![]() Don’t be surprised if your horse’s health care costs more than your own! Your horse will also require dental care approximately once a year. Some horses may also require medications or other treatments, such as acupuncture or chiropractic work, to maintain their health and soundness. To offset the cost, you may wish to purchase a major medical insurance policy on your horse. Your horse will also require emergency or special care from time to time, and you should plan the cost of this care into your budget. Ask your veterinarian to recommend a vaccination and worming program for you. Your horse will require shots at least twice a year and worming approximately every two months. Older horses may require special or corrective shoeing to keep them sound, which typically costs more than regular shoeing. Farrier.Your horse will require regular farrier care every six-eight weeks, and the cost will depend upon what type of trimming and shoes the horse requires, as well as your local market.Consult your trainer or instructor for more guidance on this expense item. You might want to participate in at least some modest forms of competition and/or social events with your horse, which involve entry fees, transportation for the horse, and special outfits and equipment. Having an ongoing relationship with a professional instructor can help prevent problems and solve those that do arise, all in an environment that helps you stay safe. Even if you have already had several years of lessons, you should plan to continue instruction so you can continue to develop your skills. If possible, you should choose a boarding facility that is no more than 20 minutes from your home so that it will not be a hassle to be there every day. Boarding rates are highly dependent upon the local market in your area. Ranges from full care, which includes feeding and stall cleaning, to self-care, which includes only a place to keep the horse and the boarder does all of the work and provides all of the feed and bedding. Here are some of the items you should budget for on a monthly basis, in the approximate order of magnitude: Now, one important thing to know is that the initial purchase price of the horse is just a small fraction of the ongoing expenses you can expect to incur. Even if you eventually want to compete at a national or world level, your first horse doesn’t have to be the horse that will take you to the top. Keep in mind that your first horse can be a “starter horse”–a horse that is safe for you and will help you learn basic horsemanship skills. If you have more serious competitive aspirations, consult with your instructor regarding what you should expect to spend for a suitable horse. If you just want to go out and have fun, and maybe compete at a local level, you should be able to find a suitable horse for $5,000 or less (with some variance based upon the local horse market in your area). The answer really depends upon what you want to achieve with that horse. Deciding to buy a horse is a huge commitment, a lot like going from owning a dog to having a baby.įirst time horse buyers often ask me how much they should spend on a horse. Only if leasing a horse doesn’t provide enough “horse time” for you, should you consider actually purchasing a horse.Equine Legal Solutions offers horse lease agreement forms that clarify the owner’s and the lessee’s responsibilities. Many trainers and instructors have horses for lease in their barns. Ask your instructor or trainer to recommend a leasing situation for you. ![]() In the typical full lease, you take over all of the horse’s expenses and care responsibilities, and in a typical partial lease, the owner remains primarily responsible for these items. Leasing is an arrangement in which you pay either a fixed fee or a portion of the horse’s expenses in exchange for riding time on that horse. ![]() Consider a full or partial lease of a horse for at least six months.Enroll in regular riding lessons (at least once a week) with a reputable trainer or instructor.If you don’t have an instructor (but we highly recommend you do!), rely upon the advice of a trusted friend who is very knowledgeable about horses and has horses whose behavior you admire. Horse ownership is certainly not for the faint of heart (or light of wallet)! Here are some steps we suggest taking before you decide to buy a horse. Horses are a huge time commitment, as well as a huge emotional and financial commitment. Not even every horse lover should actually own a horse. ![]() As much as we love horses, we know that not everyone should own one. ![]()
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