So i was working out prices for a 13.3-16hh pony/horse, about 7-8 years old. I know that’s a fairly large size gap but i wouldn’t feel comfortable on a tiny 11hh pony everyday (once in a while i admittedly do go out hacking on tiny tiny ponies) but i wouldn’t feel comfortable nor safe on something 16.1hh + (The number scares me more than actually riding it, if that makes sense.)
So livery first: I already know the price of this as i have been listening in on conversations between clients and the yard owner. £25 per week, includes unlimited haylage, straw, water and the owners will muck out for you and tie up a hay net in the morning as they refuse to leave a horse in a dirty stall which means i can go to school and not have to be driven 30 minutes and get up at 4:30am because school starts at 8:30, 1 hour driving there and back then mucking out, etc. Not enough hours in the mornings. I finish school at 3pm so i can get there for 3:45pm. It’s £35 per week if feed was included which is simply 3 things: beet pulp, chaff and a course mix of some sort (need to ask about that). So either £25 or £35 per week.
Shoes: I want a native pony, definitely not a thoroughbred because they’re not bred for soundness. With a native pony and the barn smack bang on dartmoor it means that there is very very little need to ride on roads too often (just have to go down the road for about 500 yards then it’s open moor. Trimming costs £15-£20 every 6-8 weeks, the little road work will help to wear the hoof down but it would need a trim to keep them even. Shoes on front hooves + trim costs £35 (around about) and being shod on all hooves is approximately £60 (with trim).
Insurance: On average, £25 per month for a 7 year old mare. (yeah i checked it out) That’s with Pet Plan Equine. For Theft, Veterinary Emergency and Third Liability.
Annual Veterinary and Dentistry: Dentistry = £60-£75 per year. Vaccines against rabies, equine flu, rhino and… another one… is approximately £70 per year including call out fee.
Wormer: £10-£15 each time, i know you need to rotate it hence the £5 price difference. How often should i worm the horse? I hear different things from everyone.
Tack: i’m going to look for a horse that comes with tack, if not i’m sure i can find a cheap, good quality second hand saddle.
Emergency vet: i have about £500 saved up in a fund right now, i get £300 in 11 months time on my 16th birthday and then the rest i get on my 18th as it was initially put back for a car by a deceased family member but a horse is what i have wanted all my life and would teach me more about the value of money and responsibility. I may also run into some more money soon due to injury compensation which means that i will get at least £1000 (amazing to everyone especially a 15 year old, horsey mad girl!)
Extras: Lunge ropes, head collars and lead ropes, odd bag of treats, salt and mineral blocks, grooming kit, extra reins/safety stirrup rubbers, supplements such as garlic and joint “Seven Seas” capsules (horse friendly obviously!), etc. That will obviously add up to quite a bit. So i would say that it would cost £85 excluding the extra reins and SS rubbers.
£1300-£1800 per year on livery at that yard. I could probably make a deal with a friend who has a free stable with paddock and sand school for a smaller fee but i would have to ask and try to come up with something so we both aren’t losing anything. (i get the stable with hay and bedding if i make a deal that me and my family will fix/help with things around the yard.)
£300 per year on insurance.
Shoeing (every 6 weeks):
-Trimming= (Approx.) £129-£172 per year.
-Front hooves= (Approx) £301 per year.
-Fully shod= (Approx) £516 per year.
Annual dentistry/veterinary care (added together): £150 including call out fees.
Wormer (lets say, every other month):
£60-£90 per year.
Anything missed out? Does this sound about right? This isn’t going to happen until i’m at least 16 anyway because it’s hard for a 15 year old to have their own horse when they can’t get a job.