How does everyone make it work

[Biggerproblems]

Both me and DD are horse mad. I am desperate to get back into riding, and DD would love to ride more than one riding lesson she has each week

We used to have a pony and DD (and I) would love another so can take her riding again and just spend time doing pony things.

Full livery is averaging over £600 per month, and assisted livery is still around £400
I dont think I could make DIY work due to to work commitments, particularly in winter.
Then there is everything else.. shoes, worming, vets.

Is there some secret way of keeping a pony on a bit of a budget that I am missing? Or are ponies just a really expensive hobby to have now.
Me and DH both earn a decent amount but £10k a year (once you start to factor in all the extras it seems this is the likely cost) is just not something I can justify

I know there a bigger problems in the world, but it does make me sad DD is missing out on the wonderful pony filled days I had as a child.

Can you loan or share a horse to begin with?

I think if anything £10k a year is an underestimate, sadly, if you and she would want to still have lessons and do PC and the odd fun ride or clinic off site or similar, or if you get unlucky with vets bills. I'm a bit older than you but I can certainly say now that horse ownership definitely is for the relatively wealthy/privileged, like so many things these days. It's a shame but there's no real trick you are missing, land costs these days are very high, as are staff costs and things like feed/hay relatively much more expensive than before (related to the former factors of course). And I would say also the general expectations and welfare standards have risen too which while a good thing overall does add to the costs.

Definitely explore a share or part loan arrangement, it's challenging to find these for kids but they are out there. Or does her riding school do a lease/ paid for loan scheme, usually these aren't cheap but still cheaper than owning your own and a good way in? What about helping out on her yard, or volunteering at RDA (for her and/or you), both ways to get more horsey time and contact even if no riding attached. Can she join Pony Club (or do any local schools do their own non affiliated version), own a pony days/weeks at the riding school, riding holidays?

I have been looking for something lkke that but without success.
I have lost contact with a lot of people in the Horsey community so nothing is clmimgmmy way through word of mouth. I dont use social media so i am not getting much luck that way either

The riding school no longer offers a loan scheme as they are so busy. There isn't an RDA local to us. Other horse charities only accept volunteers over 18.

We would forgo pony club, lessons etc if we could otherwise make it work. I get the costs involved, and certainly dont wanton criticise those charging them. Life's expensive and horses are no different.

Sadly it looks like a dream that shall remain unfulfilled. I will cross my fingers for a lottery win

Find a local equestrian Facebook group and ask? There are always plenty of people in our area who are struggling to find time for their horses and are looking for part loaners to contribute a bit of money and keep their horse busy. It doesn’t have to be through a riding school. If you’ve had your own before and know what you’re doing you should have no problem finding something.

I cant post on Facebook. My posts are always removed for some reason. I suspect due to me having strict privacy settings and no profile picture. I keep an eye on adverts but they all tend to be a bit on the big side or too far away

The only feasible way to do it on a tight budget is to do DIY and sacrifice all your time for it. I don't have children yet but I get up at 5am in the winter to do the horses and walk my dog before work. I do someone elses horse in return for her doing mine in the evening - which if you can come to an arrangement like that is a huge lifeline in the dark cold winter months.

I'd also be looking on local horsey facebook groups as plenty of people have ponies that they could do with being looked after for a few days a week - it would be a good stepping stone into getting your own.

How old is your daughter and how long has she been riding as that will make a difference as to what you/she can realistically look for. What’s your rough area - someone might know of somewhere. Can you afford a second lesson a week and riding holidays - it would be a LOT cheaper than buying and keeping a pony. Is there a pony club centre (not branch) relatively near you- she could do her pony club tests and make some contacts too. My daughter started out at riding schools, volunteering every Saturday and most days in the holidays. Then she started getting paid and had a free lesson during the week. Eventually when she was old enough to get to the yard by herself she started sharing a horse twice a week, then we ended up loaning him and eventually bought him and she now rides for a living. I note you said you’d forego pony club, lessons etc if you could make it work - imo that would be a very bad idea - lots of families on one of the yards didn’t have lessons once they’d bought their child a pony - both child and pony usually fell into bad habits and frankly they were accidents waiting to happen (and frequently did).

Try contacting your local PC as ours always has people who have ponies that need more work, if the child comes with a competent adult it’s a huge bonus!

Budget and horses doesn’t exist. You aren’t missing anything they are just outlandishly expensive.

Echo the poster above, I really wouldn’t forego lessons.
Ask a friend to post for a share arrangement?

If you can’t do DIY then it is very expensive , although even DIY isnt cheap . Your daughter isn’t alone there are thousands of pony made children who would like a pony of their own and if you can’t afford it then you can’t afford it , you are more the norm than the exception . I agree with pp that you can’t buy a pony and then forego lessons / clinics etc especially if a child is involved . We have a retired 33 yr old pony on full livery ( I can’t go near them now because of health issues ) and she costs at least £9000 per year and that is just livery / supplements / dentist / feet trimming / vacs . So if you had something you were going to ride you need to add in physio / saddlers/ tack / lessons / transport / insurance / vets bills which I reckon would bump it to at least 14/15k per year as a minimum .

Probably not helpful for you, but I married a farmer :D

Worth looking around at DIY yards as some have restrictions on what times you can be there but others are alot more flexible eg you can be there at any time in the morning to get to work after. I go up at 5.30 some mornings before work & sometimes 8 or 9 in the evening after work.

Grass livery is easier if you have a horse that's okay to be out 24/7 & if you share a field you can share the work so each of you only has to come up once a day, poo pick alternate days etc. You then don't have the costs of stabling & bedding.

Do your homework on horse breeds & types. Although it's no guarantee there are definitely some breeds & types that are more likely to be easier to keep out 24/7 visiting once a day, barefoot, good doers, healthy hardy types. Those horses will cost more to buy but will likely be cheaper & easier to keep (there is no guarantee though with horses!)

Sharers are another option (can be a mixed joy) but amazing if you find the right person.

DiY is the only way really. I share chores with a friend which means I only have to go up once a day but it does add time to the visit when you are doing more than one stable. My costs average about £350 a month so it is possible on a budget but I don't pay for extras like lessons or entry fees and he lives out 24/7 in summer

Horses are expensive - there’s no way round it really. Even if you go with DIY and they live out 24/7, you still have all the bills associated with them as well as lessons, tack, random vet visits because they’re lame or injured 🫣

Ours cost about £5-6k per year each to keep. I pay £150 per month for grass livery DIY to a friend which is very reasonable and includes hay and straw.

On top of that is farrier, vaccinations, insurance, pony club membership, rallies, lessons, arena hire, camps, competitions, equipment etc etc etc.

I'm not including fuel either!