How must does it cost?

Question

I have wanted a horse since I was 4 years old, im 14 now, but my parents still wont let me. They say "maybe" if I can pay for most of it. I can't get a job yet so its gonna take some time to raise enough. How much does it usually cost to take care of a horse and boarding for 1 month?

Do you think I should just lease a horse instead? How much does that cost?

Answer 1

Boarding a horse usually cost from $200-$300 depending on where you board. Leasing varies based on stable, horse, and length of time.

Answer 2

A basic board, which means just the stall, is usually around $200 a month

A board that provides food and bedding for the horse, as well as turnout and other needs, can be from $500-$600 (about), but you still have to pay expensive vet and farrier bills.

There's really no ballpark cost for a lease without you specifying what type of plan you want. Leasing can be anything from riding the horse a few times a week, to actually bringing the horse into your own stable, depending on your plan.

Answer 3

Leasing a horse will ALWAYS be less expensive. And I HIGHLY recommend doing that before buying. How much it costs to lease is the same as how much does a horse cost. Depends on where you live and what you're looking for. A free lease means you pay ALL the expenses, including board, you just don't pay the owner anything. Half lease costs a little more but not as much as a full lease.

Are you taking riding lessons right now? Before you think about leasing even I think you should spend some time taking lessons, cleaning stalls (which will help pay for your lessons depending on where you go) to introduce you to the reality.

Taking care of a horse means having your only saddle, saddle pads, stirrup irons, leathers and pads. You have to have a bridle with a bit. You have to have a farrier or blacksmith come out and at the very least trim the horse's feet. Some horses require four shoes and some horses require special shoes. I had a horse with nevicular that I was paying $175 every eight weeks for ONE pair of shoes.

Yearly vet for EEE/WEE, Tetanus, Rabies, and Flu is around $200 (again, depending on where you live). If you want to show you need a Coggins test every third year. You should definitely have a vet check prior to purchase, there's another $200.

Lets not forget blankets, sheets, brushes, combs, shampoo, fly spray, fly masks...

Take some lessons and have FUN while you're young. Once you're out on your own THEN think about buying a horse.

Answer 4

I got my first horse when I was 14. Like you, my parents wouldnt buy me one. I knew I always wanted one, so I saved all of my birthday and christmas money which ended up being about $450. I told my dad how much I had saved and he said he would pay the rest. I found a 17yo horse for $650 and bought him. Luckily the horse market is down right now, so you can get a decent horse for $600!!  

Boarding depends on which part of town you live in. Im in GA.. south of Atlanta, and I have never paid over $60 a month for pasture board. Thats where I provide the feed and care for the horse. I dont trust other people for the care of my horse, as most people in that industry are greedy little theives!! But that is just my opinion from my experience with boarding facilities, yours is entirely up to you.

They also offer partial board which is a bit more about $100 month or more. And full board around here ranges from $250-$500 a month. You just need to look into the places around your house, and try to find a local person that just has some land available and ask if they would be willing to board horses. Thats what I did. And the worst they can say is no.

Good luck!!

Answer 5

Horses are very costy animals.

You have to have money for boarding.

Its like $200 if theyre nice, or they can range even from $500-800.

You also need to buy the horse of course, and that could vary depending on it.

Food and hay is also needed along with some pricey tack and grooming supplies.

If youre low on money or something, leasing would probably be a better choice.

But do what you gotta do.

Answer 6

Try half-leasing a horse, find someone that needs their horse exercised 2/3 times a week, in exchange for stable duties/chores, you can show your parents that you can look after a horse, but dont immediatly have ALL the responsibility of looking after it

Answer 7

The horse will cost around $2000 and boarding depends on where you board him/her. The food will be expensive though! It can cost around $100! Hope you can pay for the floating and farrier fees too. Horses are hard work and they can burn a hole in your pocket fast.

Answer 8

Definately lease a horse first. I'm leasing my horse for $75 a month (pretty cheap), and the boarding for me is $235 a month. That doesn't include the vet bills, farrier visits, etc.

And if you choose to buy a horse, instead of paying the monthly lease, you would have to pay $2,000+ for it. They're costly animals. XD

Answer 9

The full cost and upkeep of a horse is a lot for a 14 year old to handle. Even if you could find a small part time job when the way the economy is now, you wouldn't be able to afford it on your own... The price of hay alone will get you.

The price greatly Varies from state to state and barn to barn. Some fancier show-type barns might cost you anywhere from 500-1000 dollars or more for full board... Others might hit around 300-500 for full. You could go with partial board ( You buy hay, grain, bedding, do all the "dirty-work" yourself.) and that will run you anywhere between 150-250 a month. Then hay in my area cost about 18 bucks a bale for T/A, grain will run you around 15 dollars a bag for decent quality sweet feed.

These are all just guesstimates, but as you can see already owning a horse is not a walk in the park, and these are just the bare essentials.

Answer 10

you schould lease a horse first to know how it is to take care of a horse if you do buy a horse you can work things out with the owner for it would be cheaper also do some things around the negiborhood

Answer 11

It depends it will very

Answer 12

Leasing is a good way to own a horse without owning a horse. While you don't get to make all the descisions, you don't have to pay for eveything either while getting to ride and be with a horse. It is always less expensive than owning a horse, which is serious business. The cost varies, you would have talk to someone who would be willing to lease their horse or check out a local barn and ask there.  It could also be a good way to show your parents that you are responsible and ready enough for your own horse.

As for the job, might I suggest babystitting? It is a great way to make a lot of money. Last summer I was able to buy a saddle with babysitting money that I had earned over the summer.

Good luck!