Horse owners?

[EsmeraldaX]

Hello horse owners. In the upcoming years, I'm looking at maybe 3 years out, I am planning to buy or rescue a horse for riding (not showing/or jumping).

I would like some advice from people as to how much per year their upkeep is, etc. so I can begin saving.

Thank you,
Sheri

 

[KarenC]

It's been years since we had a horse in the family, so I can't speak to the cost of boarding and feed, but I wanted to say I think you're doing a great thing.

My 14-year-old sister died of asthma. She had a Morgan horse (asthma and a horse--my parents were nuts). No one else in the family really rode horses, so the poor horse didn't get much exercise. We tried to find a home for the horse and told people who came to see him the circumstances--and that he hadn't been ridden in a while.

One couple rode him really hard--had him jump as high as he could. After that, the poor horse foundered. He had to be put down. The day they came to take him was the second most heart breaking day of my life.

If only a kind soul had rescued him...

 

[BriarfoxinWA]

Your going to need to do some research in your area. Call some of the local boarding facilities to see what they charge. It can vary widely (anywhere from $50/mo up to $500/mo) and will depend if you going to simply pasture board him or want to keep him in a stall. Most boarding facilities provide their feed (at least hay - any grain will be your responsibility). We only feed grain in the winter months and when the horses are being worked steadily. Just tends to make ours hyper. They get suppliments provided for their vitamin/mineral needs.

If you plan to keep him at your own place you'll need to find out the local cost for hay.

Veterinarian expenses can be high and will depend on the horse you choose. If you are going to rescue an animal be aware that they may have costly health issues you will need to address. We probably spend around $300 to $500 per year on just the basics: deworming every 3 months (some do this more often), annual teeth floating (filing down their teeth), and annual vacinations.

You'll also need to have a shoer trim and/or shoe the horse every so often. Average is every 8 weeks for shoes and 12 weeks if no shoes and your just triming the feet. Again it depends on where you live. Average for our area is $60 for a set of shoes $30 for a trim.

That's just the basics I could go on - PM me if you have questions! We've had horses for almost 30 years and have gone through boarding stables, trainers, and have had them at home. Right now our two are retired "pasture ornaments" but my DH did crowd control & parades for the local sheriff. I did H/J, pony club, dressage, a little 3 day eventing, and even a little western/reining...

 

[Val]

We (well, my 15 year old DD) have an "older" paint broodmare that we board at a local stable (about 1/4 mile from our house). The horse is 21 but VERY sound and still jumping like crazy- cost us $850 about three years ago, but we bought her from some friends. We live about 150 miles south of Chicago, so our boarding fees are relatively cheap- we pay $250/mos for room/board, although my DD works more than 1/2 that off each month as a stable hand. The "more luxurious" stable around here charges $400/mos (better indoor arena, hot and cold water for showering horses while we only have cold). I'ver heard up near Chicago it can run as high as $600/mos. Lessons run $25/half hour, but my DD gives as many as she takes, so it comes out even.My youngest DD6 is starting lessons, but she takes them from her oldest sister so the price is wonderful- Free!

Other costs include the farrier (shoe guy) who comes about every 6 weeks- for us that is a $25 cost. We also pay for dewormer every 6 weeks (buy it at the local Farm and Fleet)- that is about $10. Vet bills run about $150/year, given no injuries or illness. Tack, ropes, halters, etc. will set you back anywhere from $400 to thousands of dollars. You might want a blanket- about $100, and the occassional horse treat (at about $20 a bucket). A riding helmet runs about $50, and then any special clothes. A good resource is
StateLineTack.com

Hope that helps. Lady (that's the horse) is really a part of the family- even has a special Christmas stocking, and we take her some special oatmeal on Christmas Day.

 

[WDW Poly Princess]

Looks like most of the basic info has been covered already! The annual upkeep costs really aren't all that bad, unless your horse turns out like my boy, who seems to enjoy injuring himself just for the attention

Keep us updated!

edited to add- Holy heck, some of you guys have expensive board! I pay $60/month for pasture, and I think my place charges something like $110/mo for stable. I can't imagine paying hundreds of dollars a month!

 

[BriarfoxinWA]

WDW Poly Princess - your getting a good deal. I used to live in Springfield MO - about 20 years ago. At that time we were paying $50 month for pasture board and $100/mo for stalls. The facilities were nice though...hot/cold washrack, riding arenas etc...

 

[susan514]

I live in the Chicago area and we pay $600/month for board, 285/mon for turn out and daily grooming. Don't even start me on shoeing and vet bills. Right now, our 3 year old which we bred, is very sick and needed a bone scan. It turns out that she has a neurological problem and has to be put down. We are so bummed out and the vets say they have never seen a horse with this severe a problem so young. We actually helped her stand up when she was 4 hours old. Her mom was our horse too, but she became a brood mare when her joints were too sore from having lyme's disease. Needless to say, we have had bad luck with horses.

 

[rae519]

Originally posted by KarenC
It's been years since we had a horse in the family, so I can't speak to the cost of boarding and feed, but I wanted to say I think you're doing a great thing.

My 14-year-old sister died of asthma. She had a Morgan horse (asthma and a horse--my parents were nuts). No one else in the family really rode horses, so the poor horse didn't get much exercise. We tried to find a home for the horse and told people who came to see him the circumstances--and that he hadn't been ridden in a while.

One couple rode him really hard--had him jump as high as he could. After that, the poor horse foundered. He had to be put down. The day they came to take him was the second most heart breaking day of my life.

If only a kind soul had rescued him...

I'm so sorry for your loss. Both my son and I have asthma, and we have 3 horses. We didn't develop asthma until we moved to Indiana - something else to be grateful to this wonderful state for....

We have to take our time and there are times that we are NOT able to ride - for example, the cold is really affecting me right now - so we have others to help us (Thank God).

I bought my first horse June 28 - a 6 year old sorrel gelding that we promptly named "Red Raptor" - he is "our heart". I picked up another one for us two weeks later, a 9 year old mare that we found out was pregnant - I named her "Jynx" but "WITCH" would have been a better name. I got rid of her two months ago, she delivered a sorrel filly two on 12/3 - good riddance to both! I just don't care for the mare temperment - think PMS in a 1200 lb animal!

In October, I bought a beautiful 18 year old golden palomino named "Cheyenne" - Michael promptly took this one over for his 4-H show horse. Great match - huge horse, 8 year old kid - watching them work is the most beautiful sight ever!

So I had to get this third horse, previous owner said he was "WILD" - so "Ted" became "Spritit" - a 5 year old paint gelding that I renamed "Tytefit" because he knew he could get between those two trees, but there was no way I was going to make it!

So we have "My Three Sons" now - and even with my physical and health challenges, I think that owning a horse has made me a better person and a calmer one. Michael who is pretty BUSY and can be a bit.....well, you know 8 year old boys!!! - anyway, when he is with his horses, he is patient, kind, soft spoken and very, very calm.

So there are expenses - vet, immunization, shoes, feed, shelter, but the rewards are there.


Susan514 - we are boarding at Crooked Creek in Royal Center, IN - the cost is $185 month - TOTAL - plus they have about a hundred acres of trails. You might want to think about that.
Their web site is www.ccrt.freeservers.com - phone (800) 317-5016.

Val - you must be close to Royal Center, IN also - you might want to check them out. I know we are very happy there and the owners are fabulous.


Rae

 

[EsmeraldaX]

Thank you all for your great responses and my heart goes out to those who have suffered loss

Right now I am in the very early research phase. I want to spend a few years saving and researching before getting a horse, as I would with any animal I bring into my life.

I plan on moving to southern NH in the next few years and getting a horse soon after. I will likely be keeping the horse on my own property.

I think I am really leaning towards rescue, as I know the animal rescue league down the road from where I live now (MA/NH border) often has fairly young horses that were given up because their owners could no longer care for them, for whatever reasons.

It's excellent reading everyones experiences and it's giving me a good idea of what sorts of expenses I will need to keep in mind.

Thank you all!

Sheri

 

[rae519]

Smart girl to research these things first - and remember a rescued horse can be very expensive in finances, time and emotion, so don't get your heartbroken or wallet busted!

Take care!!!!

Rae

 

[EsmeraldaX]

Originally posted by rae519
Smart girl to research these things first - and remember a rescued horse can be very expensive in finances, time and emotion, so don't get your heartbroken or wallet busted!

Take care!!!!

Rae

Thank you!