Firstly, having a foal is like having a baby - NOONE can prepare you for the work, heartache and cost involved. Yes, it's worthwhile, but some horrendous mistakes can influence the finished article very badly.
Saying you don't want a 'bucker' is like saying you don't want your newborn to smoke/drink/steal..........you can try to influence the youngster and show it the right way, but ultimately you have no guarantees how it will turn out.
If you intend to 'rescue' (where from? How?) a foal, you will have absolutely even less influence, as you will have no knowledge of breeding etc. There are people on here who have bred foals with serious consideration to sire and dam, and STILL ended up with a stroppy teenager that pushes them to the limit, even with all their years of experience.
Secondly, if you had said you had £550 pounds a month, how many 'lines' would that buy you, you would be told that it was bad for you, unhealthy, not to mention illegal. Any one with an ounce of common sense/responsibility will tell someone else if they are about to make a bad mistake, and that is what is happening here. Unfortunately, you have set your mind on a potentially disastrous path and don't want to listen to older and much wiser people. :(
 
jelphick said:
Annie, don't take all this too much to heart :-) I think that people genuinely want to help you. I agree with you that it's really not nice of people to criticize or make comments about where you live or work. In my humble opinion, if your working & earning an honest wage, then your doing well & as for living at home, your a lucky girl to have a family that you regard as friends, enjoy your time with them. In this day of global turmoil it's often a very sensible option for young people to stay at home, i've still got a son of 21 living at home & there's no shame to it :-)
Try & expand your horsey experience, make new friends & try lots of different things. It's great that you've got this passion for horses & art. If you ever want new subjects to photograph I've got some terrible 2 yr olds that might pose for you.
Good luck
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Thank you so much! I was beginning to feel a bit like the guy from Psycho, living at home with my mum. She's been a better friend to me than all the people around here my own age :) I'd rather be with horses, my mum or just sitting drawing, than ever going out and drinking! I tried clubbing once...(I don't drink or smoke anyway) and it was the worst thing that my body has ever been through!

I'm always trying to expand my knowledge :) I always stalk these threads and buy books, ask my YO and stuff ^^

Hehe, I wish I could come and photograph your 2yr olds!
 
jelphick said:
Hi EstherYoung,
i'm sorry, didn't mean it to read that i was knocking connies, I LOVE them, we've got two & i think they are the most wonderful breed. Just wanted to point out that you can do PC level & EGB without having an Arab :-) I was so impressed with the sport, really think that everyone, especially children, should do some as it's all about getting the really important basic's of horse care & management right, & great fun as well. Very, very good luck to your friend :-)
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I know :) That was sort of what I was trying to get across too (obviously not very well but then this thread has got a bit tetchy....), but I also wanted to point out that connies can go a lot further than people think, and no, you absolutely don't need an arab ;)

Our friend has a lot of supporters and us Yorkshire lot are quite rowdy so if her and Flurrie have won the supreme again we will bring the house down. Roll on the AGM and fingers crossed :) :) :)
 
Annielucian, it's a shame that I've moved as I used to live a short drive from MK. I'd have loved some help with my horses from someone that is keen to learn about youngstock. It would be nice to be able to take both youngsters out together more often. Maybe you could move to Wales. :D
 
Oh! That is a shame D: That would have been perfect!!
Hehe, Wales wasn't good to me last time I was there :P But I'm sure if horses were involved, it would be better! (I had a bottle smashed on the door and was told 'us tourists should ******* off!') It was scary!
 
Please dont take your YOs advice! Please, please seek advice from other people in real life. I still have horsey friends in MK, would you like me to see if anyone needs any help? The set up on your current yard is NOT suitable for a foal.

I'm not getting into it on a public forum, but I know this as I had my mare there for a very, very short period of time. The yard doesnt have a very good reputation, and thats for a reason! It isnt normal for youngsters to get to the point they go over backwards! I'm pretty sure if any pressure was put on any of mine they would flip to that point. Any sensible person doesnt let it get to that stage :(
 
I'll PM you now bugbee :)

Dexter, he wasn't trying to go over, he got excited and slipped. Who was your mare? I've been there for years, I probably know her. PM me if you want.
 
Esther Young, I am positively drooling over Wolf. He is utterly fabulous. Thank goodness he's not for sale or you'd have me knocking on your door by now!

Annie, the offer of going to play with some youngsters is very generous and would be a sensible move. I only have on yearling (for now :p) and a couple of mature horses and am probably a bit far away (Essex) or you'd be welcome to come down here.

I'm certainly not going to criticise you for living at home either - I live with my mother, because I, like you, regard my mother as my friend. It also means she will benefit from my slightly higher salary when we move next year - a small repayment for my rent free childhood :D

If you do get a realy baby (and I remain unconvinced that this is a good idea) I would recommend very strongly that you get an independent second opinion and you seek training / instruction / help from outside your yard as well as your YO. I don't know whether they're going to be useful or not, but I know there are many ways to skin a cat and the more options you have up your sleeve, the less chance you have of screwing up big time. Or in other words, take advice wherever you can get it and weigh up how good it is before choosing how you tackle each problem...


eta - horses don't try to go up and over - they overbalance or slip because they're panicking, and I think that is what Dexter has a problem with.
 
Just got your pm I am on my phone at the mo and can't pm from it, if u are on Facebook I am on there Mellissa startin you can have a look at them all, the kids are on the laptop at the mo once they are off I will message you
 
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