Average Horse Costs

My earliest memories include, among other things, my passion for horses. I rememeber begging to go on pony rides, begging for lessons, begging to go riding for my birthday, begging for that plush pinto horse at the bookstore. I remember unwrapping horse-related gifts during Christmas and my birthday. I remember carrying this plastic Barbie unicorn with a purple mane and glittery pink hooves all over the house, clomping him and my sister's pink Barbie horse (that I later stole from her xD) on the stairs and on the wooden floors.
My mom said I wanted an interesting array of farm animals - including a pony, a unicorn, a pig, a dog and a chicken. That sorta explains why I've gone vegetarian. That, and North Horse Blog.

But despite all my love, and pleas that we could totally keep a horse in the backyard, I never bothered to find out the costs. I was four and couldn't read, but that is no excuse.

Horses are a big expense, expecially with today's ecomomy. These are the current prices, to my knowlage, but please note that prices vary by area and constantly creep upward each year. This is a basic outline of prices - it's not hard-rock facts. Your prices may be far higher, or even lower than my set prices.

What you're looking at:


Every month:

Boarding:

Between $150 - $250 for pasture board, $250 - $425 for stabling and a run, full or partial care. You can also choose to keep a horse at home, but then you also have expenses from electricity, plumbing, construction and maitence, and trailer and tractor fees. Boarding may seem like a more expensive, less desirable option, but you also have acess to trails, indoor and outdoor arenas, classy facilites, and knowlageable barn staff.
Per year: $1,800 - $5,100

Lessons:

Lessons are optional, of course, but they do help keep problems out of the way, make ownership easier, and are almost invaluable if you show. You're looking at an average of $20 - $50 a week for one lesson - priviate, semi-priviate, or a group lesson. Between $60 - $250 a month depending on the class and how often you take them.
Per year: $720 - $3,000

Hay:

Some barns provide this, but if they don't, you're looking at a half-bale a day, at $10 a bale. Basically $150 a month for 15 bales. A horse eats 183 bales a year. Prices vary where you live; expect higher costs in drier areas. The low price is $2 a bale, the high being $15. Between $30 - $225 a month for hay. In CO, our prices are between $5 - $12 per bale, depending on the type. (ie, timothy, clover, alfala, ect.) Buying jointidly, in a bulk, or in round bales saves costs.
Per year: $366 - $2,745

Grain:

Bags of grain are usually $7.50 - $15.00. If you feed an average horse 3 pounds daily, you're feeding 1095 lbs a year, about 22 bags a year. That's about 2 bags a month at $15 - $30.
Per year: $165 - $330

Supplements:

Supplements are not cheap. Usually, you only provide supplements if you have a show horse, an older horse, or a horse with special problems. Supplements are about $30 a month.
Per year: $360

Bedding/Shavings:

Most of the time, this is provided by your boarding stable. If not, you're looking at a bag a week at $5 - $8.
Per year: $260 - $416

Every two months:

Deworming:

So important! Dewormer costs about $5 - $12.
Per year: $30 - $72

Farrier:

A horse is shoed at average $20 - $30 a foot with hot shoing. ($80 - $120) If your horse throws a shoe, it's $10 for a replacement. Hooves are trimmed for $25 - $45 total.
Per year: $480 - $720 Shoing, $150 - $270 Trimming

Clinics or training:

Training runs along at about $300 - $400 for 30-day training. If you opt for the delacacy called "Redneck Horse Training" or "Backyard Horse Training: The KKK Way" you can get your horse ruined for next to nothing! If you, however, decide to go for training by professionals, it's going to cost $300 - $400. Although, not every horse needs excessive training. Lol. If you take a bi-monthly clinic, you can pay up to $100. These services are optional.

Every year:

Insurance:

If you live in a more suburbian area, or you show, you may need insurance. Equine insurance can run between $120 for a backyard horse to $700 for a horse on the higher levels.

Showing:

Show fees, trailering fees, trainer fees, food and hotel, stalls. Showing can run anywhere from $100 - $4,000.

Vet Check-up:

Checkups are essetional one to twice a year. They cost $150. It's always best to set aside $300 in case of an emergency.

Vaccinations:

Once a year. $120

Coggins testing:

A blood test vital to traveling, showing, or going out of state. $50

Dental:

Between $150 - $240, depending on the area and the service.

Tack replacement or repair:

Anywhere from $50 - $1,000


I'm not trying to crush you, just to get you to look at this realistically. If you sign on for a horse, you have to know what you're paying and responisbly provide for your horse.


- Abbi