Questions for you horse owners

[Rob P]

I've never owned horses, but back when my grandfather was alive he had horses and donkeys that we rode and hunted with. He used to lease a property near his home where he kept them. We had so much fun going out to feed and ride them. I have always dreamed of being able to own horses myself one day. So here are my questions:

How much does it cost to maintain a horse for the year? I talking feed, vaccinations, shoes, etc.

I don't have a property that I can keep horses so what's the average cost to board a horse for the year?

Finally what other expenses come with owning a horse?

[Kit Fox]

I've never owned horses, but back when my grandfather was alive he had horses and donkeys that we rode and hunted with. He used to lease a property near his home where he kept them. We had so much fun going out to feed and ride them. I have always dreamed of being able to own horses myself one day. So here are my questions:

How much does it cost to maintain a horse for the year? I talking feed, vaccinations, shoes, etc.

A horse needs new shoes every 6 to 8 weeks. This means 5 to 8 shoeings per year. The average cost in my area is $70.00 for a full shoeing.
Cost averag $400 per year.

The average horse uses about a bail of hay per weak. Hay ranges anywhere from $7.00 to 12.50 per bail (location dependent) A rough yearly cost average would be $500 a year for hay.

Vaccinations and worming shouldn't cost you more than $200 to $300 per year.



I don't have a property that I can keep horses so what's the average cost to board a horse for the year? $150 to $250 per month depending on location. $1800 to $3000 per year


Finally what other expenses come with owning a horse?

Consider the cost for horse training, emergency vet bills, and equipment like saddles, and all other tack.

Another $1000 plue or minus.

You're looking at around $5000 grand per year or more. I have three horse and one pony, and would love to not have them. I would have spending money if my wife and daughter didn't have a "horse addiction."

[mrkubota]

A horse needs new shoes every 6 to 8 weeks. This means 5 to 8 shoeings per year. The average cost in my area is $70.00 for a full shoeing.
Cost averag $400 per year.

The average horse uses about a bail of hay per weak. Hay ranges anywhere from $7.00 to 12.50 per bail (location dependent) A rough yearly cost average would be $500 a year for hay.

Vaccinations and worming shouldn't cost you more than $200 to $300 per year.


$150 to $250 per month depending on location. $1800 to $3000 per year



Consider the cost for horse training, emergency vet bills, and equipment like saddles, and all other tack.

Another $1000 plue or minus.

You're looking at around $5000 grand per year or more. I have three horse and one pony, and would love to not have them. I would have spending money if my wife and daughter didn't have a "horse addiction."

.... Tell me about it!..... we have 7...!
We have our own property/facilities and do much of our own training and basic medical stuff, but still between the shoeing, the vet/dentist expenses and our local feed costs that's still pretty close...

... we're looking to sell a couple of the young ones. One 1/2 arab gelding, and one arab filly. Both just started, the 1/2 arab looks like he'll be a great sport horse, and the filly a nice reiner. :)

... if you're looking for a well broke trail horse, my brother works with a guy in the high desert who buys/sells working ranch stock and all I've seen have been bomb proof. (mostly quarter horses and mustang types, some mules)

//Ben

Buddie and Maggie doing what horses do best! :)
http://www.daplane.com/ranch/horses/budnmags.jpg

This is why it's worth having them!
My brother Jon and a neighbor up at Kennedy Meadows:
http://www.daplane.com/images/jon_kennedy_meadows.jpg

[Farmerdoug]

Right now I'm carrying 5 horses and a pony. I go through about a bail and a half per day. The bails on average run about $8.00 each in summer, and $10.00 in the winter. My horses get trimmed every 8 weeks at $30.00 a pop. It costs about $3.00 for each horse to get wormed every 2 months if you buy the paste online. That there is the bare minimum cost.

$4380.00(hay) + $1080.00(farrier), $108.00(De-wormer)=$5568.00 div. X 6= $928.00 per horse per year or $78.00 per month.

Other costs include beer for saddle bags, transportation, trailer, corrals, vet bills, water, water troughs, feed buckets, stable supplies (brushes, combs, picks), trash dumpster for poop, special feeds and grains, tack, tack, and more tack.....

P.S. Nobody owns just one horse. Budget for atleast two or more.

[sidepass]

My wife and I own 2 Arab geldings and board them in the Oakland hills. Board at the stable runs 425.00 a month each. Shoeing every 6 -7 weeks in our area runs about 90.00 each and vet care and worming about another 500.00 per year for both. Then again no serious issues health wise for either. We ride 3 days a week in the hills so the boys are in good shape and I have a sponser who ride my boy another 2 days a week. As you can see in a metro area board is a major expense and as mentioned earlier theirs still the cost of equipment. Saddles can be costly and items like trailers and trucks to pull them have to be considered. Our horses are our therapy, much healther than what we spent on fine wines and booze. Unless trainings an issue and you spend more time on the ground than in the saddle. And you will spend some time on the ground. However i've never been injured during my 15 years of horse ownership. Besides my ego, that is.

sidepass

[moatsroof]

Rob P, I was exclusively an atv hunter in colorado. The first wife and I did a tremendous amount of boating and fishing at Lake Powell. This limited my ability to have animals, as we were not home alot in the summer. But now that I have changed relationships, my new gal is a horse woman (oops and show mules), oh my can I picture the possibilities!! Hunting with animals could open up numerous possibilites. I have my first horse, and am planning on more for hunting. Yes the cost is large, but the rewards look awesome for hunting. I have not yet taken my horse hunting, but do look forward to it soon. Of course there is always the "therapy" of shoveling numerous tons of manure for dailey chores by the way, ha!

[VHRAM]

We have a big Morgan and a Mustang we spend close to 5000.00 year with no problems. We started feeding just alfalfa oat pellets instead of hay, the horses get more out of it and less feeding and intestinal problems and are much healthier , it costs more thou. Im the official pooper picker upper too. My brother inlaw gave me the best horse advice , the best horse is someone else's.

[Rob P]

Thanks guys for replies. It looks like the boarding costs are what would put it out of my reach. One another question though, does the cost of boarding generally include their feed as well???

If only I could buy a horse property, that's not happening anytime soon. You guys are lucky. Who knows, maybe someday it will happen.

[mrkubota]

Thanks guys for replies. It looks like the boarding costs are what would put it out of my reach. One another question though, does the cost of boarding generally include their feed as well???

If only I could buy a horse property, that's not happening anytime soon. You guys are lucky. Who knows, maybe someday it will happen.

Yes, generally feed/cleaning/turnout time is included, though you might want to be certain it's enough and suitable for your particular animal.

I've got some horse property for sale in AZ if you're planning on moving out that way anytime... :)

[sidepass]

Feed and mucking out of the stalls comes with board. Our boys are feed 3 times a day and we supplement them when we feel they need it. You might find someone with property that would give pasture and a leanto for cover at lower cost. Options do exist.

sidepass

[Bubblehide]

If your going to want to use horses for hunting, add in the cost of a truck, horse trailer, and fuel. And then there's the time, effort, and for many, the cost of learning what your doing. You also have to think about what your going to do with the horses and or mules once you get to your hunting camp. Many places have public pastures with gates, but not everyone keeps your animals from going through the gates as I discovered on one Sierra hunting trip. Needless to say 4 or 5 gates later along with about 15 miles on foot in the dark, I found the animals, and as my animals tracks indicated, they were no longer wearing hobbles, not even half a hobble (now I don't think anyone accidentally let them through 4 to 5 gates, nor did the hobbles just fall off, and nor did they expect that I would show up some 15 miles down the trail to get them); I managed to walk them back to camp (another 15 miles) just before sun-up. Need I say, I didn't hunt that day. My point here is two fold: having the animals can sometime be a pain, and experience and common sense goes a long way.

I'd prefer mules over horses for hunting, but a combination is also very good. The mules are the best for getting all the gear in and out. But once I'm in my hunting location, I'd prefer to be on foot. However, if your wanting to cover a lot of ground, and be back to the starting place each night, a good horse and traveling light can't be beat. But keep in mind that the animals still need to feed and water.

On another note, there are some places/people that will let you lease instead of buy. But be aware that with leasing, you likely get what you get, instead of being able to select what you want. but it might be a good way to get stared and see if it's really what you want prior to purchasing any animals and being locked in.

[3056_HUNTER]

I have 2 horses and a mini...so heres my breakdown....

-shoes/trims: $100 every 2 months (horse and mini dont need shoes and mini gets trimmed every 4 months)

-Feed: i feed 4way and it costs me about $120 a month.

- vet stuff: i do all my own care so my costs are minimal....probabaly about $10 a month if u divid it out over the year...my horses dont colic or have any probs often.

- boarding: i keep em on my own property but i pay $900 a month to rent 1/2 acre 4bed 2 ba in teh mountains.

-Time envestment: countless hours.....no a hobby.....its a lifestyle. have to ride em all at least once a week.

GOOD LUCK!

[reggie00]

My wife has a hobby farm going, not sure of cost cause she pays for it all out of her pocket. She has cows chickens turkeys horses goats ducks. Regular Noah's ark.

She rents a barn out in the country, not much to look at but it gets the job done.

She orders hay from big distributors, i want to say she has claimed it to be close to half the cost from the local feed store.

for Vet stuff she does alot on her own as she is a lic vet tech and use to work for a horse vet in WA. the stuff she doesn't do she has the UC Davis school come out and do. doesn't look like it cost to much.

I can ask her secrets but i don't think she spends that much total, as the hobby part of the farm pretty much pays for the whole thing.

Any one need goat milk? lol

[Widux]

We have two Tn Walkers now used to keep 3 Q Horses- we have summer pasture- about May1-Nov 15 so cost is lower than some folks- we use small round bales 750lbs in winter and at $35 per each we use 10 -12 then we shoe our horses Apr- Nov at $50 ea every 6-8 wks- in winter we get them trimmed every 8 wks at $20 ea. Sweet feed costs about $8/50lb and we use maybe 2 bags a mos- vet bills usually low but annual health cert and coggins runs about $240 for both. We have lots of tack so cost in minimal- it's the trips west that cost a bit- usuall one south in spring and one west later on -last year we spent 2 1/2 mos in MT so it cost some for that but we also hunted big and small game- birds- etc.Let's just say we spend a lot less than folks who hang out in tavern on daily basis.

[50cowsnobull]

Ya gotta love Wisconsin. Here in California, it is a different story.

To maintain your horse, when not using them hard, will require 2 lbs of quality forage for each 100 lbs of horse weight per day (1100 lb horse = 22 lbs of hay). A good quality grass/alfalfa hay will cost about $14.00 for a 110 lb bale. (Go light on the alfalfa. Its high in protein and the horses love it but it can cause problems ranging from laminitis to colic.) That is about $2.50/day for food. Horse shoeing costs between $80.00 and $120 per horse, trims are around $40 and needs to be done every six weeks.

And, then the big expense is where do you keep your horse. Unless you are fortunate enough to have the acreage, a boarding stable will cost between $100 and $300 a month, depending upon who does the feeding and cleaning. Horses are herd animals, they need a buddy. So, you are probably not talking one horse but two. After all, when you shoot that deer, you have to pack it out. So, one horse to pack and one to ride.

A horse in a large pasture can generally be ignored for weeks or months at a time and still be brought back into condition with a month or so of use before heading to the hills to hunt. A stable horse needs usage three or four times a week for an hour or so. If you don't have the time, then the trainer at the stable can provide that service for $25 to $50 per hour.

The vet bills and other miscellaneous expenses are less than $400 per year unless you have a problem horse. And, in California, there is no market for problem horses, so the vet will charge you $250 to put the horse down and the rendering plant will charge $200 to haul the carcass away.

If you like horses, get a horse for the reason that you like to ride and you like their company all year round. If you just want transportation during the hunting season, get an ATV and a good pair of hiking boots. By the way, it takes you a month of conditioning to be ready for the hunting season too. Or you can get a girl friend who likes horses and sweet talk her into letting you use the animal for a couple of weeks each year. But that approach is probably going to cost you an expensive dinner and some jewelry to pull off.

And, by the way, if you don't know anything about horses and the only animal that you have been able to keep alive for longer than six weeks is a gold fish, please spare the rest of us the irritation of seeing you stumble and fumble around like an idiot while putting yourself, your horse and us at risk in the mountains. A good riding instructor will teach you everything you need to know for probably three or four thousand dollars.

[3056_HUNTER]

Well i just reduced my cost to keeping three horses down to about $150 per month for feed. I got sick of flakey/expensive ferriers so I learned how do trim my own horses....this spring when there is no more snow I will start shoeing. Its kind of mind racking the first couple of times because you are scared of laming up your horse, but its not that bad...takes common sense (if your horses are easy keepers). Its also a great workout if you have bad horses. I couldnt walk the next day after trimming 3 horses the first time!

[Orygun]

My sister and several friends have had horses for most of their lives. I don't but I have observed what they go through. Good advice given in the above posts and I like 50cowsnbulls practical advice. other things to consider. Will this animal be essentially a living ATV that you take great care of but otherwise it's just a means of getting around. Or will it become another family member that isn't allowed in the house only because it doesn't fit and isn't housebroken? Some folks use and horsetrade a lot. My co-worker goes into withdrawals if she doesn't have 4 or more in her pasture. A horse lives a long time, she had one that gave it up at 29 yrs. Some go even longer. At some point they become a pasture ornament.

So long term will getting rid of it to another owner be a choice? Or to Mexico for dogfood conversion? Or do you hang onto it because you are attached to it even though it no longer can get you around? I bring that up because with the economy the way it is we see lots of abandoned/dumped horses out in eastern Oregon.

Horses are indeed a lifestyle choice. My sister has a couple jobs that just keep her and her dog living well with the rest going to her horse. And she couldn't be happier.

I would second leasing. Or if you can hookup with horse hunters who wouldn't mind taking you along on a scouting trip or long weekend where you can do all the work associated with that kind of trip to see if it is really how you want to go. And they are primo sources to help you pick out the kind opf animal you need for that kind of hunting. My horse owning co-worker was in the sherriff's posse and did a lot od search and rescue. Horse hunters that only used their animals for hunting were some of her frequent customers

Catastrophic injuries and horses seem to go together. You can put a horse in a perfectly level field with padded walls an it will find the one 3 inch crack in the ground to trip on and break something. Or the only half inch piece of wire on a fenceline to cut its tongue on of something rediculous like that.

Like I said, I don't know much about horses. But I have experienced a lot second hand to know it is a bigtime comittment that can bring a lifetime of adventures that you wouldn't have otherwise got to experience.

As far as hay. If you have the storage space, it does get cheaper in bulk. A semi-load by yourself or split with someone coming direct from the farm get you some great deals. That $12 bale can run you $4-5 bucks. And if you get a good hay grower that you become a regular with you can sometimes get discounts on delveries. But you need to have the room of course. If you have a heavy duty utility trailer that will hold a ton or two of hay you can get great deals that way if you aren't too far form the source. If your in the burbs or have to board they have you be the shorties and you pay whatever.