How much does a horse cost to keep

How much does a horse cost to keep

Introduction

Owning a great beast like a horse is the dream of many people. I’ve always wanted to ride my horse into the sunset, and now my dream has come true! As you may know, owning a horse isn’t cheap. It’s not really about how much does it cost for a horse—it’s more about how much does it cost to keep one alive and well. Maintaining your new friend requires just as much dedication as riding him or her. With that being said, here are some things to consider if you’re planning on buying a horse [or already own one].

Annual routine care: $1,974

  • Annual routine care: $1,974

Annual routine care is essential to keep horses healthy and functioning properly. This includes things like vaccinations, dental care, hoof care, farrier services and other veterinary visits. These costs are only a small portion of annual horse ownership; you should expect to pay more for veterinary emergencies.

Feed: $2,000 to 2,400

Feed costs vary depending on the horse’s size and energy requirements. The average horse eats between 1,000 and 2,500 pounds of feed per year. This can get expensive if you have a large barn and multiple horses! Feed costs are a big part of your budget as an equestrian, so knowing how to control these expenses is essential.

How much does it cost to feed your horse?

Shelter & fencing: $1,200 to 1,500

The cost of fencing and shelter can vary widely depending on the type of fencing used, the size of your horse, and whether or not you opt for a custom-built structure.

For example, if you use electric fencing to run a horse in an enclosed area like a field or paddock, you can purchase year-long rolls of electric fence wire for about $50 per roll. Each roll will last about 200 linear feet (LF) or 400 LF if electrified at 20 volts. So if you need 1 LF of fence wire to create an enclosure that’s approximately 50 feet long by 100 feet wide (a typical size), that would be $250—or just over $1 per foot! Add another $200 for posts and connectors…and voila: no more worries about keeping your horses fenced in. The only thing left is training them not to jump over it!

Bedding: $480

Bedding is the most expensive part of keeping a horse. There are several options for bedding, but straw is usually the cheapest option if you can find it. The most common types of bedding are straw, hay and shavings (wood chips). Straw is usually cheaper than hay and shavings. A rule of thumb when figuring out costs is to use 1 square foot of bedding per 200 pounds of weight; however, this can vary based on your horse’s size and temperament.

For example: If your horse weighs 1000 pounds and needs 2-3 feet worth of bedding (about 8-12 square feet), it will cost about $480-$720 every year. That’s not bad considering that most horses live as long as 30 years!

Vet & farrier costs: $600 to 950

Veterinary fees

Vets are the medical professionals that you can rely on to keep your horse healthy and happy. They will also provide a diagnosis and treatment plan for any illness or injury, as well as performing routine vaccinations, dental work and de-worming. As with all vet bills, expect to pay more for any emergency situations. For example, if your horse has a minor cut on their leg but refuses to let you treat it yourself because they’re scared of needles; then it might be wise to visit the vet anyway!

The cost of veterinary care varies greatly depending on where you live and what kind of animal is being treated. If there are complications during surgery then this could add hundreds or thousands more dollars onto an already expensive bill. On average though:

  • Annual vaccinations – $100/year + $20-$50/shot (3-4 per year)
  • Routine checkup visits – $40-$70 each time (2-6 times per year)

Equipment & tack: $800 to 1,200

The cost of tack depends on what you need and how much quality you want. If you’re going to be riding around in the woods and don’t need a fancy saddle or bridle, then your costs will be significantly lower than someone who wants a high-end English-style saddle with all the trimmings.

  • Buy vs Rent: Buying equipment means that it will last longer and can be passed down to other riders. However, if you live in an area where there aren’t many horses available for rental and/or the nearest stable is far away from home, renting may be the more affordable option for getting started on your horseback adventures quickly (and without having to worry about maintenance).
  • New vs Used: Brand new tack generally comes with a higher price tag than used options; however, brands like Ariat offer high-quality secondhand items at discounted prices—and often at higher quality than what was intended for resale! It’s up to each individual rider whether they feel confident enough using preowned gear that’s been through several owners before them–but either way it should always come down to safety first!

Horses cost a lot of money.

Horses are expensive. There’s no getting around it, and if you want to own a horse and keep it healthy and happy, you’re going to have to pay for it. But before you go out and buy that first horse, there are some things you should know about what owning a horse costs.

There are many different ways to save money when buying a horse: looking for bargains online or at auction sales; buying used equipment like saddles and bridles; doing your own maintenance such as mucking out stalls or trimming hooves (which saves money in the long run). These will help reduce the cost of owning your new pet while still being able to enjoy all that having a horse has to offer!

Conclusion

The cost of owning a horse can be anywhere from $2,500 to $3,000 per year. Horse owners should expect to spend at least this much on their animal. If you are looking for an inexpensive pet that does not require much maintenance, look elsewhere.

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