Any NOOLers own a horse/pony?

Probably a bit of a longshot,but I'm looking for a bit of info about keeping a pony/horse....Thinking about getting a pony for the eldest daughter...Any equestrians out there?

Things like cost of stabling,food,amount of work/ commitment+general tips for beginners,that sort of thing..

She's been bangin on about horseriding a hellava lot of late....She's 11 and about to start big school and has done fantastically in her SATS in Junior school,so I got her a riding hat and and booked some lessons,to show I'm proud of her..

Thing is, I know she's not responsible enough to look after a goldfish...

would it be a mistake to go the whole hog,and buy her a horse? I'd like her to have a horse in a way(I like em myself)but on the other hand,I don't want to get saddled with more graft...Any info appreciated.

Boatraceface wrote: Probably a bit of a longshot,but I'm looking for a bit of info about keeping a pony/horse....Thinking about getting a pony for the eldest daughter...Any equestrians out there?

Things like cost of stabling,food,amount of work/ commitment+general tips for beginners,that sort of thing..

She's been bangin on about horseriding a hellava lot of late....She's 11 and about to start big school and has done fantastically in her SATS in Junior school,so I got her a riding hat and and booked some lessons,to show I'm proud of her..

Thing is, I know she's not responsible enough to look after a goldfish...

would it be a mistake to go the whole hog,and buy her a horse? I'd like her to have a horse in a way(I like em myself)but on the other hand,I don't want to get saddled with more graft...Any info appreciated.

What a cool Dad you are!

Don't think it's a mistake at all. She seems to have done you really proud. Don't know too much- but you could share the cost with someone too. Obv, if it's too much, it's a different matter, but if it is possible financially, she sounds to me like she really deserves it.

No other love is like a parents- we'd kill for our kids and NEVER compomise their happiness- for ANYTHING, no wonder they manage to con us most of the time!

Hope you can get it sorted for her, pal!

The riding lessons are £18 a pop,for 1 hour (shite value) I'm guessing it would'nt be too much more than that a week,to stable a horse(Dunno too much about it yet) she could ride daily..Can probably buy one for £800 or so..but the sticking point will be what graft is involved??and who does it!

And you're right about the little tykes having a knack of twisting us round their little finger Bonzette

Even so,I've got enough on without feeding and muckin horses out everyday,so she'll have to do a bit! Shared ownership might not be a bad idea tho Bonz,cheers

Couldn't you just slip someone in the riding school a couple of quid and get them to pretend that it's your girl's horse?

What the bobbins do you want a horse for? They're such high maintenance animals!

Surely it's cheaper to put in a bid for Ruud Van Nistelroy - I believe he still wants out of Man United. ;)

i have a pony and its name is meadows.

Johnny Come Lately wrote: Couldn't you just slip someone in the riding school a couple of quid and get them to pretend that it's your girl's horse?

It'd never work..She'd want to go and ride,what she thinks is her horse, everyday costing £18 a day..It does'nt take Carol Vorderman to do the maths,and i'd be looking at a big number..False ecomomy in the end. Keeping it schtum that the horse is not even hers,sounds like it could be fun,but how long could we keep that up?:\ohwell:

How much is Nistelroy up for? we don't want a clapped out old nag y'know!

jonathan wrote: i have a pony and its name is meadows.

Really Gaz??

Tell us the score.. What's involved?

Edit: Or is that the line of a song,and you are just arseing about?

Boatraceface wrote: Probably a bit of a longshot,but I'm looking for a bit of info about keeping a pony/horse....Thinking about getting a pony for the eldest daughter...Any equestrians out there?

Things like cost of stabling,food,amount of work/ commitment+general tips for beginners,that sort of thing..

She's been bangin on about horseriding a hellava lot of late....She's 11 and about to start big school and has done fantastically in her SATS in Junior school,so I got her a riding hat and and booked some lessons,to show I'm proud of her..

Thing is, I know she's not responsible enough to look after a goldfish...

would it be a mistake to go the whole hog,and buy her a horse? I'd like her to have a horse in a way(I like em myself)but on the other hand,I don't want to get saddled with more graft...Any info appreciated.

Don't do it! You'll regret it badly.

They cost a fortune to have. Vet, food etc...

My ex got one for our daughter, and it cost me €200 every month. Money that I don't have. Fucking bitch!

So, think about it twice.

Hmmmm....some negative feed back about this.I'm gunna see how she goes with the lessons for a couple of months anyhow...But what about feeding,grooming,mucking out and exercising Rian? Do the stable take responsibility for all that,or is it up to the horse's owner? Yourself or your daughter perhaps.

What do you get for your 200 euros a month mate?Vets insurance in with that?

Boatraceface wrote:

How much is Nistelroy up for? we don't want a clapped out old nag y'know!

Erm.....not sure mate, but he's just leaving in his car right now, if you're quick you can catch up with him and ask him to his face...... ;)

I get done for tapping up! That would be unethical an well,Ruud!

Boatraceface wrote: I get done for tapping up! That would be unethical an well,Ruud!

Pffft! You retiring lightweight!

I thought you had nerves of steel (geddit geddit??? ho ho ho ho)

:evil:

Leg or Rib?

So, whenever you're hungry Mr Boat, could you actually eat a horse (as the old saying goes) ??

[brown]Ally[/brown] wrote:

If that happened you could just have one mega barbecue to end the summer and get your money's worth that way.

Sorted!

You could cheer up the local French community too, by inviting them for a nibble.

By 'Eck! My Neck! wrote:

Boatraceface wrote: I get done for tapping up! That would be unethical an well,Ruud!

Pffft! You retiring lightweight!

I thought you had nerves of steel (geddit geddit??? ho ho ho ho)

:evil:

And I thought you had a drunken half baked steelworker joke

Come on you're a bit slow here tonight - I've already reeled off my next one - in the following post!

Pay attention and catch up! :p :p

Sorry, Barry Booze The computer did'nt have my undivided attention there.... Do you know about keeping nags eck neck or are you just pissed up to fuck again?

Sod off! You accusing me of being an alky now? How very dare you!

I'm perfectly Toblerone tonight, cock, seeing as you ask!

:p

As for knowing owt about horses....well our neighbour has a horse that she rides from time to time. I do believe it IS a very costly business as far as their upkeep is concerned. And you have to have a tolerance for dealing with shovelling loads of horseshit too of course!

Just extremely thankful that we don't have girls!! Cricket and footy is far cheaper... my two penneth for what it is worth...

I have no idea of the actual money involved here but things to bear in mind are

1. The original cost of the horse
2. Cost of stables
3. Food
4. Shoes
5. Vets bills and pet insurance
6. Riding gear for daughter, not to mention saddles etc
7. Fees for entering competitions and biggest for me.....who will look after it if you want a day out, or a holiday, or if someone is ill.

I think, the monetary thing is a big concern, but also the impact that it will have on everyone and the things you do in daily life. You and your family will always be tied because of the horse... My local stables (where I am learning to ride currently) allow riders, once competent, to "borrow" a horse for a morning to go for a proper ride at the cost of £12. this means that all the crap involved is eliminated and you generally have the same horse every time (giving that feeling of "ownership") maybe this would be a solution until she is a little older and you have more time to think about it.

£12 for a whole morning sounds more like it LJ.. Looks like I'm being well shafted,relativily!

Shared ownership of a horse might help with some of the obsticles you rightly point out! Lots to consider,so I won't be diving in just yet,tho she is mad keen just now..Like Ally said,I should wait and see if its a passing fad with her first..I doubt this one will blow over mind,but I hav'nt made any promises,and I've not told her I am considering buying one,because I'd never hear the end of it...If I do get one it will be a great surprise for her,but I'm looking for alternatives that don't involve too much commitment,now I think.

no, but i was tempted to rob the rockin horse from C & A when i was 11.

Boatraceface wrote: Hmmmm....some negative feed back about this.I'm gunna see how she goes with the lessons for a couple of months anyhow...But what about feeding,grooming,mucking out and exercising Rian? Do the stable take responsibility for all that,or is it up to the horse's owner? Yourself or your daughter perhaps.

What do you get for your 200 euros a month mate?Vets insurance in with that?

yeah. and think of the carrott cost alone.

(although you could buy chopped frozen)

i LIVE iN a shed not a stable:D

SHED wrote: i LIVE iN a shed not a stable:D

I was going to ask if you have room for a horse? You could call it Shedgar,if you give us a bit of discount Mick

Boatraceface wrote: Hmmmm....some negative feed back about this.I'm gunna see how she goes with the lessons for a couple of months anyhow...But what about feeding,grooming,mucking out and exercising Rian? Do the stable take responsibility for all that,or is it up to the horse's owner? Yourself or your daughter perhaps.

What do you get for your 200 euros a month mate?Vets insurance in with that?

Well, we don't own the horse, we just take care of it for a family who can't do it them selfs. Dunno why they bought a hourse they can't take care of though.

We have to pay for a box (spell) in a stable. And for the food. No insurance, so we have to pay all the costs for a vet. And this horse is 18 years old, and needs the vet far to often.

We have to feed, muck etc our self.

Problem right nos is that my daughter is sick of the horse. She haven't been able to ride it for 6 months, and have other intrets now. I told my ex to get rid of the bloody horse, but she told me that the horse would get a bad life if it returned to the owner. NOT MY FUCKING BUSINESS, IS IT?

I still have to pay.

Oh, when I write "we", I ment my ex and my daughter. I never go to the stable my self. I just pay....

You are a cautionary tale for anyone thinking of buying a horse Rian.Thanks.