One day, you might want to own your own horse, a beautiful creature that you can ride whenever you please.It's a huge responsibility to own a horse.Horses need a lot of attention and money.Before buying a horse, you should know the financial costs of owning one and be prepared for the care and maintenance of the horse.There are responsibilities that come with owning a horse.
Step 1: Determine the cost of the horse.
If you can afford to own and care for a horse, you should consider horse ownership.The costs associated with owning a horse can be very high, like taking care of a small child.If you want a starter horse to help you get better at riding, you may be able to find one for less than $5,000.The horse may cost more if you want a more mature horse and want to be a professional rider.You should be aware of the costs of horses at stables.Depending on the horses available, you may be able to get a horse for thousands of dollars.You can work out payment in monthly installments, where you would pay anywhere from $200-$400 a month for the ownership of the horse.Discuss your options with your trainer if you already ride at a stable.Ask your trainer how much the horse will cost you.Depending on your riding level, your trainer may be able to recommend a starter horse or a mature horse for you.A horse is never free.Don't get tricked by the sales pitch.
Step 2: The cost of boarding the horse is noted.
Once you own a horse, you need to factor in how much boarding will cost and where you are going to board it.To board your horse, you will have to pay for a stable or boarding facility.Depending on the market in your area and if you choose full care, where the facility feeds and cleans the stall for you, or self-care, the rates can range.Depending on the market in your area, boarding a horse at a facility with full care can cost up to $500 a month.If you opt for self care at a boarding facility, you could end up paying less than $100 a month.If possible, look for boarding facilities that are no more than 30 minutes away from your home.It will be easier for you to get to the facility on a daily basis.You should ask the facility questions, such as "What is your full care option like and how much does it cost?"How much would self care cost at your facility?When and how long the horses get turned out for should be asked of the boarding facilities.Consider how much you are paying for the stall.You can get stalls that are indoor or outdoor, which means the horse can walk outside when he chooses.If you have land where you can keep the horse, as well as a barn or stable, your boarding costs may be lower.You will have to care for the horse on your own.
Step 3: There is a budget for feed and supplies.
A huge portion of your budget will go to food, so you should plan for that.Your horse will need to eat 2% to 2.5% of its body weight in hay and grain each day.You will need a bit of hay and grain to keep your horse well-fed.The budget for the horse's feed should be between $1,000 and $2,000 a year.The cost of bedding for your horse will need to be considered.At a boarding facility, bedding may be covered if you opt for full care.hay for bedding for your horse will be an added monthly expense if you do self care.The cost of supplements for your horse should also be considered.Depending on the type of supplements your horse requires, supplements can be expensive.
Step 4: The cost of riding equipment can be calculated.
A saddle, bridle, and grooming supplies are required when you purchase your own horse.Expenses like fly spray, grooming supplies, and horse blankets will need to be paid for.Discuss the costs of equipment and supplies with your horse trainer or instructor.If you want to cut down on your expenses later, you should buy equipment that is high quality.There are options at resale shops or online.You can find gently used tack for less than new tack.You can buy tack at a discounted price if you wait for sales from online companies.
Step 5: The cost of vet care is noted.
The cost of hoof care, as well as the care and maintenance of the horse, should be taken into account.Your horse needs to have his hooves trimmed and shod every four to six weeks.Depending on their skill level, the frequency of their visits, and how long it takes them to shoe your horse, this can range from $350 to $1,500 for the farrier.This includes the cost of applying shoes, replacing damaged shoes and buying special shoes to help with health problems.The cost of vet care for your horse should be considered.Check-ups, vaccinations, tests, deworming, and care for minor injuries are included.Depending on the needs of your horse, vet care can cost at least $1,000 a year.In the event of an emergency or major injury, you should consider the cost of emergency care for your horse.Depending on the nature of the injury, the cost of this care could be high.Should you invest in insurance for your horse?There are a number of companies that provide health insurance at a monthly fee that can help provide protection for some of these emergency situations and preventative care costs.
Step 6: Two hours a day is set aside for care and maintenance.
You will need to set aside at least two hours a day for care and maintenance if you choose to care for your horse yourself.You have to be willing to commit to daily care if you want to take a vacation or skip a day.Your horse will depend on you for water, food, and attention.If you have the time to spend two hours a day with your horse, you should consider your current schedule.You may need to wake up early in the morning to care for the horse, or you may have to work after school.A horse is a pet that you need to spend time with in your home, unlike a dog that is not.This will change your schedule.
Step 7: Determine your riding schedule.
How often you ride the horse should be considered, as well as your goals as a rider.Do you have the time to ride the horse six days a week?If you only have enough time to ride the horse twice a week, are you a more recreational rider?You should try to ride your horse at least two to three times a week.It's important that you have enough time to commit to a riding schedule where your horse gets enough exercise and personal attention.If you give your horse love and attention, she will do well and stay healthy, as you can't just skip out on riding her for months at a time.You will need to have time to ride her and bond with her as her owner.It is possible to pay someone to ride your horse on the days you cannot or when you are out of town.You need to factor this cost into your budget.
Step 8: The horse needs to be trained.
The time you need to commit to training the horse should also be considered.If you buy a horse that has been broken and is ready to ride, you will need to commit time and money to doing basic training with the horse.You can hire a trainer to help you with your training plan.The time required to train a particular horse breed or horse type can be determined by talking to a horse trainer.How much time would I need to devote to training my horse?How many times a week should I train my horse?It's important to factor in training time with riding time as well as time for care and maintenance.You may be looking at a lot of time spent at the stable with your horse every day.Different levels of trainers come at different prices.The trainer fees can get very steep very quickly, depending on your goals as a horse owner.
Step 9: Your horse should be treated like a long-term partner.
Horses can live up to 30 years, and should be treated like long-term responsibilities.Like a long-term partner, you should be prepared to commit years of care and attention to your horse.To keep your horse happy and healthy, you will need to show up and work hard.The purchase of a horse should be done with care because of the financial commitments as well as the time commitments.You will need to learn to balance the responsibilities of owning a horse with your other life obligations, such as your career, education, and personal relationships.
Step 10: If the horse becomes injured, be prepared.
If you own a horse, you should be prepared for other responsibilities, such as caring for the horse if she gets badly injured.Sometimes horses get injured and can no longer jump or trot.The horse may have a health issue.It is your responsibility to decide how to best support your horse and your needs as a rider.You should consider other options if you want to keep your horse.If your horse becomes ill, injured, or lame, you should discuss your options with your trainers and veterinarians, and try to find a solution where the horse is cared for and you are still able to pursue your riding goals.If you find yourself in a situation where you need to give up your horse, talk to your vet as they will know of retirement facilities, special needs barns, and people who can help out pasture pets.They can point you in the right direction and help you find the best solution for your horse.
Step 11: You might want to lease a horse before buying one.
If you don't know if you're ready for the long-term responsibilities of horse ownership, you may want to lease a horse.You can do a full or partial lease for six months, where you pay a fixed fee for riding time on a horse.You can get a better idea of the costs of owning a horse with a lease.You may be able to move forward with owning a horse if you feel like you need more horse time.If you lease a horse for a period of time, you can see if you are ready for horse ownership.The responsibilities of horse ownership can be divided between two people with the help of a horse.The horse gets double the love and you get a horse to ride.