| If this is going to be the first horse you own, | | | | bedding. |
| make sure you know how much money you | | | | Bedding: If your horse is boarded where bedding |
| have to spend on the horse. A horse is an | | | | isn't part of the plan, or you wish to keep him at |
| expensive animal to purchase, say nothing of the | | | | home, you'll have to provide shavings or another |
| whole hobby of horse ownership. Read through | | | | type of bedding, which you will need to clean and |
| the segments below to help you calculate the | | | | freshen every day. |
| costs you can expect to incur. Research, then | | | | Feed: If your horse lives with you, you need to |
| type up the costs of these products and services | | | | provide feed, which includes hay and/or |
| in your area. Make sure the total amount fits into | | | | maintenance of your pasture. Don't forget feed |
| your budget. Also, bear in mind the results you | | | | extras, such as pellets or food for special dietary |
| compile are likely to vary between states, regions | | | | needs |
| and counties. In general, boarding, hay, and vet | | | | Dietary supplements: Feed supplements, which |
| care are more expensive in bigger cities than in | | | | you can add to help your horse's joints, attitude, |
| the country. | | | | or other issues, are popular and plentiful at tack |
| Initial Costs | | | | and feed stores. If you plan to give one or more |
| The amount of money you spend on a horse | | | | of these supplements to your horse, add this |
| depends on several factors, including the horse's | | | | cost to your monthly estimate. |
| age and training. If you only want a pet for the | | | | Veterinary treatment: Horses can get sick, too. |
| pleasure of riding, expect to pay $1,600 to $1,800 | | | | When it happens to your household, you have to |
| almost anywhere you live. If you intend to show | | | | call out the vet. The problem might be minor or |
| the horse, you will pay much more. The show | | | | require minimal treatment. I might be major and |
| horse is what makes the difference in cost | | | | require surgery. Vet bills can be very high, and |
| depending on your locality. Equipment and supplies | | | | they can rise quickly if a horse has a serious or a |
| are another immediate expense. The short list | | | | chronic problem. |
| includes a saddle, saddle pad, bridle, halter, and | | | | Preventive veterinary care: All adult horses need |
| grooming equipment. Riding clothes are needed, | | | | regular preventive care. Vaccinations and |
| too, if this is not just a pet horse. If you are | | | | de-worming usually necessary several times each |
| going to board the horse on your property, and | | | | year. Overgrown teeth are a common problem |
| you don't already have horse facilities, you need | | | | requiring filing at least once each year. |
| to build them beforehand. If this is all new to you, | | | | Shoes and hoof trimming: Horses that wear shoes |
| the cost of all this can really open your eyes. | | | | require new ones every six to eight weeks. A |
| Ongoing Expenses | | | | farrier will still need to trim the hooves of the |
| Most people think the initial outlay for a horse and | | | | horse if you choose to have him remain shoeless. |
| equipment is the largest expense they'll have | | | | Insurance: Many horse owners insure their animals |
| after becoming horse owners. The reality is that | | | | for major medical, mortality, loss of use, and/or |
| maintenance will cost much more over the life | | | | liability. It's usually a good idea. Add the cost of |
| span of the animal. Expect to encounter regular | | | | premiums to your list. |
| expenses when owning a horse. The cost of each | | | | Training and lessons: If you are a beginning rider, |
| item and service in the list below will vary | | | | you will want basic lessons in these skills. Your |
| depending on where you live, so do your | | | | horse needs to train right along with you. Training |
| research. Call local veterinarians, farriers (the | | | | is especially necessary if you intend to show your |
| people who trim and put shoes on hooves), and | | | | horse. Lessons are usually weekly expenses. |
| tack and feed stores to determine how much | | | | Show expenses: If you plan to show your horse, |
| each item will cost. Estimate high so you won't be | | | | you have to spend money on show clothes, tack |
| disappointed. | | | | (equipment for your horse), entry fees, and |
| Boarding: If you don't have your own horse | | | | transportation. |
| property, you'll need to keep your horse some | | | | Now comes the scary part. Add the total costs. |
| place else. The most likely option is a commercial | | | | You'll quickly discover the shape and color of your |
| boarding farm. The stable where you take lessons | | | | horse future. The number may not look very |
| might offer this service. When boarding, you have | | | | cheerful, but too many that have preceded you |
| to pay a monthly fee for a stall, pasture, or a | | | | have gotten their feet wet, not expecting to take |
| fenced enclosure. This fee usually includes food | | | | a bath. |
| and stall maintenance, but may not include | | | | |