Horses, help?!?

Question

Hi i have a couple questions about horses.
My friend and i are going to buy a horse that is 16hh. We are getting jobs that pay $8/hour and we will earn (together) $12,288 a year. The board is $425/month and that includes feed/stalls/mucking out/turn out& bringing in. It will be enough right?
-Anyways, how much does it usually cost for vet care per year?
-Does he have to be registered?
-If we want to change the name, are we alloud to or do we have to get into a whole big situation and have to pay money?


Are there any other things that we need to know?


Thank-you sooo much!
P.S. i know some of you will say "well if you do not know enough then you shouldnt get a horse!" but i am just wanting to make sure that i have not missed anything!

the owner that has the horse right now says that the trim for the horses hooves is $30 per 6 weeks. How much do the shoes cost and how often do i need to get them? Oh and some horses i know do not even get shoes, do i need shoes on my horse?

And how often does de-worming have to be done?

If the horse is registered and i want to change the name does that matter?

I will be riding 5-6 times a week. Western and or english oh and oof course bare-back!! Do i still need to get shoes?

Oh and i live in Vancouver (actually Richmond), BC,Canada

I am 5'6" and growing. I ride a 16.2hh horse in my lessons that i am taking right now, and i would like to have this horse for long-term, so i want it to last.

Answer 1

You can't really predict how much money you will spend on vet care in a year because your horse could injure himself or become ill at any time and land you with a massive vet bill. This is why its essential to have good insurance cover.

The upkeep of a horse is very expensive. Mine set me back around £4,000 a year, including everything (livery, feed, vet bills, farrier, worming, insurance, bedding, vaccinations etc). From what you've mentioned it doesn't sound as though you're very comfortable financially. Is all the money from this job going straight into the upkeep of the horse or do you have to use it to support yourselves aswell? And what would happen if one or both of you were unable to work for any reason?

Remember that while horse ownership can be very rewarding, it can also be a huge inconvenience. You will have to go every day to care for your horse, regardless of the weather, how you are feeling, or any other plans you have. How would you fit this in around school or a job?

Another thing to consider is that although you and your friend obviously get on well now, joint ownership of a horse can be a huge source of arguments. Would you be able to continue the arrangement if the two of you fell out?

Buying a horse is a big decision and its important not to rush into it. It's essential that you have the horse vetted before you buy it to avoid making a costly mistake. If you are sure you have the financial means, and the time to care for the animal, then go ahead. If not, consider waiting a little longer.

Answer 2

generally, depending on where u live. board can range from 400 (all pasture board w/ no stalls) to 700 (with stalls an private turnout). If your horse just needs a trim it can cost you around @50 bucks every 6 weeks, sometimes 4 or 5 weeks in the summer(cause their feet grow faste in the summer), but if your horse needs special shoes it can cost all the way up to @200 bucks (same with the winter and summer scedules on that one). vet bills( assuming nothing goes wrong and all you need is deworming and vaccinations) can range from $60 to 150 (depeding on the vet you choose) each spring and fall. If however something goes wrong, i.e. your horse colics, most vet offices charge $60-100 bucks for an emergengy vet call and then they also charge for the work that is done and the time that is spent with your horse (the prices vary from vet to vet). BUT-if it gets compicated and your horse needs more drastic measures (i.e. colic surgury, or the like), you're looking at spending somewhere around $3500.00 to $5000.00 for the professional care. If you want my opinion. wait a few months on the horse; and save up money for emergency expences. However, doing a full lease on a horse (i.e. you pay all the bills, ride the horse at your own free will, but are not held resposible for that horse) for a year (many small time people will let you lease to buy) may really help you realize how much cost and work goes into horse ownership.

Answer 3

1. $425.00 a month for stableing is outragious unless you are getting a list of services like vet and farrier calls arranged for you as well as instruction with a reliable trainer plus a barn that makes Olympic riders pee themselves, daily grooming, washrack with hot and cold water, huge lockers, tack rental, washer and dryer and trail access. I paid $150.00 a month for the services it sounds like your getting. But that's in Ohio where the average cost for board is $250.00 for all that.
2. Vet care alone will run you $200/visit. That covers the vet call, the exam (separet charge), and all vaccinations. Not to mention emercincy calls can run Thousands for one call.
3. It doesn't have to registared, but for that kind of horse you should pay no more then $1000.00. Registered horses start at $1000.00 and average $2000.00-3000.00. Belive that no horse is registered untill you see it's papers complet with a body marking description sheet.
Plus you both will need to buy grooming supplies ($100.00), each will need your own saddle because they come sized ($200.00-$500 for beginners is good), fittings and pads for the saddles (another $100-$200), helmets($50 and up), a bit and briddle ($100.00), boots ($30 and up), blankets and sheets ($100.00 and up). And lessons so you don't kill youself ($50 an hour and up) and they're usally weekly and two hours long. And farrier care runs $25 for a trim and $75 and up if you want shoes. That has to be done at no less than eight week intervals. Worming is done every six weeks and will cost about $15.00 a tube. You don't need shoes on a horse with good hooves or a breed like a Peruvian Paso or Mustang, but most that are ridden like you do need them. And if you show I can guarantee that one show will cost you at least $500.00 for a weekend plus the cost of vanning and show clothes and tack. The clothes and tack will run you $500.00 and up for you and about $800.00 and up for the horse. And if you do western you have to get new ones every year to keep up with the fashion to even chatch the judge's eye. And you have to belong to the association running the show which for a compeditor is about $75.00 and up a year.
4.Registered horses can not have their names changed. That's how breeding and show records are traced and once a horse is named that's it.
5. And it has been my expereance that the last thing you want to do is halves on anything with a horse. One of you always gets stuck doing all the work and paying all the bills. And what if one of you loses your job? The best thing would be for yout to wait until you can afford the horse on your own so that if something does go wrong you don't lose it.
6. When you two added up your incomes did you take out for taxes? If not then your going to have to subtract at least 20% from the figure that you gave. I make 10.50/hour and onlt take home about $13000.00 because of this. As I see it you can't afford this horse. I know more then one high schoooler who bought a horse and found out they bit off more then they can chew. And the horse suffered for it.

Answer 4

Some people are going to out raggeous with the costs of shoeing and the farrier work....I have three horses that are over the age of 22 yrs old all of my horses get their feet trimmed every 6 months, this is because we ride all summer long and the hoofs are naturally trimming them selves while we ride or in the corral area.
I only get charged $75.00 for all three horses.
My Step Daughter has a horse that needs shoes and yes the fierier is out every 6 wks but again she has the same fierier that we have and he only charges her $75.00 for the one horse.
I truly believe it depends on the farrier and what they are willing to do for you and your horse.
Our vet care is only $150.00 that is including the teeth being floated if need be. I would shop for your vet to the prices that you can afford. You need to like your vet so be sure you ask questions, horses are prone to sudden injuries so always keep extra cash on hand for those injuries.
If your horse is registered I don't believe you can change the name on the paper work but you can defendant change the name you want to call him or her, but if your horse is used to his or her name you may have some issues with the horse coming to you buy calling his or her name.

Answer 5

well i'd say if this is your first horse. then getting a 16hh horse isnt the best idea. maybe somethign a little smaller that you can handle and learn from. maybe 14-15 hh . you dont wanna rush into anything theres ALOT to learn ive grown up with horses and im still learning.im not saying not get a horse just get something a little smaller. dont forget some people cant be trusted. they might sell you a horse that you think is so sweet and calm. but some people drug horses that are a tad hard to handle so they can sell them.
learn the horses history ect you can change his/her name but maybe not on paper i think it costs a bit. i spose you can but all depends on what the horse is.
no it doesnt have to be registered, but some well breed horses are registered which doesnt mean there better than horses that are not registered just mean they are well breed.
tb's are ALOT to handle for first horse. and would not recamend it

if ya need some help msg me and i can tell you more dont wanna bore you to much.

catch :) good luck

lady

Answer 6

first off..... have u ridden before or taken lessons? thats the best start. also everything u need to know, u can learn volunteering at a stable, cleaning, caring, feeding, etc.... thats the best way to get all ur information, even if u have forgot to ask here.... u might want to save up a little money in case of emergency to the vet if a accident happens( u never know with horses what kind of things they will get themselves into). not only that...... is this horse right for u? have u ridden it? since u are not experienced u want something that is gonna take care of u and is easy to handle. vet cost just depends on the horses health and if it likes to get into trouble. no a horse does not have to be registered. i have two that are not registered and one is. unless u are competing at a breed show, like quarter horse. my registered horse is quarter so i can compete in quarter horse shows with him. my other horses i just do smaller shows that are not for a specifice breed. if registered, u might just leave his/her papers as they are. cost money to change that. but just have a barn name for him/her if u dont want to change the reg. papers. there are so many things u need to know, and like i said the best way to get to know(what u need to know) is volunteer around a barn or stable. that way u have hands on experience... i hope this helps. good luck!

Answer 7

I wouldnt count on making a certain amount each month, you never know how many shifts you are going to get with a part time job.

shoeing alone is $130 every 6 weeks (cant count on veys being the same price every year, what if something goes wrong?)
plus, you seem young, so who will take care of this horse when you move away?

doesnt have to be registered

if tis just a given name, no prob changing it, but I dont know if it has already been registered.

Answer 8

Owning horses is VERY expensive and a big commitment. I do not own a horse, but I'd imagine that vet bills would be very expensive... I wouldn't be surprised if they are hundreds of dollars per visit. Not only that, but shoing the horse, feeding them, getting all the right equipment, is all very expensive. If you are worried at all about being able to afford it, I suggest that you sponser a horse for a while until you feel like it is easier for you to afford. Good luck!

Answer 9

Just a couple ideas, (we raise horses and love them), why don't you ask whoever is giving you lessons if they know someone who has horses that will let you come help feed, muck and exercise their horses. We've done this with several local kids and they enjoy it and we get free help. Or find out if there is local riding clubs in your area. They will help connect you to someone.

Answer 10

um....wow nice that you are getting payed in a job, but you have to look at other things...the board is a lot of money! not to mention the vet bills if your horse gets sick....i am not going to say you arent ready, bcuz you sound like you are! and besides i always hated having that said to me