Horsey money saving hints? (merged)

SarahLou

Wow - the OP on this thread sounds SOOOO like I did when I was 12! (in a very similar situation!) I started riding when I was 10 and desperately wanted my own pony. Unfortunately we just didn't have anywhere to keep one (despite living in a rural part of North Wales at the time). I was shy but managed to get the courage up to ask local farmers if I (aka my parents!) could rent some land off them but alas I didn't get any luck - the only ones available to rent were miles away in the mountains which wouldn't have been practical to get to before/after school each day.

I hated not having any other option but I put an advert in my local farm/equine shop asking if anyone wanted any help with their ponies and within a week I had two people phone me - both lived within a 10 minute drive of my home. I didn't like one lady (as she was rather rude and certainly used and abused my free help) so that only lasted a few weeks but the other lady was lovely. I actually stopped there and helped out every weekend (and often during the week too - especially school holidays) for a total of 10 years - the only reason I don't go there now is because I moved to a different part of the country when I was 21. We became good friends though and I am still in touch with her now and her son and daughters. I sort of grew up with them. It was a lovely atmosphere. She appreciated my help but I appreciated the opportunity she had given me even more. I competed a little on one of the ponies (something I never even imagined I'd have the chance to do) and over the years (she bought and sold quite often) I had the chance to look after and ride a wide range of ponies and horses - all of different abilities. I even had the chance to bring on foals in my time there. Sometime that looks very good on the CV.

All in all, I would HIGHLY recommend anything like this - but don't be walked all over. My first experience was almost enough to put me off - especially as I was shy and just took anything - she had me cleaning her house - and was rather horrible. Often saying I'd missed bits, etc. When I didn't even sign up to cleaning her blinking house!! :rotfl: With hindsight, I should have told her where to stick it but I was too polite and quiet so I just put up with it til the second lady got in touch and I went there instead.

So even if the first one or two shares/helping out scenarios don't work, stick with it.

Interestingly enough, I bought my own first ever pony just last summer but unfortunately it didn't work out. (Something I'd dreamed of for such a long time - it was SO exciting!) But alas he had a lot of medical problems which has meant he can only be a companion only and not be ridden. Unfortunately I don't have enough money to own a companion only in addition to wanting one to ride too. So I had to give him back (and he's now being sold as companion only) - I won't be getting another one for a while as it seriously put a dint in my bank balance (and I insured him from day one too! I had him five months but by the second month I was having to have the vets out once a week on average - each visit costing £110 ish. My insurance excess was as low as I could get it (at £125) so I couldn't claim for any of the visits.

Something to seriously consider..... make sure any share/loan or any arrangement like that is on a "buyer responsible for veterinary care" basis.

blushingbride_3

anyone from Norfolk?

i'd love my own horse but wouldnt know where to start

i used to ride from ages 12-18 (now 24)

Not sure i could afford a horse? what does it cost about £400 a month in DIY livery?

I'd like lessons or horse share but dont seem to be able to find much around anyone know where i can find these advertised?

BB

olias

Would have thought nowhere near that in Norfolk. DIY livery should only be about £20-£30 per week, with about £50 per month on top of that in winter for hay/haylage and feed.

Olias

blushingbride_3

olias wrote: »

Would have thought nowhere near that in Norfolk. DIY livery should only be about £20-£30 per week, with about £50 per month on top of that in winter for hay/haylage and feed.

Olias

really but what about vets bills, farrier, dentist, tack etc it all adds up?!

olias

Obviously there are other costs - you only mentioned livery!:p

Farrier - about £60 every 6 weeks, though we are trying to keep our horse barefoot - costs about £25 every 10 weeks, but it obviously depends on what you want to do and the surfaces you will be riding on etc.

Vet - hopefully just the costs of vaccinations and wormer, but how long is a piece of string?

Dentist - difficult to say, just periodic as and when needed

Tack - go for the synthetic stuff, bridle - £20, headcollar - £10, synthetic saddle - £200.

We have a horse we bought as a youngster (about 3 yrs). He is a piebald cob and was unbroken and cost us £800. Breaking him was surprisingly easy, but it obviously helps if your horse has the right temprement and you have the time and patience. I reckon we have spent about £1100 to date on all tack and equipment (including mucking out gear, rugs, etc etc) and about £350 on vets bills including gelding. He now costs us less than £150 per month, including livery, feed, farrier, worming and buying occasional bits and bobs.

Have had him 6 months now and (hopefully) don't anticipate and other main expenses for the foreseeable future.

Olias

olias

Oh, and horse share - look in local paper covering rural area, ads on boards in agricultural merchants, livery yards, saddlers, even pet shops.

For lessons try larger livery yards or look up your local riding club or BHS branch.

Olias

blushingbride_3

ok great thanks, so do you have yours on DIY livery?

olias

Yep. For yourself, just google 'norfolk diy livery' and it comes up with several around the figures I have mentioned.

Olias

gratefulforhelp_2

My tips, get a good equine dentist, saves loads of money in the long run, looking after the teeth, not to mention behavioural problems, and keep it/them turned out as much as poss, they're much happier and less bored.

trudij

gratefulforhelp wrote: »

My tips, get a good equine dentist, saves loads of money in the long run, looking after the teeth, not to mention behavioural problems, and keep it/them turned out as much as poss, they're much happier and less bored.

Agree - get yourself either a vet who is good at teeth,or a BAEDT qualified dentist - it will save you a fortune in the long run, as regular dentistry will stop the need for huge amounts of work to be done in one go - and also should help catch any bigger problems before they take hold.

As for livery - I thought I was doing quite well paying £10 a week for a field with storage and water, but a friend of mine has just found herself a yard with stable,field,large school and a xc course for the same price !!!!!

most of all - make sure you have fun !!!!