Can someone please provide me with reliable information on horse (especially arabian) care?

Question

I'd like answers from people who actually own horses, or have experience in the field. I need good informational websites, estimates of costs, and anything else you care to provide. Thanks!

Answer 1

I owned an Arabian gelding for 26 years. I always boarded him, never had him in my own yard. I prefer boarding because it let's me be free to travel and besides, if you keep a horse at your own house you really need at least TWO horses -- they are herd animals and get very lonely without other horses around.

I live in New England, which is an expensive part of the USA. Full board costs between $350 - $600 per month, depending on the facility and services. Full board usually means that they provide food, stall cleaning and turn out. Some places also provide worming and blanket service -- other places charge you more for that. You are responsible to get a farrier (for shoes) and vet for your own horse, although often a vet or farrier will come and see many horses at the same time. You are also responsible for providing any supplements you want your horse to have and for grooming and exercising your horse. SOME stables will exercise and groom your horse for you but those would be MUCH more expensive.

Shoes are VERY expensive -- average about $110 every 6 weeks or so. If you live in a place where the horse doesn't need shoes, you might be able to get by with just having the hooves trimmed every 6 weeks, for about $50. But where I live it's so rocky that you NEED shoes -- and sometimes pads -- if you really want to ride.

You can find all sorts of other types of boarding. Some places charge you much less, but you are responsible for providing feed and hay. Some places charge less but your horse lives outside. Some places charge a LOT less, but all they provide is the stall -- you are responsible for getting there twice a day to feed your horse, letting him in or out and cleaning the stall. Personally, I would avoid any place where the owners were responsible for the actual FEEDING. Horses need a routine and owners won't get there at the same time each day. Plus, some owners will come at 5 PM and other won't come until 8 PM -- and it upsets horses to see others being fed, even if they've ALREADY eaten. And worst of all, some owners might not come everyday -- what do you do then? Let the horse go hungry? Or feed him yourself?

Turnout is another factor you need to consider. I think it's VERY cruel to keep a horse inside all the time. They NEED to go out for exercise, companionship and foraging. Land is so expensive these days that it's rare to find actual PASTURE, but at least the horse should be in a large paddock where he can at least PRETEND to be foraging for grass. And of course he will need plenty of hay.

What kind of riding do you want to do? If you want to show, then you probably need a place with an indoor arena, unless you live where the weather is almost always nice. If you just want to ride on trails -- then you'll need to find a barn with acess to trails. Remember, the better the facility, the more you will pay.

I really don't know of any good web sites, but I'm sure you can find some. Good luck -- and I hope you find the horse of your dreams!

Answer 2

Hi - I hope this helps
For stable kept horses stable livery anything between £20-£35 per week you then have bedding and hay, a bale of hay costs roughly £3.70 a bale and a bag of wood chippings cost about £6 a bag, on average you would go through about 3-4 bags of wood chippings week and about 4 bales of hay a week. you then have hard feed which can cost anything upto £40 a month depending on what and how much you feed them. Your insurance is roughly £30 a month and then shoes at £50 every 6-8 weeks. not forgetting any extras like fly spray in the summer Wormers on average every 13 weeks £15. There are lots of other things as well thats just for starters.