You are absolutely right! Thats one good thing about the Covid price rises, horses went sky high so are less affordable and not as tempting. I remember when I was a kid people would buy ex race horses straight off the track for pennies and have no idea how to ride or look after them. My mom could never afford toby me my own horse back then so I would ride these peoples incredible thoroughbreds and get them to where they wouldn't take off every time they touched grass. The most terrible things would happen to those poor horses because the owners had no idea what to do and they were in living conditions best suited for good doers. Such a shame but it's not as heard of nowadays thankfully.
My brother described the experience of owning a yacht as “like standing under a cold shower, in a gale, tearing up tenners” to which my horse owning wife replied “rather cheaper than standing up to your knees in shit tearing up twenties”.
@davidpaterson2309 You my friend are an absolute legend for posting this quote on here! Ive just laughed about this for a good 5 minutes and had to phone my friend to tell her!
@@Grassmonster3 that's 100% what it is! I don't think people realise that riding horses and looking after horses is two completely different things altogether!!!
I used to buy ex racehorses for the price of a cheap bicycle back in the eighties.........everything was so much cheaper and the horses were rescued from slaughter, but I wouldn't like to do it now that everything costs a fortune!
Thats pretty much how I learnt to ride properly! People would buy them straight off the track and had never even owned horses before! Maybe had a couple of lessons at the riding school. My mom couldn't afford to buy me a pony so I would ride these rather fresh ex-racers and get them to where they didn't take off as soon as they touched grass.
Prices have indeed gone way up! $12,000 per year for me in the USA, here in Maryland for one horse. Board, feed, hay, wormers, shots & coggins test, farrier, misc, grooming supplies, misc tack.
@@EssentiallyLivingtheDream Don't forget people's propensity to exagerate, like the guy who claimed you need 2 huge feilds, assuming we all have stallions and mares at once, which is ridiculous. He also claimed we all need TWO big trucks, both 4X4s with one winch. The trucks alone would cost at least $100,000 US! Americans especially have a tendency to exagerate wildly, so I would REALLY take people's off the cuff opinions with a grain of salt. Just because one person is paying 500 or 700 a month for board, that doesn't mean that's the average. Of course you can pay over $1000 a month if you want to, but I also know a guy who boards horses for about 100 a month. Only when costs are broken down in detail, like you did, can we REALLY see if those costs are realistic. Thank you for the detailed breakdown. There are FAR too many people buying horses with no awareness of the cost, and then ditching them, which is incredibly cruel to the horses, and can lead to a very painful spiral through the system! It's also incredibly helpful to everyone at every level. Thanks so much! ❤🐴🐎🐴❤
@@cattymajiv I love your comment! Ive never had a truck in my life! I drive an old Honda that's been on its last legs for I don't know how long, I even ripped the exhaust off driving down the track last week but its still going lol! Ive known exactly what you are saying so many times and the horses just get passed around or dumped. Hopefully people thinking about buying a horse will see this and it will cause them to really think about the costs. Again thank you for your comment, its wonderful to hear from a likeminded individual.
For all that your getting 12k a year isn't bad about 1000 a month when added the way you are I have 5 that stay home 17,700 for the year but I own the barn so I catch the break on boarding but my barn payment is 600 a month add in all the monthly cost hay, farrier, wormer I typically been spending about 200 a month on tack in the past year for bits and bobs and new stuff . Let's not even talk about a decent saddlen. The one im eyeballing is 8k don't need ... I want ! As of recent I just spent 200 on all new stall fans one for each horse and 700 on plumbing supplies .. I am doing the plumbing myself. But each horse now has a personal misting system in their stall for this texas heat. Most people who want to get into horses because the want a pretty pony and then they get cheap on the cost abandon the horse Owning horses is more of a lifestyle and many people who own them have some sort of disposable income When you get to the show circuit and she the people that show up and the money that shows up with them .. is when you see how elite owning horses really is. Back yard horse keeping vs the people who roll in with a semi truck and a trailer that hauls 6 horses plus living quarters for a million dollars
@@Classyk99 Im very much a back yard horse keeper! I do have a horse box but she's almost as old as me 😅 It used to fascinate me how people would turn up to shows. We would turn up on foot back in the day and had bathed the pony in the local pond! Best feeling ever when you beat them all after they've turned their noses up at you! Your barn sounds just incredible! Thankfully we don't have anywhere near the heat that you get in Texas. My old man never liked being in a stable but now that we have some and the door is constantly left open, he just stays in there all day!
I was thinking about getting a horse but this has made me realise that it's not a good idea for me. I will continue with riding lessons and not complain about the cost. Even the cost of keeping a little rescue dog is getting extortionate as she gets older. I knew horse owning was pricey but didn't realise the true cost.....thank you for this rundown it was very informative 👍 I wish you all the best with your horses
@clare999 Thank you so much for your comment :) Lessons are always a fab idea! I feel bad that Ive put you off though, there are always loan options available in your local area that cuts the costs dramatically. There are people that do 1 and 2 days a week loans and then you don't have all the added costs involved. Loans like that really help out the owners too!
Don't let this put you off - this is not an accurate depiction of costs. Do your own cost calculation according to what's in your area. Owning a horse is the best thing ever, the benefits far outweigh the costs imo and keeping a horse can be much cheaper than riding lessons, but it is a huge time commitment.
@@pete2973 Thank you so much for replying :) This video is based solely on the very first year of owning a horse across the whole of England so yes you are right, it would be significantly cheaper in some parts but it others you can almost double this amount. When you've had a horse for a few years you do learn how you can cut corners and in turn costs but I can assure you that these figures are a true representation at the time of recording it in May 2024. There are just so many things that a first time owner needs and so many benefits from initially being around people who are experienced such as on livery yards. My costs for 3 are significantly lower than this but Ive had horses for 40 years and have a sole use field.
This is my first time running across your videos and I really enjoyed the topic and how you covered it. I look forward to more videos ~ Thanks for sharing your knowledge!
Thank you so much for your comment, that really has made my day! I'm so glad you liked it and it would be an honour for you to join us on our RU-vid adventure!
At some point, you'll need a decent 4x4 pickup as a one ton bale of hay isn't going to deliver itself. Then there's the horse box or a horse transporter, plus a second 4x4 with a winch for when you are bogged down in a muddy field. Then you need somewhere to store all of these vehicles or trailers. If your field has no water supply, then you'll be burning diesel delivering water, especially if they are on hay, as water consumption goes through the roof if they are not on grass. It's not like that last one is an option. Lastly, horses are social animals and do not thrive living alone, so your horse needs a companion horse. Some items now double, but some costs will be shared between the herd. Consider also if you have more than one horse and they are not both male or both female. You now need to run two fields or two herds otherwise you will have more horses in 11 months time.... Oh and finally, do remember to repair fences, gates and maintain field boundaries. If your horse is an eventer or hunter, expect it to know how to jump over those fences into the next field, so you'll have to pay to maintain higher height fencing or electric fencing.
@marekh3296 Oh yes, as soon as you go into having your own land or rented fields you learn quickly how much time and effort it takes! We have only had our current field for 5 months now and if you've seen any of our vlogs you'll have seen how bad it was when we first moved there. Thankfully this one is 5 minutes from our house so fuel has gone down somewhat but the lack of running water has been a major issue! We are just drawing up plans to build a hay store (I think we may go down the pallet route) as I really want to try and lower the costs even more this year. Im just grateful that we can do 99% of things ourselves and yes I do wish I had a 4x4 truck! :)
This video is so so useful. I grew up around horses but as a child you never reallly get the full in and outs of horse ownership. You've made me feel so much more confident, and unlike a few other equine youtubers you really seem down to earth and act a lot less gate kept about the equine world ❤
What a lovely comment @hermionegeary8616 thank you so much! Yes Im a very down to Earth, what you see is really what you get kind of person. I think that's why I can't be on a livery yard. I don't have any pink Hunter wellies! lol! It would be a privilege to have you come along on this crazy RU-vid journey with us. I have lots more videos where this one came from! :-)
It's the cost of owning a horse that stops me from getting one. Instead I go for lessons once a week and volunteer once a week at a horse rescue. It's not the same as owning my own horse but it's pretty close and lessons where I go cost $55.
@Krinsta1 It sounds like you're the only sensible one of us so far! I didn't actually own my own horse until I was 19 I think? I started riding when I was 3 and by the age of 7/8 I was working every weekend and every day of the school holidays at a riding school. I used to be paid in riding lessons and hacks out. Riding a wide selection of horses that are not your own actually teaches you t have much better balance and a greater understanding than if you just ride the same horse every time.
@EssentiallyLivingtheDream I was begging and pleading with my parents to get me a horse. I had my first riding lesson when I was 5. When I was 17, I got a four month old colt who was destined to be put down. I had five wonderful years with him but couldn't give him the life he deserved. I learnt to ride on Shetland ponies who were difficult to ride. I just started riding lessons again. I trained my horse to be ridden when I was pregnant with my first child, and that child is now 39 years old. I was heartbroken that I couldn't keep my horse. He went to a good home of a big family of horse people. It was the right thing to do, but it hurt me so much. Things haven't changed. I'm always financially struggling. This is the best I can do. I will always love horses, and I enjoy my riding lessons and my volunteering. I don't ever want to go through the heartbreaking experience of loving and losing a horse again. 💔 I wish I could have a horse again, but I career in caring, chose me, and horse ownership is just a dream.
@cattymajiv yeah she's an amazing coach as well. I can have independent riding lessons now, which is me and one of the horses in the arena working on myself by myself with my favourite horse or one that needs a bit of work. Liz is always around and gives comments if she thinks it is needed from a far. I am so lucky. The school is called Moonlight Manor Riding if you want to look it up. It's not flashy, but I love going. I try to do a bit of work around the place, pick up poo, clean out the tack shed, or buy Liz a coffee to show my appreciation. Maybe if you are ever visiting Australia, you could book in a few lessons and go on the Pub Ride with Nash Adventure riding and make it a horse riding holiday. A group of SAHA volunteers will be going as soon as I can afford it.
Gets a bit silly doesn't it when you really go into the details of what they need. I think because it goes out in bits and drabs and to many different people and places, you never really total it all up.
The cheapest way to keep horses is to live in the country, lead a rural life style, do all the work yourself. I have done it for the past 61 years, in Germany and the USA.
You couldn't be more right if you tried. Thats almost how we do it but we can't afford our own farmland. We can all dream though can't we! I learnt pretty early on that costs are so much more reasonable when you do the majority of things yourself.
Yeah fine! Just for info.: when you are owner of your property barn,stables, pastures etc… a horse cost will turn around €2,4-2,8/day during winter. Feeding /day ex. cavalor tradition 2x, 4x hay, water etc.. going out during time=> every day manually, evening return in box. During summertime they stay outside, every 3-4 days when it’s very hot ctrl of water and adding when necessary. Vet cost €100/year! Every 2 months adjust their hoves, when you don’t have the ability to do it yourself approx cost €28-35. When you need horseshoes €45-65 just for front. When you go frequently onto competitions you need the necessary vaccines. When you train 4-6 times a week for at least one full hour you need to feed them with more expensive food. All depending what you’re doing with your horse. When it’s just pleasure and outside trails they need only good simple food like the cavalor tradition and enough good hay.. even when you go 2-4 times for a simple ride. … Of course you can buy all the expensive stuff in the shop …. to pleasure yourself not the horse! An advice on the side.: the manner and way you gonna approach the horse on a daily basis …. is the most important thing for him to keep him balanced and with a healthy mind! Bob 😊
Horses are simply ‘money pits’ the same as luxury yachts etc….. so long as you’re prepared to accept that then you’ll have a lovely life with your horses 🐎
I needed to stop at the hoofes. 😂 I just realised how much money i throw at my Pony. I love him to bits, he has Asthma, he had an hoof ulcer whish alone costs me about 1000 €, i pay around 800 € per month, and i know a lot of people, who pay more. I am insane. Everybody with a horse is nuts. 😂😂❤ But, to be honest, in this 800 is everything, stable, insurance, gas for my car to drive to my pony, his food. So, i guess it´s ok.
Its ridiculous isn't it how much we spend! Could you imagine the holidays we could have if we were 'normal' people without all the expense of the giant lawnmowers? You are so right though, we are all completely nuts!!!
@@EssentiallyLivingtheDream I could drive a Porsche. Instead, i am driving my pony. I guess, it´s worth it. 😂😂 It´s really not normal, but who want´s to be normal anyway?!?
I am shocked how expensive it is in the UK 😮 I live in Germany and I've had my two 28 year old Irish Cobs the last five years in a massive big stable with big paddock where I look after them myself. We have put artifical grass down to keep it mud free. We have electricity, sadly no running water which is not a problem. We have massive big fields and we pay £35 rent for the whole year. We use a big bale of hay a month which costs £50. Buy them from our local farmer. Farrier cost £25 per horse every 6-7 weeks. I can see my horses from where I live and it only takes 3 minutes to walk there, we take water from home in a big tank which we have built on a trailer so we can drive and leave it at the stables. I've had my horse in a proper stable all inclusive that cost £200 a month. Then changed to stables where the horses could be out 24/7 with a really good stable to go in 24/7 they were mucked out, fed and watered and I paid £257 for both horses. People are really friendly here in Germany and the farmers rent fields for around £20 a year. If I move back to the UK I wouldn't be able to afford a horse at those cost 😅
£25 per year!!! Oh my word that is incredible!!! Why would you ever want to be over here when you have a set up like that 😅 We don’t have electricity or water either so we’ve just finished a rainwater harvesting setup and rely on solar for electricity. Our past few vlogs have been predominantly about setting all of that up. You are so lucky to have such amazing prices in Germany 🇩🇪
@@EssentiallyLivingtheDream my parents moved back to the UK after living in Germany for over 30 years and I really miss them. It's cheap to keep horses here, very expensive to buy horses though. Seems like everyone owns a horse here. My 28 year old cob had an eye removed last year too. Vets are very expensive here, they put the price up by 30% 18 months ago. We also have the freedom of being able to ride everywhere, no private properties. I live in the Eifel, near to the racing track Nürburgring. It's beautiful here. We also have a huge choice of vets and all can be with us within 15 mins and 24 hours every day in the year. We started up with solar electricity until a neighbours said we could use their electricity, so we have connected to their electricity which we pay around £80 a year.I have really enjoyed watching your videos, thank you 😍
Have heard a lot of good news regarding horse yard setups in Germany, some of the UK pro riders have left to go and set up in Europe saying they get more for less money, and travelling to shows through borders is so much easier. Your set up sounds great value for money 👍
Oh that's tough, I couldn't imagine being in a completely different country o my mom. My 44 year old pony Toby had his eye removed a couple of years ago too! It cost £1200 if I remember correctly. I don't have any riding near me so I keep an old horse box called Bertha and I just box my mare everywhere. I even ride on my own! Having a vet turn up in 15 minutes is incredible too! I found a horse in a brook about 18 months ago, she had been missing for days and it took the vet over an hour to turn up :( It sounds like you have amazing neighbours too! Thank you so very much for watching our videos and I would love for you to come along on this crazy RU-vid journey with us :)
@grassmonster3 Oh my word yes! One of mine is blind and he hates being rugged! He doesn't have a choice though because he's just turned 44. This year he casually destroyed 6 rugs and the last one he had on for 2 days...
@@EssentiallyLivingtheDream Mine was an 18.3 Irish draft that had thrown back to something huge - built like a shire and took an 8ft 6 ins rug ( the fitted bit at the bum had to overhang 'cos nothing was wide enough). Rugs the size of a wagon tarp don't come cheap - Fal Bulldogs were the only ones big enough round the neck - I spent more on rugs for him than clothes for me.
@@monicafrazer7524 that's just really made me laugh! My old man is definitely a professional too! He takes his rugs off and you just find them in a pile somewhere with all the buckles and straps till all done up! How???
@@Grassmonster3 Oh my word!!! Did you buy him as a youngster and then just have a shock or did you buy him that big? The biggest Ive ever had was 17hh I think? My 14.1 mare is in 7ft rugs now but luckily she isn't much of a rug ripper, just always takes the lining out? Never understood how she manages to do that.
Pony £1500 Stage three vetting - £160 Transport to move yards - £150 Field- £85 per month Farrier - £30 every 8 weeks Kbis insurance - £128 per month Worming - £25 per season Rug - £45 Pony nuts - £8 - about 5 bags a year Hay - £55 a round about every 3 months but not spring and summer Other stuff Buckets, shampoo, water container, poo picker, wheelbarrow, brushes, hoof pick Tack Pony pad - £89 Bridle - £45 Stirrups and leather - £40
You cannot go wrong with a pony, all mine are technically ponies because the biggest is 14.3. Problem is people are always so desperate to move onto horses and I never understood why? I love pony paces and all the things you can do with them. They also have the very best characters! The pony we lost a couple of years ago was called Toffee and he was the greatest pony in the world!
It's been 14 years that I've been in the industry and the past 5 have been wild. The cost has sky-rocketed for EVERYTHING. Yet last summer I had the opportunity to start a mare undersaddle, I had her for 3 months, there wasn't any funny bussiness and she was too obese just on hay and grass, that is counted into the boarding fee. This year an opportunity came up to buy her and...I did. I have had her a month now and only payed for board, dewormer and some extra tack, hopefully we can keep this up. Oh, did I mention that she had a baby 5 days ago? Everything went great, thankfully, so I'm really hoping they both can stay away from the vet 🙏
Oh my word that is amazing!!! Did you know she was in foal? Oh I couldn't be more happy for you if I tried! Is that her in your profile picture? If it is then she's stunning. Starting them under saddle yourself is always a positive because you know exactly what's happened and how it has been done. So many horses get completely ruined by this process and often its never resolved. Congratulations and I would love to see your new baby x
Literally so pricey but honestly worth it! We had a loan to buy cob a year ago and in the end they wanted £60,000! He wasn't vaccinated yet and he needed more training as he was originally a ride an drive horse until we loaned him for lesson training. In the end we didn't buy him sadly was just too much for that 1 off cost for a 5year old. Was a shame because i really bonded with him really well, so much love i have for him i just hope he's gone to a loving home!
£60,000!!!!!! What on earth was it @MillieAndScratchy ??? Wow! I would expect the Kings bloodline for that amount!!! Wow! I know a few people who have had this happen to them and its positively awful. People pull you in with a loan and then they know you love them too much to let them go. Im so sorry that this has happened to you too and I dearly hope that you find your dream horse some day soon x
@@EssentiallyLivingtheDream exactly! Must be a unicorn in fancy dress! Was so sad my heart shattered when he had to leave us. Thank you! I hope I do too! X
And if you have an older horse the vet bills might rise considerably! Here in Germany I pay 530€ per month for the stable incl all the basic feed (hay as much as he wants, oats and pasture in the summer ). It’s a stable close to the city where I line and features an outdoor, an indoor arena and a roundpen. Farrier is around 100€ every 8 weeks (shoes on the front feet). I probably spent another 50€ or so monthly for additional feed and minerals. 100€ a year for dewormers. The vet bills vary considerably, unfortunately my horse had a lot of issues in the past years so I paid several 1000€ for the vet. Edit: I didn’t pay for my horse initially , I got him for free from the former owner who couldn’t care for him anymore.
Thank you so much for your comment. My mare was given to me by my friend too :) My gelding is 44 so no-one will insure him, in fact I haven't been able to get any insurance for him for years! So apart from your field costs, your bills are not so dissimilar to ours in England.
@@EssentiallyLivingtheDream oh wow. I have a similar problem. My Horse had colic surgery when he was younger and the insurance excluded this kind of surgery for him forever. So the former owner cancelled the insurance altogether. When I gut him I tried to get an insurance for him but they wouldn’t take him. So I don’t have insurance either. Back then I thought, well I wouldn’t let him have another colic surgery anyway….well , in 2022 he unfortunately had another severe colic and the clinic told me the only option was to do surgery or let him go. In this moment I couldn’t let him go and they did the surgery. Which I had to pay all out of my pocket (well the family helped a little too ). But I still love him 😅😍 He’s 23 now and will turn 24 in August. 44 years, That’s amazing !
@@sphhyn I knew it!!! As I was reading I thought "I bet if he had colic again she would pay out for it herself..." AND YOU DID! You're my hero obviously! Best way to think about it is you would be paying AT LEAST £50 per month on insurance so just pay that into a bank account that has a good interest rate on it. That way you're still paying into the insurance of being able to pay out the crazy bills but you arn't losing anything either. Plus it accrues interest and that can only be a good thin right?
@@EssentiallyLivingtheDream thank you for your kind words :) yes, I think setting an amount of money aside on an extra bank account is as good as an insurance.
Thank you so much @stephanielock7593 I am so happy that you liked this video and its just wonderful that you have subscribed to our little channel as well! I have lots of videos in mind and we are also restoring an old stable block that we took on 6 months ago so there will be lots about that also. :-)
When I was young in boarding school my dad asked me to write a Christmas list, it was always the same request, a horse and everything it needs for a year, I figured I could ask the next Christmas for everything it needed for the next year but I never got my Christmas wish.
@@EssentiallyLivingtheDream I spent much of my youth around horses, luckily the school had a riding stables in the grounds, the horses were my friends, I spent every minute that I could around the horses, I do wish to have a horse of my own, alternatively I will volunteer for a horse charity locally when my knee replacement surgery is completed and I am able to get fitter.
@@twogsds oh yes that sounds like a fabulous idea! There are lots of CIC's popping up everywhere at the moment as well that have farm animals and donkeys. That might be worth looking into.
Covid really did mess so many things up didn't it. Im still waiting for my gas bill to be under £300 per month! How much was it per bale before covid? We pay about £40 here for a round bale.
A friend of mine has just retired three of her horses - at a cost of £1,000 per month here in Surrey. That includes general care, feed and living outdoors. Because there's no shelter in the field she's looking for another option by the end of summer - I dread to think how much it might cost with a shelter.
Wow! We've been renovating the stables on our land and it cost over £400 just for the roofing sheets! My oldest horse is preferring to just camp out in there now bless him. He's 44 now and he thinks he's got his own little bachelor pad lol! He's never been able to stay in a stable but these I've just left permanently open so he doesn't feel trapped.
@@EssentiallyLivingtheDreamwow! 44 y.o.? Was that a typo? Redwing horse sanctuary keeps all its rescues outside all year in open stables even the Arabs! All seem to thrive even in the uk's terrible weather...
@@gemmag.2988 Yes he's 44 bless him 🥰 Ive had him longer than I haven't had him. Yes I keep mine out all year round too, its soooooooo much better for the joints (in my opinion) and you don't get the terrible coughs from dusty stables. Mine can go in whenever they like if it rains or for shade but they are free to roam around all day everyday ❤
I think you worked out the farrier bill wrong. If a horse needs treatment every 6 to 8 weeks (6-7 times a year @ £60- £80 avg with shoes), that’s £560 a year, not £95. If you’re bare footed, that’s often more treatment, more like 7 times a year @ £25… that would be £175. I’m not sure where the £95 came in. It’s way under average, even at the cheapest rate of £25 a visit?
Thank you so much for commenting :) I did get it wrong, you're so right! But if you have a look at the bit where the total goes up it crosses it out and adds the correct total. I couldn't face recording and editing the whole video again! The average was £95 and 7 weeks so £665 gets added on. My bad :) The total at the top is correct all the way through though :)
@@EssentiallyLivingtheDream bless you, I don’t blame you for not wanting to record it again. So much yucky maths 😘 I didn’t want to sound nit picky, I hope I didn’t. I’m so glad that you are pointing out the costs and reality of keeping horses. So many people buy them and the horses end up suffering. A good reality check like this, hopefully will put people off and stop the needless suffering of beautiful horses in the uk. 🙏🏻
Oh no you didn't sound nit picky! :) I love that you commented and I would love to follow us on this journey! Ill be honest I couldn't believe how much the final total was, as I was researching it I was remembering how I started off with nothing and how there's no way I could do it now. Its such a shame that the grass roots children won't have the opportunities that we had as children. I was even on a cattle farm as a late teen on my own for years battling with ring worm and suicidal cows! It does worry me the amount of people Ive seen come and go though and literally abandon there horses and we never see them again!
The term 'labour of love' was invented for horse owners. So much effort and expense when you consider the amount of time a horse is being ridden, which, as a none owner, is the enjoyment and when it is standing in a stall or field eating. Particularly in the winter if there isn't an indoor facility to ride in. The use of the horse would add more expense. Such as jumping.
@camera2painting That is so true! I have always said that owning a horse and riding a horse are two completely separate hobbies. Plus I genuinely think that people who have regular riding lessons spend a good deal more time in the saddle than any of us that have owned horses for years. Then there's the stress and the money side! It is mind blowing sometimes...
In the USA , I am in Central Texas 15 dollars for 1 bale of hay 150 for a round bale Farrier barefoot trim 40 Horse boarding around me varies from DYI boarding from 300 a month to 1800 a month for a barn with all the bells and whistles . I have 2 horses and 3 minis and I feed certified feed , around 500 a month to feed the crew. I own my own barn , and have my own horse arena but I also have payments and build out .. cost around 75k to 100k for the barn Ive stopped counting. And I still have a barn payment of 600 a month. for the next 9 years My horse trailer I purchased 15 years ago for 5 or 6 thousand My truck to pull the trailer 2022 I paid 77 thousand. My horse tack , it top par, I just purchased a bunch of halters 220 that was on sale . I have 4 saddles 2 of them are stubben saddles and one is HDR 1800 Couple of voltair girths at 500 each , multiple bridles at low end 40 , 5 of them at 200 , 3 of them at 400 and 1 at 530 I have 50 saddle pads from PSOS they average 120 per pad. Not counting boots, fly bonnets. etc.
Oh my word your costs are incredible and I cannot believe how much hay is in the USA! Ive had a few people comment on here from America and they've all said the same thing about how expensive everything is. I always thought it would be one of the cheapest places to keep them been as we see it as 'horse country'. Thank you so much for sharing this with us and for watching our video :)
Great breakdown video, thank you. The way the restrictions on cars is happening I think in 10 years we will all be back to the horse. I rode horses in my 30's for a few years and now prob to old at 65. Are Mules popular over here and do you like hoof boots?
Oh wouldn't that be amazing @keithcheeseman567 ! Just casually going around on your horse and hitching them up outside. Honestly I don't think you are ever too old to ride, my mom does sometimes and she's almost 70! Yes there has definitely been a rise in mules lately. I remember when I was a kid seeing them on tv and then actually seeing one in really life about 15 years ago. They come up quite often now and I have a friend who had a giant one! Almost 15hh!
I used to have three horses then following a divorce I kept my oldest in a field but I couldn’t even afford that as a single mum, there was always something. The field rent was the cheap part. Drenching for sand, doing the hooves, rugs which got ripped to shreds, worming, hay and so on became such a sad reality the horse cost a lot more than the child and all the other pets and when I wanted to ride her she didn’t want to know as every other horse was jealous and would attack her. I would then be exhausted trying just to get her as she was too scared because of other bad tempered animals. I gave her away as a companion horse she was 22. I hated myself for giving her away but I thought as a companion to a lonely horse she would at least not have to struggle against the large herd she was with. But you have reminded me of all the expenses and I’ve been able to forgive myself somewhat. I hope that she would also forgive me, I had had her for 17 years. 😢. If you’re gonna have a show horse and she once was an eventer and show hack you better be single, have a good job and prepared that all your money will go on your horses. Looking back I don’t know how I did it then …hire trailers and pay entry fees etc. crazy. But when I look back in time those were the best years of my life and also the hardest. I’m glad I had the experiences I had. These days I don’t know how anyone can afford to have just one and all the vet bills I had. There was always something draining the bank. A $2000 surgery must cost $10,000 now. Ohhh those were the days and I regret nothing except my old grey mare… could I have managed her some other way. But I guess we will never know. It was very hard times back then.😔
Thank you so much for your comment and I am just so sorry that you had to give up all of your horses in the end. Its such a huge responsibility isn't it and I don't think people realise the hold that they have over you emotionally and financially. Did you keep in touch with the person who took her as a companion? I think we all have horse regrets, mine is a Haflinger called Robert that had become a field ornament and I thought was being wasted. I sold him to a lady who was desperate for a horse she could build her confidence on and he was the ideal horse for that. I often think about him and if he's still around now. I even put a post on one of those facebook pages to find your old horse but heard nothing back. Could you not visit a local riding school and have a lesson or two just for old times? Im sure that would do wonders for you mental health too because they do wonders for mine. Its such a shame you don't live closer to us! You'd love my dopey mare :)
@@EssentiallyLivingtheDream I would love your mare. I never saw my old mare again but she was to be returned if she didn’t work out. She was a lovely old girl and sweet to other horses and a very good doer. I didn’t go and see her as I thought she might think she was coming home. I never got to see my other mare she had been a champion Arabian bred and had at least two foals that I heard of were exceptional. My champion palomino stallion was thrilled to see me when I did go see him though, he had matured and was a horse fit for a queen. He galloped up to me whinnying. He produced progeny ever better than himself and he was sold to the other side of Australia so I never saw him again after he left his next owner. I understood he was devastated at being sold. I feel I let him down. I let them all down. But you know when the SHTF sometimes you have to sacrifice everything, to save your child/ren and yourself. I wasn’t able to recover for years to a point where I could try get them back. I had to let that part off my life go. Now I’m in a wheelchair and even going for a ride isn’t an option. But you can do something for me if you will. You can hug your dopey mare on behalf of me and maybe that love will transcend into the horsey universe to where those wonderful animals I once owned will be and be touched by it. I would have them know how much I cared and loved them and hoped to meet again over the rainbow bridge. 🌈
@@ksanurse Oh I will do that for you as soon as I see them first thing in the morning I promise! AND you WILL see them again someday! They will be waiting for you , I really do believe that's true.
@emerwatchorn6971 I would love to know more! What sort of things are cheaper? Ireland is one of my most favourite places to visit! Thank you so much for your comment x
I've owned horses and boats, boats may well be considerably more in outlay to buy but it's amazing how closely they relate in maintenenance.. BTW, you overlooked transport and hiring of an arena for training.
So true, Ill do an updated version early next year and add all the little extras into it :) I just wanted to give people who were thinking about buying a horse a good idea of the basic costs involved. I didn't add teeth or rugs either and rugs cost me a fortune!
@@jamesgraham6122 Oh my if you have a daughter then Im afraid there's no hope! If you haven't already got a horse then trust me you will have one eventually... Im afraid its inevitable with daughters!!!
Isn't that the truth! I bet he is absolutely stunning though isn't he? What colour is he? I had a lilac straight Egyptian one about 25 years ago and he was so incredibly beautiful. Felt like I was perched on top of a scaffold pole though! :-)
Thank you for such an informative walk through of the cost of keeping a horse! I really want to get a couple of horses one day when I eventually can move to the countryside. I have a question about the initial horse purchase. If you were to by a really cheap horse e.g. because its really green or unbacked, would the cost of having him sent away to he backed outweigh the costs of just buying a safe bombproof horse? Also do you know if there are service you could pay for where a professional helps train your horse and you can get involved too (Instead of sending the horse away)?
That is actually a brilliant question, maybe I could do a future video on that? It all depends on your level of experience and the facilities that you have available to you. If you have the relevant experience and you are not in a rush to ride then a cheaper horse is an option. Sending them away to be schooled and backed can be an absolute minefield though and you hear horror stories of things going really wrong, plus you don't know the methods that the trainer will use. Having a trainer come to you is also an option but getting the right trainer is again a minefield! So yes it all depends on you ability, experience and the available facilities. Obviously a more expensive horse will hopefully have had all of the hard work done already but again even the best behaved and well trained horses will test you at times. Dont ever rule out the older horses though! Something between 16 and 20 will be a lot calmer and will know its job. As long as you give them the right care, feed, supplements etc then they are a really viable option. Ive always said that a horse over the age of 12 is the best option but my sons first pony was 19 when he had him and he was the best pony in the world.
@EssentiallyLivingtheDream Oooh thank you for your detailed reply 🙂 I wondered about this. I don't like the idea of sending a horse to a potentially traumatising schooling method. My experience of horses stops at riding lessons, books and natural horsemanship training videos I binge watch on you tube 😄. So my practical expedience is limited, so don't think it would be wise for me to undertake schoolong alone. I totally agree about the older horse! I've been hearing a lot about what you mentioned (I was thinking over 7 but I'll take your advice with over 12!) To be honest I think I'm more of a happy hacker type and don't think my nature suits a young egdy horse. Aww your sons pony sounded like he was a really steady eddy, a real keeper! If you're doing a video on buying cheap and training vs buying expensive I'd definately watch it! It's something I've been chewing over a lot so you've got yourself a subscriber! 💯
@@BishoujoMegami 7 is the prime of their life so also when they can be difficult! Thank you so much for subscribing, that really means a lot! Im just drafting out the idea of your 'buying cheap and training vs buying expensive' idea and its just such a good question! Would you mind if I used a screenshot of your initial question to start the video? I would blank out your username. Its totally fine if that's not ok!
i love horses one day i might get to see one ? :( i asked 7 acers horse sanctuary if i could be put down on there books to save a black cob a few years ago they asked me how i would keep it and when i said full livery they turned round and said no not a chance . the thing is the people that run the place are not nice people and thieves were always trying to steel there horses as far as i am aware the horse i wanted is still there and getting hit and pushed around i gave them a small fortune for him in bits and bobs to help look after him . i know i don't know anything about horses what's so ever but you have got to start some where and i thought if i had help with full livery i would be able to ask all my questions and know he would be safe while i learned what i needed to AM I WRONG . i gave up after this .
@paulacannon3452 that is so sad and I am so sorry that you have had such a bad experience. I understand why the rescue wouldn't allow you to take on a horse that was going to go straight onto full livery, as rescue centres like to make sure their horse is going to have plenty of one to one love and support. People that have horses on full livery tend to not have as much time as is needed which is why they need extra people to look after their horses for them. If you don't know as much about horses as you probably need to then youtube is absolutely super for beginners to learn a load of the theory behind the basics but it is no substitute for good old 'boots on the ground'. Is there a local riding school or rescue near you that might need volunteers? That might be a super place to start as you will learn from people and get the 'hands on' experience that you will need. You could also have a few riding lessons and really get to grips with everything you need to know before you dive head first into buying or rescuing a horse. Its a giant learning curve but it is super fun and so rewarding if you take it slowly and meet people that can really help. You are always welcome to ask me anything you like about anything you might need to know and Im also working on lots of different video ideas which will really help you also. Don't give up! Pick yourself up and make a few calls to see if anyone would like some help. Explain that you are a beginner and what your future goals are but above all make sure they know that this is your dream and you just want the best for your future horse. Hayley :)
@joebloggs8785 yes absolutely but fields are very rarely on the market and you also can't get a mortgage for such land so unless you have a spare £40000 and find a very rare field up for sale then you haven't got a chance. People that manage to buy land won't ever sell it either, they choose to rent it out instead. Everything is just such a premium isn't it.
This is grossly inaccurate. My average costs per month, all in (farrier, feed, field/stable rent and extra bits) are approx 150 GBP - I pay an additional 45 GBP per month for vet and public liability insurance, and FWC and annual vacs are extra. That's less than a smoking/drinking habit and the benefits far outweigh the cost. It's perfectly feasible to own a horse affordably.
Thank you so much for your comment :) This video is based solely on the very first year of owning a horse across the whole of England so yes you are right, it would be significantly cheaper in some parts but it others you can almost double this amount. When you've had a horse for a few years you do learn how you can cut corners and in turn costs but I can assure you that these figures are a true representation at the time of recording it in May 2024. There are just so many things that a first time owner needs and so many benefits from initially being around people who are experienced such as on livery yards. My costs for 3 are significantly lower than this but Ive had horses for 40 years and have a sole use field. Where about do you keep your horses and do you have your own field?
If it was just purchasing horse to be my friend(I destest the word "owner")I would have done it a long time ago.You.have to think of the horse if you.cant afford the upkeep you cant have one
So true but part loaning is also a fantastic idea that gives you many of the same benefits as owning a horse but without the excessive ties and responsibilities.
An awful lot more than it did 5 years ago! Mostly impart to the loss of the green belt laws. So now we are loosing what little countryside we have left to compulsory purchases, greedy developers and councils that don't have a clue. That has left us with the loss of so many livery yards to stupid house building. The few yards that are left know they are in high demand and that there isn't enough space to go around so they are massively increasing thier prices as there is no competition and they know people won't move their horses and have to pay, as there is no where to move too. Animals need space stop building houses! Leave the land untouched, once it's gone you won't get it back and animals are being made homeless. I know this first hand, 4 large livery yards where forced to close last year by me and over 1000 horses where desperately trying to find somewhere to go. I've gad to move mine to over 30 minutes drive down a motorway! It's getting beyond a joke.
Oh my word!!! They are trying to do that near us at the minute, they are trying to force an argument over building houses on the greenbelt! Its utter madness and then we end up with badgers and foxes dead all over the road! We've had to move our horses 4 times in the last year and ended up with the field we have now. Thats how I ended up making this channel in the first place. I rescued 3 colts from the meat man, ended up keeping the one for my son (madness I know) and took on this land that needed a LOT of work to put right. Its a very slow process but it will be worth it Im sure!
Boy this sounds so expensive and I know things are that expensive I'm 64 and I've had a horse in my whole life I live in Oklahoma I have the least amount of land I've ever owned is 10 acres in the most is 80 acres he would think you could rent a 10-acre pastor somewhere but I don't know there in England if you can but I build a loaf and shed I drive my two horses do the wagon in the most expensive cost I have is feeding hay and most the time I don't have to give on hey until December Buy Marsh things are green and up but I always give him a big coffee can I feed and I take care of their feet myself when I'm driving on gravel roads I put boots on them the rest of the time to run barefoot and my horses aren't thoroughbreds they're mixed with draft horses so there's many ways to keep a horse and I just imagine you can ask the gypsies about it too I'm sure they figured cheaper ways to keep them
You're so lucky to own your own land, land in England is just the most ridiculous price and if you can find land with living plans then you are talking millions! Its an unobtainable dream but its always nice to dream isn't it? I don't hay mine until October and my new field seems to be fantastic grass wise so the next project after the hay barn will be to separate it into thirds. Im currently struggling to find a good farrier which is causing me a lot of headaches!
@@EssentiallyLivingtheDream well in some ways, however richer in others. We still live the dream with our best equine pals. Grateful to say having a horse in my life has been an investment, and a life saver shes worth every penny, rain, hail, or shine ✨
@karenwaddell4939 You are absolutely right! Im currently trying to sort out a video all about teeth as 2 of mine are due pretty much now. Im going to make it as detailed and informative as I can :) Thank you so much for your comment x
Yes absolutely, Im sorting out a video all about teeth at the minute as mine are now due. Thank you so much for your comment and I am so grateful that you watched my video :)
It doesn't feel like that in the winter! Where about do you live? I always believed that America was a lot cheaper but since publishing this video Ive realised I was so wrong! Thank you so much for commenting and watching my video :)
Hey Hayley , good vid good info, first let me say for someone who's been around horses for as long as you said you had , yous lookin damn good !!! I my parents told me that horses are good for the inside of a person. A I was keeping my 3 completion horses on full livery in the south of England was until 3 months ago paying 630.00£ per week for the 3, I am now renting (long term) a yard with 8 stables 11acres turn out, floodlit outdoor arena, and covered arena, I bought 3 bed static home, me and my mate are doing it ourselves we have saved ££££s and are making ££s this weekend we are taking in 2 full livery horses and one sales livery and have found a local lad with his stage 3 to come and work with us, I was born in the midlands in Warwickshire lived in a village called Leire nearest town Lutterworth.. Am rambling so I'll go and do evening feeds, if they want to come in that is, thanks again , do you ride compete teach etc , keep vids coming 👍🇬🇧🏇
@user-tg5vs1xz5x oh wow you really are living the dream right there! I’ve been riding since I was 3 so everything has changed tremendously since then! That was an insane amount of money you were paying out there! I used to compete a little and teach but that was a loooong time ago. To be honest I prefer training the horses and teaching people all the ground work.
Im sorry if I have offended you @ImogenC-rt3fm and I don't claim to be an expert but I have had horses for almost 40 years, so you do tend to pick up quite a considerable amount in that time. Again I am sorry if you didn't like my video but thank you for watching it anyway.
