The largest of all pets, a horse is a huge commitment and something you need to seriously think about prior to taking the plunge. We take a look at a few questions to see if a horse is the perfect pet for you.
Horse life
If you haven’t had riding lessons, then now is a good time to start. Surround yourself with horses as much as possible, find out first-hand what it takes to look after a horse, visit your local livery and talk to the other owners and riding instructors. The more you can find out at this stage the better, as this will give you a real insight into whether owning a horse is the right decision for you.
The true cost of having a horse
Having a horse is an expensive but rewarding hobby. Before you invest you need to check you have considered all the costs.
The initially cost of purchasing a horse can vary massively but one thing that is worth considering, is having them vetted. This costs about £75 for two stage vetting process or around £250 for a five-stage process.
It is worth having insurance as vet bills can be huge and so you will need to factor in about £35-£50 per month plus annual vaccines and teeth checks.
Livery costs, if you are lucky to own a paddock and stables then it would just be running costs you need to consider, however if you need to rent somewhere these costs can be anything from £80-£900 depending on the livery and services available.
Ferrier care, this depends on a number of factors but can be up to £80 every 6-8 weeks.
Food and bedding costs can exceed £300 per month, but this will vary again, depending on the horse.
Riding lessons also need to be considered which can cost between £30-£50 per hour plus all the riding gear that is required.
Do you have time?
Owning a horse requires daily care, how much will depend on the livery your horse is at, but if you have your horse at home in your own stable then you need to allow up to 15 hours a week to look after your equine friend and remember the more time you spend with your horse, the closer your bond will be.
Retirement
Probably the last thing on your mind at the moment, but you do need to give some thought as to what you will do when your horse reaches retirement age. An elderly horse is expensive and requires specialist care and so you need to have put some thought into what you will do.
Source: RSPCA
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