Costs of Horse?

Question

Hello. I was just wondering how much having a horse costs yearly? I mean not including the inital fee of the horse. Just the bedding and feed. I'd like to own a horse but I'm not sure if I could afford it. Also what are the best sites to search for horse listings? Thank you.

Answer 1

If you have your own property it's a lot cheaper than boarding. I only have experience with boarding so here is what it was...

Partial Board, did my own stall (hay, grain, shavings)
$350x12 months = $4200

Farrier every 6 weeks (about 9x year) $90x9=$810

Vet for routine maintenence (about 2x year) $150x2=$300

Feed supplements (electrolytes, biotin, multi-vitamin) $50 per month $50x12=$600

Incendental stuff I needed (not including tack) probably about $1000.

That doesn't include lessons or show entries, or vet visits that were non-routine. So $4200+$810+$300+$600+$1000= $6910

I'm sure you can do it a bit cheaper, but not much. They are money pits, but I can't wait until I can afford one again.

Answer 2

I pay about $250 a month for horse board in my area. With proper worming, farrier care, and food, my costs come out to $4500 a year, roughly in Wisconsin. The person who said 1-2,000 must have the horses on their own land and grow their own hay. Keeping a horse daily at your own place is about $60-$70 a month (having to buy hay), not including utlilities.
If you live on the east or west coast, board can be 1,000-10,000 a MONTH, which really increases the yearly cost. My estimates should work for most midwestern states.
To search for a horse the best site is
www. agdirect.com
we bought and sold many horses off of that website.

If you are unsure if you can afford one, why don't you lease a horse first? Or possibly set aside the money each month that you would need to pay for it.
and whoever said to trim horses every 3-4 months- I would hate to see their horse's feet. The maximum we will go is 9 weeks between trims. We do not have shoes either, which makes it easier to go longer. Once we went 11 weeks and the horses feet were completely chipped and overgrown.

Answer 3

Hi Jenny, I found with living in an low economy area of the U.S., I can keep a horse for about 1,500 - 1,750 a year. Maybe say 2,000 to count emergency vet bills, etc. I also do everything the cheapest way I can that will still be healthy for my horses. e.g. - I have an arabian - tough hooves, less farrier issues. I keep up to date on worming/vaccinations so I don't have to worry about emergency vet stuff much, I also keep a basic first aid horse kit on hand. I buy quality used tack instead of new. I don't buy a million halters, I get as many quality ones as I need. I look for clearences. My horses live in a big pasture, they get a lot of food grazing. They don't have a fancy barn, they have a lean to shed that keeps them out of bad weather and wind. When they need hoof moisturizer, I use vegetable oil and a paintbrush instead of fancy special stuff. See? There are lots of ways to save $. But - do buy a really nice horse. There don't be afraid to spend a little more. Some good webpages are http://www.equine.com http://www.equinehits.com http://agdirect.com http://www.netequine.com http://www.horsetopia.com and http://www.dreamhorse.com The first four are the better ones, with a greater variety. Remember to look at a horse at least three times, before buying. A trial period is best. Don't wear your heart on your sleeve - try to think the worst of a horse frankly. Ask a life long horse person or trainer to give you honest advice and to come see the horse. I made some mistakes buying my first horse - I could have followed the above advice better. And - remember - if you don't get a horse - you can always take riding lessons!

Answer 4

The cost of keeping a horse is like anything else theres always the unexpected emergency that run the cost up shoeing gets expensive stabling is outragious if yor have to board them unless you can maybe help work off the cost vet bills you don't even want to go there ! Im not trying to discourage you from getting a horse i know what it's like to want a horse and can't get one. Try it you 'll probally be just fine.I'd do a little more research on cost ok? Good luck guy hope it works out for you.

Answer 5

The prices for bedding and feed depend on the area you live in. I have about 55 head of horses on my ranch and my hay bill alone cost's over $6000. So on average if I had only one horse I would spend about $1500- $2000 on hay. I buy safechoice, strategy, and ultium for my horses and this per year costs as much as the hay. On top of that- farrier and vet bills- you're looking roughly at about $4,500 a year minus boarding and that's if you're lucky enough to have a horse that is sound and doesn't need medications.

Here are some horse sites for you to visit

www.horsetopia.com
www.horsecity.com
www.equine.com
www.equinehits.com
www.agdirect.com

Hope these helped you

Answer 6

If you're not sure that you can afford a horse, then you probably can't.

You need to research more than just asking on here.

Call your local large animal vet and find out what is involved in vetting a horse. He will have to make house calls. You will need your annual vet work, plus worm prevention.

Go to Agway or whatever your feed store is and price out Wormers, grain, hay, straw, lime, cracked corn, salt licks and other supplies. Price out tack. Price out tack cleaners, moisturizers, and preservatives. Price out halters, blankets, etc.

Find a blacksmith and find out what it is going to cost for shoes every 3 or 4 months.

Take unexpected medical care into account. Horses seem to always be getting cut or scratched up, and oftentimes need veterinary care and antiseptics. A split hoof could cost you a few hundred dollars.

Take a look at your wardrobe. Do you need a riding cap? Pants or chaps? Boots? You are going to burn through jeans like crazy, so you have to consider your clothing expenses as well.

Where are you going to keep him? Do you have a barn, or are you going to be boarding? Your barn is going to need maintanance and repairs. they are destructive. They chew on their stall doors, they kick holes in the walls, they destroy feed and water pails. Can you fix structural stuff yourself, or will you need a contractor?

Just the bedding and feed is only the very beginning of keeping a horse, and keeping a horse healthy. You can adopt a horse for free, but it could cost you thousands of dollars a year to keep her healthy.

I have probably left out several expenses that I just can't remember at the moment.

Answer 7

I spent over $5000 per horse. It drove me to sell them, due to the high cost.