Monthly average cost for a 16hh+ horse?

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Eleni A

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Ive been involved with horses for almost 8 years and I am hopefully getting my own horse in a couple of months. I have been at it for the last 6 maybe even 12 months trying to figure out the exact average monthly cost for a horse. Im struggling a lot because every time I do another average It just seems to keep going up in cost. Im hoping that I can get DIY or grass for cheaper than 200... where I live is absolutely ridiculous! Everything is just over the top expensive. If anyone can help me out with an average monthly cost for a horse under 10 thats about 16-17hh I would really appreciate it. :)

And if you can recommend me and good brands of bedding and hay! xx

Thanks!!
 
There are plenty of threads about how much it costs to keep a horse, I think you need to budget for 400-500/month and make sure you have a savings pot on top. If you want to have lessons, compete, you need to look at more, especially if you want your own transport.
Bedding is totally personal. I use Aubiose which is incredibly expensive per bale, but I put in a new bake every 7-10 days. When I was on shavings I would put in 2-3 bales a week.
Hay isn't branded, you find a good supplier and treat them well!
 
I have just found an a well draining one acre field with ropy fencing , a shelter and the use of an outdoor manege for £200.00 a month and am over the moon. It is going to cost me another £300.00 plus to electric fence it to keep my old boy safe as well. Keeping my unshod retired horse at grass cost me over £3000.00 last year. You would need to factor in insurance on top of that and any equipment purchases, lessons, transport costs and competition entries as well as the excess you would pay if the horse needed the vet for an expensive problem. Costs can vary widely according to region so may be higher or lower depending on where you are. Make a list of everything your horse is going to need by way of insurance, livery, forage, hard food, wormers, supplements, tack, rugs, immunisation, vet visits, shoeing, your journeys to and from the yard, then add the costs of what you plan to do with him and budget for anther thousand pounds a year to cover the pear-shaped days horses throw at us and you won't go far wrong. Have a glass of something strong at your elbow while doing it though!
 
That depends entirely on the horse. I have had horses that cost £300 a month and some that cost well over £1k a month.
I’m afraid that is a how long is a piece of string question.
Start with around £500 a month minimum and a decent pot of savings and go from there.
 
It depends on what you want to do.

My retired horse, kept at home, no insurance other then 3rd party, no vets bills other than vaccination and teeth, no shoes and I trimmed him myself, no hard feed just hay, still cost around £2,500.

He had 3 bedding a week as he didn't like to be out overnight, 4 or 5 bales of hay a week as he was in overnight and on all weather turnout in winter, still needed rugs, fly spray, brushes, hoof dressing, wormer, worm count.

Current riding horse costs the same but with the addition of £80 shoeing every 5 weeks, more when studs are in, insurance of around £700 a year, tack, physio as a routine twice a year...

But then you also add in transport (small box) and diesel. Just this week, to keep going in the rubbish whether, we have spent £100 on lessons/arena hire. We also have competition entry fees and affiliation fees. She is also on a small hard feed.

Those costs are, of course, without livery fees. Having said that, we have to add on fencing, weed killer, something to cut the grass, strimmer, arena maintenance, gravel for the driveway etc etc.

I did once add it up when I had a couple, but only one competing, it was over 12K. That did include the box costs and maintenance of the place.
 
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