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How much do horses cost to keep 
I will try and put this in order as though you are buying your first horse...... First you will have to think where you will keep him, depending on where you want to keep your horse and where you live will vary in price... Unless of course you are really lucky to have your own field and stables! If you go to a livery yard (this is where you keep your horse on a yard with other horses, that is run by the owner of the yard or a manager). Livery is either do it your self, where you look after all aspects of your horses needs, part livery is where you arrange with the owner what you would require them to do eg: muck out your stable and/or turn your horse out on days agreed, also feeding your horse. Full livery is where the yard owner looks after all your horses needs. The price varies quite a lot depending on what other things that the yard offer like some have a indoor or outdoor school, some have horse walkers and even cross country courses. I would recommend that you do a lot of research in your area if livery is what is right for you and your horse Some livery yards are also riding schools and have agreements where you pay so much for your livery and they use your horse in the school, this can cut costs down quite a bit on your livery charge, but remember other people that you don't know will be riding your horse
If you decide on livery there should be a written agreement/contract this enables you and the yard owner to know what is expected on both sides eg: worming programme, insurance, vaccinations etc. Also if you chose livery find out what turn out is available (turn out is when your horse goes into the field) some yards have limited turn out so your horse could spend a lot of time in his stable. If you decide to rent just a field, again the price varies it could be anything from £60 to over £100 depending on where you live. For me personally if I did not have a stable I would need a field shelter, for emergencies and also to give my horse shelter from the weather. It is worth thinking if your horse was ill and you did not have a stable or a field shelter ( you could easily convert you field shelter in to a temporary stable)where would you put your horse? My horses lots of times have been ill and needed to have stable rest. just something for you to think about. If you decide to keep your horse with other horses all horses need to be on the same worming programme for it to work effectively ........ There is a separate page on my web site for worming |
Farrier
We have the farrier every 6 to 8 weeks, Caddy has his hooves trimmed and shoes put on. Dimby has his hooves trimmed only. You can expect to pay anything from £55 upwards for shoeing and a trim, for a trim only this can be £20 upwards. We are very lucky we have a brilliant farrier Mike Chisholm, he went that extra mile for Shrek. Also now with Dimby having a bout of Laminitis this year. It is so important that you have a good working relationship with your farrier as We have with Mike. He knows both Caddy and Dimby and they know him, also I know that I can phone him for advice when I need it.
TEETH
you need to have the dentist out every 6 months to a year, to have your horses teeth rasped. I now have our vet check their teeth when they have their yearly injections. This is because Caddy becomes distressed and if the vet needs to they can sedate him while he has his teeth done. Horses need their teeth rasping because it could cause damage to the mouth and gums. Also if their teeth are too long this can effect your horse when you are riding as the bit will hurt their teeth, mouth and gums giving them pain. If your horse spits his food out when eating he may need his teeth rasping. I would certainly have the dentist out to have a look, or you could ask your vet. Also while they are having their teeth rasped the whole mouth will be checked to see if there is any other problems that you might not know about Here is a web site that you might find useful http://www.worldhorsewelfare.org/information/teeth |
 Vaccinations Caddy and Dimby are yearly vaccinated. This costs about £35 each plus call out costs for your vet to come out (call out price varies from practice to practice) Our vets are at the moment doing free call out on certain days for the yearly injections so check with your to see if they are offering this promotion..... If there are a few of you that have horses that are nearly near the time as each other to be vaccinated, you could have them all done together to save on call out costs as you would be able to share the cost. Your vet will stamp your horses passport after vaccinations have been given. Your horses vaccinations are really important, just as when we have our vaccines they help prevent certain illness that could kill them
WORMING Caddy and Dimby are on a worming programme. Worming is so important because if your horse has worms and it is left untreated it can cause severe damage, even death. Small red worm and tape worm are also associated to colic..... Please worm your horse, if your horse has severe infestation (lots of worms) the damage that is done to your horse is irreversible. It is so important to have your horse on a worming programme. If you share a field with other horses you should all be on the same programme, or your worming programme will not work effectively.... meaning it won't do its job properly!
The picture above doesn't look very nice, but this can happen if your horse isn't on a worming programme. Once you have your horse on a programme it is important that you poo pick your field/paddock at least every other day. I poo pick morning and evening if they are out all the time in the summer. In the winter I poo pick in the evenings before I bring them in. For the winter I use a miners type light that attaches to my head to look for poo...... and yes I look a right silly person :-)) If you don't poo pick then your horse will have worms. Here is a link that will tell you more about worms and also about worming programmes |
 INSURANCE Caddy and Dimby are both insured with NFU. We pay about 55.00 a month for both of them (22.50 each). I have never not had my horses insured as it covers vets bills and public liability. For example Caddy or Dimby caused an accident on the road, then I should be covered for any claims put against Caddy and Dimby.Have a good look around to see what insurance companys can offer you as all insurance companies offer different things and the cost can vary a lot!
CLOTHING
Clothing for you and your horse can cost loads of money! Again shop around. I have found that Robinsons are reasonable for my clothes as well as rugs for Caddy and Dimby..... Don't forget depending on your horses breed and how he is going to live will give you an idea of what rugs you will need. Here is a link to Robinsons Country clothing http://www.robinsons-uk.com/ TACK
This can cost a small fortune!!! Your horse should be fitted for his saddle as not all saddles fit all horses. Horses are like us all different sizes and shapes, so to make sure your horse doesn't have an injury due to a badly fitted saddle always have your saddle fitted by a qualified saddler. I have a Falcon Saddle and Bridle and my saddle was fitted for Caddy. Your saddle should be restuffed yearly by your saddle fitter
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 FEED There are so many feeds on the market it can get quite confusing! Our two are fed on Hi fiber cubes and Hi fi Lite and have good quality hay. In the winter months they require a lot more feed as they are stabled at nights and when they are out during the day the grass in the winter doesn't have as much nutrients and minerals or food value. I would definitely recommend contacting a good food manufacturer and talk to them, tell them the type of horse you have and what work you do, also is your horse stabled or out and they will advise you. I have quite often spoke to Dodson and Horrell here is their link http://www.dodsonandhorrell.com/
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 Well I think that is about it! But I would like to add that if you are buying your first horse or pony and you haven't much experiences in looking after a horse you would probably learn so much by either doing a NVQ in horse care, or a pony club qualification or even go and spend sometime working for free at your local riding school. You will learn so much and it will also give you confidence when you do get your own horse or pony........ also you will get lessons in jumping and dressage and get a chance to compete and have so much fun! ask around and see what is on offer. |
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