How to Budget for Endurance Riding: A Comprehensive Guide
- Bella Fricker
- Jun 15, 2024
- 7 min read
Updated: 4 days ago
Endurance riding is a thrilling and rewarding equestrian sport, but it can also be quite costly (like anything involving horses to be honest!). From the initial purchase of your horse to training, equipment, and competition expenses, the financial demands can add up quickly. Budgeting effectively is definitely helpful to manage these costs and ensure you can enjoy the sport without unnecessary financial stress. I am not the best at budgeting myself but I am trying really hard to not get into anymore debt and so competing this year is strictly planned out and budgeted for! I've gone deep into this guide planning right from beginning (buying the horse) which is only slightly scary so feel free to jump into the bit where you already invested a small house deposit and you're now just trying to maintain this lifestyle!
Understanding the Costs Involved
Initial Purchase of Your Horse
The first significant expense in any riding discipline is the purchase of the horse. Prices are going vary hugely depending on the horse’s breed, age, training, and breeding not to mention which country you live in. An endurance horse can range from a few hundred (if you know a nice friend) to hundreds of thousands - not exaggerating!
1. Horse Purchase Price: Budgeting for £5,000 is reasonable for a good quality young endurance horse, though if you are hoping to buy one with some qualifications or particularly nice breeding then you should probably budget for £20,000+ . Personally, I've always gone for babies and chosen confirmation over breeding which means you can pick up something that's going to be very nice in the future - you just have to do the work yourself and be patient!
2. Pre-Purchase Vet Exam: It's a big decision buying a horse and a pre-purchase vetting is always advisable. It's reasonable to budget £500 for this but if you want to have x-rays too then probably £1,000.
Maintenance Costs
Once you have purchased your dream horse, the next ongoing expense is going to be first and foremost keeping them somewhere and then actually training them. This includes livery (if you're not lucky enough to own your own land) and then possibly the cost of trainers and facilities on top.
1. Livery: Livery costs vary massively by area and services too. DIY is obviously much cheaper and yards that are further out from cities tend to be cheaper too but you have to weigh up how much time you have for the day to day care and also your travel. I'd budget anywhere between £100 - 800 p/month!.
2. Professional Training Fees: Depending on your experience, you may need a professional trainer. Fees are again hugely variable but budget for £50 p/hour is a good starting point. Monthly costs can quickly add up if you’re training regularly.
3. Arena or Facility Fees: If you don’t have access to your own riding facilities, you may need to hire arenas and gallops. I'd budget for £20-30 for arena/gallop hire.
4. Personal Riding and Training Gear: Good-quality tack and equipment are crucial. You can definitely save some money buying things second hand but you should definitely budget at least £1000 for a decent saddle and another £1000 for everything else!
Veterinary Care and Health Maintenance
Whilst we hope that nothing will go wrong and we don't need to call the vet out for emergencies or lameness, there is an element of ongoing costs just to maintain their health status.
1. Routine Veterinary Care: Expect to spend £60 on flu vaccinations (don't forget this is every 6 months for horses competing at FEI level).
2. Dental Care: Horses need dental check ups at least once a year either with your vet or an equine dentist, costing around £100 per visit for routine work.
3. Hoof Care: Whether your horse is shod or barefoot they will need their feet maintaining at least every 5 weeks for optimal performance. The cost will vary but I'd budget for between £50 to £120 each time, depending on whether your horse needs specialist shoes/pads or just trimming.
4. Emergency Veterinary Fund: It's probably not a bad idea to set aside at least £1,000 annually for unexpected medical expenses.
Feed and Supplements
Feeding an endurance horse involves more than just forage.... though you can definitely save money by feeding a good quality base feed and eliminate unnecessary supplements which often have the highest price tag.
1. Forage: Depending on your grass quality and the time of the year is going to massively impact how much hay/haylage you need to get in. The average 500kg horse will need between 10-12kg of forage per day though (including grass intake) so you'll find it's likely your forage bill will be less in the summer vs. the winter. Buying larger bales work out more economical e.g. a heston or a round vs a small bale but this does depend on your storage availability. Budget for £50-100 a month.
2. Feed: If you buy a good quality feed you will definitely save money as you'll need to feed less of it and certainly not need to add as much other stuff. Once again though, some horses maintain their weight much easier than others so the quantity of feed you're going to need to feed and thus your feed bill is also hugely variable. It's budget for £30-80 p/month.
3. Supplements: Joint supplements, vitamin E, electrolytes, and other nutritional aids can easily add up so be mindful and scrutinise labels hard when considering adding anything to your horse's diet. Budget for another £50 to £200 per month.
Equipment and Tack
In addition to the basic riding gear, endurance riding requires specialised equipment.
1. Saddle and Tack: As mentioned, a good endurance saddle can be a significant investment, along with bridles, saddle pads, boots and girths. Plan on £1,500 to £5,000 for a complete set.
2. Safety Gear: Don’t forget your own safety gear, including a helmet (£80-£400)
3. Riding Clothes: It's worth investing in some purpose designed riding outfits for your own comfort in the saddle. I'd suggest £200-400 for a starting wardrobe.
Competition and Travel Costs
Competing in endurance rides like any discipline involves at least entry fees & travel, possibly accommodation, and certainly other related expenses.
1. Entry Fees: A 40km GER costs £47 these days, assuming you enter as a full member and before the closing date. Save yourself some money by ensuring you don't incur a late entry fee - plan ahead! An FEI ride can cost significantly more - £350 is a reasonable budget for this once you've added stable fees.
2. Travel Expenses: Fuel, vehicle maintenance (though arguably that's it's own entity), and trailer costs can add up, especially if competitions are far away. If you don't have your own transport then you also need to budget for lorry hire. Budget £100 to £500 per trip.
3. Accommodation: If overnight stays are required, factor in hotel costs or camping fees. You can save a lot of money by sleeping in your trailer or setting up a tent but consider the quality of your night's sleep before a big race and if it's worth the extra investment of sleeping in a hotel or Airbnb instead. Camping costs are usually only around £10 and you can get a hotel room if you plan ahead for around £80 a night - just don't go too fancy!
Insurance
Insurance is an often overlooked but essential expense. This can cover your horse (vet fees), equipment (damage or theft), and liability.
1. Horse Insurance: Policies covering mortality and major medical can cost $300 to $1,000 annually. Make sure you find a provider that definitely covers endurance and the distance you are doing with your horse too.
2. Liability Insurance: The good news is that Endurance GB members are covered for public liability and you can also get this as an add on with many horse insurers. Membership with other members organisations are often good too. Do some research as you may find you are already covered and this saves an extra expense. Either way, ensure you have adequate coverage for riding and training activities, costing around £100 to £300 annually.
Budgeting Tips for Endurance Riders
Create a Detailed Budget
List all anticipated expenses, both one-time and recurring, and track them diligently. Use a spreadsheet or budgeting app to keep everything organised.
1. Initial Costs: Include horse purchase, vet checks, and equipment.
2. Recurring Monthly Costs: Training, livery, feed, supplements, farrier, and facility fees.
3. Annual Costs: Routine veterinary care, dental work & insurance.
4. Emergency Fund: Set aside funds for unexpected expenses.
5. Competitions: travel, entry fees, accommodation.
Prioritise Spending
Identify essential expenses and prioritise them in your budget. While it’s tempting to buy the latest gear, focus first on what’s necessary for your horse’s health and training and see if you can save money by buying second hand.
1. Health and Maintenance: Always prioritise your horse's basic needs e.g. somewhere to live, something to eat, and adequate veterinary care.
2. Training and Conditioning: Allocate sufficient funds for professional training if needed.
3. Equipment: Invest in high-quality, essential equipment first. Less critical items can be purchased over time.
Look for Ways to Save
There are several ways to reduce costs without compromising on quality or care.
1. Buy Used Equipment: Many items, such as saddles and tack, can be purchased second-hand at a fraction of the original cost.
2. Bulk Purchases: Buy feed and supplements in bulk to save money.
3. Shared Resources: If possible, share training facilities or travel costs with friends.
Plan for Competitions
Competition expenses can add up quickly, so plan ahead to avoid surprises.
1. Local Events: Aim to support local competitions to minimise travel and accommodation costs.
2. Carpooling: It's not always practical but if you can find a fellow endurance rider in your areas then consider sharing travel expenses by going together.
3. Enter on time: As I previously said, avoid the late entry fee by being organised and getting your entry in before the closing date.
Track Your Spending
1. Monthly Reviews: Review your budget monthly to track progress and identify areas for adjustment.
2. Expense Tracking Apps: Use apps or spreadsheets to log expenses and keep a clear overview of your financial status.
Build an Emergency Fund
Unexpected expenses are inevitable, so having an emergency fund is crucial.
1. Set Aside Savings: Aim to save at least 10-15% of your monthly budget for emergencies.
2. Separate Account: Keep your emergency fund in a separate account to avoid dipping into it for regular expenses.
Conclusion
Budgeting for endurance riding requires careful planning and diligent financial management. By understanding the various costs involved and implementing smart budgeting strategies, you can enjoy the sport while maintaining financial stability. Prioritize essential expenses, look for ways to save, and regularly review your budget to stay on track. Building a supportive network and seeking sponsorships can further ease the financial burden. With a well-planned budget, you can focus on what you love most: riding and competing with your endurance horse.
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