The Cost Of Horses
My husband would tell you that a bad drug habit would be cheaper than horses. He would also tell you that the benefits of horses is immeasurable, and for that I appreciate him. Just to be clear I do appreciate him for more than this, but this is an important one because horses play a huge role in our life.
Horse ownership is not something to be entered in to lightly. Like any animal, horses require specific care to meet their needs. Scrimping on that care, or not arming yourself with the required knowledge can end up creating extra costs for both you and your equine acquisition.
Let’s break things down for easy navigation. We will look at the cost of owning or being involved in the world of horses. We will then look at the life changing rewards of the equine lifestyle.
I have met a lot of people who’s daughters love horses so they jump into the idea of buying a horse for their daughter. Meanwhile they have zero knowledge, or understanding of how to handle or care for a horse. I mean really, how hard can it be?
Lets start with the basics.
Land; horses need land. New studies indicate, that in order to keep a pasture in top condition and optimally meet a horses needs, 2-3 acres of land is required per horse. Previously 1 acre was considered sufficient.
If you have land, that is great, but you also need a healthy pasture, free of toxic weeds and filled with quality forage to meet the health needs of your horse. This pasture requires maintenance such as: seeding, fertilizing, harrowing, aerating, spraying for toxic weeds, animal rotation, mowing if required, etc.
This is just the base, it also requires a solid and safe fence, cross fencing, regular fence maintenance, shelter and water. You will also need to plan for winter feeding and watering. Do you have heated water that won’t freeze in the winter? Horses require tepid, fresh water at all times. Often pawing through the snow in the winter is not sufficient to meet a horses energy requirements, or hydration requirements. They may choose to paw over eating hay if there is a lot of pasture available and not much snow but they also need access to other forage options during the winter and a continuous supply of water at all times.
If you have land and it is set up and in great condition, that is a solid first step.
Lets compile the list so far:
land
equipment to manage land
seed, fertilizer, weed control
solid, safe fencing, shelter, water
hay or forage alternatives for winter weather
storage to keep hay dry and free of mold
Someone to watch your horses if you go away
TIME
What next?
If you have a horse you will need a vet, Farrier, other equine specialists, truck and trailer, or easy access to one, and tack.
Horses require yearly vet contact for immunizations, teeth floats, wellness exams and any other health maintenance your horse requires. Horses also require a deworming program that ensures they are free of parasites, but also a program that helps to prevent parasite resistance from occurring.
Farriers are also instrumental in the health of your horse. Trimming and shoeing is not to be taken lightly as it can make or break your horse! Horses need their feet trimmed on a 6-8 week rotation and more often if they are competitive, or shod. Do your research, good Farriers are few and far between. Once you find a good one treat them well!
Occasionally horses require other types of maintenance such as equine massage therapy or chiropractic work.
You need a way to transport your horse in case of a medical emergency, or an evacuation emergency, such as fire, or flooding. You may want to transport to a show or clinic. Having easy access to a truck and safe trailer is essential.
If you plan to ride your horse you will require appropriate tack. This tack should be comfortable for, you but more importantly perhaps, an appropriate fit for your horse. A saddle that fits your horse properly now, will prevent many costs later on when damage to your horse is already done. Bridles, bits, pads, girth/cinches, saddles, boots, helmets, halters, brushes…the list goes on! All of these items will need to find a home in a tack shed, or tack trunk.
Let’s add to the list:
Vet
Farrier
Equine specialist
Truck and Trailer
Tack
TIME
We now have the VERY basic of the bases covered in regard to horse ownership. If you have a child that loves horses, they will likely want to learn to ride and maybe even do clinics or shows.
Let’s add to the list:
riding lessons
barn/arena fees
clinic fees
show fees
stabling fees
insurance
gear (breeches, boots, helmets, jackets, shirts etc.)
transportation
TIME
I know that I have left out many things. We have paddocks for example and we have hogs fuel in the paddocks. These paddocks need to be maintained and managed just like the pasture does. We have an arena, the arena needs to be maintained and managed just like the pastures and the paddocks do. The list goes on and on but I am highlighting some of the minimum requirements to owning a horse.
Also important to note is that horses are herd animals and therefor really must be kept with a minimum of one other horse. Horses kept alone can run in to problems with sleep deprivation, depression and a decline in health. Some countries in Europe have made it illegal to keep horses isolated by themselves because of the negative impacts on them.*
OK! NOW WHY IN THE WORLD WOULD YOU CHOOSE THE EQUINE LIFESTYLE?!
Very much this: (It talks about girls but it really is for everyone)
“Parents, let your daughters grow up to be horse girls, because they will learn quickly and repeatedly that life isn’t fair, that hard work is often trumped by lady luck, and that every defeat, no matter how terrible, is temporary. Let them dream big and kick on. Let them learn confidence and grace and grit. Let them build big muscles and strong backs.
Let your daughters grow up in the barn. Let them learn that buckets need filling and stalls need cleaning, even when its raining, even when its frozen, even when they have a different idea for how the day should go.
Teach them to drive trucks and trailers and ATV’s. Teach them to change tires and wrap legs and give shots. And let them leave a spur mark or a bit rub or a bandage bow, and let them deal with the shame of causing pain to an animal they love.
Let them grow up with horses and with good horse people, because it will teach them to be humble, and to be resilient and to be brave.”
~Author Unknown~
Owning horses is not something to enter in to lightly, and there is a huge cost involved in doing it knowledgeably and safely for both you and the horse, but the rewards can and will pay dividends.
