How much does it typically cost to board and take care of a horse?

Answer 1

I will give you an example out of my record book. Reminder, each year is different based on feed expense being raised, vets visits increase or decrease, weather and other issues being altered.

1 horse:

Feed record:

Hay: July to June, 5 bales. $40. Comes out to 480 a year.
Grain. July to june. 100 to 150 pounds. $15. Comes out $223
Other: july to june (sand clear, electrolytes oats). $135.

Total expense: $838.

Shoe, inoculations, vet visits, lameness injuries etc:

6 shoeing/trimming at $50 each. comes out to $300 a year.
Three worming at $12. Comes out to $36.
inoculations of $17.

Total is $353

Vet visits due to breeding/pregnancy and foaling. To which I won't put those expense as didn't ask for specific on expense when it comes to that depth.

Tack expense: bridle, new halter, updated grooming tools, buckets: $334

Boarding: Was at $65 per month: $780. (I don't board anymore as they are on our 8 acres now).

I have three horses and I worked off by feeding, racking and cleaning stalls to take rent off two of my horse's stalls majority of the year.

Total of 1 horse: $2,305

This does not include vet bills, medications or other activities as shows, breeding, lessons, training etc. I would estimate average of $5,000 to include all that.

Boarding can range from a simple $100 a month to over $800 a month. I was at a place that I had $120 a month in a box stall. That to me was expensive as myself working off the board as much as I can as my mom had to cover the rest (as she also had horses that I help take care of. so, equal out in doing our ownership parts).

Answer 2

It depends on where you live and the stable you choose, but anywhere you are it is going to be expensive. most people think that the most expensive part of buying a horse is buying the actual horse, which couldnt be futher from the truth. You could spend over 1,000 dollars a month caring for your horse, not including the board which can add hundreds or even thousands of dollars to your monthly bill.

Answer 3

Wow!!! Most people answering live in really cheap areas!!! Stall board around here (MD) costs around $3-400 a month, pasture board anywhere from $75-150. Closer to Washington, it is about twice that. In some places, like the really posh barns in FL and CA, board can be as high as $1500/month. Good Luck!! And don't forget to add in all the incidentals- shoeing or trimming, deworming, annual shots, fly spray, etc.

Answer 4

I would start by checking with nearby boarding facilities and what they charge (it varies way too much per area). Be sure to get references before you settle on one! I've seen many a dumpy looking place take excellent care of their horses, and too many "Gardens of Eden" without much common sense.

Some boarding facilities will give you breaks on rent if you're willing to give a little physical help or buy things on your own.

Also, be sure to ask what IS included in the boarding fees and what IS NOT. Make sure they're current on vaccinations with the stock that goes in and out and whether or not they are responsible for deworming. (I would suggest doing your own deworming to make sure it's done).

There's nothing wrong with renting a pasture with a shelter and doing your own horse care...sometimes that can be cheaper and less worry...Good luck!

Answer 5

That depends on where you live. Here's a list. Answer the questions with dollar signs and total it up.

Calculating at 2 percent of my horse's body weight in hay/grass per day, what is it going to cost to feed that animal for a year? (if grazing pasture, make sure the pasture is going to be able to grow enough pounds of quality grass to feed the animal.)
Add a trace mineral salt block at about $5. Supplements are extra.

If you live in a hot and humid area you're going to need to use parasite control four times a year. If you live in an arid or cold climate and your horse is on pasture, you can probably get by with twice a year. Price a tube of horse wormer for the appropriate weight of horse and multiply.

Depending on where you live, you will need to vaccinate your horse annually for different things. Figure at least $50 a year.

If you are not a farrier, you'll need one every 6-8 weeks. Shoes cost much more than a trim. Most horses only need shoes if they are working hard enough that the hoof growth cannot keep up with abrasion or if they have a foot problem. Call a local farrier and find out how much a trim and a shoe cost. Multiply.

If you already have your tack, figure 10 present of its total value for replacement every year. If you're going to buy it, YIKES!
Same for fencing and barn up keep. Fences and barns have to be fixed. Budget it in.

Transportation - how are you going to move this animal if it must be evacuated, medicated, or otherwise shifted?

Set aside at least $500 for emergency medical care. That won't cover much, but it'll get you in the door or cover the cost of having an severely injured animal put down.


I own my own land in a lower cost area and produce the hay and most of the grain my horses eat. My horses live here in pastures, or corrals and barns I built myself. I've been collecting tack for 30 years. I can take care of all but the worst medical emergencies.

My horses still cost me about $110 per horse per month. That's $1320 per horse per year.

Answer 6

I live in East Texas and it cost on an average of 300 buck a month. I read somewhere that it cost about $2,000 a year to care for 1 horse. That includes feed, farrier, vet bills, and other cost.

Answer 7

It really depends on 1) the area and 2) the stable.

For example, average board in Mass. is a lot more than in Maine.

Stables range from bare bones to "elegant". Higher cost doesn't mean better care (necessarily).

Answer 8

hi i have 4 horses and i pay $10 for each horse a week plus food one bag is around $25 which would last 4 weeks for one horse small horses are cheaper because they don't eat much, worming is done every 6 weeks this cost $12.00 per horse i hope this was help full

Answer 9

well our family boards horses and we usually charge 60 dollars a month per horse. but we r not real "elegant" we take people horses let them out in the 30 acres we have feed them everyday and water but they have a warm barn to sleep in and fresh hay everyday. :)

Answer 10

It could vary from $50-$3,000 a month depending on the area. In the middle of nowhere in Washington state it could be $50 a month if you provide feed, or it could be $3,000 a month outside the Hamptons on the East Coast.

Call around your area for quotes.