The cost of a horse or pony will soon be reduced by up to £3,750 under grants being introduced by the government to encourage drivers to move towards more sustainable forms of transport.
A spokesman for the Department for Transport said, ‘The discounts will apply to eligible animals costing up to £10,000, with the most environmentally friendly seeing the biggest reductions. As the cost of running a medium-sized horse is around £8,000 a year, this scheme will incentivise people to choose a horse rather than a car. Vehicle excise duty does not apply to horses and riders will also avoid paying fuel duty, although VAT continues to apply to hay.'
‘We are supporting this initiative by requiring all public sector buildings to install hitching posts so that animals can be left safely during GP appointments, police interviews and so on. We will also require councils to install horse waste bins, as the current dog waste bins will not cope with the extra business. We will be amending the legislation so that horses and ponies can use cycle lanes.’
The RAC saying discounted horses should start appearing at dealerships ‘within weeks’. The RAC will be offering consumers a used horse checking service and a warranty scheme.
Under the scheme, discounts will range between £500 and £3,750. Eligible horses must be capable of accepting a rider or pulling a cart and cannot for the purposes of racing, ready meals, or glue.
Drivers remain concerned that a horse will not have sufficient range for the journeys they want to make. They also worry that the UK needs more horse troughs, and that a horse is still not a practical option for people who live in a flat.
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