Costs of Owning a Horse
Grab your wallet
The costs associated with owning a horse differ from place to place. When you consider you have to pay for board, feed, shoes, equipment, and the periodic vet bill, it starts to add up fast.
Here I’ll help you understand and break down the financial obligation you’ll be shouldering, show you the most economical places to own, and we might even be able to save you some cash too.
How much will it cost?
Board
Board
This is easily one of the largest expenses involved in horse ownership, especially in more urban environments. It is however a necessary evil, unless of course you have a really big back yard. Your animal needs a safe place to call home and to eat every day, in today’s world that usually means paying someone else to do it.
Here we will help you with resources, stables and barns across the US and the world.
Bedding
Bedding is one of those expenses most don’t consider when they purchase an equine. However if you keep your horse in a stall it needs to have a soft bed, especially in the wintertime when the ground is hard and cold.
There are many options out there and some of them are sold in rather large quantities, Here I will help horse owners find the most sustainable, organic, and additive-free bedding they can buy.
Feed
This is an expense everyone expects, horses eat like, well, horses. Hay and grains go at an alarming rate, especially when feeding an athletic horse. Feed them well folks, organic and sustainable when possible. Keep chemicals out of their diet and they will stay healthier.
Here I will find resources to help any horse owner feed their horse well.
Equipment
Saddles, bridles, halters, hoof picks, tail combs, seems like you never have everything you need. Although this section is a major expense, proper equipment makes for a happy rider and a happy horse.
I will help you with the basics for your tack room, brush box and show bag.
Blacksmith
Every 6-8 weeks horses need to see a blacksmith or farrier for a hoof trim and and / or a new pair of shoes. Some horses can go without shoes, however, if they are in heavy training proper shoes can prevent leg and foot problems.
A good blacksmith is hard to find, but I will comb the web to keep the best of the best well-known and working hard.
Vet costs
At first you think that this category is only important if your horse gets sick. Unfortunately there are many reasons you may need a vet to see your horse. Worming, vaccinations, sudden unexplained lameness, you never know.
Seriously folks, put your vet on speed dial, you’ll need them more than you want to.
Transport
This is one category of cost that may not apply to everyone. Those who compete, or travel with their horses need to factor the cost of hauling into their budget.
Trailers aren’t cheap, they require a truck sufficient to pull them and they have to be stored when not in use. I’ll help you find horse trailers for hire and horse moving companies.
Insurance
If you are going to pay so much every month for your horse, it is an investment worth insuring. Horses are skittish animals and in the end a small monthly payment could save your a fortune.
Vet bills seem to cost twice as much as hospital bills, and we all know our vets very well. In this section I will offer links to the best information and horse insurers I can find.
Horse riding attire
This varies depending on your riding style and location, but there are a few necessary items, things like chaps, britches, boots and gloves are examples of what you may need, but the list won’t end there. Riding a horse is hard work, and being well outfitted means a more comfortable and enjoyable ride.
Always remember, whether you ride in your back yard, on a racetrack or at your local fairgrounds, a helmet is a must.
Lessons and training
This is another category that will differ from horse owner to horse owner. Many big stables expect their boarders to take lessons or have their horses in training as part of their board agreement.
Training is expensive, but it can be well worth your money. Depending on your skill level and your horses level of maturity having professional help can make your equestrian experience a much more pleasant one.
Shows and events
If you show, it is expensive, there is no way around that. However, healthy competition is a good way to show off your animal and your training skills. There are a lot of events out there to choose from, and I’ll always have a list to share.
This section will give you an idea what you’ll need, where to go, and an idea just how much showing and horse events will cost you financially.
Toys, treats, magazines and other misc. expenses
Although this category seems frivolous, I dare any horse lover to tell me they don’t buy the occasional horse treats, toys or magazines or bling for their animal.
