How much does it cost to keep a horse?

Key takeaways

• Horses typically cost £3,000 to £4,000 to buy, but pedigrees horses can be a lot more

• Experts put the annual cost of owning a horse at around £5,800 to £15,000

• Horse insurance can cover some vet fees as well as death, theft or straying, and public liability Insurance won’t cover routine treatment or services such as vaccinations, worming and shoeing

How much does a horse cost?

Owning a horse is a dream for many, but it doesn’t come cheap.

The most obvious outlay is the initial cost of the animal. The price of horses varies enormously depending on its type, size, age, breed, pedigree, and level of training.

For example, a small, young pony could cost you a few hundred pounds while a pedigree horse could set you back several thousand. The average price is between £3,000 and £4,000, but it could cost far more for a pedigree breed.

It may be worthwhile hiring a solicitor to draw up a legal agreement when you buy a horse, especially if you are buying a more valuable one.

The agreement would set out the terms of the sale and would act as evidence in any dispute over the ownership of the animal. Solicitor fees may vary but expect to pay a couple of hundred pounds.

You might also have to pay travel costs while you are searching for the right horse to buy.

What is the annual cost of owning a horse?

The annual cost of owning a horse can vary between £5,800 to £14,820, according to Equine Premium, though costs will vary depending on individual circumstances, location, and the specific needs of your horse.

Some horse owners will pay for riding lessons or a horse trainer, for example, which considerably adds to the cost. You should also have some cash set aside for emergencies or unexpected expenses.

What costs should I consider before buying a horse?

These are some of the ongoing costs you should be prepared to budget for if you are thinking of buying a horse:

• Initial vet checks

• Insurance

• Keeping your horse healthy

• Livery costs

• Field rent

• Tack costs

• Horse feed

• Farrier fees

• Transport costs

Initial vet checks

Before you buy a horse, a vet will check it over and give their opinion on whether it is right for the purpose you are buying it for. The vet’s report will help you decide whether it’s worth the price asked.

There are two types of checks available: two-stage and five-stage vetting.

If you are planning to insure your horse, some insurers will insist you have had these checks, and they are more likely to ask for the more rigorous five-stage examination for more valuable horses.

If a horse fails your chosen vetting procedure, you can’t claim the money back and another examination – or vetting another horse – will come at an additional cost.

Two-stage vetting

The two-stage process observes the horse at rest and while walking and trotting, as well as taking a blood sample.

According to the British Horse Society, a two-stage vetting can cost £250 to £350.

Five-stage vetting

The five-stage process includes these but also looks at a ridden exercise, recovery after exercise and a final trot-up examination.

It costs between £350 and £450.

Insurance for your horse

It’s not a legal requirement to insure your horse but it can be false economy not to buy insurance. Some livery yards, riding schools and competitions will insist you have public liability insurance for your horse.

Horse insurance provides financial protection for horse owners in the event of injury, illness, or death. It can also protect owners from legal liability if their horse injures someone or damages property.

The average annual cost of horse insurance is £742, according to The Insurance Emporium.

What does insurance cover?

Policies vary but horse insurance can cover the following:

Keeping your horse healthy

Horses should be kept up to date with their flu vaccinations, with the frequency determined by their vaccination programme and veterinary advice.

A flu vaccination may cost around £35, plus a veterinary call-out fee of around £35

Horses should also be vaccinated against tetanus, with a booster typically recommended every two years, although the timing can vary depending on the vaccine used and your vet’s advice. A tetanus vaccination may cost around £50.

Sometimes you can combine the two for around £50-£60.

Your horse’s teeth may need to be checked every six months. The typical cost is about £50 to £70 per visit.

Your horse may also need treatment for worms. You should budget around £50 to £150 a year for worming and related testing, although costs can vary.

Ongoing vet costs for horses

If you don’t have horse insurance, you’ll need to pay vet’s fees if your horse needs to see a vet. Costs vary widely depending on what’s wrong with your horse, where you live and the vet you use.

Claims data from The Insurance Emporium, a pet insurer, suggests colic is one of the most expensive common illnesses for horses, with an average claim of £1,177.13^[1], alongside digestive system illnesses which cost an average of £986.30^[1]per claim.

Accidents involving horses’ legs had an average claim cost of £804.89^[1], while injury to the tendons and ligaments was £681.36^[1]on average. These figures show how quickly vet bills can add up if your horse becomes ill or injured.

Livery costs

Unless you have land or stables to home your horse, you will need to pay livery costs.

Horse owners pay livery stables to house and care for their horses. The stables may offer a range of services, from basic stabling to full-time care.

DIY livery, where the horse is housed in a field or stable but you are responsible for daily upkeep of your animal, is usually the cheapest option, typically costing between £120 and £300 a month. But you will need to visit every day to care for your horse, including mucking out the stable, feeding and exercising.

Full livery, where staff look after all of your horse’s needs, can cost around £400–£1,000 or more per month, according to the British Equestrian Trade Association’s latest Equestrian Survey.

Another option is trying to find a local farmer or landowner who is willing to rent out a field for your horse. It’s often cheaper, but you will also usually have to maintain the land as well as your horse.

Horse tack

Tacking a horse is the process of putting on all the equipment needed to ride a horse. This includes the saddle, bridle, reins, and stirrups.

Some sellers include the horse’s existing tack and equipment in the deal, or you might be able to buy it for an additional fee.

Alternatively, tacking up a horse can cost between £200 and £800, with second-hand tack the cheapest option.

Unless your horse is stabled all year round, you should normally budget for two turnout rugs or stable rugs, which will keep your animal warm.

Prices for these differ depending on brand and material but generally start from around £50 for the former and £30 for the latter.

You can often get cover for your tack as part of a horse insurance policy, although you may need to pay extra to add it on. The Insurance Emporium says 18% of its policyholders add tack cover to their policy.

Horse feed

If your horse is turned out all year, it will need hay to supplement the grass in the winter.

Hay costs about £45 a bale. Stables often provide this during the winter months at a cost of around £10 a week.

The amount of extra feed your horse will need will depend on a number of factors including its size, the amount of exercise it gets and how much grass it has to eat.

Most horses will need at least a small amount of extra feed typically costing about £40 a month.

Stabled horses also need bedding. Straw is the cheapest option, but it can cause coughs. Other options include rubber mats covered with shavings or hemp.

Farrier costs

Most horses need their hooves clipped and may need new shoes every four to six weeks. Trimming a horse's hooves normally costs about £30 to £50, while shoeing a horse costs between £60 and £180.

Transport

If you plan to transport your horse up and down the country, you’ll need a trailer and suitable vehicle to tow it. Trailers can be expensive, typically costing from £3,000 for a second-hand single stall trailer up to £10,000 or more.

You will also have to factor in petrol costs and possibly overnight stays.

💡 Top tip: The average cost of horse insurance is £742.08^[2] a year, according to The Insurance Emporium's claims data.

Horse passport

Every horse in the UK legally needs a horse passport, and a new owner is legally required to register the change of ownership whichever organisation registered the passporr within 30 days of buying the horse. Failing to do so can result in a fine.

There are several organisations authorised to issue passports and change of ownership fees vary between them, costing from around £15 to around £45.

Where can I buy horse insurance?

With MoneySuperMarket you can compare horse insurance quotes from leading UK horse insurers, helping you to find the best policy for your personal needs.

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