I'm wanting to buy a horse but how much do they cost?

Question

what all needs to be bought to take great care of a horse? and about how much is each thing that i need to buy.

Answer 1

Sounds like to me you are very inexpierenced about horses... talk to your instructor, or maybe think about buying some horse ownership books. Go to a barn and see what stuff goes into owning a horse, such as a feed bucket, trough, brushes, etc... Horses vary in price

Answer 2

Normally 1000-10000 for a healthy horse. Old ones or sick one 100-1000! Plus the feeding is alot I mean ALOT! Then you have to take them to the vet 500-3000, surgery 10000 and buy the saddle and riens 100-1000 normally! Then you have to go the farrier! Dont even know that is! Dont forget the land that they live on 10000 for one acre!

Answer 3

u cnt just go n buy a horse just like that n keep it in ur shed! its not that simple, first theres the expence of buyin it, feedin, shoein, vet billis, wormin, beddin, tack, insurance, ridin gear etc etc.before u even consider gettin a horse i wud suggest readin lots of books, read magazines, n help out at a stables to gain experiance, horses are a lot of hard work, not to be taken lighlty they cost thousands each year!!! so u better get some experiance first n once u really realise wots involved u might change ur mind n keep horses as a hobby like i do! honestly keepin a horse is not like a dog, there is so much u need to no, n so many things u need to learn. so plz dnt go by one yet really look into this, ideally if u do get one stable it at a livery yard becoz then there are experianced people around u who can help n advise u.

Answer 4

It depends on what kind of horse you want. check out this website.

http://www.ebarrelracing.com/php/classif...

Answer 5

This is the horse racing section. There is a Pets>Horses section which would be more appropriate for your question.

Answer 6

That is a question with a never-ending answer.  But do research the topic as thoroughly as possible before you get a horse!  Owning a horse is a huge undertaking and you really have to know what you're getting into.  I've seen many people buy horses with the best of intentions, but with no idea of what they were doing, and they ended up badly neglecting their animals without even realizing they were doing anything wrong.

First and foremost, you need to get an equestrian buddy who really knows what he or she is doing when it comes to horses.  They will be your go-to person when you have questions.  They will therefore need to be a person who doesn't mind being asked a lot of questions. :)

Then you need to decide whether you'll actually buy a horse, or lease one.  If you buy it, you're stuck with it.  If you lease it, you can say "that was fun, but never mind" once your contract is up.  Next, you need to decide where you'll be keeping your horse- will it live on your property, or will you board it somewhere?  If you've never had a horse before I'd suggest boarding, because there's always someone to go to if you have questions.  Most boarding barns charge in the neighborhood of $300-500 a month.  They all vary as to cost and services provided; some simply give your horse living space, while others will take care of the bulk of his daily maintenance.  If you're planning to board, do scout out local barns and ask them what boarding there entails.

If your horse will be living on your property, your first concern is to make sure it will be living in a safe environment.  If you have a barn on your property, make sure it's in good repair- not falling down, no rusty nails popping out all over the place, etc.  Make sure the fencing is likewise in good repair, and that it isn't barbed wire.  He'll need a good water source- a pond doesn't qualify.  Water troughs are great but they need to be scrubbed out every so often, and refilled regularly.  For bedding in his stall, you can use a variety of things; shavings are best in my opinion, because they're economical and easy to handle.  Stalls should be cleaned daily, and a muck pile created somewhere a good distance from the barn so as not to attract flies.  If you've got a spreader and a tractor and a good amount of land, the best thing to do is dump it all in the spreader and... redistribute it... over your land every week or so.  Or it makes great garden fertilizer.  (You don't have to keep your horse in a stall all the time though; most horses are happier turned out unless it gets super-cold or they come up lame or ill.)  Hay is also necessary, particularly in winter; how much to give him depends on the quality of grass on your property.  Orchard grass hay is great.  You can get hay and shavings delivered to your barn once or twice a year.  Then there's feed and supplements; talk to your vet regarding your horse's specific needs, once you get a horse.  Which brings me to the subject of vet bills.  Your horse will need a Coggins test annually, along with vaccinations for rhino, encephalomyelitis, tetanus, rabies, strangles, Potomac horse fever, West Nile, and possibly one or two others- your vet will have the details.  He'll also need regular deworming; most people use paste dewormer, and again, your vet will have details.  You'll have farrier bills also; most horses need to be reshod or trimmed every 4 to 6 weeks.  You'll need grooming supplies, clippers (for trimming his whiskers- get someone to show you how to do this before you attempt it), a metal mane comb for pulling mane (again, get someone to show you how), and fly and tick spray for the summer.  If you get a gelding, you'll need to clean his sheath every 6 months to a year- this sounds like a disgusting job, but it really isn't that bad if you use Excalibur.  If it gets cold in winter where you live, you'll need a good blanket for him.  I would also strongly recommend buying a trailer, in case you need to evacuate him from your property or take him to a veterinary clinic, or just want to take him somewhere.  If you do get a trailer, make sure the vehicle you're pulling it with is the right size to pull it.  Obviously you'll need tack, riding boots, a helmet, and tack cleaning supplies, unless you've already got those.  I'd also run by Wal-Mart and grab a pair of rubber dairy boots- they're useful for doing dirty work, and cheap.

And then there are things I haven't mentioned, but as you can see, a lot goes into keeping a horse.  Nothing compares to the joy of having one, but they do eat up a lot of money, and a lot of time and effort.  The horse itself will cost anywhere from $1000 to $50,000 (although I see no reason for anyone to buy a horse over $10,000) but it's the post-purchase costs that really add up.  Obviously you want to do things right- the way you phrased your question makes that clear- so congratulations, you're starting on the track to successful horse ownership!

Whatever you decide- whether you lease your horse or buy it, board it or keep it yourself- the absolute first thing you should do is go to Amazon and buy the Pony Club Manuals of Horsemanship 1 and 2 (for the D and C levels) by Susan Harris.  Whether you're seven or seventy, those two books contain just about everything you need to get off to a good start.  I hope I haven't scared you away from having a horse; they're wonderful, but they are a huge responsibility!  Good luck!

Answer 7

a lot

Answer 8

oh man. it depends on a lot of things.

you can buy a horse for as little as a couple hundred dollars to horses that cost as much as a house! to be honest, the horse itself is not the expensive part. Board adds up! Not only do you have to worry about board, you can't forget farrier and vet visits, as well as the scary thought of your horse getting sick or injured.

and the extra stuff you need to buy?

lets see.

saddle (depends on english or western).. idk about english but western saddles are a couple hundred dollars.. and dont forget you'll need to buy a girth. most dont come with one.

saddle pad $30

headstall $15

bit (depends. the bit i use costs about $15)

reins $10

brushes, grooming tools, etc $20

optional but you horse will appreciate it

treats

detangler for mane/tail

fly spray (important for summer!!)

turnout blanket

supplements (ie for coat, dewormer, weight control)

hope this helps! :]

Answer 9

Hi horses are exspensive to keep.  Not only do you need all the proper equipment to take care of him (and also yourself if your going to be riding him) but vet bills and farriers dont come cheap.  And these are things you can not avoid if you really care about your horse.  Heres a idea of prices for everything you will need although the prices all depend on where you live, where you buy them.  Im in England so if you live in America I dont know ok, yet it still wont be cheap. t is advisable to take certain precautions when contemplating horse ownership. Before you set out to buy a horse, you should first make an honest assessment of your riding ability, examine the facilities you have for keeping a horse and think about the purpose for which the animal is to be used.

HORSES

****************

This will all depend on what breed of horse you want to buy.  If you want to buy a show horse the price goes up even more.  Horses range from anything from a few hundred pounds uoto the thousands.  There are several factors that affect price: 1. Conformation and appearance; 2. Performance ability and/or record; 3. Weight-carrying capacity, if that is a matter of concern; 4. Age and manners. The soundness of the horse is not an issue, since no one in his right mind knowingly buys an unsound horse. As far as age is concerned, in general terms, an unbroken 2 or 3 year old will be cheaper than a 4 or 5 year old who has been schooled. From that age, all else being equal, the horse increases in value up to the age of 10.

REMEMBER WHEN BUYING A HORSE

Many horses are bought at public sales, and at those conducted by reputable auctioneers; buyers are protected by the "conditions of sale," which should be studied carefully. Whether such sales are the best places for the novice to buy is unlikely. It may not be possible to examine the horse and ride it as thoroughly as might be desirable.  As another option, you can buy from a dealer. He will certainly allow you to ride the horse and to watch while it is ridden, with ample time to observe the animal being handled and to ask questions. A well-established dealer is a businessman and will want to satisfy the customer, so it is unlikely that he would attempt to sell a horse that he knows is unsuitable.  Finally, you can buy privately. It should not be taken for granted that buying privately is the most satisfactory way of acquiring a horse, however, many horses are bought and sold in this manner.  Having made an appointment to see a horse for sale, it is important that you should arrange to go with a friend. If your friend is knowledgeable about horses, so much the better, but his prime function is to be a witness to the sale, in the event that any dispute concerning the sale arises.At the start, tell the seller the purpose for which the horse is required. It is not unreasonable to ask him to provide a form of guarantee, either verbally or in writing, that the horse, to the best of his knowledge, is sound, quiet to ride in all respects, free from stable vices and suitable for your stated requirements. Although the seller does not have to give such an assurance, if he declines you might put your own interpretation on the refusal and look for another horse. Ask specific questions about the horse's performance, travelling, shoeing and so on. The blanket question, "Does the horse have any vices or problems I should know about?" is certainly the final one to ask.  If you are still interested, the horse should be trotted-out so that the action can be observed and you can gain an overall impression. When the horse is tacked-up, take note of the bitting ararngements. Before you mount, the horse should be ridden by the seller to see how it performs with someone it knows. f you are keen to buy after riding the horse yourself, do so "subject to a veterinary certificate" and have your own veterinarian carry out the inspection. It should be noted that the veterinarian's certificate is not a guarantee of soundness - it is simply an opinion expressed by a suitably qualified person.

EQUIPMENT

**********************

Horse tack includes the bridal, saddle, bit, girths, and other items needed to help you learn how to ride and do it effectively. The term 'horse tack' encompasses a wide variety of items, and they all come in many different types so that will fit a variety of needs.

There are different types of horse tack, so before you actually set out to choose the items you will need, it is a good idea to know just what you are looking for so that you purchase the correct tack. For example, English tack and Western tack are two very different types, so it is important to know what you are doing before making any type of purchase. If you are unsure about what you will need, you might consider reading materials on the different types of tack and what each item is used for before making any decisions. It may also help to consult other horse lovers who are more experienced and can guide you in the right direction. CALL INTO YOUR LOCAL RIDINGSCHOOL THEY WILL BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS FOR YOU.

NEVER buy your saddle and reigns without having your horse with you.  You need to be able to try these on your horse for size and comfortable fit BEFORE you buy them.  

PRICES range from hundreds upwards.

GROOMING KIT

**********************

Tack box or bucket. These boxes or buckets usually have several compartments for storing and separating different items.   Get some brushes. An extra-soft, soft-bristled brush is good for the face, a soft- or medium-bristled brush works well for the body, and a stiff-bristled brush helps get knots out of the mane and tail.   Find a rubber massager. These items work two ways: as a deep scrubber for getting out embedded dirt from the coat, and as a massager. Most are the size of your palm or have a handle that slips over your hand.   Clean your horse's hooves with a hoof pick. Every time before you ride or turn your horse out, you should pick her hooves.  Keep fly spray available for keeping the fly population to a minimum.  Gather a small first aid kit consisting of betadine scrub for washing out wounds, antibiotic ointment to protect from infection, gauze pads to cover wounds, some sort of wrap to keep the gauze in place, and pain medication such as bute.  Protect your horse's legs with boots and shin guards to keep it from kicking or nicking itself.  

PRICES range from a few pounds upwards.

FEED

***********

A horse needs nutritional food so you need to make sure you buy the right foods and supplements.  They need hay, grass, nuts, Oats, Wheat bran(usually given in winter months), Corn, Barley, hard and soft feed, carrots, rutabagas or apples. aswel as horses like to l**k salt blocks to get extra minerals in their diet.  Some people soak dried beet pulp in water until it swells, then mix it with their grain to provide bulk and succulence to a dry winter ration. Not forgetting water to drink. A horse will drink ten to twelve gallons of water a day. Their water consumption will vary with the temperature of the air, the work they are doing and what they are being fed.

PRICE anything from a few pounds upwards. But you need to keep regular supplies espically during the winter months.

HOUSING

*****************

If theres going to be times when your not able to ride your horse he needs to have somewhere he can be allowed to stretch his legs.  Turning him out in his field. A horse at grass should have many things, a good strong fence, wide enough gate, water trough, good ventilated grass, some form of shelter which he can go into if the weather turns bad. NO barb wire and far from poisonous plants. So you may need to see if you can higher out a field or paddock from someone if you haven't got your own. The price of highering a paddock or field depends on the supplier. Some charge you a yearly fee, some you pay monthly.  

A good stable should have:

Good ventilation but free from drafts, hardwaring floor.

A tack room, Space for the horse to walk and sit down. Clean bedding, water bucket, a place to tie the horse up and

drainage for urine.

PRICE varies on where you buy from, best to shop around or have one built.

BLANKETS

******************

yOU DO NOT NEED TO COVER YOUR HORSE WITH A BLANKET although Blanketing is necessary for competition horses and foxhunters who are routinely clipped during colder weather to maintain a sleek appearance, reduce sweating, shorten cooling-out time and speed drying after rigorous workouts. Aged horses whose appetites and digestion may not supply enough fuel to keep flesh on their bones and their internal "furnaces" stoked require shelter or blanketing during bad weather. This blanket must be designed for a horse and not your own from indoors.  

FARRIERS

*****************

You need to look around for a farrier.  The price goes up depending on the person and wether they are a farrier as a fulltime job or just part time.  Your more than likely to find that if they are fulltime they will charge more.  (They too have to make a living).  

VACCINATIONS

**********************

These are a must and you will need to speak with your vet about what your horse needs and how often.  All vaccinations depend on the age of your horse and/or any problems they have aswel as protecting them from illnesses. Some examples your horse will need but there are others are:-

Tetanus Toxiod

Strep Equi(Strangles)

Viral Arteritis

Influenza (Flu)

Your vet will need to a comprehensive annual physical exam of eyes, mouth, teeth, lymph nodes, skin, heart and lungs, abdomen, and genital areas. And a brief exam of the limbs for joint effusion, bony and soft tissue abnormalities.

Rotational deworming program every two months is recommended to help aid in the control of parasites and help prevent parasites from building up a chemical resistance. Each horse has varying needs when concerning parasite control.  PRICES are cheap but you will need to discuss this with your vet.

Answer 10

They cost HEAPS!! Not just the purchase cost, but the ongoing cost are unbelievable. Unless you have very deep pockets full of discretionary funds, don't bother.

If you get a horse, forget about any of your international travel.