Running costs - of a horse
Discussion
doogz said:
BruceV8 said:
I apy £500 per month in full livery. Its killing me...
Really?Must be a really nice place, we only charge £65/week.
IMO it's like running anything, it can cost whatever you want it to. But if you don't do it right, it'll bite you in the ass. We've had people on our yard that we've had to ask to leave, because they don't feed their horse properly, don't use enough bedding, don't insure them, so they can afford to keep them on the cheap, etc.
Loopyleesa said:
When I had mine, I paid..
£135 a month stable and field
£80 a month shavings
£25 month hay
£60 a month food
£28 a month insurance
£7 every couple of months wormer
£65 every 6 weeks shoes
and then any other bits and pieces and show entrance fees.
Good list.£135 a month stable and field
£80 a month shavings
£25 month hay
£60 a month food
£28 a month insurance
£7 every couple of months wormer
£65 every 6 weeks shoes
and then any other bits and pieces and show entrance fees.
I'd add:
A saddle that fits (starting at £250?)
A bridle with the right bit
Usually at least a rug a year starting at about £80.
It's the trickle of little stuff that gets missed:
Exercise rugs
Saddle pads
Yard equipment (brushes, scoops, rakes, forks etc - if you're DIY)
Lead ropes / head collars
Lickers / supplements
Grooming equipment
I'm sure I've missed out loads. Most of these are low cost but it all really adds up.
And if you do want to do shows or eventing then there are transport costs.
Insurance is a tricky area. As they get older, or have claims, the less you can get covered leaving you liable for the bills. For example we had to pick up a £2,000 vet's bill on a 27yo horse because they would only insure for accidental injury and the problem wasn't. That kind of financial risk does go with the territory.
Edited by FamilyGuy on Tuesday 2nd November 16:47
FamilyGuy said:
Loopyleesa said:
When I had mine, I paid..
£135 a month stable and field
£80 a month shavings
£25 month hay
£60 a month food
£28 a month insurance
£7 every couple of months wormer
£65 every 6 weeks shoes
and then any other bits and pieces and show entrance fees.
Good list.£135 a month stable and field
£80 a month shavings
£25 month hay
£60 a month food
£28 a month insurance
£7 every couple of months wormer
£65 every 6 weeks shoes
and then any other bits and pieces and show entrance fees.
I'd add:
A saddle that fits (starting at £250?)
A bridle with the right bit
Usually at least a rug a year starting at about £80.
It's the trickle of little stuff that gets missed:
Exercise rugs
Saddle pads
Yard equipment (brushes, scoops, rakes, forks etc - if you're DIY)
Lead ropes
Lickers / supplements
Grooming equipment
I'm sure I've missed out loads. Most of these are low cost but it all really adds up.
And if you do want to do shows or eventing then there are transport costs.
Insurance is a tricky area. As they get older, or have claims, the less you can get covered leaving you liable for the bills. For example we had to pick up a £2,000 vet's bill on a 27yo horse because they would only insure for accidental injury and the problem wasn't. That kind of financial risk does go with the territory.
BlackVanGirl said:
Loopyleesa's numbers work out at a whisker under £4.5K but that's only for the predictable bits
Did all the maths a few years back cos I desperately wanted one. Wasn't even remotely feasible so I used to work as a stable hand in the holidays instead.
I guess there's a lot of truth in that old saying; "if it floats, fDid all the maths a few years back cos I desperately wanted one. Wasn't even remotely feasible so I used to work as a stable hand in the holidays instead.
ks or flies, rent it, don't buy it!"A few years ago I was lucky enough to have a horse on 'free' loan for eighteen months, all I had to pay for was the cost of half-livery (inc feed etc) and the grooming equipment.
It nearly broke me at the time, but a lovely experience being able to go and ride after work and every weekend!
It nearly broke me at the time, but a lovely experience being able to go and ride after work and every weekend!
In all fairness most horses can live out all year which would be a fraction of my list.
And I live in Bournemouth which is probably more expensive than most places.
A few decent rugs (ok a lot) and plenty of hay would be fine living out.
If anyone really wanted the horsey life but couldn't afford it, lots of people do share/part loan where you have the horse a set number of days for a set amount of the total cost.
And I live in Bournemouth which is probably more expensive than most places.
A few decent rugs (ok a lot) and plenty of hay would be fine living out.
If anyone really wanted the horsey life but couldn't afford it, lots of people do share/part loan where you have the horse a set number of days for a set amount of the total cost.
doogz said:
They can't live out all year up here!
They can. (warm-blood and Thoroughbred X)Nobody has mentioned the capital cost of Dobbin in the first place, plus box or lorry (if you can't reverse or fail the test for trailers) plus plus plus.
Unfortunately one is slightly laminitic. Therefore cool mix and magnesium supplement.
15/20 Kg Easycarry (What a con!)Cool mix approx £10. Mag £7.
25Kg Premium ewe nuts (Mag included) identical analysis,identical ME £6.
Of course totally unsuitable for horses.I think this sums it up.
FamilyGuy said:
A saddle that fits (starting at £250?)
Brilliant, if anyone can find a saddler with a decent reputation who starts at £250 let me know.
It worked out cheaper for my mum to rent a house with it's own field and stables then sublet to other
And when you grow up near horses you pretty soon realise that no matter what you do horsey girls will always like their horse more than you. I know of 3 marriages and countless relationships that have ended because the OHs in question have said "it's me or the horse!"
omgus said:
And when you grow up near horses you pretty soon realise that no matter what you do horsey girls will always like their horse more than you. I know of 3 marriages and countless relationships that have ended because the OHs in question have said "it's me or the horse!"
Makes a change from "it's me or the car" 
Loopyleesa said:
omgus said:
And when you grow up near horses you pretty soon realise that no matter what you do horsey girls will always like their horse more than you. I know of 3 marriages and countless relationships that have ended because the OHs in question have said "it's me or the horse!"
Makes a change from "it's me or the car" 
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