Yearly Cost Of Keeping A Horse

[ChameleonFan1989]

This isn't gonna happen time soon but owing a horse are two is something I want to achieve in the future. Roughly every year, what does it cost a year to keep a horse, that includes food, vets, stables, land, equipment etc

 

[melric]

$200-300 a month if you're boarding. Depends on the area. Vet care isn't much if your horse is healthy. Tack well I want a new saddle and it's $1600.00.

 

[JRchameleons]

This isn't gonna happen time soon but owing a horse are two is something I want to achieve in the future. Roughly every year, what does it cost a year to keep a horse, that includes food, vets, stables, land, equipment etc

Depends on the area of course, but keeping a horse is expensive regardless. I paid for an ex-girlfriend's horse back in the day, and my bank account is still suffering years later. We paid $300 a month for board, $90 to the farrier every 6 weeks for shoe changes, and countless vet bills. It's not true that vet care isn't much if your horse is healthy. Stuff happens and equine vets are not cheap. Our horse cut his leg on a fence once and was squirting out blood everywhere - vet bill. One time he rubbed his eye on the side of his stall and ended up with an eye infection - vet bill. Etc. I don't remember exactly how much those instances were but it seems like they were around 300-400 bucks. I do remember the most expensive vet bill we had was over $500 one time. And not to mention the cost of all the tack you need...

Horses are expensive.

They're fun though! Lol. I figured I should try to end on a positive note.

 

[SonTigerPantherCham]

oh boy, my first post in over a month and its about a horse
this is the norm for my type of riding, so dont go crazy on me!.
board, 1100.00 a month
training 1000.00 a month
shoeing 175.00, every 5 weeks
vet bills, well my last was 400.00 that was for a check up on the 6000.00 vet bill injury
supps, 400.00 a month
saddle fitter every 6 months 350.00
saddle 5000.00
I guess I could go on, but you get the picture
BIG BLACK HOLE!!
I've been doing this for 49 years solid, I guess I have spent about a million dollars on horses (literally)
And I wouldn't have had any other life, horse rich, money poor

 

[mbondy]

It depends on the type of riding you are doing and what you plan to do with the horse.

Realistically though, board typically runs $400-$600. Of course this will vary on barn to barn but I'd say $350 is the cheapest for full care at a decent stable. Then you have farrier fees which will run you around $100 (it varies from $75-$185) every 6-8 weeks. Honestly, you won't be able avoid vet bills. There is the inevitable such as vaccinations and teeth floating. Vet bills are expensive and anything can happen with horses!

I had my horse (before a horse show) tear open his chest under his blanket without a mark anywhere in his stall of how he did it. He needed 15 stitches. I paid for his vet bill and also fees for cancelling from the show.

Then you have tack of course and neverendless supplies you will be needing. The cheapest thing you can do is buy the horse, then the real expenses come along!

 

[melric]

I did spend $5600 on my horses surgery last year. So yes vet bills can get expensive. But, not every year.

Before that surgery, I spent probably nothing on vet bills. I have never had a major bloody incident that I couldn't take care of myself, but it could happen. It helps when you know how to vaccinate them yourself.

Still haven't needed to have my own horses teeth floated and he's 10 now.

As for tack, if you keep it in good condition you won't spend much on it from what you initially pay.

We train our own horses, and I trained mine. My horses are in my backyard, boarding is the cost of hay which is anywhere from $12-$20 a bail.

They are a lot of fun, but expenses are unpredictable sometimes. If you want to cut down on costs it's best to learn how to do things yourself.

 

[mbondy]

I did spend $5600 on my horses surgery last year. So yes vet bills can get expensive. But, not every year.

Before that surgery, I spent probably nothing on vet bills. I have never had a major bloody incident that I couldn't take care of myself, but it could happen. It helps when you know how to vaccinate them yourself.

Still haven't needed to have my own horses teeth floated and he's 10 now.

As for tack, if you keep it in good condition you won't spend much on it from what you initially pay.

We train our own horses, and I trained mine. My horses are in my backyard, boarding is the cost of hay which is anywhere from $12-$20 a bail.

They are a lot of fun, but expenses are unpredictable sometimes. If you want to cut down on costs it's best to learn how to do things yourself.

I agree! Doing everything yourself is best and cheaper! I've been doing horses for most of my life and I do everything myself. I cut half my expenses working off board and working at other stables. Horses are amazing animals and more than worth it but definitely not an impulse buy!

 

[melric]

I agree! Doing everything yourself is best and cheaper! I've been doing horses for most of my life and I do everything myself. I cut half my expenses working off board and working at other stables. Horses are amazing animals and more than worth it but definitely not an impulse buy!

Not at all! It's basically a life choice.