The REAL Costs Of Owning A Horse Per Year In the UK

The REAL Cost Of Owning A Horse Per Year in the UK

Owning and caring for a horse is an important responsibility and you must consider several factors first before making this life changing decision to ensure your horse is well cared for and looked after.

In this post, we have broken down the real cost of owning a horse per year in the UK depending on which area you live in and the main things you need to consider when caring for a horse.

 

 

Housing/Livery

The first thing to consider is housing, where will your horse live.

Unless you are fortunate enough to have the space to keep your horse on your own land, you will need to pay for your horse’s livery at a stable, which will most likely be your biggest financial outlay.

The cost of livery can vary.

For outdoor housing, this can cost an average of £200 per month, however indoor housing in a stable can range from £300 in the North of the UK and up to £650 per month in London.

This cost is for housing only, which means you will have to come by the stables twice a day to feed, muck out and rug your horse unless you pay for this as well.

If you do not have the time to visit the stables twice daily, then you can pay for full livery which means the stable is responsible for your horses’ needs including stabling, field access, exercising, feed, hay and bedding.

This will cost you roughly £450 per month in the North, and around £500 in Scotland, however in London and the surrounding areas this may cost up to double that amount per month.

Typically though the cost of keeping a single horse at a livery yard in the UK is around £250 per month.

Partial livery is the most popular option in the UK, meaning feed, hay and bedding are included.

Horses will spend the majority of the summer outdoors and come inside when it turns a lot colder.

It’s also worth factoring in the time and effort required to maintain paddocks. Using an efficient paddock cleaning tool can significantly reduce daily labour and help maintain a healthier grazing environment.

 

Hay, Straw & Shavings

If you keep your horse in the field most of the time, they will not require as much hay as they would if they stayed in the stables.

Expect to pay around £90 per month for grass livery and up to £1300 per month for the full package in London and surrounding areas.

Consider adding a further £40-£60 a month for stable bedding.

 

Feed

The cost and amount of feed you will need for your horse will depend on several factors including size, workload, and time of year.

As a guide expect to pay from £50 per month in the Midlands and up to £120 per month in London and the South East.

Farrier

Horses’ hooves grow rapidly, so you’ll need to pay for regular visits from the farrier.

Expect to pay around £30 for trimming and just under £100 for a new set of shoes.

 

Medical Costs For Your Horse Per Year In The UK

You will need to consider annual medical costs including vaccinations, worming, and dental care.

Depending on your horse’s age, workload, and health history, some owners also choose to invest in additional recovery and support tools. For horses in regular work or those needing extra comfort and circulation support, equine PEMF therapy is one option that may be factored into ongoing care costs.

Cost Of Insurance For Your Horse Per Year

We highly recommend insurance as vet bills can be extremely expensive.

A decent policy should cost around £1,000 a year.

 

The Cost of Tack and Horse Equipment

To help to keep costs down, you may be able to strike a deal when purchasing your horse.

However, you could easily find yourself paying £1,500 for a saddle and additional costs for rugs and equipment.

Protecting this investment is just as important as buying it. Using a secure tack locker helps keep your equipment organised, protected from damage, and safely stored in busy yard environments.

 

Horse Transportation Costs

You can expect to pay up to £100 a day to hire a trailer.

 

Extras To Consider

It’s worth budgeting an extra £1,000 a year for incidental costs.

These extras can include replacement tack, specialist appointments, transport, and premium support options that help keep your horse comfortable and performing well throughout the year.

 

The Real Cost Of Owning A Horse In London

You could be paying in the region of £20,000 per year.

 

The Cost Of Owning A Horse In The South West

Annually you could expect to pay between £10,000 and £12,000.

 

The Cost Of Owning A Horse In The North Of The UK

Between £10,000 to £12,000 per year.

 

The cost of owning a horse in Scotland

Up to £12,000 annually.

 

The cost of owning a horse in Wales

Up to £12,000 per year.