If you’re thinking of buying a horse then you can look forward to a rewarding and enjoyable experience. However, these beautiful creatures come with many important long-term responsibilities that require significant time, effort and expense.
Whether this is your first horse or you’re coming back to horse ownership after a break, you need to carefully consider whether you have time in your life to care for a horse. Read our guide to find out how much time you’ll need to spare to ensure a long and happy life together.
Whether or not you take on a horse full time, if you plan on riding then you’ll need specialist horse rider insurance in place before settling into the saddle. Caring for your horse and protecting yourself from damage are important duties for all responsible horse owners.
Perhaps the most crucial question you can ask yourself is whether you realistically have the time to look after a horse. Whatever the weather, and whatever else is going on in your life, your equine friend will need daily care and attention.
If the horse will be kept at your own property, then you’re looking at a 365-day, round-the-clock responsibility. And while there’ll be lots of opportunity for riding and spending time together, there’ll also be plenty of rewarding but hard work. From grooming and training to hoof care and health checks, you’ll have a substantial list of things to do.
No two horses are the same and they all have their own individual quirks – that’s why they are so much fun to work with. With this in mind, time spent researching the type and age of a horse will lead to a happier relationship further down the road.
A dependable cob, for instance, is a popular choice for first-timers owing to their calm temperament, hardiness and versatility. Such a horse might be less demanding on your time than a hot-blooded ex-racehorse in need of hours of retraining!
Age is also a factor. A younger horse is an exciting prospect but requires a lot of training, while an older horse may need work to get out of bad habits – again, more time.
How much actual time your horse will require will depend on a lot of factors. In general, expect to devote at least 8 to 10 hours a week to horse care. If you're doing more of the work, then 14 to 15 hours a week is more realistic. However, it all depends on your level of involvement.
We’ve broken down some of the most important jobs you’ll need to do and general time allowances. All these jobs can take longer depending on the time of year and whether other issues crop up – and they will!
Remember the more time you spend with a horse, the deeper the bond will be which will benefit your riding in the long run. It will also help you avoid accidents as you’ll be able to predict your horse’s reactions. Horse rider insurance can help protect you from the financial fallout of an accident.
Owning a horse is a big commitment but if you simply don’t have the time, why not consider the alternatives.
Whether you ride regularly or just occasionally, contact Equesure for a great deal on horse rider insurance.
In view of the commitments of time and effort you’ll want to ensure that you and your equine companion are fully protected. With over 60 years of experience in the insurance market, our team offers bespoke insurance for a horse rider policies.
These can include personal accident cover up to £20,000 and vet fees up to the value of £1,500 for accidental visible injuries.
Request a quick quote today.
Policy benefits, features and discounts offered may very between insurance schemes or cover selected and are subject to underwriting criteria. Information contained within this article is accurate at the time of publishing but may be subject to change.
It has begun!!!! The arena build started yesterday and I am soooooooooooo excited (and relieved)! I did squeal when the machines turned up on the Friday ready for the Monday start! The top soil and further layer have been taken off and the fencing is ready to be started!
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Here we are in the midst of another lockdown. Christmas is a distant memory and as yet there is little to plan for, with more shows being cancelled than being planned. However, it is not all doom and gloom, as the Shetland Breed Show and the Shetland Performance Show are held later in the year and may well go ahead. These were two of my aims for last season, so fingers crossed.
A high point of any big race day is catching up with friends and other like-minded horse lovers over some light refreshments. But as you sip and nibble your way through a happy hour have you ever wondered what our champions of the turf are nourished on?