Pls Help, Horse Costs??

Question

Can someone tell me what are the EXACT costs of owning a horse? I am pretty sure I know what all the major expenses would be, but I need exact numbers because I will have to work everything off and will only be getting payed min wage. Sooooo I need to know, what would be the costs per month, with board (at the barn I would board at it's $350 and month, which includes hay) vet bills, farrier bills, tack and any other costs. (The horse would be at least 12 or 14 yrs)

Answer 1

It is impossible to budget down to the last dime when you are keeping a horse.  Sure, the numbers you are seeing here are correct...

but accidents happen and when they do, they can be be expensive.

We have several ponies... Just last year:

I had a mare colic ... ONE NIGHT in the clinic WITHOUT surgery was $1100.  Would have easily run $5000 with.

Had a mare put her put leg through a stall wall... needed stitches.  $350.

Another mare decided to visit the gelding next door to her by jumping the 4 1/2 foot fence separating them.  During her jump, she knocked herself so hard, she bruised a bone.  Sonogram to find out?  Another $300.

So really, there is no way of saying "It's going to cost x amount of dollars per year to keep my horse".  Things come up.  You need to be prepared for them financially when they do.

Answer 2

The horse market right now is pretty competitive, so shop around before you buy and don't buy a horse just because of a flashy color...get one that is well-suited for what you want to do with him and is healthy.  A 12-14 year old horse should NEVER cost more than $2000 even if he is well-papered and has good bloodlines.  At 12 - 14, he could very well have less than 10 year of good riding left on him. So, keep that in mind.

Estimate your farrier bills based on where you will ride the horse most.  If you are riding on hard surfaces (roads, creek beds, rocky trails) I would suggest having the horse shod during the riding months.  It will need to be done every 6-8 weeks.  During the winter onths, leave the horse barefoot if you won't be riding much and figure your costs based on just trimming the horse every 6-8 weeks.

The vet will need to make a yearly visit to vaccinate, pull Coggins, and do health papers (if you are travelling with the horse) which costs about $120 per horse around here (Central KY).  You can learn to vaccinate yourself, order your vaccines on-line and save yourself some money.  You can de-worm your horse yourself.  Get a schedule from your vet.  De-wormers cost $5 - $15 per tube and are administered basically every other month.  If you need a Panacur Power Pack, they run about $50.

Of course, the vet may have to visit for illness or injury and those costs will vary quite a bit depending on the problem and the treatment.

The vet or an equine dentist should at least check your horse's teeth once a year.  If the horse needs his teeth floated, it costs around $80 and up here.

The tack you buy can get costly depending on what you want.  A decent brand new started western saddle starts at $250.  They can go up in to the thousands of dollars if you want to spend that much.  Check your local auctions and flea markets and look at websites such as www.craigslist.com for bargains.  Be sure to buy saddles and bridles that are not flimsy or poorly made.  It's worth the extra few bucks for a good working saddle and bridle.

The start-up costs associated with getting a horse are where you will incur the majority of your cost.  You'll need a lead rope, halter, short tie, saddle, bridle, reins, curb chain, girth, pad or blanket, salt nlobk holder for a stall and a salt block to go in it, grooming supplies and box, clippers, first aid kit, and washing supplies and box to keep them in.  If the boarding stable provides water buckets and mangers for the stalls, you won't have to worry about those things, but I would suggest you have all your own grooming and washing supplies and that you not share with the other boarders.  Not to be mean, but there are skin conditions that are spread by using infected brushes and such.  You're looking at $1000 or more for all of this stuff (depending on where you buy).

If you are riding your horse often and for longer periods of time, you may need to get him some grain or sweet feed.  A 50 lb. bag ranges from $7.50 - $25.

I would expect to spend $300 a month just for supplies and such (not including board).  Hopefully, your horse won't require you spend this much, but you should estimate high and not low to be sure you can afford to keep your horse at his best.

Hope this helps!

Answer 3

Ok - every vet farrier horse etc. is different so there is no such thing as exact numbers but here is a pretty good estimate.

Horse: $1500-15000

board yearly: $4200

pre-purchase vet check (with drug tests - and xrays): $800-$1000

yearly vet checkup: about $300

Farrier yearly (4 shoes): Depending on quality of farrier $300-600

2 shoes: more like $300

Tack:

saddle: $500-$5500

bridle: $40-$200

Wraps, boots, breastplates, extra bits: $100-$200

Show entries: $20-$30

show memberships: $200

Hunt membership: $350-$500

trainer, trailer, groom fees: $175-$300 per show

For injuries

Poultice, medical wraps, small medical procedures including floating: $100-$200

Large medical problems can cost thousands

Answer 4

Well it pretty much depends on the horse, where you live, availabilty of farrier/vet, and so on. But I can give a rough amount of what I pay here in Pennsylvania for one horse who is 10 years old.

Okay so you already have the boarding for $350. Does this include sawdust? Regular turnout? Feeding? Exercising? Stall?

50lb bag of horse feed - $20.

Rabies, West Nile, Tetanus, Potomac, Coggins, plus vet call - $200.

Farrier every 7 weeks (shoe all 4 feet) - $180.

Saddle, bridle, and breastcollar set -  $700. (if you're lucky)

Bit - $25.

Halter and lead - $10.

Teeth floating - $50.

Gas to go to the barn - (you can figure this out)

and you didn't say if you were showing or not, but you have to count show clothes, entrie fees, gas, grooming products, trailer, show set, and more.

hope i could help. if you have any questions just email me (:

Answer 5

Well a 12 year old horse can cost thousands, just for a horse.

There really isn't an exact cost for a horse, so you can't always tell.

Costs for a farrier and vet vary where you live. A good vet can cost hundreds. Tack is very pricey. Saddles can be thousands, bits and bridals can be hundreds and thousands, and if you want a chest collar those can be expensive, too. You need to find out what type of saddle you want, and then you'll know the exact answer. Don't forget brushes, treats, shampoo, conditioner, etc.

It can cost a lot, so you need a steady income to keep a horse, unless you live on a ranch where you can board free, or have someone paying for you.

Answer 6

it all depends on what discipline you ride. if you want the horse for competition, you'll have to buy quite a bit more stuff than if you were to just have the horse for trail rides. if you are in the hunter world, or event world, you might want to look for things that are secondhand - look at clearance racks at your nearest tack shop or look on ebay. my friend recently bought a nice pair of tall boots for only $10! if you take the time to look around, you'll find that the costs go down quite a bit. and for the vet and farrier bills, those are worth it - they keep your horse in good shape. good luck :)

Answer 7

Oh gosh No one can give you a exact price becuase honestly it depends on each idividual Horse and how much the owner is willing to pay as well.

Boarding $350

Farrier $25-$100 usualy

Vet - depends you can usualy pay $100 or less for vets if your horses doesnt get injured or naything.

Western saddle $250-$3000 depending on the quality and if you want a show saddle. If you want a good quality saddle i would suggest Circle Y or Craites but there expensive but worth it if you have the money.

Bridles $20-$200 ( again depending on how fancy you want)

Halter/lead $20-$40

Bit $40-100

Boots $40-200

Alot of teh prices depend on what brand you buy and how fancy you wan them