Planning on getting my first horse next year!

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StephanieAnn

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I am 17, have been riding since I was 12 and have 1 year of college remaining before I will hopefully be getting a job on a yard. I have seriously been considering loaning one of the ponies from the riding school I already help out at but after careful consideration I have decided instead to save up the £200 a month I would be spending on that and put it towards my fund for a horse of my own.

I know horses aren't cheap but I really feel that I am ready for getting one of my own, I will be keeping it at the riding school I should be getting a job at when I leave college. I have £2000 already saved and am looking at buying a nice little welsh pony, around 13.2hh (I am only 5'0 and 7 stones so do you think I would be ok riding such a small pony?) I really love the look of little grey welsh section A's but no doubt I would look ridiculous on something of 11.2hh, not to mention squishing the poor thing's back lol :P

DIY livery at the RS is around £150 a month, I know I will have to pay for feed, shavings, rugs, vets bills etc. I was wondering what other things I should account for? Generally are welsh ponies good doers, can they go barefoot and what about living out?

Sorry this is such a rambled post but I am just so excited, even if it is a year away! Been wanting a pony since I was 2 lol.
 
Ponies, like people are individuals. Generally speaking Welsh breeds are good doers, but there are always exceptions to the rule!

I would suggest you do lots of reading and try to get as much hands on experience with horses between now and getting your own, as you still sound quite novicey. Thats not a criticism, just an observation.
 
Oh I know that excitement! I was planning on getting my first horse in a year but have had my boy two weeks now - whoops! Don't know much about welshies but the ones at my old finding school and the ones on my livery yard just live on grass. I know one gets a handful of chaff too, not sure why though. Don't forget wormers, saddlers, all your start up equipment. I've just spent £1000 on the saddle when I was only planning for £500. It all adds up! It's totally worth it though! X
 
You seem to have a good plan:)
A 13.2 would be fine for you but look around at different types so that you are not just looking at Welsh ponies ,you may miss trying the "perfect" one.
Make a list of what you need it to do ie. be good on roads/easy to catch etc.And have it when you make phone calls so that you ask the right questions and dont get too carried away with excitment:D
You should budget for all you have listed plus insurance/ lessons/a trip out to a local show and the smart outfit you may need.
If it has good feet barefoot will be fine [something on your list] and all native types should be able to live out so could reduce costs.
Keep saving £2000 should get you a really nice pony:)
 
I've been helping out at the RS for quite a while now. Have done a lot and now know how to tack up, rug up, groom, muck out, skip out, poo pick, ragwort pick, how to prepare various feeds, bath a horse, catch a horse, lead them in lead rein lessons, trot up, help with hacks, turn out, clean tack etc. So am not a complete novice, though like anyone there is always a lot more to learn. :)
 
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