Horse riding is an extremely popular hobby, and it can be incredibly beneficial both mentally and physically. There comes a time in every aspiring equestrian’s life when they have to decide whether or not to commit, bite the bullet and buy a horse of their very own.
Now, buying your own horse is obviously a lot different to getting any other pet; they need far more space and equipment. Most people lease a horse until they are competent enough to care for the horse themselves. If you think that you are ready, then there are several things that you should be aware of. Keep reading for more information.
Consider The Expense
The first thing to consider is that buying and owning a horse is far more expensive than owning other pets. When it comes to working out your budget for the horse itself, there isn’t really a right or a wrong answer. It will depend on you and what you want the horse for.
For example, if you have competitive dreams, then you are going to need to spend more than you would if you simply wanted a horse to ride and keep as a hobby. As with purchasing any animal, there is the upfront cost of the animal itself, followed by the ongoing costs surrounding keeping it happy and healthy.
One of the highest ongoing costs to consider is likely to be boarding the horse. Obviously, it is going to need somewhere to live; most people board their horse at a local stable. It is essentially like paying rent. There are also grooming costs to consider and vets fees.
Having insurance in place can help to offset the costs a little, but it also does constitute an additional cost in and of itself. Not to mention feed and other comfort items like bedding or blankets. You can get a lot of these miscellaneous extras all in one place from the EquiSupermarket, so be sure to check them out before you commit to purchasing your new horse.
Choosing the Horse
Once you have worked out whether or not you can afford to purchase a horse and you have come up with a rough budget for the horse itself, then it is time to start looking. As mentioned above, your vision for the horse will come into play here. Do you want a thoroughbred racing champion or an easygoing crossbred pony? The cost discrepancy between the two is likely to be large. This is likely to be the biggest factor when it comes to the cost of the horse.
Once you know what you are looking for, you can begin to take into account other factors. The temperament of the horse should be a priority. If you are more confident, then you might be willing to take on a more strong-willed horse, but arguably, looking for an easygoing horse is probably going to be preferable. Having a more easygoing horse will make the growing pains of getting to know each other easier. Most sellers will use buzzwords to describe their horse in their advertisements; you can get a better idea of its temperament from meeting it.
Age and size are also important. You should be comfortable when mounting and dismounting the horse. Some breeds grow bigger, and others remain on the smaller side, so do bear this in mind. Think about what size would be comfortable for both you and the horse. Age is less important; although it does often equate to behaviour, older horses tend to have had more training and experience, whereas younger horses still need to learn. Again, if you feel confident in training a horse, then this might not be relevant to your search.
Finding a Stable
As mentioned above, one of the biggest ongoing expenses to consider is the cost of boarding your horse. Most people tend to house their horse in a local stable. Obviously, location does matter, but you should still be objective. Make sure to read the fine print, too; the level of care that your horse receives while in the stable can vary. Some stables take a fee for housing the horse, but you are then expected to do everything else for it. Some stables charge a fee, and they take care of your horses’ daily needs, too, depending on your availability. Some stables might offer a discount if they can use your horse when teaching children, or they will offer you a discount if you come in and help to keep the stables clean and do odd jobs.
The Takeaway
Horses can cost as much as a new car on occasion, which is precisely why you need to think through the decision carefully because it often has a huge impact on you financially, especially as a first-time buyer. Think about what you can conceivably afford and commit to; owning any pet is a commitment, but a horse is perhaps even more so.
Leave a Reply