The Cost of Horse Ownership
Buying a horse is a huge expense itself, but that's only the beginning. You will probably also need tack and grooming supplies. Don't forget the ongoing monthly expenses. Here is a breakdown of what you will be likely to spend for a western trail riding horse in the Los Angeles area:
Initial Expenses
|
Description
|
Low
|
High
|
|
Pre-purchase exam
|
$100
|
$200
|
|
Horse
|
$1000
|
$6000
|
|
Western saddle (new)
|
$600
|
$1800
|
|
Saddle pad
|
$40
|
$130
|
|
Bridle, bit and reins
|
$80
|
$200
|
| Breast Collar |
$25
|
$100
|
|
Splint boots / bell boots
|
$20
|
$100
|
|
Halter and lead rope
|
$20
|
$65
|
|
Lunge line and whip
|
$20
|
$75
|
|
Saddle bags
|
$15
|
$100
|
|
Fly mask(s)
|
$10
|
$50
|
| Blanket |
$50
|
$150
|
|
Grooming supplies
|
$20
|
$100
|
| Helmet |
$35
|
$100
|
| Spurs |
$25
|
$100
|
|
Total
|
$2030
|
$9070
|
Beakdown of Monthly Expenses
|
Description
|
Low
|
High
|
| Feed / Board |
$75
|
$350
|
| Supplements / treats |
$5
|
$100
|
| Fly spray, shampoo, mane & tail conditioner, etc. |
$5
|
$15
|
| Farrier (trim or shoes every 6-8 weeks) |
$15
|
$70
|
| Deworming (every other month) |
$5
|
$10
|
| Routine vet visit - vaccinations (twice per year) |
$15
|
$25
|
| Routine vet visit - dentistry (every year or two) |
$10
|
$25
|
Emergency vet visit - injury, colic, etc.
(only once every year or two if you're lucky!) |
$10
|
$25
|
| Miscellaneous replacement of items |
$10
|
$25
|
| Insurance (major medical/mortality) |
$30
|
$70
|
|
Monthly Total
|
$180
|
$715
|
|
Yearly Total
|
$2060
|
$8580
|
A few FYI's:
If you plan to keep the horse at your own home, don't forget you'll need to buy some kind of housing for the horse as well as shelter, feeder, waterer, and more.
My gelding recently injured his leg. One leg laceration resulted in four vet visits, three months of bandaging his leg and no riding in the meantime -
total cost was almost $2000.
Two years ago when one of my horses overreached and cut open the backside of his front fetlock, the vet bill ran about $400 and I was
bandaging him for three weeks (approx $150 in supplies for banaging
in addition to the vet bill).
The current cost per year to insure a horse valued at $6000
(14 yrs or younger) for major medical/surgery, theft and
mortality is $466 and does not cover
the above described incidents.
