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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask is it really affordable to have a horse?

81 replies

Fruitshootjet · 16/10/2018 17:00

We are moving to an area where it's possible for my daughter to have a horse. My DH wants to her one when we move in.

I have absolutely no idea about horses. Haven't the foggiest how much it would cost in upkeep. So to you mumsnetters who own horses - what are we letting ourselves in for.....

OP posts:
Solenti · 16/10/2018 17:58

I do think all horsey people have something wired wrong! Normal people see us staggering round the supermarket in muddy johds and boots, with a faint reek of horse piss and a fine coating of horse hair/chalk/hoof oil, straw in hair, and eye bags from getting up at stupid o'clock to go to bloody shows half way across the country and must wonder what the hell is wrong with us. It sure isn't done for the money that's for sure 😂.

Original poster
Fruitshootjet · 16/10/2018 18:05

Thanks all for your comments which has been an eye opener to say the least!!!

My DD has horse riding lessons and I think now that we have abit of land my DH wants to get her one of her own as a surprise as she keeps on that she wants her own.

I'm glad I've read all of this..... it's not happening.

OP posts:
Shitlandpony · 16/10/2018 18:05

Plus if you are getting just one for at home, most will be very unhappy. They are herd animals and don’t like being kept without at least a goat for company.

BananasAreTheSourceOfEvil · 16/10/2018 18:06

@Solenti when I see horsey people in supermarkets it makes me nostalgic! nothing like the faint odour of wet ponies... Grin

I dont think i can add anything that hasnt been said already... but horses do cost a fortune. Its not even just food, stabling etc. if your daughter likes riding shell probably want to do Pony Club and shows, eventing and the rest. Then youre looking at getting a trailer or a horse lorry and the specialist wear and equipment for both child and pony.

I loved having horses as a child but dont kid yourself about how expensive they are, or how much time they will take up.

lastqueenofscotland · 16/10/2018 18:07

Yes they are herd animals so you would need at least 2. If she has only had lessons I expect her horsemanship and stablemanagement is probably minimal?

ThistleAmore · 16/10/2018 18:12

I'm glad I've read all of this..... it's not happening.

Glad to hear it.

If your daughter is keen to learn more, look on the BHS website and see if you can find a local riding school which is also a Pony Club centre - she can have all the fun of belonging to the PC without having to own her own pony.

No kids myself and far from my own PC days, so can't remember the intake age - I think it used to be seven?

wrenika · 16/10/2018 18:16

They are money sinks and definitely require a lot of time and effort. Loaning is a good first step once she's confident with stable management. I have never had a horse of my own because I'm not in the position to take on that responsibility but I have loaned and ridden for others. It's definitely a labour of love.

Junkmail · 16/10/2018 18:59

Sorry OP but I’m relieved that it’s not happening. Having riding lessons is nothing like having your own horse—in good and bad ways. I’ve been involved with horses since I was a kid until fairly recently. I worked in the industry, and owned my own until injury meant I couldn’t really keep up with it anymore (yes—a horse related injury. It can be a dangerous sport!!) and the costs are astronomical. Having a bit of land means nothing if you don’t know the basics of horse care. It’s involved and a very steep learning curve for novice owners. There’s too much to go wrong. Let her continue to enjoy her lessons and maybe enquire about a share in the future (you have care/ride/etc of the horse for a set number of days of the week without the massive commitment and with support of the owner) perhaps leading to loaning when you’re all more confident.

gwenneh · 16/10/2018 19:02

See if you can find someone looking for a sharer instead. Then you can dip your toe into the commitment end of it financially without risking the lot!

I paid far more than most for livery (London area) and it was eventually unsustainable, which was incredibly stressful and heartbreaking.

RumbleDoll · 16/10/2018 19:03

50+ years of horses, working and owning.Is not just the financial cost, although the vet and farrier are very, very, nice people who come along and empty my bank account at regular intervals.

Many people think you can just stick a horse/pony in a field and that's it
Beaulieu Rd sales are testament to this

Will consume your whole life.

Are you or daughter prepared to see to equine when ill , busy or otherwise engaged?

Speaking as someone who has horses/mini shettie bastards on own land and been known on many occasions to 'do' equines in dressing gown and Ariats when suffering from real flu.Not a pretty sight, although it makes me farrier chuckle.

Maybe she should have a share/ part loan first?

Oddcat · 16/10/2018 19:07

It's not so much the cost , although it is very expensive, it's the fact that you have no idea how to care for a horse .

ThistleAmore · 16/10/2018 19:08

I have to say, to everybody advising the OP to loan or find a sharer - are you mad?

Loaning or sharing will generally be a private arrangement and the owner will ordinarily expect a certain level of financial commitment and help with stable management etc - these are two completely unhorsey parents with a child of indeterminate age who sounds like a complete novice! Do you really think any owner with an ounce of integrity will want to get involved?

Far better they find a good, reputable riding school and continue to go for lessons and help out on the yard if allowed to build their knowledge, and then possibly - POSSIBLY - look at sharing in the next couple of years.

Better still, join the Pony Club through a Pony Club centre and take part in rallies, go through their tests etc and actually build a good foundation before looking at caring for a horse.

There are way too many cases of neglect and abuse in this country caused by people who had the best of intentions, but had no idea what they were signing up to.

Sallygoroundthemoon · 16/10/2018 19:09

That's great it's not happening. I'm an experienced ex-owner and have no desire to have another one. So expensive, time consuming and worrying. And getting one 'as a surprise' is about the worse thing you could do.

Shitlandpony · 16/10/2018 19:11

I have to say, to everybody advising the OP to loan or find a sharer - are you mad?

Disregarding how politely you phrased that question.
All of our local riding schools do part loans which are a brilliant way to learn about horse ownership under close supervision.

ThistleAmore · 16/10/2018 19:15

@Shitlandpony - well, that's another case altogether, and a good one - being under the supervision of experienced people and 'owning' a part of a nice, solid, reliable pony that knows its job (the 'been there, got the t-shirt' type) - but it does as though some PPs are waving their hands in the air a bit. Wink

MakeAHouseAHome · 16/10/2018 19:17

Oh and to add, I have had horses my whole life. Mum had them before me hence getting into it. No WAY i would ever get any child of mine into horses. The expense is hideous. And much as I love my horses I was left with 2 OAPs that in my adult years I am paying for.

lms2017 · 16/10/2018 19:30

I have had my two for 19 years still have my first after these two I wont buy another
For one horse

Stable £265 a month
Hay £30 a week ( varies massively depending on grass)
feed £20 a month
Bedding shavings £44 a month 1 bale a week sometimes 2 in winter
Joint supplement £25
Farrier £80 every 6 weeks
Dentist yearly atm £50
Insurance £50 a month
Fly sprays , medicine sprays as and when required £10-£20 a bottle

I just had the vet for colic £290 for half hours work.
I had a bill previously for £1600 colic and vet visit
Then years ago one for £8k ! Insurance paid this one however now veterans they are covered only for injury! .

Just brought new rugs £160 for this winter

I am sure theres so much more
I am not even going to add that up as I will cry!

My dad and mum pay for my first pony luckily!

I would personally loan one first Or just go to loan a pony weeks

The money is one thing but the time!
I am DIY so have to minimum 2 times a day EVERY SINGLE DAY christmas , when I am sick ... you can pay £10 a day on top for someone to do them on our yard but I couldnt afford it ! X

Foamybanana93 · 16/10/2018 19:32

Had horses since I was about 9, your full life revolves around your horses, snow, rain, sun, still have to do everything !

It’s lovely that your husband wants to suprise her but you can’t have one pony or horse alone, it has to have a companion, so times everything that other people have mentioned x2 🤦🏽‍♀️

Greyhorses · 16/10/2018 19:37

Mine has almost bankrupted me.

However much you think it will cost add about £300 per month and your about there.

Sassyk · 16/10/2018 19:39

This has made me feel better! I’m having my very old mare pts next week after years of paying full livery for various horses we have had as a family. I was mulling over buying another - you lot have confirmed I’d be mad! I’ll part loan and enjoy the extra money Smile

Sarahlou63 · 16/10/2018 19:42

Sponsor a rescue horse.

Huggefire15 · 16/10/2018 19:43

I have also known people that own horses that wanted to go on horse riding holidays. However their own horse was unable to travel. So this meant that they were paying for a horse at home and the full cost of a horse riding holiday !

Lalalalalalaland · 16/10/2018 19:55

Get thee to a pony club centre.

My daughter does pony club on a Saturday 10-12.30 - £34. They learn all stable management and ride for 44 minutes.

Then she has a non mounted session for an hour on a Monday. Again going through the pony club badges . £10

So £170 a month. Which is still massively cheaper than owning. And means she learns all that comes with horses. Tack cleaning, worming, mucking out, grooming etc

Igottastartthinkingbee · 16/10/2018 19:57

I see someone else has already said this but I’ll reiterate. Horses more often than not do not like to live alone, they’re herd animals. So you buy one for your daughter, another one to keep it company and then another one to keep the companion company when your daughters pony is being ridden/at a show/out for a hack/on box rest yadayadayada. Get your daughter a loan pony that lives at the riding school or just allow her more time there instead.

snowpo · 16/10/2018 20:03

Also I think it's much more fun for kids to be able to ride with other kids. I have a pony which I bought as my horse needed a companion. I've done lots of lead rein hacks on him for my kids but they aren't really that interested. I decided to get them lessons at the riding school to see if they will ever be properly interested & they're so much more enthusiastic. Not sure I should really be encouraging it though. I reckon I've spent over 100k on horses over 20 years & only about 8k of that was the actual purchase price of the horses. That's why I have holes in my clothes and a cheap car.