Horse Cost Guide UK: How much does it cost to own a horse?

Your horse's purchase price will vary widely depending on age, training and type. The average price of horses advertised for sale is £3,750². 

A vetting is a helpful way to check a horse's health before you buy, so you know if anything might affect the activities you'd like to do together. It isn't a guarantee for the future, but it does give you a clearer picture right from the start.

Although it feels like an extra cost, a vetting can potentially save you money later on by helping you avoid unexpected health issues.

If you plan to insure your new horse for veterinary cover, many insurers will ask for a Stage 2 or Stage 5 vetting and may need the certificate soon after you take out the policy. It's always worth checking with different companies so you know exactly what they require. 

A Stage 2 vetting generally costs between £250 and £300, while a Stage 5 vetting typically ranges from £350 to over £450. This price often excludes travel/visit fees. Costs vary by vet practice, location and the experience of the vet.

Once you've purchased your horse, you'll need to decide how to transport them to their new home. 

If you don't already have your own transport, you can hire a horsebox or trailer. Alternatively, you can pay for a professional transporter to collect and deliver your new horse. Both options will incur a cost, so comparing prices in your area is a must.

Typical cost:

• Hiring a 3.5-tonne self-drive horsebox typically costs £100-£130 per day on weekends and £85-£115 per day during the week
  • Some companies will offer alternate packages, e.g., half day or full weekend hire
• Using a professional horse transporter typically costs £1.20-£2.50 per mile, with a minimum call-out fee usually from £50 to £150
  • Prices vary based on if you choose a private trip or a shared load

• Grass livery ranges from £80-£200 per month¹
• DIY livery typically around £120-£300 per month¹
• Part/full livery prices can vary widely, from around £400 up to £1,000+ per month¹

You may incur extra costs for staff to provide care if you're unable to attend to your horse for any reason. For example, you go on holiday.

Forage is an essential part of your horse's diet, especially during the winter or if your horse is stabled/housed. Hay and haylage prices can vary depending on availability and the summer weather.

Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) publish a weekly update on hay and straw prices from the British Hay and Straw Merchants' Association, both as a UK average and by region.

The 2026 average cost of hay:^3*

• Small bales: £6.85 each (range £8-£12 each)
• Large round bales: £54.84 each (range £70-£100 each)
• Large square bales (or equivalent large formats): £69.39 each

* averages taken 4-18 March 2026

Some horses thrive on forage and a balancer or vitamin and mineral supplement to make sure they're getting everything they need. Others might benefit from extra hard feed. This will depend on their age, workload, health and whether they naturally maintain weight.

Typical cost:

• £36-£60 per month¹.

Housed or stabled horses horses need bedding to keep them clean, dry and comfortable. The type of bedding you choose might depend on your horse's needs, local availability and the storage space you have available.

Typical cost:

• On average, £45 per month¹
• In 2026, a large bale of straw cost approximately £90⁴

It's strongly advised that owners have public liability cover, even if their horse is retired or kept as a companion. For example, our Gold membership includes cover up to £30 million.

Many vet practices offer tailored worming programmes that include faecal worm egg counts (FWEC), tapeworm tests and expert advice for a set yearly fee.  

• Average cost: £64–£150 per year 
• What’s typically included: three to four FWEC per year, one to two tapeworm tests and sometimes a winter wormer. 

You can order kits directly from labs and manage the schedule yourself, which is often cheaper.  

• Average cost: £40–£50 per year 
• Example kits:
  • Four FWEC refill pack: £37
  • Tapeworm test: £23.50-£26 per test
  • Single FWEC kit: £10-£15 
• Wormer medication (cost varies and only if needed) 
• Estimated testing total: £93 per year (DIY approach).