average cost of horse care

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When you think of horses you think of fun and riding but you don’t think of the cost to own one itself. Essentially the cost can be split in three sections, board, vet costs,and riding and bedding equipment. Let’s start with the first one, board, it is basically the amount you pay in order to keep your horse in a barn plus feeding and mucking out the stall. “the cost of boarding averages $400 to $500 per month but can go as high as $1,200 to$2,500 in metropolitan areas.” It costs quite a lot a month to keep a horse somewhere. I know for my horse we pay about $850 a month to keep her in our barn. Pam Goldberg Smith is the author of the article “the average monthly cost of owning a horse” she is reliable because she has worked with horses for years and owns her own horse.

On to the next one, vet costs,  if you think about it a horse requires a lot of maintenance in order to keep it healthy they are animals after all they get sick just like humans do. “A yearly veterinary visit includes teeth cleaning or floating and vaccinations; deworming is generally done every other month. this can cost anywhere from $77 to $250 depending on location.tack on $35 to $75 fee if the veterinarian comes to your property or boarding facility, plus mileage if notif it’s not within reasonable traveling distance.” The cost for the vet seems really small compared to board but in reality the money starts to add up when you are constantly paying for both of them. From my own experience since my horse is currently sick we are paying about $150 a month for the vet to come out and give a diagnosis and another treatment option if possible.

Last but not least riding and bedding equipment. You can typically either get new or used riding equipment,  for bedding i wouldn’t suggest getting used bedding because it’s not healthy for the horse. “A saddle and pad, halter, bit, bridle and lead. A new set costs thousands of dollars and last five to ten years; that breaks down to $200 a month.” so for a new set of riding equipment it would cost you quick a lot of money but it would last longer than a used one would. As far as bedding goes many other costs are tied into it. “Providing bedding, maintaining pasture fences and paying for utilities will average about $300 per month. Moving your horse requires a trailer, which can range from $1,500 for a used trailer or $50,000 for a top-of-the-line model.” So overall your best bet is to buy used in order to save your money on a trailer if anything you can always fix it up and renovate it to make it better.