How Much Does It Cost
To Keep A Horse?
Here is everything you need to know about the costs of keeping a horse.
George and Sally loved visiting their friends who owned horses. They loved watching the horses frisk about in the pasture, and their friends seem to have so much fun riding. As Sally watched her friend brush his horse's mane, she asked, "Gary, how much does it cost to keep a horse?".
Horse owners often get asked this question. If you're thinking of buying a horse--or even if you already own one--here are six costs that you need to include in your budget.
Horse owners often get asked this question. If you're thinking of buying a horse--or even if you already own one--here are six costs that you need to include in your budget.
Keeping a horse isn't like keeping a dog or a cat. Dogs and cats can live with you in your own house. They can eat pretty much what you do because their digestive tracks are pretty much like ours. And they weigh somewhere between 8 and 100 lbs.
Horses stand around 5 feet to 6 feet high at their withers (the "bump" where their necks meet their backs). They weigh over 1,000 lbs. And their digestive tracks require forage (mainly dry grass or hay) for food. All of this means that taking care of them is more of a challenge than taking care of a dog or cat. So here's what you need to know:
Horses stand around 5 feet to 6 feet high at their withers (the "bump" where their necks meet their backs). They weigh over 1,000 lbs. And their digestive tracks require forage (mainly dry grass or hay) for food. All of this means that taking care of them is more of a challenge than taking care of a dog or cat. So here's what you need to know:
According to the American Horse Council, the annual cost of a keeping a horse in 2017 was $7,896, and the average annual income of horse owners was about $100,000. In 2024, those costs have climbed significantly. Here are the average annual costs of keeping a horse in each of the US states according to The Horse Owners Club (https://horseownersclub.com/horse-ownership-cost-us-state-by-state-estimation-guide/)
Next, according to the equineinstitute.org, here is a breakdown of the annual costs for basic horse care in 2024:
Now let's get into the nitty-gritty details of the costs of horse ownership.
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1. IF YOU PLAN TO BOARD YOUR HORSE:
When you consider buying a horse, check out the boarding stables in your area. Boarding rates vary wildly from city to city and state to state. This is primarily due to the cost of land. Prime farm land or land near major metropolitan areas cost more to buy, and hence boarding rates are concomitantly higher than other areas where demand for land is not as great. According to the Equine Institute, the monthly range for boarding costs is about $250 to $1,000, depending on where you live and what type of boarding you want. Full board usually includes a stall, two or more feedings daily, daily turnout in pasture, as well as other amenities. Pasture or paddock boarding usually means your horse will be kept and fed outside in a paddock or pasture.
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2. IF YOU PLAN TO KEEP YOUR HORSE AT HOME
Perhaps you're thinking that after buying a horse, you will keep your horse at home, you will need to factor in the cost of hay, feed concentrate/supplements, bedding, and manure removal. Also remember to factor in the increase in water consumption and utilities (e.g., if you have lights in your barn). If you plan to build a barn or move to a larger land lot, you should factor in the additional monthly mortgage cost. If you plan to take in a boarder or two, you will need additional liability insurance. Finally, if you plan to have someone help you clean stalls, you will need to factor in the cost of the additional help. According to the EquineInstitute.org, the average cost of feeding a horse ranges from $1,200 to $2,500 yearly, or $100 to $200 monthly.
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3. FARRIER COSTS (HORSE SHOEING):
There is a maxim in the horse world that goes like this: No hoof, no horse. NEVER scrimp on horse shoeing. Horses are half ton animals that spend almost all of their time standing or moving about on their hooves. If you've ever worn badly fitting shoes and experienced the joint problems, back pain, and headaches that result from your two feed not hitting the ground properly, imagine what a four-footed animal with a person on his back experiences when his feet are not trimmed and shod properly. Most horses need to be shod about every six weeks. The EquineInstitute.org estimates the annual cost of shoeing a horse to be $400-$800 yearly, but in my experience, that is a ridiculously low estimate. According to the American Farrier's Journal, the cost of trimming a horse's feet and resetting shoes in 2024 ranged from $65 to $600, with an average cost of just under $200. That comes to an annual average range of about $500 to $5000, with an overall average annual cost of about $1,700. https://www.americanfarriers.com/articles/14120-what-would-you-charge
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4. VETERINARY COSTS:When buying a horse, you must keep in mind veterinary costs. In order to protect your horse and other horses in your area, your horse will need to be vaccinated and dewormed according to American Association of Veterinary Practitioner standards. You can deworm your horse yourself by buying quality deworming paste (such as ivermectin or pyrantel pamoate) at your local feed store or online. The cost of a single dose is about $10. According to the EquineInstitute.org, the average cost of veterinary care for a horse is $200-$500. But keep in mind that other substantial vet bills may occur if your horse gets sick or injured. For example, according to SmartPakEquine, total costs of colic surgery nationwide in 2021 (including pre-op and post-op care) ran as high as $20,000. For this reason, it is a good idea to enroll in their ColiCare program or to purchase Major Medical health insurance for your horse. Add this to your overall costs of keeping a horse.
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5. TACK AND OTHER RELATED COSTS:After you've factored in the cost of buying a horse and horse care costs, consider the cost of tack and equestrian clothing. According to the American Quarter Horse Congress, this is what Americans spent on horse related products in 2011:
$774 average spent on tack and saddles $592 average spent on Western clothing, apparel $451 average spent on English clothing, apparel $557 average spent on horse care products (excluding medications) $510 average spent on horse care medications |
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6. EMERGENCY FUND OR HEALTH INSURANCE FOR YOUR HORSE:Finally, here is the most important horse-related expense, one that should absolutely be factored into your budget—a veterinary emergency fund. Ask yourself right now what you would do if your horse were seriously injured or contracted a serious illness that required extensive veterinary care. Could you afford it?
If not, you will be facing one of the hardest decisions in your life—whether to go into debt to treat your horse or to euthanize him because you can’t afford anything else. Either way you decide, you will not feel right about it. There are two ways to avoid finding yourself in this kind of situation. The first is to buy equine major medical insurance—health insurance for your horse. Costs vary, but an average range according to Smartpak Equine is $200-$700 a year. Another option is to put aside money in a savings account that is earmarked specifically for your horse’s veterinary emergencies. A bare minimum should be the cost of euthanizing your horse and have his body removed, which averages about $250-$300. After years of service and companionship, your horse deserves a humane death. If you want to have your emergency fund there to cover the cost of procedures such as colic surgery, you will need to put aside at least $2,000 to $8,000. Add that to the cost of buying a horse. |
Still not sure? Here is an excellent horse cost calculator from Five Star Ranch to help you figure out what it will cost you to have a horse, whether you board the horse or keep her at home.
If after reading this article, you decide that the amounts cited are more than your budget can handle, then you probably should not pursue buying a horse. If you decide to do so anyway, you will probably face conflict with your family over the financial strain that your horse is unwittingly placing on them.
Happy riding!
As long as you’re here, check these out!
Equestrian Products That Make Your Riding and Horse Care Easier and Better!
What to Feed A Horse
Protect Yourself from Liability with The Right Kind of Insurance
Six Vital Horse Facts That Every Horse Owner Absolutely Must Know
Common Horse Ailments and How to Treat Them
© Denise Cummins, PhD March 13, 2016; Updated February 13, 2018; updated May 31, 2024
The Thinking Equestrian
Photo credits: ClipArt ETC.
If after reading this article, you decide that the amounts cited are more than your budget can handle, then you probably should not pursue buying a horse. If you decide to do so anyway, you will probably face conflict with your family over the financial strain that your horse is unwittingly placing on them.
Happy riding!
As long as you’re here, check these out!
Equestrian Products That Make Your Riding and Horse Care Easier and Better!
What to Feed A Horse
Protect Yourself from Liability with The Right Kind of Insurance
Six Vital Horse Facts That Every Horse Owner Absolutely Must Know
Common Horse Ailments and How to Treat Them
© Denise Cummins, PhD March 13, 2016; Updated February 13, 2018; updated May 31, 2024
The Thinking Equestrian
Photo credits: ClipArt ETC.
