How much does a horse cost in ontario
Introduction
I am often asked what it costs to own a horse. It’s not an easy question to answer because everyone’s situation is different, but I shall try to explain the cost of owning a horse in Ontario. When I tell people that owning a horse can range from $100-$1000 per month, they don’t believe me. But I assure them that the cost does depend on your lifestyle and how you want your horse to be cared for.
Feed
You’ll need to buy feed for your horse. The amount of feed you give your horse depends on its size, age, and activity level. A small pony might eat a cup of grain per day, while a large draft horse might eat up to three times that amount.
If you want to save money on feed costs, shop around for the best deals. Some food brands are higher quality than others—and better quality means less waste and better health for your horse! It’s also important to find out how long it takes for their product to expire (not all pet stores will tell you this).
Pasture
How much pasture is needed for a horse?
Horses are large animals, which means they need a lot of space if you want your horse on pasture. You’ll need about 4 acres per horse if it’s just eating grass and nothing else. If it’s also getting hay or grain, then you’ll need even more–6 acres per horse (1 acre = 4046 square meters).
Ponies are smaller than horses and can live happily in less space–about 2 acres per pony (1 acre = 4046 square meters). Foals require slightly less space than ponies do–about 1 acre each (1 acre = 4046 square meters). Pregnant mares may also eat up a bit more room in your pasture–2 acres each will be plenty for this purpose (1 acre = 4046 square meters), but lactating mares may require 3-4 acres each; again, this depends on what kind of feed they’re getting as well as whether or not they have access to water nearby.
Bedding
Bedding can be one of the most expensive parts of horse care. It’s not just about the bedding itself, either; you need to consider how often you have to replace it, as well as what kind of bedding you buy. Some types are cheaper than others and will last longer than others before needing replacement.
In general, straw is a very absorbent type of horse bedding. It’s also relatively cheap compared to other materials like shavings or sawdust—and it’s softer on a horse’s skin than some other options like sand or rubber mats that are sometimes used in stalls instead (a good option if there aren’t any beds available).
Supplements
Supplements can be as simple as feed, or they might be more specialized. Supplements are usually made up of minerals, vitamins and protein. They’re usually added to the horse’s feed to ensure that he gets all the nutrients he needs in his diet.
Mineral supplements include salt blocks and mineral blocks (which are shaped like bricks), both of which provide essential minerals that your horse needs in order to stay healthy. Some horses need extra amounts of certain minerals depending on their breed or age; others require different types of salts than their owners would typically find in everyday foods like beef jerky or cheese.
Vitamin supplements come in tablet form for easy consumption by your pet horse; these often contain things such as vitamin A, D3 (a fat-soluble vitamin), E (an antioxidant) and B6 (which helps promote muscle growth). Vitamins can also be found naturally in some foods but tend not to be present in large quantities there so it’s wise to supplement with them anyway!
There are many types of hay available: traditional grass hays such as timothy/orchard grass mix or oat hay will appeal primarily to older horses who prefer softer textured foodstuffs such as those found on farms where sheep graze outside regularly during springtime months when green plants abound everywhere nearby riverside fields near trees growing wild nearby forests away from urban areas far away from any cars parked alongside highways near highways themselves!
Farrier
A farrier is a person who trims horses’ hooves. A farrier isn’t the same thing as a veterinarian, although some people think they are. A farrier is someone trained to care for horses by trimming their hooves and shoesing them, which means putting shoes on the horse’s feet so that it can be comfortable and safe when it runs, walks or stands still for long periods of time.
A veterinarian is trained in how to treat sick animals with medicine and surgery. They do not shoe horses but may use shoeing techniques on an animal that is injured so that they can heal better while recovering at home.
Veterinary care
Veterinary care is a big part of owning a horse, but it can also be very expensive. Some people choose to use the same veterinarian as their horse, others get an independent veterinarian. In some cases, owners use a vet who specializes in horses because they are afraid of them or just don’t know how to handle them properly.
Owners should think carefully about which option they prefer before purchasing a horse and how much they’re willing to pay for veterinary services that are not covered by insurance plans or reimbursements from work benefits programs like LTD benefits
Horses are expensive to own, especially in Ontario.
The cost of owning a horse is very expensive. You should really do some research on the costs of owning a horse before buying one, as this will save you from unexpected expenses. The following is an approximate breakdown of how much it costs to own a horse:
- Feed (roughage) – $240/month
- Pasture rent – $360/month
- Bedding for stall and paddock (hay) – $500-$600/year (depending on quality and size)
- Supplements – $300-$400 per year
- Farrier services – $150-$250 every 6 weeks or so depending on quality of shoes used during trims, etcetera
Conclusion
Horse care should be taken seriously. While keeping a horse can be very rewarding, it is also a big financial commitment. If you’re thinking about owning one yourself, make sure that you have enough resources to cover all the costs of owning and caring for your horse. This will keep your animal healthy and happy!