How much does it cost to rescue a horse?

Question

I am saving money to purchase a horse in a few years, and I want to rescue one from the SPCA or a rescue ranch. What is generally the range of the adoption fees? One place I looked at ranged from $500 to $2000, depending on the horses' breed, age, and condition.

Does anyone else have experience with this, and can you help me out? Thanks!

Answer 1

There are some rescue organizations who will adopt horses out for less than $500, but I'd say your range is fairly accurate.

However, you might even want to consider going to horse auctions and such because there are a large number of people who have alot of horses they need to sell who have never been mistreated or starved and they can be bought for well under $500.  Check the ads in your local newspaper, too.

Answer 2

getting a horse from a rescue is the best idea :]] i did it and i didnt know if i would get a bad horse but i got to take the one i got home first for a week to see if i liked her. and she didnt work out. the best thing is that i went back and got a diffrent horse to try out and it worked and she is my bestest friend :]]] thanks for saving the horsies

Answer 3

well you better know how to take great care of a horse it takes a lot of work and $!!

bye

Answer 4

It depends on your location, the horse, and the rescue.

The horse's adoption fee/price would be somewhere between $500 - $5,000. Make sure you include vet checks, trailering costs (all equipment needed and gas) and all the basic things you'd need.

I would ask a local rescue if you could go through with a "fake adoption", meaning you would add up all the costs, and have them help you run through what you would need to do. (Home inspection, etc.) That way you would know what you need to get in order to have a horse. If you plan on boarding, include boarding costs too.

With the "fake adoption", usually someone is willing to help you out at no cost, and all you do is sit down somewhere and talk about/write down everything you would do, everything you need, and everything you want.

Good luck.

Answer 5

Well i wouldn't worry too much about the adoption fee because your range is about right though I have seen some that were only 150 dollars. What you need to worry about is if you have enough to pay for board at a barn or if you are keeping at your house wether you are going to be able to pay for the feed let alone the vet and farrier bills. Rescue horses generally have a lot of needs and they can get really costly. Board in a pasture is usually 200 a month but if there is only stall board in your area it could be anywhere from 450-650 a month, possibly more. Then you have to have the farrier out every 6-8 weeks which can be up to 65 to 120 depending on how many shoes and what type the horse needs. Then there are the vet bills that have to happen because of vaccines and maintenance care that can get really expensive. Really think about this before you get into it because rescue horses are sort of a gamble it could go really well or really bad.

Answer 6

Once again, I want to stress the importance of gaining knowledge, experience, realistic expectations and being able to pay for ALL the expenses that will go with having a horse.

My gut feeling is to say, if you need to "save" $500-$2000 to purchase the horse, you will not be able to afford to "keep" a horse.  My horse has had vet visits totaling over $1000 this year to date, with more planned/needed.  I've paid the farrier about $350 so far, and I've spent about $600 in tack and feed supplements.  Add his monthly board to that ($300) and you are talking about one EXPENSIVE hobby!

You would probably be better off spending your savings to take riding lessons and possibly LEASE a horse from someone who is not using their horse completely.  Half leases are great, because you can work out 2-3 set days a week that are "yours" and the owner has the remaining.  Costs such as board, farrier and vet visits are usually split 50/50, and if things don't work out you can simply walk away without worrying about caring for a horse that may or may not sell before your money runs out.  

Another alternative would be to find a local stable or ranch to work for or volunteer at.  This will give you great exposure to horses and the chance to learn from someone experienced.

I always caution "newbies" who decide to adopt a rescue horses.  Many rescue horses come with behavioral, training and health issues that are nearly impossible for an unexperienced person to manage and perhaps overcome.  However, many reputable adoption agencies offer lessons and training and do a wonderful job of matching the right owner with the right horse.  So please be mindful and seek out this scenario.

I know it is heartbreaking to think of not owning a horse -- it took my dream over 20 years to come true.  But, the best part is knowing I can afford to pay for my horse's numerous expenses and keep him reasonably safe and happy as a result.

Good luck!

Answer 7

Depends on the rescue place. 100.00$ to 2000.00$ You have to call & talk to the people who run it.

Answer 8

I have had horses for years. Im not sure how much a rescue horse is. But, you must know how to care for them. Do your reasearch. They cost alot. You need a vet, farrier, feed, boarding, trailer, grooming, tack, etc.. Monthly. And if your going to ride, you need proper riding gear. A rescue horse can be dangerous. You may never know your horses background. And so in that case, they may be a bit timid..

Hope I helped!

Answer 9

I'm also wanting to rescue in a few years, and all the fees I've seen were $600 and less.  Good luck.