What would I need to spend to get.....

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TheShark

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A horse!

I want something of around 15'2" to 16'3", sound, friendly, and capable of popping a jump out hacking and will hack alone, schooling and occassionally taking me to small, local unaffilaited events. I'd also like to do more jumping.

I don't mind if there a bit spooky or forward going and I don't mind which breed,colour, sex etc (as long as it isn't a horribly mareish uppity mare!)

I've never had my own before (got a share now though) so I haven't ever done any comps but I'd love to give it a try on a small scale, for fun.

I've decided that once I get a new job I'm going to go for it on the horse ownership front.

What do you experts think? don't worry - I'd make sure to be opn a yard where support is available for a first time owner.

Cheers

Sian x
 
Really depends on the amount of sane-ness and 'ready to go' ability the horse has! If you don't mind something rather green and needing confident bringing on then I reckon with £1k you could get yourself a nice ex-racer, any additions to your required list will obv just send the price up! Perhaps start with a loan then you'll have more of an exact idea of what you are after and what 'quirks' are acceptable and what aren't! Loads of luck, exciting times!!
 
What kind of age would you want?

Around here (Wales), £2,500 - £3,500 would get you a basic, sound all-rounder, for local jumping etc. You may find something slightly older or younger in that price bracket, or with a couple of issues (maybe a bit nappy, not 100% conformationally for example), but definately out there if you look for them.

Recently went horse-hunting in this price bracket & was pleasantly suprised by what we found. Of course, if you have more to spend, all the better!

Not sure what other people's thoughts will be, but that's my experience anyway! :)
 
Yeah - I was thinking around £2500 to £3000. It doesn't have to be perfect - as long as it is sound with decent feet.

I dunno about an ex-racer though. Really don't think I've got the experience to take one like that on. Although I'm a sucker for a TB I was going to avoid for a first horse.....
 
Sensible to decide against an ex-racer if you aren't sure of your experience. A whole lot easier to decide now, than when you accidentally wind up with an inappropriate horse! Tbh, the initial cost of the horse, although takes a while to save, is one of the easier things to save for. It is the ongoing costs that really hit! When you are saving why not try and save each month the amount you would need to keep the horse, then you will have a good idea of the costs of different things you can afford, and in about a year or so you will have saved up a fantastic amount for a new horse and emergency extras!
 
I think you are very wise to avoid an ex-racer as a 1st horse, although I'm sure you'll get some replies saying, 'my TB is an absolute angel'. The best thing to do is to peruse on-line ads and find the type of horse you want in an area you are prepared to travel to and see how much they are. You will find that the prices on some sites are more expensive than on others for practically the same horse. Make sure you ask the advice of an experienced person when you do go to look at horses. Good luck!
 
Hmmm if I was like you and looking for my first horse I would probably spend 3k and get a really nice older, 15yr old or so ex-eventer or something like that. Something thats been there, done that and you can enjoy straight away. Something thats older but who has competed at a much higher level could happily teach you what to do at shows and will carry you round and win you some rossettes. I think schoolmasters can give so much confidence. You'll also be able to go out hacking on something established thats not going to freak out if it sees something it hasn't seen before!

Then after a few years I would think about getting something younger to bring on.

Trouble with spending 2-3k is if you look in the younger brackets (under 10), your either going to get something nice but green and needs teaching or something not very nice, that has issues.

I know because I tried to look for that price and any nice looking 8/9yr olds that were good quality and had done a bit either had soundness issues or once I got them home had irritating issues and had basically been spoilt. I stuck to a youngster in the end and got a good one but if I was you i'd get a really established older schoolmaster :)
 
I have an ex-racer and I really like them, however I have known many people who have bought one as their first horse because they were cheap, pretty or whatever and have really regretted it. If you are used to riding TB's and find one that matches you then you are doing a good thing giving them a new job. If you're not used to TB's I would not recommend one as a first horse.

The most important thing is that you and the horse are a team, that the horse matches you not only when ridden but on the ground and to handle as well.

The truth is you could pay anything between £500 and £5000 for a good first horse depending on the age/breed/schooling level etc...
 
Hi,

One of the other things you will have to consider is how much time you have to put into them, especially over winter - do you want to get a good doer like a welshie / cob type that can live out all year round, or will you get something finer that needs to be stabled over winter and need hard feeds twice a day? This can make a huge difference to your livery costs. Also will you get something that needs riding every day, or will you get something a little less high maintenance? You need to consider the general costs of upkeep, feed, and possibly paying someone to ride if you go on holiday.

Sorry if I am sounding patronising, but I am only on my second horse and these are all things I now take into consideration that I would not have thought about when I bought my first one.

In terms of price, I think you could quite easily get something for between £2K and £3K.

It is good advice from glosgirl - the £ you spend on buying a horse almost becomes irrelevant to the amount you find yourself sepnding on a monthly basis!

Good luck!!!!
 
Thanks guys. All these comments are very helpful. I understand the ongoing costs are significant. I think once I get a job I'll see how I manage sticking around £300(or find out what the different yards around me charge) in the savings each month for a few months to see how I do.

It'll increase the purchasing power and also give me an idea of what it's like to shell out that much each month.

Goo idea about looking for an older horse - I think that would be my best bet to get something older, knows its job, but still insurable.
Just so everyone knows - I'm not against TBs at all and have ridden some gorgeous, laid back ones, as well as and fidgety, flighty ones. I just don't want to take on something that is more likely going to require extra skill and knowledge before I am ready.

I'm just dreaming at the moment because until I get a new job I can't do anything - but it gives me something to aim for and cheers me up!

Thanks everyone for youe replies!
 
firewell said:
Hmmm if I was like you and looking for my first horse I would probably spend 3k and get a really nice older, 15yr old or so ex-eventer or something like that. Something thats been there, done that and you can enjoy straight away. Something thats older but who has competed at a much higher level could happily teach you what to do at shows and will carry you round and win you some rossettes. I think schoolmasters can give so much confidence. You'll also be able to go out hacking on something established thats not going to freak out if it sees something it hasn't seen before!

Then after a few years I would think about getting something younger to bring on.

Trouble with spending 2-3k is if you look in the younger brackets (under 10), your either going to get something nice but green and needs teaching or something not very nice, that has issues.

I know because I tried to look for that price and any nice looking 8/9yr olds that were good quality and had done a bit either had soundness issues or once I got them home had irritating issues and had basically been spoilt. I stuck to a youngster in the end and got a good one but if I was you i'd get a really established older schoolmaster :)
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Have to agree with this. For your first horse you need something sane and sensible and older. Better to get your confidence than be frightened to death. Which seems to happen alot.
 
I think what you need to think more about is the maintenance of the horse. If you have to 'save up' to buy a horse in the first place, you'll find it nigh on impossible to keep on running for any decent length of time. Sorry.
 
saskia295 said:
I think what you need to think more about is the maintenance of the horse. If you have to 'save up' to buy a horse in the first place, you'll find it nigh on impossible to keep on running for any decent length of time. Sorry.
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Sorry, have to disagree with you there!

If you can afford to save £300 a month to buy the horse, then why would you not be able to afford £300 to keep a horse? :confused:

That's roughly what I spend per month, DIY livery, petrol, shoeing, worming, feed, insurance etc & a couple of lessons. Ok, no way I could afford full livery, or to BE, or to buy all the latest gear, but we manage just fine.

No way I could've found £3k without saving / borrowing it first!
 
saskia295 said:
I think what you need to think more about is the maintenance of the horse. If you have to 'save up' to buy a horse in the first place, you'll find it nigh on impossible to keep on running for any decent length of time. Sorry.
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I actually have the money saved and usually have a good and well-paid job so would be able to afford it. I was just asking about initial outlay as I know the market fluctuates and people on here are usually very helpful and knowledgable about that sort of thing.

I would never undertake the care of something like a horse, which I know costs a fortune each month, if I didn't think I could keep up with the running costs.

Incidentally - what is the problem with saving-up? Plenty of people I know who have horses don't have pots of money and it doesn't mean they can't afford to keep the horse they have.
 
Good luck to you, you seem to be taking a very sensible approach and shouldn't go far wrong with that outlook. Just make sure you always use your own vet or one recommended by your vet if too far out of your area when you do find one - never one advised by the yard/dealer/seller!! I am looking too and price does seem to vary according to area but south east would expect to only get something green or aged for £3-4k, but if you are persistent and prepared to travel a little you will find something suitable for that but will have to weed out the not so good first! Let us know how you get on.
 
SianEliza said:
I actually have the money saved and usually have a good and well-paid job so would be able to afford it. I was just asking about initial outlay as I know the market fluctuates and people on here are usually very helpful and knowledgable about that sort of thing.

I would never undertake the care of something like a horse, which I know costs a fortune each month, if I didn't think I could keep up with the running costs.

Incidentally - what is the problem with saving-up? Plenty of people I know who have horses don't have pots of money and it doesn't mean they can't afford to keep the horse they have.
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Totally agree - i had to save for my horse and i can certainly afford his keep - he is fully insured and has everything he needs :)
 
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