So we are seriously considering a pony......

[mrslaughan]

But before we think about starting to open negotiations, I want to know what costs we should expect....... It would stay on working livery for the meantime, so livery would be covered (and it lives out, so I know what that cost would be if we decided to remove it from the riding school).

But we need to allow for insurance, tack, feet trimming (she is barefoot), I have grooming kit.......what else - there has to be more, but I having a mental block today....oh dentist once a year....lessons will be cheaper so thats a bonus.......maybe things like osteopath........

what else?

Horse truck.......

I would be very wary of buying what I presume is a riding school pony and then continuing to keep it on working livery at the same riding school . Also please remember that because it lives out if you decide to move you do need to have access to a stable or shelter if only for emergencies ie lameness/ colic/ laminitis/ abscess to name but a few.

Look carefully at the vet's fees insurance as it will have an excess and many things will fall below the excess, and also claims are limited to one year.

Livery depends on the type and the area. Call around your area to get a better idea of exact costs.

Wormers? Feed? Tack? Rugs?

Horseboxes are very expensive and not something I would consider at this stage. Get the pony, see how things work out and decide if you need transport down the line.

Sorry just to add, the important thing to remember is that you will still have all these costs if the pony is unwell and cannot be ridden.

I definately would speak to a vet for a full list of usual items. Do you know this pony in summer/winter? Does it get lame? Sweet itch?

Not sure if I would purchase a working pony without a full idea of which lessons it was required for and when. Make sure u get a full breakdown of when its yours. Particularly if u might want to do pony shows, however small....

Also would it be used for pony weeks...?

Is the Osteopath for you or the pony?
1st pony expect to pay the same again in stuff.

I buy a new rugs every winter, oh and jabs.

Are you thinking about PC, shows or camp.

It sound like a hardy little thing, so you won't have to worry about hard feed.

So are you buying it off the riding school? or from an owner that has it in working livery?

Yeap ask how many hrs a week the pony will work

Ohhh and exciting yeah enjoy

Forget working livery. No control over who rides the pony, having to "book" to ride your own horse...also riding school ponies not always the best option they can behave very differently when away from the riding school environment
Also even if pony can live out always useful to budget for if pony needs to come in for any reason.
you know what? Before commiting to buy try loaning or loan with view to buy - give you an idea of whats involved first.

Just reading another post and you said your Ds was 8.
Well you could get a light weight 14-2 or a heavy weight 13-2 and share!!!
I rode my mums horses at that age.

We have known the pony for 2 years - she has never been lame - or anything like that. Biggest issue is making sure that she doesn't get fat.

I realise that we have the costs whether we can ride it or not.

I will make sure we know absolutely when we can use it and not. I know working livery is not everyones cup of tea.....and not really wanting to debate that.....I know there are downfalls.....but for us there are also upsides.

The osteopath is tongue in cheek comment as my share is being treated by one at the moment.

Not really an option to share with me - I am over 5 10" and for me to ride a 14-2 it would need to be a heavy weight to take up my leg.....plus although not overweight anymore - I am not a delicate build. I think that would be overhorsing my DS and he has confidence issues........about 13' is a large as he could go comfortably.

Not thinking about shows and PC yet, this is so he can ride more (probably mostly hacking), develop a relationship.

The said pony is not really for sale - but I know that they have a policy that if a riding school pony has the chance at a loving stable home, they will consider it - so we are approaching them.

Yes she is riding school - but we know her well - know she doesn't have any hidden health issues, or behaviour issues. TBH over the last 2 years I have seen so many ponies/horses come onto the yard - then issues start arising, I feel better buying a pony who I have an idea of her history....but I also know this is no guarantee.

Horsebox was also tongue in cheek - but one can but dream

I want a horse box

Me too!

Let's see, basics are... livery/field rent, which you've got covered. Hay and possibly feed. Farrier. Insurance. Jabs once a year, teeth once or twice a year. Worming. Wellies (I go through 4 pairs in a winter, they never last long). Rugs, well you might be lucky. I hardly ever have to buy dhorse rugs, his are three/four years old and nothing wrong with them, whereas I know horses who can shred a rug within a week. Tack - make sure it's sound and fits well and look after it and it will last you for at least as long as the pony does! You've got grooming kit but probably need a first aid kit (horse and human, you never know when you will need a plaster). Having your own wheelbarrow and mucking out/poo picking tools (as required) makes life a lot easier even if you are able to use the yard ones. Haynet? Flymask? Fly repellant? Feed bucket? Hi-viz for hacking? (even if your ds already has some, get some for the pony too in case they part company).

Have fun

thanks pixel - as I have a share - and got her at the beginning of winter - I know all about wellies!!!

DH is having a wobble tonight (it is a large commitment) so we are just waiting for him to get his head around it....last night he was, lets go for it (if costs were in line with what we were thinking)...tonight he needs some time to get used to it.....men eeehhh!

he does know there is a horsebox in his future, but in the meantime I know of a place just down the road that hires them.

Well, I reckon dhorse costs about £200 a month to cover everything he needs, if that helps put things into perspective. He lives out and is unshod and we don't go to shows or anything, but that includes field rent, which you won't be worrying about. (Doesn't include the wellies though ).
I have a half share in him and when you realise that for what I spend on him I'd only be able to afford 4 x 1 hour hacks a month at the nearest riding school (not even a lesson) it doesn't seem too bad at all.

Very true when you think that it is just 4 hacks a month

Do you know how to make a small fortune out of horses?

Start with a large on

I don't think working livery is necessarily a bad idea. It can help keep the pony sane with a good workload, it can help keep the pony schooled if your DS is finding the pony slightly above his abilities and it helps with costs. You can also take the pony off working livery when your DS has developped a relationship with the pony and wants to take on more riding.

However, get a detailed written contract. It should include exactly how many hours a day the riding school will get to use the pony, what level riders will be allowed on the pony, what activities they are allowed to do with him, specific provisions for days you or they can book off for exclusive use and anything you want to specify about the tack and management of the pony.

Hope DH and RS say yes!

And I'd get him/her vetted regardless of how long you've known the pony. For a start it will make insuring it much easier, and will also mean you don't get any nasty surprises. So that's a cost, but well worth it I'd say.

I'm not against working livery, just ensuring you walk in with your eyes wide open. If for instance you forget about school hols and your pony has 5 summer pony weeks to do when does dd get a go?

It's also about working out the boundaries on your relationship. Say dd for instance presently does another club on a tues but gives up and wants to ride, could she? Or can you renegotiate? Or if it goes lame say on a lesson does the school help with vet or lend you a pony?

If other people have this relationship on your yard, get their views.

Also if dd falls out of love with pony, what happens?

DS - not DD, he has ridden for the last 2 years at least once a week (in holidays and summer alot more), in rain, snow and hail.....he may get sick of it, but also have a DD who is dying to give it a try.

Stables does not have that many pony weeks - think they had 2 in the last summer holidays, this mid term break they are having one pony day - which I am trying to re-organise the schedule so DS can do it.

Will definately get it vetted.

Reason to do working livery is so I don't have to go to the stables every day - I am there 5 days a week, but it gives me a hand. I would feel the need to lunge a lot if it is only being ridden by DS several times a week. RS is very protective of ponies and horses.

Also I look at all these ponies standing in paddocks not doing anything and I just don't agree with that.