Any Other Broke Horse Owners Out There? (merged)

nadnad

yes i know that - i've mentioned that above. i will need planning permission - but it won't be a problem.

Petal_3

You're all making me extremely jealous! I had a horse when I was 15 (the great love of my life) who sadly had to be put down. Then a job, boys etc got in the way and I never got around to getting another. I'm now 43 (!!) and that's till my ambition but I and OH are very aware that should I get one, he'll never see me! Me and 3yo son will be off and away (of course, little one gets a pony too).

For now (and until I'm debt free in a little while) I'll have to keep dreaming......*sigh*
x

aliciamoss

You don't have to shoe - your horse can go barefoot, although it may need trimming if you don't work it much. It will also take time to become accustomed to going barefoot if it used to being shod. Provided the feet are decent, you can learn to keep them in shape yourself with a rasp, and cut down the number of professional trims. Be aware - farriers are not necessarily the best at barefoot trimming. The shape of the bare foot is different from the shape of the foot trimmed for shoeing.

Also, for bedding, Aquamax bedding is fantastic stuff, for use over rubber mats. I really wouldn't use anything else. Horses love it. Can be reused if you bother to dry it out. Space and labour saving.

Insurance - check out BHS gold membership. It's cheaper than additional personal liability on a regular policy, especially if you have more than one horse, or ride other people's, but it doesn't cover theft, death, loss etc. You DO want to be covered for what your horse can do to a car! I switched to NFU for theft etc. cover after E&L were a pain when my mare died.

aliciamoss

Forgot - I haven't seen insurers who are willing to insure animals over 15. You will have the disposal cost for an older horse.

trudij

Pet Plan have a veteran horse policy if that helps....