If it is your dream to own a pony, there is a big financial commitment to consider. Not only are there the initial costs involved with purchasing a pony and all the necessary equipment; but consideration must also be given to the running costs of keeping your pony happy and healthy in the long-term. Let’s look at the likely costs in more detail.

Table of contents

Purchasing a pony

The most obvious cost is the purchase price of the horse or pony. Naturally this depends on the type of pony you choose, based on their intended purpose. Generally, a purebred will cost more than an animal of mixed lineage. Age also plays a big factor; a young horse will cost less than a more experienced one. The level of training that the horse has received and, in competition animals, how successful they have been in the past will also influence purchase price. If you are a relative novice, it can be helpful to have the advice of a more experienced horse-person to help you choose which type of pony would best suit your needs.

One cost that is perhaps not always thought about is having your potential purchase ‘vetted’. A ‘5-stage’ vetting is a rigorous examination by a vet to assess the horse’s health, condition, temperament and level of training. This will often pick up minor problems that could potentially develop into bigger, more costly issues and hence save money in the long term. It can be tempting to skip this process to cut costs. But in terms of the proportion of the purchase price, the vetting fee is often a small percentage and can save much expense and heartache later.

Where will my pony live?

If you are lucky enough to own land which is suitable for horse grazing, this will reduce some of the ongoing costs of keeping a pony. Many people, however, need to rent grazing and facilities at a livery yard. Costs vary hugely depending on the location of the yard, standard of facilities and how much care your pony will need. 

‘Grazing-only’ livery is sometimes available; where a field is rented (usually shared with other horse owners) but no stables or other facilities are available. 

‘Do-it-yourself’ (DIY) livery is the next cheapest option; as all daily horse care such as mucking out, feeding and turnout is taken care of by the owner. Be sure to factor in the cost of sourcing your own feed, hay and bedding as this is often not included with DIY options. 

The next step up is ‘part livery’, which means that daily horse care is shared between the owner and the yard staff. 

‘Full’ livery is the most expensive option, as your horse is entirely looked after for you by the livery yard; this can include grooming and riding as well in some cases. Do some research into local livery facilities in your area to find out costs, but also to check out which environment will suit you and your horse best. 

All the gear

There are certain items of equipment that are essential. Some ideas to start you off include:

  • Stable equipment such as wheelbarrow, broom, shavings fork, water and feed buckets, and feed storage bins. Some or all of these may be provided by the livery yard.
  • Tack – if you are buying a pony to ride, you will need a well-fitting saddle, bridle and bit. Sometimes, good quality tack can be bought second hand to save costs. Most importantly, make sure it fits your pony really well; a professional saddle fitter will be able to help. Also remember if it’s looked after, tack could last many years, so it’s worth putting in the elbow grease with the saddle soap!
  • Rider’s equipment – riding hat, boots, and suitable clothes
  • Rugs and other horseware – depending on the type of pony, various rugs may be required. A hardy native breed may not require rugging at any time of year, whereas some breeds may require more protection from the elements when turned out. There are a huge variety of rugs for a vast array of purposes – don’t get carried away. You can always buy that fancy sweat rug further down the line if you really need it!
  • Travelling equipment – if you are going to be regularly transporting your horse to events and competitions, you may need travelling gear such as protective boots/bandages and of course use of a trailer or horse box!

Ongoing costs

The monthly costs of horse management can really stack up. Routine costs to include in your budget calculations include:

  • Livery bills, feed and bedding
  • Insurance premiums – public liability insurance as a minimum, but it is also important to cover for veterinary costs in the event of illness or injury
  • Regular farrier visits (usually every 6-7 weeks)
  • Routine vet visits for essential care such as vaccination and dental treatment
  • Riding lessons and competition entry fees
  • Maintenance of horse box trailer and fuel if travelling to competitions

For some cost-saving tips, see our previous blog.

It’s also sensible to be financially prepared for unexpected costs over and above these, such as emergency vet bills or the cost of hay and feed going up.

Talking to experienced horse owners will help to give you a more precise idea of costs in your area. If you’d like to discuss any aspect of preventative health care including costs, your veterinary practice will be happy to advise you.

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