Also, stabling facilities have the advantage of increased interaction with other owners. Facilities at stables may allow for more horse use than is available with on-site housing such as a covered arena for use during inclement weather , and many stables have organized horse activities for those boarding horses.
How and where the horse care is provided will have a large impact on the needs for equipment and facilities. This also will affect daily operation costs, such as feed, veterinary care, and farrier services. Prospective owners should acquaint themselves with the associated costs of horse ownership before buying, so they can maximize the net benefits sought from horse ownership. The types of costs will vary because of the diversity of horse uses and ways horses are managed. Also, many owners do not include the cost of buying land, because they want to own land regardless of horse interest.
A survey of horse owners in Maine was used to develop a comparison of costs based on stabling, to provide estimates of hobby horse ownership costs. Consider the explanation of the estimated costs when analyzing the cost sheet, because individual values and types of expenses will vary.
For example, this particular expense sheet estimates costs for a one-horse operation, based on the costs indicated by survey participants who use their horse for hobby interests, and stable the horse at home, or at a stable for a fee. Owning more than one horse will usually lower the cost per horse, because of the shared facility and equipment costs. Ownership costs result from owning machinery, equipment, and the horse, and include cash expenses such as insurance, taxes, and interest on borrowed capital.
Ownership costs also include allocated costs—costs that are spread over time—such as depreciation and opportunity cost on capital, but these are not included in this chart. Opportunity cost refers to the lost returns from alternative uses of money spent for horse ownership. Many owners do not consider opportunity cost in horse budgets, but they can amount to a huge investment in the horse ownership hobby.
The values presented in this budget are useful in obtaining an estimated average cost of hobby-horse ownership. However, large ranges in costs of individual items are expected for different horse owners. The blank lines in the last column provide space to indicate your individual values. A farrier should come each weeks depending on how fast your horse's hoof walls grow back.
If you take part in competitions or ride on hard surfaces, your horse would need shoeing, which means higher costs. Similarly, if your horse's hooves are too soft or if he needs a special correction of the hooves that applies when your horse has certain ailments - your spending on a farrier would be higher:.
Another specialist that will need to visit your horse we hope the visits would be spare and merely prophylactic , is a veterinarian. Here, you need to consider systematic spending such as:. Unfortunately, illnesses and injuries mean additional costs that are very difficult to assess - depending on how many visits a vet needs to pay you and how many treatments and tests s he needs to take. Feeding a horse is yet another field where there is no limit to how much you spend.
Depending on your horse's age and purpose sport, breeding , season no access to grass during fall, winter, and early spring - you should invest in proper additions, fodders, and supplements. If for any reason you are unable to provide your horse with a proper amount of exercise, you can ask for additional training sessions while you're absent. It would, of course, cost additionally. Many people realize that young horses need systematic, daily training, not only from the saddle.
If you do not have enough time or experience, or knowledge , you can leave your horse with an experienced coach that would help you with his daily training. It is also possible to place your horse's training in a stable, where a particular coach teaches. All in all, you should sum the cost of a coach commuting to where you are - this solution might be much more beneficial to you. Some people, to avoid additional cost, search for people that would like to co-own a horse. Having a horse co-owner allows you not only to provide your horse with the right amount of exercise but also to share the monthly costs of maintaining a horse.
I never received a horse, and as a well-adjusted, rational adult, I understand why. If your child is starting to show signs of horse-fever, hold off on purchasing that pony. Instead, consider the annual expenses and start with one of many cost-effective alternatives to buying a horse.
The average horse weighs 1, pounds and needs to eat a minimum of 1. Another significant expense to consider is the combination of veterinarian and farrier fees.
Just like your dog or cat needs regular maintenance and care, so does a horse — and it costs a lot more than the care of a small pet. If your horse needs emergency care, expect vet expenses to jump significantly. In addition to vet fees, the cost of hoof maintenance must be considered. Poor hoof care can lead to infection, joint hyper-extension, and even permanent lameness.
In addition to daily care by the owner, horses should be seen by a certified farrier every six to eight weeks to be trimmed or shoed.
Upkeep of the barn, stable, or shelter, maintenance of equipment and fencing, and vehicle maintenance of a trailer all fall into this category. All-in-all, these expenses add up. Do you think horse ownership already sounds expensive? Boarding fees vary extensively based on the expectations of the boarding facility. That said, if you want to board your horse in a stable, with food, water, fresh bedding, regular exercise, and other amenities, expect to pay a lot more.
In addition to the ongoing costs of horse ownership, there are occasional or one-time expenses you should be prepared to pay. Each of these requires an upfront investment, and depending on use, will require maintenance or replacement from time to time. Another commonly overlooked expense is training. If you want your child to be able to ride the horse you purchased, the horse must be broke to ride. Some horses are ornery or headstrong, and you need to feel confident that the horse will listen to and obey the commands your child provides.
Before buying a horse, it is recommended that you have a trusted veterinarian conduct a pre-purchase exam. This exam will cost anywhere from a few hundred to two thousand dollars, depending on the extensiveness of tests your vet performs and whether you decide to take X-rays.
Remember that you will also have to buy all the necessary supplies for your horse: grooming equipment, tack, blankets if needed and medical supplies. The cost of these individual items may seem small, but they quickly add up! Your horse has routine care needs. Usually, board includes: food, water, shelter and basic care — however, you may need to provide extra feed and supplements including salt , or pay for additional services such as blanketing.
Keeping your horse at home can be less expensive than boarding, but you will have to pay to maintain the property and provide your horse with feed, water and daily care. Other essentials include routine hoof care by a reputable farrier or trimmer, approximately ever six weeks. Your horse may require medication or supplements. The average horse owner should have a plan to deal with unexpected costs.
Common health problems, such as colic, can leave you with thousands of dollars of vet bills. Even relatively minor health problems can become costly. Vet visits, medical supplies and care costs quickly add up. It is important to always have a plan to deal with unforeseen costs; you might consider creating a horse specific savings account, or purchasing equine insurance.
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