How Much Does It Cost To Raise A Horse Per Year
Introduction
If you’re reading this, you’ve probably read articles detailing the cost of horse ownership. You might have even talked to a few friends who are horse owners. Still, a lot of people are drawn to these beautiful animals by their majestic appearance and still want to pursue owning one for themselves. If that’s you, that’s great! Horses can be amazing companions. However, it’s important that you go into owning a horse with your eyes wide open. Make sure you consider the facts before making any rash decisions…
Horse ownership is a serious commitment.
If you’re thinking about taking the plunge and purchasing a horse, it’s important to understand that owning one is a serious commitment. In addition to their monetary value, horses are also a huge time and financial commitment. If you don’t have the means to fully care for your horse on your own—or if you can’t make sure they get the attention they need from someone else—then buying one might not be the best option for you.
The first year of horse ownership can be pricey.
The first year of horse ownership can be expensive.
The cost of the horse itself, a trailer and hitch are the main expenses associated with getting your horse. If you don’t have these things already, they’ll cost an average of $2,500 to $3,500. For example:
- A used trailer – $1,000-$1,500
- Hitch – $200-$300
There are more annual costs to consider.
There are more annual costs to consider:
- Feed. Horses need to eat a lot, and you can expect to spend about $300 per horse per year. If your horse doesn’t get much exercise, he’ll need more than if he does.
- Vet Bills. Horses can get sick just like people do, but they’re less likely than we are to have health insurance (or at least not as good). You’ll want a vet on call when that happens because it will cost around $1,000-$2,000 for any given illness or injury–and sometimes even more!
- Shoes and Shoeing. We’ve already talked about how important it is for horses’ hooves to be trimmed regularly in order to prevent injuries by ensuring that their feet stay close together while walking on uneven ground; but if your horse has been neglected up until now and needs new shoes right away then that might cost anywhere between $100-$350 depending on whether he’s barefoot or shod ($100-$250 for the shoe itself plus $50-$75 per visit with either farrier), not including paying off any outstanding bills from past visits beforehand so there won’t be any surprises later down the road when you least expect them…
Training and lessons can help you save money in the long run.
As you’re learning to care for your horse, it’s important to have a trainer or mentor. A good trainer can help you avoid many common mistakes and teach you the proper way to take care of your animal. A professional will also be able to tell you if anything is wrong with your horse—or how he might improve in certain areas.
A good trainer (or even vet) may offer lessons or seminars on caring for horses in general as well as specific topics like nutrition, exercise and behavior. They may also be able to recommend books or websites that contain valuable information about these topics.
Don’t forget about upkeep costs.
- Feed: $100-$200 per month
- Vet bills: $50-$100 per month
- Shoeing: $30-$60 each time (depending on the size of your horse) and $10-$20 for an annual trim.
- Cribbing: Fencing and posts run around $1,000; electric fencing runs around $2,500, depending on the size of your property. This can be done in a corral or pasture area if you have room to spare! It’s best to check with your vet first before doing any work yourself though since some horses are prone to colic due to straining when they crib too much.
If you don’t have a lot of land available for grazing, then expect about $2 -$3/day for hay depending on how much grass is available where you live (hay prices vary widely depending on region). If there’s not enough grass then consider supplementing what’s available with grain instead which will cost about $300 per month at most feed stores like Tractor Supply Co.; however this method isn’t recommended unless absolutely necessary due its high price tag compared other options like buying hay from local farmers who raise livestock such as cattle or sheep — these animals eat lots of grass but also produce fertilizer which makes them cheaper than buying commercial feed products made specifically by companies like Purina Company Inc., Animal Nutrition Incorporated etcetera
Horses are a big time and financial commitment.
If you’re thinking about getting a horse, it’s important to know what you’re getting into. Horses are a big time and financial commitment. They’ll require your attention for at least twice as long as the typical dog or cat, which is why it’s crucial to figure out how much the expenses will be before taking on this new responsibility.
The first thing people should understand about horses is that they aren’t cheap to keep. For example, if you get a horse from an auction market or an online sale site like EquineNow or HorseAuctionClassifiedsOnline and don’t buy any additional supplies (like food), then feeding costs are likely going to run around $200 per month—and that’s just feed! And if you think it’ll be cheaper once the horse gets bigger because it will eat less hay (which is true), consider that he’ll also need more grain when he gets older because he won’t be able to eat as much hay due to digestive issues caused by age-related health problems like ulcers in his stomach lining (which makes him unable to digest fiber effectively). This means these expenses could increase significantly over time due not only
Conclusion
If you have your heart set on owning a horse, the best thing to do is prepare. Get a head start by saving up now and researching the various costs associated with raising a horse. That way, when it comes time to buy your dream horse you can do so with confidence knowing that you can afford to properly provide for them and give them the life they deserve.