The cost of horse riding in Australia can vary depending on several factors such as type of riding, duration of lessons, level of experience and whether you buy, lease or use a school horse for your lessons. Here are some general guidelines for horse riding costs in Australia:
Riding Lessons
If you want to get serious and learn how to ride, the cost of riding lessons in Australia vary depending on the location (which state you live) and the level of instruction. On average, you can expect to pay between $50 to $100 for a one-hour lesson.
It can be cheaper if you start out in a group lesson to first learn the basic skills and then go to one-on-one coaching to refine the skills learnt. One-on-one coaching is also excellent to learn more advanced techniques in controlling a horse such as leg yields.
Trail Rides
For those just wanting a casual horse fix, trail riding is an excellent option. Guided trail rides are offered all over Australia at a variety of locations from beach to bush to rainforest. The cost of a trail ride can also vary depending on the location and duration, but on average, you can expect to pay between $50 to $150 for a one-hour ride.
Horse Ownership
The cost of buying and owning a horse are two very separate things. When buying a horse, price is influenced by the ability of the horse, how good the horse is on the ground (who doesn’t want a unicorn!), the age, the breed and what discipline e.g. jumping, dressage.
Depending on you budget and priority when it comes to the horse e.g. safety, speed, jump ability etc, you can pay anywhere from $1,000 to $30,000+.
After the buy price, there are the ongoing costs which can range from $3,000 to $15,000 per year or more. The ongoing costs may include:
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agistment – if you don’t own a property, can be $80 to $200 per week
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feed
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lessons
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vet fees
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farrier (usually every 4 to 6 weeks)
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rugs (summer and winter)
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grooming items (shampoo, brushes etc) supplements and equipment (covered below)
Leasing a Horse
Leasing a horse is also an option and will save on the initial outlay of buying a horse. If deciding to lease a horse, it’s super important that both parties are crystal clear on the expectations and responsibilities.
If you’re one for clear guidelines, get a contract written up or at least outline the expectations and responsibilities in an email. These expectations relate to whose responsibility it is for the ongoing costs listed above.
Equipment
Here’s a list of equipment that needs to be added to the cost of horse riding. The cost of these items can vary, but on average, you can expect to spend between $500 to $10,000 in total for the following gear:
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helmet
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riding boots
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riding apparel
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saddles
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bridle
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lead rope
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horse boots
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saddle pad
