How much does a horse cost per year uk

Introduction

Having your own horse can be a wonderful experience, but it is also an expensive undertaking. From the initial purchase to ongoing care and feeding, the costs add up quickly. Many owners forget about these expenses when calculating the total cost of ownership. If you are just starting out in the equestrian world or considering making your first purchase, this comprehensive guide will help you estimate how much it will cost to buy and keep your new best friend.

The day-to-day costs

The day-to-day costs of owning a horse can vary depending on how much you use your horse, where you live and what kind of riding you do. It’s not uncommon for owners to spend more than $1,000 per month on horses.

Here are some things that you should consider when budgeting for your own pet:

Try not to take out a loan because it will cost more in the long run if the payments aren’t affordable.
Set aside money each month so that when an unexpected expense comes up (like shoeing), there is enough money already set aside for it.
If possible, find out what the annual medical costs are before buying any animals so that they won’t come as a surprise after purchase time arrives

The basics

The basics are the things you need to have for a horse. If you’re thinking of buying one, here’s what you’ll need:

Food – This can be hay, grass or a combination of both. Hay is made from dried grass and is often used as the main source of food by horses. Grass can be fed as well, but it’s not as good as hay in terms of nutrients and fibre.

Bedding – The bedding should be clean and dry because if there’s wet bedding lying around then it will encourage flies which will annoy your horse (and probably you too).

Horsewear – You’ll need things like bridles and saddles so that when you ride your new friend he doesn’t fall over when he tries to run away from home!

Worm medicine/regular health checks – Horses get worms which are small bugs that live inside their stomachs—yuck! But luckily they’re quite easy to get rid of if you give them some medicine every day before they are born so they don’t end up being affected later on in life…and trust me when I say this may sound gross but it really isn’t that bad at all once everything has been taken care of properly 🙂

Bedding

Bedding is a big part of the cost of keeping a horse. You can expect to pay anywhere from £1.00 to £2.50 per bale, depending on the quality of bedding you buy and how much you use. It’s important to choose the right bedding for your horse as it can affect their health; for example, some types may cause respiratory issues if inhaled by your horse too often.

The amount of bedding that you need depends on the size of your horse and how often you change it (this will vary depending on how dirty it gets). A good rule of thumb is to use around 10kg/bale per day when cleaning out after each ride; however this may vary according to how active or inactive they are during this time so consider checking with a vet before making any changes here!

Rugs and horsewear

It’s important to have the right equipment to keep your horse warm and dry, but it’s also important not to spend too much money on these items. Blankets, sheets, rugs and stable sheets are all used for different purposes. Blankets can help keep your horse warm in winter; sheets will keep them cool in summer; rugs and stable sheets protect their backs from rubbing against hard surfaces such as metal or concrete walls. If you buy a good-quality rug or two each year (which should cost around £30-£40), this won’t break the bank!

The same goes for fly sheets: you don’t need expensive ones if you’re taking your horse out for just an hour at a time. A polo wrap costs about £15-£20; leg wraps come in at around £10 each so again there isn’t much of an investment here either – especially since they’re designed just as much with fashion as function in mind!

Grooming

Grooming is one of the most important parts of horse care. While it might seem like a lot of effort to spend time brushing, bathing and even clipping your horse every day, it’s actually an excellent way to bond with your animal and get to know them as individuals. Plus, grooming is a great chance to check for any injuries or problems that might be affecting their health.

You can also use grooming time as an opportunity to check for ticks and other parasites on the body – though this does require you taking the time (rather than just giving them a quick brush).

Hay and feed

Hay and feed are the most expensive part of owning a horse. Hay is the main source of nutrition for horses, and hay prices vary according to the quality and location. In 2016, hay in the UK cost £25 per tonne; however, it can be as low as £15 per tonne or more than £40 per tonne depending on what type of hay you buy and where you buy it from.

Horse feed is another large expense for horse owners because horses need plenty of it during their lifetime. The amount varies by breed but typically includes:

Oats (for energy)
Barley (for fibre)
Oilseed rape meal (for protein)
Soybean meal/cakes (for protein)

Footcare and worming

If you want to keep your horse healthy, it’s important to provide him with a clean environment. This includes making sure that he has access to plenty of clean water and that his feet are regularly checked for damage or infection.

This means cleaning them at least once a week, checking for cuts or lumps and keeping them trimmed so they don’t get too long (which can cause discomfort). You should also make sure the bedding in their stall is dry before bedtime so that no dampness affects their skin.

Routine health checks

You should have your horse checked at least once a year. You can do this in multiple ways, but the most common is by visiting a veterinarian who specializes in horses. The vet will look at the horse’s eyes, ears and mouth to make sure there aren’t any problems there. They’ll also inspect their hooves for any problems that could cause lameness or infection.

They may also test their urine to make sure they don’t have an infection in their bladder – this can happen if you feed them too much grain/hay during summer months when they’re more active and need more calories!

If anything looks wrong then we’ll recommend treatment options like antibiotics or special supplements that help restore balance within their system so things go back to normal again.”

The vet and farrier bills

Vets and farriers are a regular expense, and they can cost as much as £1,000 per horse per year. In addition to routine care like vaccinations and dental work, you might need to take your horse to the vet after an injury or illness.

You should also factor in the cost of any replacement equipment for your stables: for example, if you have a trailer that needs repairs and cleaning after each trip away with your horse(s), these costs will be part of what you pay each year too.

Horse insurance

Horse insurance is a way to protect yourself against the cost of your horse if they become sick or injured. Horse insurance covers the costs of vet bills and treatment, as well as damage to your property. The price of horse insurance differs depending on age and breed, with horses in their prime costing more than young ponies and foals.

Most policies have an excess payment which you will pay before receiving any claim money back from the insurer. The excess amount can vary depending on what may happen – for example, if you have an accident while riding or practicing dressage then it will be higher than if your horse simply gets stuck in mud during a walk through the woods.

You can choose whether or not you want cover for any specific risk – such as theft from fire (if there was a fire at your stable) – but this does mean that some things won’t be covered at all unless these are specifically added onto by buying extra add-ons such as “Equine Medical”. There are also different types of policies available:

Horses are expensive.

You’re probably thinking, “How much?” Well, the short answer is: A lot. If you want a horse to ride on your own property and keep in good health, it could be as much as $100 per month per horse. That may not sound like much until you realize that this estimate only covers the costs of feed, maintenance and veterinary bills; there are other expenses that will add up over time. A typical riding session will cost around $30-$40 an hour for lessons alone—that doesn’t include equipment or riding clothes!

Conclusion

I hope this article has helped you understand the costs involved in keeping a horse. I’ve tried to be as comprehensive as possible, but I know there will be things I’ve missed. If you need any advice or just want to share your experiences of horse ownership, please leave a comment below.