A GREEN HORSE is a NATURAL, ECONOMICAL and ECO-FRIENDLY WAY to a HEALTHY HORSE: Monetary Costs of Owning a Horse

MONETARY COSTS of OWNING a HORSE

Want to know how much a horse owner can expect to spend for the maintenance of a horse for one year?

Owning a horse is a serious duty. All those concerned and/or affected need to know some of the basic expenses in sustaining such an undertaking. Having experience with public boarding as well as costs encountered with horses on my property, the following description should provide valuable information for decision making and budgeting.

The costs estimates used here are based on maintaining one healthy horse used for recreational riding and general enjoyment for one year. Outlays may vary tremendously depending on the area of the country and the type of horse purchased. How the horse will be enjoyed is also a significant factor in determining expenditures. Horses that are shown or sold for profit can increase costs considerably.

RECREATIONAL HORSE BUDGET GUIDE

FEED:

NOTES:

There are no estimates for costs of land, shelter, equipment or insurance(s) included above.

The above costs are based on the horse kept at home or for other options requiring the purchase of feed.

It is beneficial to know the actual weight of a horse when developing rations. This allows a more accurate estimate of the nutrient requirements and expected intake of the horse being fed. The above totals are based on a 1300 lb horse. As a general rule, a horse should consume greater than or equal to 1.0 percent of body weight in forage (hay or pasture grasses and legumes) each day, and less than or equal to 1.0 percent of body weight in concentrate per day.

The “hay or hay pellets” quantities above assume that a horse consumes hay at a rate of .5% of his body weight daily – remaining .5 to 1% to be consumed in quality pasture grasses.

Hay bales vary in size; totals in this guide are based on the bale of hay weighing 50 lbs. A 2 wire/string bale will range from 40-75 lbs. while a 3 wire bale generally runs 95-110 lbs.

The annual amount of hay the horse consumes will vary depending on your location and the quality of the pastures the horse will graze. The importance of good pastures should not be under estimated. The consumption of purchased hay can decrease drastically if pastures are maintained with proper mineral levels and the proper horse/pasture size ratio. For more info … Horse Boarder Checklist - Writing on the Stall

A majority of horses are fed grain/pellets; however there are those who may disagree with the viewpoint of feeding any grain/pellets. This judgment may be based on the quality of pastures and hay available, exercise and/or feeding philosophy. If grain is added to the diet of a horse that is fed quality pasture and hay, all rations of feed will need to be adjusted to suitable levels for the proper maintenance of the horse. The quantities used above are based on a 1300 lb horse consuming .5% of his weight in grain daily.

A true value for all feed may vary. An accurate value is only obtained by weighing a volume of the actual feed.

Salt consumption assumes a horse will need/use one four pound block per year. Depending on where the horse will live, its health and exercise program are variables that will affect the salt intake of the horse.

There are no estimates for the costs of treats or supplements in this guide.

MAINTENANCE:

NOTES:

The quantity of bedding will vary depending on the stall size and how often the horse will utilize the stall.

The cost of bedding in this guide is based on a 12’ x 12’ stall and that the horse is sheltered a few hours every day, 7 months a year and approximately 8 hours a day for the remaining 5 months.

The costs for “horse care products” include basic items for essential grooming and care of a horse. They comprise of a hoof pick, brushes, shampoo, fly spray, wound dressing, scraper and two buckets.

Vet estimates assume that the horse will have one or two minor injuries or illnesses during the year and may also get a minor check-up.

The types and frequency of administering vaccines as well as a “worming routine” will vary considerably depending on the region in which the horse lives, the conditions of the facility, overall health of the horse and its age. Both “vaccines” and “worming” estimates assume the owner administers them, not the vet.

Tack is equipment a horse owner will need to interact with the horse. The costs can vary from a few hundred dollars to several thousand. Once purchased, the majority of these items will last many years. The cost of tack is not included in the above list.

Private Riding and /or Horsemanship Lessons would be another cost to consider. Here to, the fees can range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand. The cost for lessons is not included in the above list.

HORSE BOARDING:

NOTES:

The price range is wide because of the numerous types of facilities and options available; another factor is the location of the facility. Is it in a rural setting or near a busy city?

Full boarding costs generally include feed, a stall and someone to feed and turnout the horse. Some barns allow various options from full board to just field board for the horse. There are co-op barns which supply only the facility while the horse owner is required to purchase everything for the horse as well as working around the facility. Usually, co-op facilities require each horse owner to supply their time for the care of all the horses on the property. This is often on a rotating schedule with all the boarders.

As noted, there can be several arrangements offered for boarding a horse; however they are not available in all areas.

Shoeing, vet, horse care products, worming, vaccinations, riding instruction/lessons are usually extra at all barns. Considering facilities to board your horse? See…Horse Boarder Checklist - Writing on the Stall

The boarding cost amounts used in this guide are based on research done in 2012, in the states of the Mid-Atlantic region.

None of the above estimates include taxes, delivery charges or personal vehicle expenses (example; picking-up hay, purchasing items, etc).

Monetary costs are just one element one needs to consider with owning a horse. Anticipate this as well, time is a valuable commodity and much will be required from you when you bring a horse into your world.

A horse should receive proper care and this requires several commitments from the owner.

See the “5 Freedoms” … Horse Bathing

Go Green Tips:

Reuse plastic gallon jugs for grain scoops. Thoroughly wash and dry the container and lid. Cut to shape the container with a knife. Glue lid permanently in place. Mark sides with a permanent pen indicating feed quantities or measure out the feed ration for your horse and mark a line. Write the name of the horse on the line.
Metal coffee cans (the ones with the plastic lid) make sturdy feed scoops too.