HE OFFICE FOR National Statistics recently reported that 92% of adults in Great Britain experienced an increase in the cost of living during November-December last year. The hikes evident in the supermarket, at the petrol pumps and among online retailers is impossible to ignore. investigation into how much keeping a hacking horse sets the owner back, and whether or not those costs can be reduced. The answer is that a few possibly can, up to a point, but what turned out to be the most surprising element of our research was the total yearly cost of owning a horse, whether they are kept at livery or at home. By the time you have factored in buying in forage, bedding, farrier visits, insurance and vet's visits (even if you have insurance there are excesses to pay), the total is simply eye-watering. Turn to page 14 to find out more.
