Help with horse dream

clifton620

Hi i really want to own my own pony but it is far too expensive, i take riding lessons, know lots and adopt horses which i groom too, but i have a really bg dream to have a pony and somebody said that they knew a person who was selling theors and it cold live in the field that it lives in now, but i know i probably cant have him coz of money, bt i dont know what to do now, so has anyone got any ideas about how i could sort of have my own without loads of money being spent, so basically cheaper options on keeping a pony, even though i dont have one. But if we find lots of cheaper alternatives then maybe it has a bigger possibility.
Thanks!
XxX

arbroath_lass

There really is no cheap way to keep horses and ponies, sorry. As well as the initial expense of buying - you've feed, shoeing, vets bills. Sometimes it seems neverending.

You sound quite young so I'd suggest you just keep doing what you are doing until you can earn enough to keep one. Have you asked at your riding school? Mine used to (for a small fee) let you keep a pony like it was your own - you were responsible for looking after it but they still provided everything it needed. You still had to let them use it for lessons at the weekend but it was "yours" all week.

When money is not so much of an issue you could look at sharing with someone. I know you want one for yourself but sharing can be a great option. It means you don't have responsibility for checking on the pony every day etc.

Good luck!

orlao

^^^^^

As she said - there are expensive or less expensive ways to keep horses - never cheap ways.

Also, this is going to be a very, very expensive year for all horseowners because of the cost/availability of hay. Put it this way, last year a bale of hay off the field and delivered was £2.25 for high quality fodder. I ran out of that in April (because the winter was so bad) which is unheard of as I like to have year old hay until this Christmas at least. This year I'm paying £4 a bale and having to arrange collection which will add £200 to a thousand bales. Scary and that's before farrier, wormer, insurance, vets fees excess - all bills that have to be paid regardless of how much your field rent/livery.

I'm sorry to put such a downer on your dream:o but this isn't the best time to try and keep a pony on a budget.

clifton620

yeah, i understand that because my best friend has her own pony and she ha said that the cost is never ending and stuff like that, im enjoying what im doing at the moment and i am willing to take your guys tips and advice on board, thank you so much and it has defietly helped, my friend says that there is no such thing as a cheap horse!

:rotfl:

bouncydog1

Best bet is for you to see if you can come to some arrangement with your riding school where you get to look after a pony - but your parents need to be involved in any arrangements because some riding schools will try and take advantage of youngsters. Depending on your riding ability you could try putting up a notice in your local tack shop (again make sure your parents give their number and vet any enquiries) to see if anyone needs an occasional small rider - I'm guessing you are probably about 12/13. Sometimes people keep their child's outgrown pony as a companion and need a rider, but you would have to helpout.

Do your parents know about you posting on here by the way - you really don't know who is answering your questions?

My daughter has her own horse, but she saved every penny from when she was small and could afford to buy her when she was 12 but it is very expensive. There are: vet's fees for vaccinations, worming, dentist, back person, saddle checks, shoes/feet trimming if kept barefoot every 6 weeks, feed, supplements, bedding, tack repairs, rug repairs/replacements, fees for lessons, competition entry, insurance, stable, grass livery, bedding, hay etc and this is only just the beginning.

You also need to factor in emergency call outs for the vet in case anything is wrong. You really cannot have a horse on the cheap as people sometimes indicate, because this is not the kindest way to keep it. Your best bet is to keep saving, work hard at school and get good qualifications then you have all this to look forward to in the future. Good luck.

clifton620

Yeah i know, i have tried to save up but i cant seem to get enough, i have two ginea pigs and 4 cats and a dog, and i like buying my pets little treats and stuff like that, so it is really hard, i am meant to be riding two persons ponies coz they dont get ridden my riding instructor said that she wouldnt touch it with a barge pole incase i fall off but i dont mind, i shall ask her tonight about the pony thing coz that is a good idea, i am going to start to help ot too so things are looking up, i am trying to get a little part time job at the stables to earn some money, thanks everybody, and my mum knows dont worry, my mm is on here too thanks everyone for helping and looking out for me

DansMum_2

Just be careful!!! Are there any shares available locally? Theres a pony at my yard who is shared by 3 people! I think they contribute toward her upkeep and then share the riding and care, although she's out 24/7 365 days a year...

My local school do 'Own a pony' weeks for a fee...

clifton620

Thanks everyone for your help i have decided to leave it for a while and carry on what i am doing at happa charity and my riding lessons, have ,my yard helper thing soon so i will be able to volunteer and help out and then when i have helped out for a while, i will be able to get a part time job, so yeah thanks for everyone!

Horse_Owner

If it makes you feel any better I had to wait till I was 27 to buy my first horse. There are quite often people who have horses but need help exercising them though. Get to know as many horsey people as possible and you may hear of someone. How old/experienced are you. Racing yards often need help riding out in the mornings.

NiceGuyEddie_2

As has been said, there's really nothing wrong with waiting and it's often a sensible way to go.

I've wanted a horse since I was a little teeny girl, waited till 10 for riding lessons, first 'proper' loan at 17 and then bought my horse at 19 as a 'project' to sell on (we'll skip over the bit that means I still have him 4 years later ) and whilst it's lovely having my own horse, it's a lot of responsibility at a young age (not so much now).

I think you're being very sensible, and remember any bits of pocket money/Christmas money that you can save whilst your volunteering and doing yard help will go a long way when you do buy your first horse

I'd also look to see if there are any Pony Club centres near you, which are designed for youngsters who don't have their own horse and are great for training and competitions etc. Here's the link http://www.pcuk.org/index.php?option=com_sobi2&sobi2Task=search&Itemid=9999

moomin5

Sharing/part-loaning can often work out a good way of experiencing horse ownership as you don't have full responsibility & costs. They can be free if someone just wants some help or you may pay part of the upkeep in exchange for use, my previous share was £15 for 2 days including all jobs, but i've also been offered free rides where people have had 2 horses and just wanted someone to hack out with. Most opportunities i've found online, simply as i didn't really know any horsey people in the area.