Costs To Consider When Owning a Horse

in Pets

Many people dream of owning a horse, especially when they’re young. As we get older, we either forget about it or end up with a lifestyle that isn’t really compatible with owning a horse, so we look at other animals as pets instead.

If you’re thinking of buying a horse, these are the things you will need to supply and pay for.

Purchase price

Whether you’ve received the horse as a gift or bought it from a professional breeder, there are initial costs in owning a horse.

Equipment

Basic equipment such as tack, blankets, saddles, Rambo horse grooming kit, and bridles will be needed in order to ride your horse and to keep them comfortable.

Stables

Unless you are lucky enough to have a lot of land on which to build a stable block, you’ll need to have your horse boarded at a property facility that has experience in caring for horses. Their fees usually include board, food, daily exercise, and mucking out. This varies from place to place, as does the cost.

As well as basic food, you’ll also be charged for any vitamin and mineral supplements.

Insurance

Treating a medical problem in a horse can be a very expensive outlay. If you need to call them out in an emergency or out of hours, then it is even more expensive. That’s why you’ll need specialist insurance for your horse. Not only will it cover the cost of your vet’s bills, but may also be necessary for legal coverage in case your horse injures someone or causes damage to property. In many areas, it is the law to have this insurance in place, no matter your financial status.

Grooming and maintenance

Alongside immediate medical issues, there are other things that your horse will need regularly which may not be covered by your horse insurance. This includes regular working and tick treatments which need to be carried out every three months, or less regularly depending on the type used.

You will also need to have a farrier take care of the horse’s hooves and shoe them when necessary. In some cases, the stables will arrange for this to be done, but they will then pass on the cost to you.

Horses’ teeth will also need to be looked at twice per year in order to ensure their mouth is healthy and file down any teeth that may have overgrown. This will need to be done by a specialist. Many insurance policies won’t cover anything to do with mouth maintenance that hasn’t been caused by injury, accident, or another medical problem affecting the area.

Transport

If you move your horse to a different location for part of the year, or between venues you’re competing at or breeding, then you will need specialist transport to move them safely around.

Owning a horse is an amazing experience. They are fantastic animals that will be with you for many years. But owning a horse can be expensive, which is why you need to know the potential costs in advance so that you know you can afford one.


Image Credits: Helena Lopes

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