Why does owning a horse cost more in the UK than much of Europe?

C

cp1980

Well-Known Member
Joined
29 May 2005
Messages
585
Location
Birmingham (Lancs originally)
Visit site
I've heard of a few people who send their horse abroad for schooling/training, saying that it is far cheaper than here in the UK.

Just out of curiosity, I had a look at German livery yard wesbites (good old Google translate)

Take this one, for example,

http://www.paulshof.de/pferde.html

7 day livery in a lovely looking yard for around EUR250 per month. That's less than £50 a week!

And the vast majority of yards have full size riding arenas.

Why is keeping a horse so expensive in the UK? Is it property prices, cost of feed and bedding, business rates, insurance costs, planning restrictions are prices just inflated in general?

I'm sure many British yard owners would love to provide good modern facilities at a similar price, but what's holding them back?
 
I don't think that applies to all.

Sweden is one I can think of which is quite a lot higher in terms of comparison, going by clients out there who order from us.

I suppose it just depends on everything, right down to what wages are like in comparison, building work, etc too.
 
I'd imagine it's the same as why property is so much cheaper abroad - there is more space, more land and fewer jobs to overall the cost of living is lower. It might cost 50% less abroad but if your salary is 50% less overall you'd still be in the same boat.
 
I'd say its because land is in short supply here in comparison to some European countries. Which effects forage, feed, & the cost of actually owning a yard. Plus cost of property & fuel in comparison to the average wage. I wonder too if exchange rate plays a part.
 
The main reason for Germany being cheaper is that your horse will be on straw, feed will be delivered by the tonne to a silo, turn out can be minimal. If you add in the cost of shavings, own feed, supplements and everything else people here find they need for their horse things start to add up.
 
Property prices and the cost of living are considerably cheaper than in the UK which i guess is why livery is less in Germany and France.When my Nephew lived in Germany while he was doing a modern language degree he was laughing all the way to the bank as everything was so much cheaper.With that you also get a good standard of living,good services etc.I guess if the UK was the size of France and Germany more of us could afford our own land.
 
Not really true! I am dutch and can't say was any cheaper back in Holland. My sister still lives there and she orders all her stuff from the uk. Including shipping etc still cheaper here then it is over there!
 
I don't think it is cheaper in 'Europe' maybe just in Germany! It costs a fortune for anything over here (Italy), except livery if you live outside the cities, which drives me mad as I can't make any money from it. People want full livery for €200 a month, that's inlcuding worming usually! I only offer working livery for this reason.

But things like meds, feed supplements, tack etc costs way more. As other poster said, I often buy from uk as it's cheaper eg. Wormer costs €30 a tube over here AND I need a presciption from the vet, even with shipping I pay half that price form UK, plus no vet charge!
 
To OP how do you earn your living? Would you like to be paid a pittance for your hard work? Maybe not. Livery owners deserve to be paid for what they provide. I would imagine they don't earn a huge amount as it is. Just a thought. Most people have no idea of the costs involved in running a business and how little profit can be left at the end.
 
La Fiaba said:
I don't think it is cheaper in 'Europe' maybe just in Germany! It costs a fortune for anything over here (Italy), except livery if you live outside the cities, which drives me mad as I can't make any money from it. People want full livery for €200 a month, that's inlcuding worming usually! I only offer working livery for this reason.

But things like meds, feed supplements, tack etc costs way more. As other poster said, I often buy from uk as it's cheaper eg. Wormer costs €30 a tube over here AND I need a presciption from the vet, even with shipping I pay half that price form UK, plus no vet charge!
Click to expand...

I agree with you Fiaba. :( Be careful with your wormers, it's illegal to import! I used to do same as you but it's not worth it if you're caught out
 
La Fiaba said:
I don't think it is cheaper in 'Europe' maybe just in Germany! It costs a fortune for anything over here (Italy), except livery if you live outside the cities, which drives me mad as I can't make any money from it. People want full livery for €200 a month, that's inlcuding worming usually! I only offer working livery for this reason.

But things like meds, feed supplements, tack etc costs way more. As other poster said, I often buy from uk as it's cheaper eg. Wormer costs €30 a tube over here AND I need a presciption from the vet, even with shipping I pay half that price form UK, plus no vet charge!
Click to expand...
I think it is mainly France and Germany which are cheaper.I know Italy is expensive for most things,including holidays,but what a lovely Country to visit though.
 
In France unless you have your horse at home it can be very expensive as they do not offer DIY, only full livery.

It depends on where you live but I have heard (read on different forums) it can range from 150euros a month to 600 euros a month just on depending where you are !

Fortunately I am in a very horsey place and I have mine at home and although have nothing luxery (no schools or anything) I just pay hay/straw/feed which costs me about 70 euros a month per horse. I do have mega cheap hay and straw though (and rent for 15 acres is 40 euros a month) as my OH has family that are famers :D
 
France is more expensive than the UK, at least where I'm from. You'll be paying above 500 euros per month for part livery, which generally does not include any turnout or hay, only a stable with straw bedding and pony nuts 3 times a day. Facilities are usually quite good with a huge outdoor arena (and sometimes a smaller one as well) and a reasonnable indoor but yards are often riding school so you can't use the schools during lessons. The other option is to rent a field and that's inexpensive but same as in the UK.
 
I'm in France too and have the horses at home. Yes, land is probably cheaper here, but anything else equine is extortionately expensive!
I get all my stuff from the UK ( apart from feed).
I've just put in another large order for stuff like cod liver oil and flysprays etc.
It is sooooo much cheaper to buy in UK and have it shipped out.
As somebody else said, be careful with the wormers tho, I had to fill out a complete questionnaire signed by several 'witnesses' before they would ship out to me, due to French regulations.
I think this whole "Rip off Britain" attitude is a farce.
Supermarkets in France are very expensive, garages are rip-off merchants (ask any French person and they'll agree with you!!) and costumer service is non-existent.....
Only 3 more years to go and then it's back to sunny Yorkshire, can't wait!!!

And breathe.......
 
Fairynuff said:
I agree with you Fiaba. :( Be careful with your wormers, it's illegal to import! I used to do same as you but it's not worth it if you're caught out
Click to expand...

Thanks for the tip me dear, will keep in mind. Odd that my vet supports me buying friom abroad though (guess hit saves her having to do any work, heaven forbid!). Will also send you a message about the IHP, have some new info :)

It is a lovely place Wundahorse, and in a way I suppose 'you get what you pay for' in the sense I get to live in a stunning part of the world, great weather and a generally good life, better than I would have in the UK (As I work outdoors!). Money is always a problem but I would rather be 'money poor' than 'life poor' if that makes sense?
 
Belgium is really cheap too. At my first yard, I paid £200 a month for part-livery with amazing facilities (2 indoor/2 outdoor schools with a huge forest on the doorstep) but no turnout unless you walked a mile to the field yourself. It was a competition yard primarily with Mrs YO a dressage rider with Lusitano stallions and Mr YO a show jumper. There was a great riding club; lots of socialising with a fab bar and restaurant.

I moved yards after having my daughter to one which had fantastic turn out, great hacking and no school but the farmer built one for me! I paid £100 a month per horse as had 2 by then. They remain great friends.

The first yard now charges only €360 a month for part-livery (so everything bar riding) and they have bought fields around the yard so offer turnout.
 
Borderreiver said:
To OP how do you earn your living? Would you like to be paid a pittance for your hard work? Maybe not. Livery owners deserve to be paid for what they provide. I would imagine they don't earn a huge amount as it is. Just a thought. Most people have no idea of the costs involved in running a business and how little profit can be left at the end.
Click to expand...

This is the world over with horses - because they are a hobby to the owner, for some bizzare reason they seam to think that folk are in buisness because it is their hobby too - not that they want to make a living.
 
You can still find cheap places here, but as with anywhere you get what you pay for

The biggest difference v EU is that in the UK the horse is not classed as agricultural. Therefore VAT applies on a commercial livery yard. This is not the same in every country

Due to eating them, horses are regarded as agriculture rather than just pets in many of the major EU countries, so there are some benefits to be had

Equestrian input prices would be cheaper if the same would apply here, and seeing as we are used to eating horse burgers.....
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top