Sensible budget for a first horse

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merlin84

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Hi all

Just wanted some advice really on a sensible budget for a first horse. Am currently sharing an ISH to learn to care for my own horse and about costings- I see this continuing for the foreseeable future (much to learn!) but am also coming up against the predictable issues of things not being the way I would have them in an ideal world e.g. the livery situation the owner has, so would like to plan ahead for the day I could have my own!

I am a novice rider -w/t/c/jump (only max 70cm) in school and w/t/c/g hacking but only on riding school type horses (inc TB/Arab/WB though) and I know I have so so much to improve re:seat, position etc (still having lessons which I have been having for about 3 yrs since having a baby and a couple of years before that time, some as a teen).

What sort of budget would work for a horse that could teach me more refinement, schoolmaster type I suppose, but that I could progress with over the years and wouldn’t be too sharp - conscious of over-horsing myself in the early days! Obviously I would keep having lessons and have a great instructor who would help actually find a horse but I know a lot of people come unstuck by setting unrealistic budgets so would like a target to aim for.

Thank you from a 30-something who is still pony-mad!
 
If only everyone was as sensible as you in recognising what you actually need and giving it serious thought. A suitable schoolmaster will be a fair amount of money if in the prime age range. £3.500 plus

If you can find an older horse mid/late teens the price will be less but you need to factor in health issues. Take a really experienced person with you who has a lot of buying experience. Good luck with your search.
 
Thanks AdorableAlice - have enjoyed reading your thread so appreciate you giving me some advice!

This is the closest I’ve been to having my own horse in 25 years of longing so determined to not mess it up! That sounds sensible-was thinking up to £5000
 
This might sound scary but I assumed up to £5k for the horse then i needed to have a similar amount for first day expenses (This won't be as bad for you if you already share) such as getting, transport (bringing him home, not buying a lorry), insurance, first month livery, tack, lessons to get us started off together, dentist check, saddle fitter, farrier, stable stuff (haynets, feed bowls, water buckets, grooming stuff, first aid kit - all the little things that add up to a lot), first load of shavings for stable....There really are endless start up costs and I didn't want to have to worry about not having the money. You can do it cheaper, borrow equipment, buy second hand where you can, spread expenses out with credit cards and direct debit etc.

I know I've made that sound scary but please don't think that once you've saved the price of the horse you have enough to go ahead. Think about everything you'll need to pay for in the first month.
 
merlin84 said:
Thanks AdorableAlice - have enjoyed reading your thread so appreciate you giving me some advice!

This is the closest I’ve been to having my own horse in 25 years of longing so determined to not mess it up! That sounds sensible-was thinking up to £5000
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Very welcome, I wouldn't be surprised to see plenty of horses come to the market in the autumn, we had a hard winter followed by a difficult summer which is ongoing and many people will be struggling with lack of grazing before long.
 
As one who looked for a long long 18 months to find anything remotely suitable........ and several failed vettings of horses I'd totally fallen in love with, I looked at one helluva lot of horses and was told a lot of lies!

For what OP wants, its like finding hens teeth TBH; these horses - if they come onto the market at all - command good prices, and will always hold their value, IF they ARE indeed what it "says on the tin".

This is the sort of horse that everyone wants, and the price reflects that!

For a good all-rounder, good to do in all ways, nice manners, reasonably schooled and produced, and with the all-important caveat that it will carry a novice-going-on-improver (no offence intended OP) - I'd personally set aside at least £3000 and be prepared to pay anything from that upwards TBH.

You may consider an ex-riding school horse which on the face of it might seem like a good option, BUT IME these horses, once they're taken out of that fixed routine and the regular work involved, can quickly become unmanageable. I've seen it happen, a friend of mine does a lot of remedial work, and she'd say the same. But that doesn't mean to say that your ideal horse might not come from a riding school! This is just my experience.......

Of course you may also consider a loan; particularly so as your riding ability - and ability to cope with perhaps a sharper horse - is going to change in the next few years, and the steady plod-type that you might want now, might not be your ideal mount in maybe a year or two when you're more confident and doing more. However....... loans are complicated - very! - you only have to browse on this forum for a bit to see just how complicated things can get! - but it is one option which might be worth your considering, perhaps there will be someone with a nice horse that for any amount of reasons they can't keep anymore, and which they'd like to keep local....... but do take into account all the issues you'd take if you were buying - because if you take on a loan you will be responsible for things like vet bills, and you basically don't want to take on either a crock OR something that has behavioural issues and the owner is offering it up for loan simply because of this.

Don't even bother looking at the "bargain basement" i.e. less than £2500 coz there's bound to be either a temperament OR vetting issue with it, or both. If buying anything for this sort of money I'd always, without exception, ask for a vetting. It is worth that extra IMO to be as sure as you can be that there's nothing nasty going on.

IF such a thing as an honest dealer with a good reputation exists in OP's area, she could do worse than put herself in their hands; but as I say it is a big "IF". I would advise she takes her instructor and/or a cool-headed friend along if viewing a horse - which is a total nightmare at the best of times and it is always good to have another person who can see what you might well miss, and/or prevent a rash decision being made!

Good luck OP; just remember the A B C of horse-buying:

A - Accept nothing

B - Believe nothing

C - Check everything

Oh, and never EVER ever get on something without seeing it ridden first. No matter what the excuse given (and you'll be given plenty believe me!).
 
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I would be looking at between 3k and 6k although you do get very classy school masters selling for a lot more .
I sold one ten years or so ago for 10k .
 
I guess it depends on what exactly you want! I agree with the others, to get a schoolmaster in the 'good' age range you're looking at probably 5k.

I went a bit against the grain for my first horse. He cost me around 2.5k with tack. I had been looking at younger horses but found nothing suitable, J was 14 when I bought him so therefore a bit cheaper. Had him 3 years now and only this year has he shown lameness but (fingers crossed) he's recovering and he should still be able to go back to what he was doing before.

He was unfit when I first got him but a gentlemen and I thought worth the slight risk. He has livened up a bit since he's fit but I have never felt overhorsed with him (which is what I worried about). Yes, now I could maybe handle a bit more than him, but he will always be with me as he has been the most perfect first horse. I needed something to give me confidence in my ability to look after a horse myself and he has done that in spades.

If I'd spent a bit more I could have got a more ready-made version as he hadn't been schooled in a while, but I wasn't fussed about going out competing from the off or even ever. My next horse will maybe be more competitive. J was there to help me learn how to look after my own horse with no backup of the owner or a riding school.

So, it depends on what you're after. Yes if you want an allrounder that you can compete on at low level etc you'll need a decent budget. But if you can be flexible with a few things (age etc) then you can find them a bit cheaper :)
 
I'd say 4-6k, although if you like Cob types or wouldn't mind an oldie, you could probably find something for 2-2.5 if you looked hard enough!
 
Right plenty to get saving for although a full loan first might not be a bad idea it seems. Love my share horse to bits but he’s young so wouldn’t be right for me to own on my own without support.

I do idly browse some different sites looking at horses to buy but almost all say not suitable for a novice( even one who is very keen to improve!!)
 
merlin84 said:
Right plenty to get saving for although a full loan first might not be a bad idea it seems. Love my share horse to bits but he’s young so wouldn’t be right for me to own on my own without support.
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Mmmmm...... I know the saying "green on green should never be seen", BUT my first pony was only 5 when I got him, and I was very novicey indeed, still many light-years later wouldn't put myself in the "confident" class at all, especially as an older rider, but really IME it depends on the youngster, and the support you have available. I took on a youngster last autumn and she's the love of my life! I'm enjoying her immensely, and this after I'd always disqualified myself from having a youngster just because of pure inexperience and confidence! I will say that having the right person to support you and help if there's a problem is vital as with a youngster you need to get the basics absolutely right, so I wouldn't ever say that a novice shouldn't have a youngster TBH........

IF you like this horse you're sharing right now, if he suits you, and (big IF), if you have the right professional support for you both; then I'd be inclined to give it a go - the only problem being of course that you could spend a lot of time and effort on a horse that, unless the owner wishes or agrees to sell, will never belong to you......... you alone are the one to decide whether that effort and commitment is worthwhile and/or what you want to do right now.
 
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AdorableAlice said:
If only everyone was as sensible as you in recognising what you actually need and giving it serious thought. A suitable schoolmaster will be a fair amount of money if in the prime age range. £3.500 plus

If you can find an older horse mid/late teens the price will be less but you need to factor in health issues. Take a really experienced person with you who has a lot of buying experience. Good luck with your search.
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I think this is very good advice. Check about whether you can buy tack and rugs and also check vaccination state, hooves and dentistry as these will impact on your initial costs. Also it depends on whether you buy from a dealer or an individual. With luck, you will spend half of this and get a nice sensible horse. Age is not everything - some sensible younger horses won't last and mature ones can enjoy light work for many many years. I have just come in from hacking my 20 year old retired eventer who is full of beans (and cost me less than half your budget). Prices on Horse and Hound sales are much higher than Horsemart or preloved - there may be a reason such as being more capable. I have bought three in the last year or so, all from Facebook and all for less than this budget, but for very different purposes so they are not comparable with yours. There are a lot of horses around. Don't overlook the horse charity and rescue centres as they may have horses that are suitable.
 
Depends on exactly what you want. My personal advice would be to get something that’s safe out hacking, and will w/t/c in the school as well as pop over a small
Thanks fence, but may not be overly well schooled.

This sort of horse is going to be a bit cheaper than a “school master”, and whatever sort of horse you buy, you will need lessons anyway!
 
fredflop said:
Depends on exactly what you want. My personal advice would be to get something that’s safe out hacking, and will w/t/c in the school as well as pop over a small
Thanks fence, but may not be overly well schooled.

This sort of horse is going to be a bit cheaper than a “school master”, and whatever sort of horse you buy, you will need lessons anyway!
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This is basically what I bought :)
 
Don't forget it you do end up going to a dealer and the horse turns out not to suitable, you might on,y be able to exchange it for something else they have, might be stuck without your money for a while.
I'd say 2000 to 3500 absolute maximum should be ample really
 
You could also look at a slightly older hunter type who might no longer be up to life on the field. They are usually mannerly both on the ground and ridden and might like a quieter life.

This would also go for eventers/SJ/dressage horses - you get the odd one who are nice a quiet to ride 'push button' and forgiving. Don't always rule these types out by thinking they'll be too sharp for you due to them being competition horses/hunters.

x
 
i agree with the estimate of about £5000 for something safe. i took on my loan horse 2 years ago and had lost alot of confidence partly due to my old mare and partly because i was 70 and not the rider i used to be..., she is half tb ex hunter and is an absolute angel out hacking and my confidence has returned and i am very happy to hack out on my own she is also very easy to look after and with clipping, shoeing vaccinations etc, so they are out there ..good luck
 
tda said:
Don't forget it you do end up going to a dealer and the horse turns out not to suitable, you might on,y be able to exchange it for something else they have, might be stuck without your money for a while.
I'd say 2000 to 3500 absolute maximum should be ample really
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Don't forget if you end up finding a perfect gentleman, sound, sane and easy schoolmaster in a dealers yard for any price it will be a miracle or full of bute and acp with an advert written by a dealer with flair for creative writing.
 
AdorableAlice said:
Don't forget if you end up finding a perfect gentleman, sound, sane and easy schoolmaster in a dealers yard for any price it will be a miracle or full of bute and acp with an advert written by a dealer with flair for creative writing.
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Yep! If you're thinking of going to a dealer, OP, join the 'Dodgy Horse Dealers & Sellers' facebook group and ask on there about the dealer you're considering. Some are notorious for being dodgy as hell yet people are still buying horses from them!
 
Honestly, having been horse hunting recently for this type I do think some of the prices suggested here are unrealistic. I would budget up to 8k for a nice well-schooled, sensible, sane, easy, obedient type, and be prepared to look for a while!
 
Broodle said:
Honestly, having been horse hunting recently for this type I do think some of the prices suggested here are unrealistic. I would budget up to 8k for a nice well-schooled, sensible, sane, easy, obedient type, and be prepared to look for a while!
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This...
 
alexomahony said:
You could also look at a slightly older hunter type who might no longer be up to life on the field. They are usually mannerly both on the ground and ridden and might like a quieter life.

This would also go for eventers/SJ/dressage horses - you get the odd one who are nice a quiet to ride 'push button' and forgiving. Don't always rule these types out by thinking they'll be too sharp for you due to them being competition horses/hunters.

x
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While a hunter might suit they are often horses used to lots of work and work in a group ,they are often not as easy as people think in light work and doing things they are expected to do on their own .
And people usually only part with a good hunter would is unable to do the job because it’s got a lameness and that cost from the start to manage and heartache round the corner .
 
Broodle said:
Honestly, having been horse hunting recently for this type I do think some of the prices suggested here are unrealistic. I would budget up to 8k for a nice well-schooled, sensible, sane, easy, obedient type, and be prepared to look for a while!
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I’d be wanting something with a fair bit of quality and competitive potential for that.

I’m sure you can get something sweet and ordinary with basic schooling for your budget and you can work on finessing that with your instructor.

You can also pay a lot and still get problems so be careful about thinking you can buy yourself out of trouble. I’ve been there!
 
Yes that is the issue really- working out how much of an *influence* the budget has vs just being lucky / determined enough to find the right one.

My share horse is probably worth very little but has such a sweet and kind nature!

Am also desperate to improve my riding- so wish I had had a horsey family as a child rather than feeling ‘time is running out’ to become good! Maybe a bit of an exaggeration - am still in my thirties but everyone I know who rides really well seems to have started in childhood/adolescence.
 
merlin84 said:
Yes that is the issue really- working out how much of an *influence* the budget has vs just being lucky / determined enough to find the right one.

My share horse is probably worth very little but has such a sweet and kind nature!

Am also desperate to improve my riding- so wish I had had a horsey family as a child rather than feeling ‘time is running out’ to become good! Maybe a bit of an exaggeration - am still in my thirties but everyone I know who rides really well seems to have started in childhood/adolescence.
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Obviously the bigger the budget, the bigger the pool of horses you will have access to. And whilst some might baulk at the idea of spending 8k on a RC schoolmaster type that would teach a novice, the reality is that there are buyers out there with that kind of money and so who can blame sellers for asking that if they have a good one?

That said, there is a huge dollop of luck, right time right place and chemistry involved and therefore would very much expect you to find something suitable around the 4-5k mark providing you are prepared to put in the effort to travel and move reasonably quickly (and don’t apply too stringent criteria / expect perfection).
 
My main bit of advice for anyone buying their first horse is 'don't overhorse yourself'. That applies to both on the ground and in the saddle. It's just awful having a horse that frightens you as it sucks all the joy out of horse ownership.

Oh and make sure it's good to catch too. It is utterly exasperating having a bad to catch horse.
 
Faracat said:
My main bit of advice for anyone buying their first horse is 'don't overhorse yourself'. That applies to both on the ground and in the saddle. It's just awful having a horse that frightens you as it sucks all the joy out of horse ownership.

Oh and make sure it's good to catch too. It is utterly exasperating having a bad to catch horse.
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I think this is very sensible advice.
It is unlikely you will find the one that you need for the first couple of years ownership which then steps up if you want to go on and compete more.
It is okay to buy, then sell to upgrade. In fact it’s sensible.
 
In theory I totally agree with those saying 4-5k should be plenty (can't get quote function to work for some reason) but forgiving horses capable of teaching a novice, putting up with some conflicting aids, but still capable of going nicely and doing it with a smile are not widely available sadly. In your shoes OP I would want to have access to a larger budget to keep the pool of available horses as large as possible, as per IHW's point. So if you can save more before you buy, do!
 
Yes it’s the doing it with a smile that would be key I think!

Do people think that a full loan might be better before buying then or is it actually less easy to find a suitable horse that way?
 
I think if people were selling genuinely sane sensible sound, basic paces, not spooky hacking, forgiving of the odd novice error and easy to handle types for £3-4k buyers would be ripping their arms off.
I am looking for similar currently with c. twice that budget, I do want to eventually do a novice dressage test and local SJ but happy put in a lot of work to get there - I can't even find any to go and view.
Although I am now not prepared to drive more than 1.5 hours because I am sick of long treks to find something totally not as described (didn't I mention the ulcers, it's only an old wire injury, oh he has to be held by 2 people at the mounting block etc. etc. etc.!)

OP - even at big money they are hard to find, start talking to you farrier, local yard owners, dentist etc. I think the nice ones seem to go by word of mouth and sellers of the genuine types will not bother about £500 here or there if they know their outgrown starter horse is going somewhere nice.
 
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