How much does it cost to buy a horse?

Question

My parents are non-horsey people. My mother has no interest. But my father sometimes hints about maybe leasing a horse, and that gives me a *little* hope. I have the money saved up for purchasing just the horse.

But how much does it cost to get started? Equipment, like saddles and bridles, food, and anything else? I am sure if I can pay for most of that, I can get some extras as gifts for holidays and my parents will probably pay for boarding.

Please help me, I have no idea! I have been riding all my life but I have no experience in the owning/feeding/caring department. I know how to prepare for a ride and clean up after! ;)

Thanks!

Answer 1

In your case you should part lease a horse before leasing one by your self to learn the proper way to care for a horse. If you decide to buy a horse horses with lots of real professional training could run as much as $10,000 depending on the type of training and the quality and breeding of the horse, or you could find a good horse with very little showing and good training for as little as $3500, then you saddle will run someplace between $1500-$5000. then you need saddle pads, brushes, combs, fly sprays, wormers every 90 days, farrier service every 6 to 8 weeks and vet service every year for yearly shots and coggins report and of course those emergencies that sometimes happen and even with a vet you could possibly loose the horse or wind up with a permanently crippled horse, so have at least $5000 to buy your supplies and equipment plus the price of the horse and of course there is boarding which runs from $350-$900 per month.

Answer 2

The horse can cost from $0-$60 000. It depends on your needs. The horse is probably the cheapest part of it.



Depending on whether you're buying your equipment second hand, or new. You should have at least a few thousand to put aside for equipment.



Seriously though, horses are an ongoing cost. Boarding is just a small part. You have to have money for vet fees, horse shows, feed etc.



Horses are a big responsibility, and you should not get one unless you literally can afford everything, and still have lots left over.

Answer 3

its not the horse, or even the initial supplies that will cost you, is upkeep.

First, do you have a barn or shed on your property? If not, you have to board it, adn that can cost around 450$ a month! that usually does include food though.

There are trips to the farrier, veterinary checkups and emergencies, vitamins, medications, training (this can be a big one), and if you are not experienced with ridiing you will want to get lessons at least for a while.



You can rescue a horse for fairly cheap, maybe 1000$, that has retired from racing. The initial equipment will probably cost around 1000$ too.



I looked into this rather extensively becuase I also badly wanted a horse, and still do! But I have to wait until I have a job and have disposable income it seems. Or move to a farm.

Answer 4

It all is dependent. For the horse, you can either purchase a cheap horse and educate it, or purchase a first-class horse for more that doesnt want training. I dont understand how a lot it is in Canada, but here (within the U.S.) it can range from $150 to $945 (my barn). For the tack there's a enormous form. The saddle can variety from used ones at like $a hundred- quite quality saddles. I have a tad coffin saddle because I compete in hunters on the A-circuit. It was a $4200 saddle however they come shrink too! Brushes arent most of the time a problem, however if you happen to purchase lots, it could add up. A brush can range from .50- $30. A bridle can range from $20- $2000. So good good fortune! Dont disregard farrier and vet fees!

Answer 5

My parents made me do it on my own and I did it! Right now, I know horses are dirt cheap in a few areas (Florida, Louisiana, Ohio and Pennsylvania) My girlfriend got one from a sale barn for $50, just needed some weight. I've seen very nice kid broke horses on Craigslist for $300. People just can not afford to keep them! One lady wanted $500 for 3 broke horses!

As for tack, you need very little. Go to garage sales in your area or look on Craigslist. You can get a halter, bridle and saddle for $250. Also look at ebay. The stuff might be cheaper quality but it'll do for now.

Now do you have to board the horse or do you have your own barn? If you must board, look for partial care. That way you can buy your own food and hay to save money. I don't know your area but again in the areas I've mentioned partial boarding will run $50.-200. a month. Full boarding can run $300-$800/month.

If you have your own place, hay (again in my areas mentioned) will run $3.-$20 a bale. You don't need $20/bale alfalfa so just get a nice quality for $3-$6./bale. A bale is about 10 flakes. If your horse isn't out eating grass all day, he'll need at least 2 flakes/day

Feed is $10.-$25 / 50 lb bag. Again, you don't need 16% protein so go with a 10%-12% cheaper feed. A horse will eat 4-6 qts/day....you do the math to see how long a bag will last

Worm your own horse. Paste $10. every 6 wks. Have the blacksmith trim your horse, save on shoes. Just ride on soft ground and he'll be fine. Blacksmiths run $40-$80. for trims. If you're lucky your horse will only need trimmed every 7-8 weeks. Ive seen them need trimmed every 4 so watch!

Vet bills will get ya but only if your horse gets sick or injured. Just be extra careful, make sure your paddocks and stalls dont have any nails or sharp edges sticking out. Don't ride in unknown areas, there might be holes. My girlfriend has a huge vet bill because of an unsafe fence. Watch things like that and your vet bills will consist of shots. Go on the internet and do searches for basic vet care if your horse gets a cut, bruise etc. That will save money too. It isn't as hard and scarey as people make it to be, BUT IT CAN BE! Good luck

Answer 6

usually, good quality new saddle can cost anywhere from $300.00 to $1500.00, but you can get used saddles for cheaper. All purpose leather English bridles are around $40.00 to $60.00. Ponies eat less grain than horses or no grain if they are on grass and hay, and they are hardier. The cost of grain depends on the needs of your horse. You can buy sacks of premixed grain like triple crown, and add your own supplements or buy separate sacks of oats and meals. Sweet feed is very cheap, you can buy a 50 lb bag for around $20, but it is not very nutritious. Other horse grains very in price. We buy separate bags of oats and meals, hand mix scoops of each, and add supplements. The best thing to do is talk to your vet, horse nutritionist, or trainer about the right feed for your horse, and research the best prices for horse equipment.

Answer 7

A horse can cost from around 2000 pounds to 10,000 for a quality horse but loaning one will cost nothing apart from insurance, tack usually comes with the pony who Is on loan to you and food costs usually £20 a week, also stabling, you need to keep it somewhere, yards cost a couple of hundred pounds a month so honestly, I would be impressed if you could afford all that. if this is your first horse do loads of research before even thinking of getting one, or it can end badly for you and he horse, good luck with getting gone though, but its not a decision to be taken lightly!

Answer 8

Several years ago I used to tell people the Whole Buying-A-Horse Story, all the costs.



Now I simply ask them, "How much does it cost to get married?"

Answer 9

Hi, you havent given alot of details but I can give you a price range. It all depends on the type of horse and where you live though.

***Keep in mind leasing sometimes the owner gives you all equipment needed and you only pay for use of the horse****but if you are buying one these are some important items:



By the way if you are boarding food is usually included in your price.

1 50lb bag of safechoice is around $15

but board is usually(if cheaper) $250 or higher for a better place it all depends on where you board(it can be up to $500 where I live) board usually includes food(grain and hay), shavings, turn out in pasture, stall, and use of any other supplies like dewormer( for a usually $9 fee depending on place, some do it for free)

One VERY important forgotten fee is Vet (vaccinations and teetth floated)

Shots can be given 1-2 times a year and teeth floated once a year (this can be quite expensive because for teeth they also charge for sedatives) can be up to $300

Farrier comes every 6-8 weeks depending on your horses rate of hoof growth( it is very important to be sure the horse has good sound feet with a thick hoof wall) this can be$25 and up depending on if the horse has shoes or not

Bridle- (new)they can be found for a lucky bargain of $30 online if you find a sale

**Is the horse cob, horse, or oversized

Reins- sometimes come with bridle, but not always- cheapest ive seen is $12

Bit- ordered seperate from bridle, usually around $5

**find out what kind of bit your horse needs**

Saddle-(a used saddle is actually best) you can find good quality for around $500, but if you want a brand name new saddle it can be over $1000

** Keep in mind you need to measure the horse to see if they need a medium, wide, or extra wide tree(most horses are wide)***



I assume you would like me to list some other things you may want/need. :)

Saddle pads- usually around $15 for a nice one but price may vary

Grooming:

you at least want these brushes:

Curry comb- (horses really like the rubber ones) i got mine for $2

Body brush-( some horses are sensitive to this brush) $2-$5 online but can be more

Flick brush- (softer, most horses accept it) $2-$5 but can be more

Face brush-(great for bonding time) usually around $2 or $3



you will also want:

Hoof pick- with brush is great!- for around $2

Towel- can be any towel, even from the dollar store_ $ is up to you, whatever you pay

Face/body/and dock sponges- around $2 each

Showsheen- this is a LIFESAVER when combing- around $12

mane and tail brush- i use a normal brush from walgreens and they love it-$5



Optional:

brushing boots- around $20 and up

polo wraps- under $12

vet wrap- i have seen for $1 @ dover or horseloverz

galloping boots- over $30 but can be worth it

rubber bands(for braiding)- any will do from the dollar store- $1 or more



The list continues:

lead rope- can be under $10, i suggest cotton

halter- rope halter, breakaway, leather, nylon price varies from $10 and higher especially leather gets expensive.

Fly spray-(can make your own or buy some) can be more or less $15 for 32oz

Fly mask or sheet- mask usually around $15-$20 depending on what type and sheets $50 and up

blanket or turn out sheets-$70 or more

(not all horses need blanketing)

Treats-(who cant resist?!) price varies (i can get a 20lb bag for $15)



Ill give you some helpful sites to search for equipment and supplies in order from best to least used by me:

www.horseloverz.com I use this daily!! they will sell lower than any other store and match prices if you find lower!

www.equine.com or www.equinenow.com

www.horseclicks.com

www.doversaddlery.com



Horses dont have to be as expensive as people make it out to be, but plan for an emergency vet call just in case :) Alot for $800 a month (thats including vet, farrien, and supplies you buy) to stay in the safe financial zone.

I own a 6 year old mustang gelding and he is not very expensive at all compared to some.

Good luck! :)

Answer 10

Any where from free to one million dollars or more, you need to ask your riding teacher about what would be feasible for you.