More price rises!

[tallyho!]

against that owners are demanding more and more. They require an indoor with lights so they can ride in the evening, they require an outdoor, jumps, solarium, hot water showers that need electricity as do the lights.They need a parking area for their horse box/trailer, post and rail fencing, single turnout paddocks. All these things cost money, not only the capital costs but the maintenance as well which is continually increasing as material costs and labour costs increase. .
There is what the horse requires to live ie preferably turnout, feed and hay and then what the owner requires ie facilities. At the end of this the owner still needs to make a profit otherwise it would be pointless running their business and if that is their means of living then they need to make more to cope with their own increasing COL.

Yes, I appreciate that, too.

 

[ycbm]

The prices of GOOD horses always stays strong - but the lower end of the market and youngsters tends to bottom out in recessions.

I'm not so sure. In the last horse price downturn I bought a four year old with top breeding who was advertised at £15k which was the going rate for a horse of his calibre. I paid £10k because the dealer needed to pay his mortgage and couldn't without my money.

I think there will be more of that happening with horses already in stock at dealers and private sellers desperate to get rid of livery fees so they can heat a big house.

I've said it elsewhere but I think it bears repeating. I am paying full livery out of what we are not spending on heating a big old farmhouse, and have plenty of change.
.

 

[southerncomfort]

I'm not so sure. In the last horse price downturn I bought a four year old with top breeding who was advertised at £15k which was the going rate for a horse of his calibre. I paid £10k because the dealer needed to pay his mortgage and couldn't without my money.































I think there will be more of that happening with horses already in stock at dealers and private sellers desperate to get rid of livery fees so they can heat a big house.































I've said it elsewhere but I think it bears repeating. I am paying full livery out of what we are not spending on heating a big old farmhoe, and have plenty of change.



.

We live in a very old stone built farm house and its an absolute nightmare to heat. It's also damp and their is always a very long list of maintenance jobs needed (currently saving up the several thousand pounds needed to replace the exterior render at the back and suspect the roof will need work this year).

Never again! It's a beautiful looking building but an absolute millstone around our necks.

 

[Alibear]

My full (ish) livery has gone up y £140 per month + I now have to provide hard feed which has also gone up significantly and is now £85 per 40 days. Thankfully the retiree, broodmare and youngstock livery haven't gone up yet. I'm sure they will, and then I will have to try and find a home for the broodmare and sell the youngster. I got a good promotion last year which was supposed to cover the youngstock livery but with the general household price rises that didn't pan out.

 

[lannerch]

That yard sounds like heaven can I move there please?! ?

My yard has all that , been there for years and no I am not moving in a hurry and no there are no vacancies ?

 

[Bobthecob15]

My yard has all that , been there for years and no I am not moving in a hurry and no there are no vacancies ?

Don't blame you! Nothing like that near us sadly x

 

[ecb89]

There is an issue now in 'my patch'. A v decent livery yard has given all 30 liveries notice to go as they are closing. Its actually one that I've recommended to others, 3miles from my yard by road.
Had 2 callers at my yard yesterday, goodness knows how many others driving around too.
The yard has only had 3 owners since the early 70s. Current ones have been there for 20 years.

I really feel for the liveries trying to find new digs at this time of the year.

Is this in Essex? I’ve seen so many posts in the last week or so on local FB sites about a closing yard and people struggling to find stables with vacancies

 

[Keith_Beef]

My friend is a delivery driver/courier and she was saying even back in November that the volume of items she had to deliver was way higher than normal........ all had to be purchased.

If people expect high inflation, they might decide to buy now what they had planned to buy in a few months' time.

 

[The Xmas Furry]

Is this in Essex? I’ve seen so many posts in the last week or so on local FB sites about a closing yard and people struggling to find stables with vacancies

No, its NW Surrey, in Chobham.
The one local good riding school in that village is also now closing too.

 

[tristar]

If people expect high inflation, they might decide to buy now what they had planned to buy in a few months' time.

true raw material costs are rising, bit could be driven by consumer demand, if that goes prices may fall.

i have just bought a project property, the insulation on the last job was around 30 a sheet, now its 50 a sheet, so looking to buy some fairly quickly

 

[Barton Bounty]

Children are not that expensive. Yes it is expensive at xmas and birthdays and such but most mothers or parents tend to sacrifice themselves to give more to the children. I worked two jobs while they were small but that is because I still want to have my luxury ?

 

[ecb89]

Children are not that expensive. Yes it is expensive at xmas and birthdays and suck but most mothers or parents tend to sacrifice themselves to give more to the children. I worked two jobs while they were small but that is because I still want to have my luxury ?

Childcare is expensive. If you cannot move from two salaries to one then your child has to go into childcare which can cost hundreds if not thousands a month

 

[Barton Bounty]

Childcare is expensive. If you cannot move from two salaries to one then your child has to go into childcare which can cost hundreds if not thousands a month

Both of us worked and I had a childminder, unfortunately we didnt have parents that could look after them , we managed fine ?

 

[I don’t like mondays]

I really thought this winter I’d see loads of horses/ponies for sale or loan due to the cost of living (and hay prices alone). I’ve started looking and there are less for sale than when I’ve previously looked in spring/summer :-( prices round here are still higher than ever

 

[SO1]

Agree there is not much around at all it is mainly youngsters.

I really thought this winter I’d see loads of horses/ponies for sale or loan due to the cost of living (and hay prices alone). I’ve started looking and there are less for sale than when I’ve previously looked in spring/summer :-( prices round here are still higher than ever

 

[gallopingby]

I have two ponies for sale, one sold last year but came back as the owner discovered they just couldn’t cope with worrying about looking after a horse, he was pleased to be back! The other is genuinely outgrown. Lots of time wasters asking for photos and sending text messages but no one seems able to view unless they live next door, although no one has turned up to meet either of them. I have turned down a few people who didn‘t seem to have the experience or facilities to look after them and l won’t sell unseen so they’re not currently on the market. The amount of time wasted talking to people is unbelievable. I bought a bigger replacement for the outgrown pony in the summer, couple of long phone calls, photos sent, 5 stage vetting and transport arranged all within a couple of weeks. Not prepared to drop my prices which are realistic and l suspect a lot of people are in a similar situation, others maybe think if they send a text they’ll get a reply saying they can have the horse for peanuts. It’s really difficult to find an older established horse, l was lucky with the bigger one but it still took me a good six months to find and previously had one turn up who despite a vetting was lame on arrival!

 

[Snow Falcon]

We've started to look around for the best feed prices, I've been picking up any extra hrs at work and also anything else casual my friend throws my way. Husband packed in his job last September and things are really strained. I'm being prudent about spending money and only buy essential items that are needed not wanted.

I really don't want to have to sell my ponies but if things get any worse I may have to do it, but having lost my beloved girl last year it would break my heart.

 

[meleeka]

Nephew is under 2. It's not really optional unless one of the parents wants to quit work, and even once he's two the free nursery hours only cover enough hours to work part time. So you have to consider the impact this will have on your career development and future earnings.

There’s plenty of people who can’t afford to work when they have children. They simply don’t earn enough to cover nursery fees. I was in that position 25 years ago. I could either give up work to look after my children, or economise elsewhere to pay for childcare. That would have meant giving up my two ponies, kept cheaply at home. I didn’t see any benefit in working to end up with less money, so my career went on hold. I don’t think many people would take on a horse without knowing they could afford it, but having children isn’t always as well thought out ?

 

[Bobthecob15]

I have two ponies for sale, one sold last year but came back as the owner discovered they just couldn’t cope with worrying about looking after a horse, he was pleased to be back! The other is genuinely outgrown. Lots of time wasters asking for photos and sending text messages but no one seems able to view unless they live next door, although no one has turned up to meet either of them. I have turned down a few people who didn‘t seem to have the experience or facilities to look after them and l won’t sell unseen so they’re not currently on the market. The amount of time wasted talking to people is unbelievable. I bought a bigger replacement for the outgrown pony in the summer, couple of long phone calls, photos sent, 5 stage vetting and transport arranged all within a couple of weeks. Not prepared to drop my prices which are realistic and l suspect a lot of people are in a similar situation, others maybe think if they send a text they’ll get a reply saying they can have the horse for peanuts. It’s really difficult to find an older established horse, l was lucky with the bigger one but it still took me a good six months to find and previously had one turn up who despite a vetting was lame on arrival!

That's mad, when we were looking for our daughters pony we travelled the length of the UK ? good ponies are very rare! We ended up with a smasher 4hrs away from us. I don't understand why people aren't prepared to travel...although a lot of sellers are not very honest about their ponies so can understand people don't want to waste their time and fuel travelling. But there is such a thing as manners and being genuine and I think it's ridiculous people only text these days and don't speak to owners on the phone...Im old school though!

 

[Kunoichi73]

As a RS rider, with so many schools closing, part of me worries that at some point I won't be able to continue my hobby. If that happened, I'd probably look more seriously at a share. I could just about stretch to my own horse, but it would mean sacrificing holidays and other luxuries and I don't think I'm prepared to do that.

 

[onemoretime]

I also agree with you there, I don’t want my mum thinking ‘I need to leave my daughter something’ Id rather she had a great time with the money now ?

What this year has taught me is that life is cruel sometimes. My friend son who was 15 at the time, got cancer! Cancer at 15 , they were distraught! They buried him 4 weeks ago! He was 17 years old ?. Her mum passed away last week! I honestly can’t grasp it.
Life is utterly terrifying and I don’t blame people for spending what they have now ?

What a horrible situation for your friend, Im so very sorry.

 

[marmalade76]

That's mad, when we were looking for our daughters pony we travelled the length of the UK ? good ponies are very rare! We ended up with a smasher 4hrs away from us. I don't understand why people aren't prepared to travel...although a lot of sellers are not very honest about their ponies so can understand people don't want to waste their time and fuel travelling. But there is such a thing as manners and being genuine and I think it's ridiculous people only text these days and don't speak to owners on the phone...Im old school though!

I'm not prepared to travel far, I rarely leave the county and am just not a good traveller. Latest pony was 2 hrs/100 miles away, wouldn't consider going further, might limit my choice but hey ho.

 

[Barton Bounty]

What a horrible situation for your friend, Im so very sorry.

Thank you

 

[Chianti]

against that owners are demanding more and more. They require an indoor with lights so they can ride in the evening, they require an outdoor, jumps, solarium, hot water showers that need electricity as do the lights.They need a parking area for their horse box/trailer, post and rail fencing, single turnout paddocks. All these things cost money, not only the capital costs but the maintenance as well which is continually increasing as material costs and labour costs increase. .
There is what the horse requires to live ie preferably turnout, feed and hay and then what the owner requires ie facilities. At the end of this the owner still needs to make a profit otherwise it would be pointless running their business and if that is their means of living then they need to make more to cope with their own increasing COL.

I don't want any of those things- to me they are unimportant. My list is far more basic. I want a yard owner who listens to what I'm telling him/her when I go to view their yard and is honest and says 'Sorry - I can't meet those needs', rather then saying they can and then forgetting all about our conversations/ agreements when said pony turns up. I want a yard that doesn't try to put my fat little pony in a paddock with lots of lovely green grass and when I voice concerns tell me, 'Don't worry - they'll soon eat it all down'. I want a yard where they don't put mouldy hay in the feed and then get hissy when I take it out. I want a yard where if I'm paying for a service it actually happens. I just want a yard where the staff are experienced enough to notice if said pony is ill/injured in the field and I don't have 16 year olds telling me what I'm doing wrong with my pony. I want a yard that listens to me as an owner, who is paying for a service, and doesn't tell me I'm fussing and mollycoddling my pony when I'm concerned about him. I've done livery for thirty plus years and looking back was probably happiest on the first yard which was unassisted DIY and where we never saw the land owner.

 

[Barton Bounty]

I don't want any of those things- to me they are unimportant. My list is far more basic. I want a yard owner who listens to what I'm telling him/her when I go to view their yard and is honest and says 'Sorry - I can't meet those needs', rather then saying they can and then forgetting all about our conversations/ agreements when said pony turns up. I want a yard that doesn't try to put my fat little pony in a paddock with lots of lovely green grass and when I voice concerns tell me, 'Don't worry - they'll soon eat it all down'. I want a yard where they don't put mouldy hay in the feed and then get hissy when I take it out. I want a yard where if I'm paying for a service it actually happens. I just want a yard where the staff are experienced enough to notice if said pony is ill/injured in the field and I don't have 16 year olds telling me what I'm doing wrong with my pony. I want a yard that listens to me as an owner, who is paying for a service, and doesn't tell me I'm fussing and mollycoddling my pony when I'm concerned about him. I've done livery for thirty plus years and looking back was probably happiest on the first yard which was unassisted DIY and where we never saw the land owner.

There are a few decent yards in my area, probably too far for me for driving sakes etc. the yard I left was a great yard and the only reason I left was because the YO was retiring and it was being taken over by a ??‍ who micromanages her staff and wanted to do the same to all the liveries. I think she has 16 liveries left out of 50 ?and they are only there as there is no space anywhere now! so hows that working out for her! She is not liked at all in the horsey world. The yard itself is owned by turnberry hotel who have no clue. They increased the livery immediately and are increasing it again now they have put a new school in. They want to tell you what to wear, when you can ride, what time you are allowed to be at the yard. Ridiculous situation for people

 

[teapot]

As a RS rider, with so many schools closing, part of me worries that at some point I won't be able to continue my hobby. If that happened, I'd probably look more seriously at a share. I could just about stretch to my own horse, but it would mean sacrificing holidays and other luxuries and I don't think I'm prepared to do that.

Or it becomes too expensive - 2023 price where I ride is £96.75 for 45 minutes which means only those with a spare £400 a month would be able to ride weekly

 

[paddy555]

That's mad, when we were looking for our daughters pony we travelled the length of the UK ? good ponies are very rare! We ended up with a smasher 4hrs away from us. I don't understand why people aren't prepared to travel...although a lot of sellers are not very honest about their ponies so can understand people don't want to waste their time and fuel travelling. But there is such a thing as manners and being genuine and I think it's ridiculous people only text these days and don't speak to owners on the phone...Im old school though!

travelling is not always that easy.
I'm one who is not able (not not prepared) to travel.
I haven't had this problem with horses but I had when I wanted my last puppy.
Breeders wanted to meet everyone in the household and wouldn't sell without. Not unreasonable but not always easy to do.

It was difficult to explain that someone has to be at home as we have 8 horses and no way can I travel far, I have to get back for the horses. I am not going to compromise their welfare. As with anyone with that number of horses some had medical problems.
So some people may have ties and find travelling the length of the UK difficult.

 

[paddy555]

Or it becomes too expensive - 2023 price where I ride is £96.75 for 45 minutes which means only those with a spare £400 a month would be able to ride weekly

gulp

 

[meleeka]

Or it becomes too expensive - 2023 price where I ride is £96.75 for 45 minutes which means only those with a spare £400 a month would be able to ride weekly

? Gosh that’s a lot of money!

 

[teapot]

gulp

? Gosh that’s a lot of money!

That's the membership price too... over £100 if you're not a member Should say that's with a senior coach, but wouldn't necessarily guarantee you an advanced horse.