To Ride.. Or not to ride?

Mynyddcymro

Well-Known Member
Joined
23 November 2009
Messages
320
Location
Shrewsbury
Visit site
Hi everyone, after some advice as per!
I've just recently been offered a job which i'm very excited about and being the slow thinker it took me a while to realise I could actually afford a full size horse (not just my two midgets (however lovely they are)).
I have lost all my confidence in riding, but i'm desperate to get my nerve back and ride again - i'd convinced myself that riding wasn't my thing and that i'm far happier just poo-picking and grooming but in reality I know i'd love to pop over a jump again and enter ridden show classes and just to hack around too.
So new job = realisation of all of the above.
It turns out I am allowed to keep another horse at the yard along with my other two so that's really positive as it's only a two minute walk from my house, so saving me needing a car and fuel etc.
And conveniently a horse has popped up with perfect timing. She was coming to the yard to be sold on but wasn't to YO's taste so turned the horse down (YO prefers more athletic non-coloured horses)
She is a 13year old black and white Irish bred horse around 16hh.
She'll pop over a course of jumps, is 100% in traffic, snaffle mouthed and generally a very nice person. She'll also show at local level.
She sounds perfect (i'm awaiting photos via email so am yet to actually see her).
All of this is by word of mouth from a trusted person, i know if she says 100% traffic then they are.
I think i've considered all costs but would like everyone to just write what they think and what I should be expecting to pay for e.g. insurance, dentist and shoes amongst others.
Any advice etc will be greatly appreciated!
Becky
 
It sounds like a lovely mare. Why don't you take a friend along who can ride the horse for you first. You can then see how she is with a new rider before you get on her yourself. :)
 
Faracat - she'll be coming to the yard for a two week trial if I give the thumbs up, YO is a very experienced rider/producer etc. so she'll be on board first! Thankyou for replying!
 
Every six to eight weeks - shoeing or trimming (£60+ for a full set, £20+ for a trim);

Insurance: £30 per month, depending on what levels and what you're including.

Worming: £13-ish

Tack: variable!!

Saddler: varied, every six to twelve months

Rugs: £10 upwards

Dentist: £30-ish every six months

Feed: from £0 to £100 per month

Hay: depends on whether in or out

Bedding: depends on whether in or out, but straw is about £2.50 a bale, shavings about £6.00 a bale.
 
Magicmillbrook - Lessons are a good idea, will be out in the menage with YO but also know a freelance instructor if needed, the more experience with the mare the better!
 
Thanks for the list MrsMozart! Appreciate the estimate on the dentist as will be needing one out regardless of new horse for my two anyway! Very much looking forward to rug buying! I've been so tempted to subject my Shetland to rugs and clipping despite him not being in work and with a lovely coat (I have and will refrain)!
 
Horse sounds ideal and especially good if someone you trust can vouch for the horse and also get a trial period. Go for it!

Costs will vary and depends on what your yard charges you and type of livery which I'm sure you are aware of already. Without going into detail

Purchase Price of Horse
Vetting of Horse
Insurance
Livery yard fees/Grazing and stable rental
Feeding - hay, concentrates & supplements
Bedding
Vet costs - vaccinations & teeth & injuries
Purchase of Tack & Rugs - unless you getting them in the purchase price
Regular Shoeing
Cost of lessons/arena hire/shows
Transport
Plus All sorts of small pieces of kit you must have for a horse!
 
Faracat - she'll be coming to the yard for a two week trial if I give the thumbs up, YO is a very experienced rider/producer etc. so she'll be on board first! Thankyou for replying!

Make sure you really use the trial period - do everything with the horse that you can think of - everything that you know you will want to do with it. If once you've ridden it a bit, you think it's going to be ok, find a small local show and box/trailer it over there - just for a look around - then you'll know if it loads/travels ok and behaves itself in that environment.

Sounds lovely - go for it
 
Top