How much do horses cost a month?

Question

My mom said she would by me a horse in a few days. We've been looking at some and my mom said as soon as i find the "right horse." I will board it at a very nice barn (i say "it" because i don't know if it will be a male or female yet) and take lessons on it. I wanted to just take lessons but my mom said that this would be better because then i could just spend time with MY horse and i wouldn't have to worry about not getting a lesson because the lesson horses get taken, i would have my own! And if something happens my experienced barn owner can help me out. Yes my mom can completely afford this. When i ask her how much it will cost she tells me not to worry because she has everything covered. I would like to know how much my own horse costs to take care of though! How much do they cost to keep a month when you board and get lessons? Oh and sorry i put so much but i see when people just randomly ask this question you guys chew them out and say "you are not ready to get a horse!" so i just thought i would put in this info haha. :D

Answer 1

It depends on where you're boarding, so you could ask one of the staffers at the barn what it's costing to keep up the horse. For self-care pasture board some places might take $100, and go all the way up to $300 a month for full-care boarding (which means they take care of your horse for you, except for vet/farrier bills, and may do extra things with them if you're not able to). Lessons really depend, cheapest I've seen is $35 for a full hour.



Edit: If you're a total beginner to horses, then I gotta commend you for going this route instead of buying one and keeping it in your backyard feeding it catfood. :P There is a site, Horsechannel.com, that has some nifty first-timer "classes" that you can take to learn a little bit about the animals you'll be working around. Since you will be schooling and getting lessons I think it's safe to say that your trainer will be teaching you from the ground up, but it never hurts to have more than one source of information.



Here is a link to the "Grooming College" they have.

http://www.horsechannel.com/equine-university/horse-college/horse-grooming-college/default.aspx



And "Health College".

http://www.horsechannel.com/equine-university/horse-college/horse-health-college/default.aspx



It is useful stuff for those just venturing into horses for the first time. :) They also have some really neat quizzes and helpful articles that you can benefit from.

Answer 2

Instead of owning, have you considered a full-lease? That way if you choose you do not want the horse you can simply return it to its owner, instead of buying/selling in this economy.



-Since you say it is 'a very nice barn' full board will an absolute minimum of $300+ per month. Usually a nice barn, good services, and good facilities = more money. Expect to pay $400+ per month.

-Lessons can range from $40-80 per hour. Hay should be included in the board, however if the horse requires supplements or certain feed, that is another expense. Could be $10 a week, or $50. Depends on brand, feed type and country.

-Farrier, that's roughly $70 every 6-8 weeks, however if the horse is shod, then that will set you back $150.

-Covers, tack, general supplies add up as well. Buy decent tack and covers otherwise you will need to have them replaced within a year of purchase. The horse will need shots once a year (twice depending on your area and situation) which costs $100+ depending on the vet and shots.



Per year:

Board - $3600 (at $300 a month) - $4800 (at $400 a month)

Lessons - $3120 (1 lesson a week at $60)

Farrier - $600 unshod - $1000 shod (both minimum)

Shots - $100 minimum

Feed - $500 (varies significantly)

Supplies - $200

Extras - $1000 (new tack, covers etc)

TOTAL = $9120 - $10720



Expect to pay above $10000 as i gave the minimum cost values.



Always have a buffer of at least $1000 in the bank which is reserved for emergencies. The horse may become ill, which will use up that pretty darn quickly.



If the mum can afford it all and you have help at the barn, then go ahead. As long as you have experienced people at hand then you should be fine. I would however recommend a lease as opposed to buying. At least do that to ensure you won't tire of the horse like i've seen many 'eager' people to do. They take a lot of time, money and effort. You may decide after a few months that you don't like the horse and in this economy you will struggle to sell it. If you do, it will be for much less than you bought it for.

Answer 3

Well... I was going to chew you out, but if you're boarding it at a barn, then you'll learn to take care of it so... I'm gonna stay calm.



At least 200 a month, depending greatly. A barn with board of 300 per month is lovely.



You are going to want to find a barn BEFORE you get the horse, and you'll need a way to transport it there. You also don't want to pick out any horse you like and take lessons on it right away... It may not turn out to be a lesson horse.





Find a barn and do the lessons first, then get your riding instructor to help you pick out one they think would fit you.



You may fall in love with the four year old Arabian mare, but you probably need a dead-broke 18 year old.



Ask your riding instructor for advice on anything you might not be sure about!

Answer 4

Depends on how much your board is. My board is 550 a month, including shoeing, and lessons, vet bills and everything else it usually comes to about 850 a month. They are expensive but they are so worth it! Just be careful, I know your probibly excited to get a horse, but dont buy the first one you see. Look around, see what is best for you. There are so many out there. Always ask for a trial, this is when you will be able to tell what the horse will really be like and if it has any medical issues. If they refuse a trial just move on to the next. Chances are they are hiding something...anyways good luck finding a horse!

Answer 5

Where I live, you can get full care board for around $700 a month. Some places charge $1000. I know this isn't what you're asking, but unless you've already taken some lessons and already have a trainer, I HIGHLY reccomend you try it out first. I've been using school horses and leases for the past 8 years, and what you can learn from them is invaluable. I'm just looking for my first horse. And unless you know a ton about horses, they certainly will surprise you wth how difficult they are to take care of! You don't just get to ride. Horses are all very unique, some of them crazy (OH MY GOD A BUSH!!!!) and some nearly bombproof. Just hoping you do some good research first:) It can;t hurt to have a few lessons first, right? Good luck!

Answer 6

board can be anywhere from $100-$400+ a month depending on the place

farrier can be $20-$90 every other month

vet about $150+ every year, plus emergency

deworming about $12 every other month

gas for shows, entry fees, hauling fees, any extra treats and supplements, extra tack(trust me u can always use more tack!) all these things add up quickly



but can i advise you, before you get a horse you really should have at least one or two years of lessons on lesson horses, don't worry about available horses any good stable should have plenty of horses for you to use, and owning a horse is a huge commitment, not something to be casual and quickly decided. im not saying you shouldn't get a horse im just saying make sure you know how to ride and take care of a horse b4 you get one and realize they are more work than you thought. plus if you take lessons on lesson horses you will learn to ride several types of horsees and that skill comes in handy and it will also give you a better idea of what type of horse you want, for instance a mare or a gelding, large or small, show or trail horse ect ect.

if ur mom insists on getting you ur "own" horse you could suggest leasing, its a lot like owning but instead there is no long term commitment, if you don't like the horse just end the lease and try a different horse and most leases allow you to ride the horse at any time and even show them, it all depends on the lease aggreement you sign with the horses owner, leasing is a really good way to ready yourself for horse ownership without losing a lot of money or causing heartache by having to say goodbye to a horse u bought that didn't work out, if that makes sense...

i hope i helped! horse ownership is a lot of fun and its very rewarding to have that personal relationship with your own horse, just make sure your ready, have fun! :D

Answer 7

A horse is a good sized investment and demands a lot extra funds than a waitress profits will pay. the unquestionably horse is barely a small fraction of what you pay for. indexed right here are some questions you would be able to desire to ask your self: the place will I save my horse? Boarding can cost upwards $250 consistent with month reckoning on what the reliable components to your horse. Will I unquestionably have extra funds if a veterinary emergency have been to happen? in the journey that your horse have been to colic interior the midde of the night, you may would desire to have a minimum of $500 to place a down cost on the vet's bypass to. Will my horse prefer particular supplements? supplements can get to be very high priced alongside with dewormers to maintain your horse healthful. the place will i'm getting my feed and hay? Feed and hay may be presented via your boarder, yet whilst not you will would desire to get your guy or woman. Hay can get to be as much as $2 a bale, and grain can bypass upwards of $10 reckoning on what form your horse desires and how many pounds. additionally, to respond to your question, i might pretty reccomend taking classes. They strengthen the bond between you and your horse and whether you do not prefer to show, you would be able to desire to appreciate the basics of using. i wish I helped and robust success with you and your horse! :)

Answer 8

I researched that on the internet several months ago & found the estimate for care of the horse and housing the horse is about $10,000 per year. Your costs could be different.

Pay special attention to safety. Things like making sure your saddle is secure. Never walk behind

a horse, they fear what they cannot see behind them & could lash out with a hoof that can kill.

Never walk between a hoofed animal and her off-spring ( even a cow will attack a person that does that ).

Safety is extremely important.

Answer 9

People have pretty much answered your price question. $9000-$12000 a year..

However, don't listen to the people telling you to take years of lessons/lease first.. My FIRST real ride on a horse, was on MY first horse, and I still have him to this day.. Didn't get lessons until I had been riding for about a year and a half, and taught myself how to ride by that point. THAT I don't reccomend, but if you're buying your own horse, can afford it, and you're boarding and getting lessons, go for it!

Answer 10

well it seems as though you already have the price question answered pretty good.. for any other horse stuff you want to know, i love horsemanship101.com, there's so much helpful info on there!