How Much Does It Cost To Take Care Of A Horse For A Year
Introduction
Many people dream of keeping a horse, but without knowing the details of what that entails, they don’t realize how much work it can be. Even though they are large and beautiful animals, horses are unfortunately not “self-maintaining.” That’s right folks: if you keep a horse, you have to take care of it. Luckily, the internet is here to help us learn from past mistakes. Here are some caveats before you decide to embark on your new equestrian adventure:
Basic horse care
Basic horse care is a big factor in deciding how much it will cost you to keep your horse. This can be a small investment if you go with the bare minimum, or it could be quite expensive depending on the type of barn and equipment you want to buy.
One of the first things you’ll need is a place to put him/her while they aren’t being ridden or exercised. You’ll also need an area where you can do daily grooming and feeding every day, plus an area for hay storage and water access. Depending on these factors, this can cost anywhere from $100-$1,000 per month depending on the size of your barn—a large indoor facility with stalls costs more than a small one!
Feeding your horse
A horse can eat between 20 and 30 pounds of hay a day, so it’s worth looking into ways to store the hay. A bale of hay lasts about four weeks, so if you want to keep your horse fed throughout the winter months, be sure to buy two or three at a time.
Horses need grain year-round as their main source of energy and nutrition. The amount they eat depends on their size and activity level; however, an average adult horse will consume 10-15 pounds of grain each day while grazing (or slightly more than twice that amount if it doesn’t have access to pasture).
Bedding
- Bedding: $0-300
You’ll need to buy a lot of shavings, in bags or bales, for your horse to roll around in. Some people use straw instead of shavings because it’s cheaper and easier to get hold of (since you can just ask a local farmer if they have any extra). If you go this route, make sure the straw is clean and dry so that it doesn’t start molding over time. The cheapest bedding option is hay (haylage), which usually costs between $3 – $5 per 50 lbs bag depending on where you live. This will last approximately 1 week depending on how much time your horse spends outside during the day
Boarding your horse
Boarding your horse is probably the most expensive part of owning a horse. Boarding fees vary widely, so you need to shop around and find a place that feels right for your budget and the needs of your horse.
You’ll likely have to pay extra for private arenas, turnout areas and/or pasture boarding if this is something you want. If you don’t have access to those amenities, it’s best to keep your horse at home; otherwise he or she will be cooped up in a stall all day long with no way out!
Farrier care
The average cost of farrier care is $300 per year. In addition to trimming your horse’s feet, a farrier will also check for injuries and make sure the hooves are healthy.
If you need to hire someone else to take care of this, be prepared to pay $40-$50 per visit or more if you don’t live in an urban area with access to many professional farriers.
Dental care
Dental care is a big part of caring for your horse. Dental care is essential to the overall health of your horse, and it can help prevent other illnesses from developing. If you have a young horse, it’s a good idea to start taking him or her to the dentist right away so that you know what dental issues he or she may have in the future.
If you have an older horse who has never had routine dental care, then it’s time to get started! The American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) recommends having an equine dentist examine your horse once every year starting at age 3. Some horses need more frequent examinations depending on their diet and how often they are fed hay with twigs or grasses that can cause tooth problems in horses over time.
Keeping a horse is about more than just buying a saddle and a few pails of oats.
You may be thinking that keeping a horse is about as basic as it gets, but there’s more to it than just buying a saddle and a few pails of oats.
Keeping a horse is about more than just buying a saddle and a few pails of oats. It’s also about caring for the animal’s emotional needs, ensuring its safety, getting it exercise to help keep it healthy and fit—and on top of all that, you have to consider how much time you’re willing to spend grooming, training and exercising your new pet. If you’re ready for this commitment, let’s talk numbers.
Conclusion
So, how much money do you need to take care of a horse? It can vary greatly depending on the horse’s needs and what type of management system is used. Some people pay as little as $1500 while others spend over $10,000 per year. The cost of ownership should be considered carefully before purchasing any animal because they are living creatures that deserve good treatment just like we do! It’s important to make sure that you have enough time for them too since horses require lots of attention from their human companions in order to stay happy and healthy–don’t forget about all those vet bills too!