How much do you know about animals? Have you ever ridden a horse? Galloping down a hill as you feel the wind in your hair, jumping over pools of water and fences, and feeling the power of a thousand pounds beneath you. Breathtaking and nostalgic, right?
Has the thought of owning a horse ever crossed your mind? How much would it cost you? Since the earliest times, humans have had horses as part of their lives. Horses are known for aiding in therapy, ceremonial use, hunting, herding cattle, and pulling carriages-all done by horses to assist humans throughout history.
They are also known as great companions because of their gentle nature and high intelligence. This blog post will focus on the cost of owning a horse and the factors affecting its pricing.
What other facts do you know about horses? Well, as you ponder on that, let’s get to the cost of buying a horse, shall we?
How Much Does it Cost to Own a Horse?
The cost of a horse is directly impacted by the type of horse you buy, the place in which it is bought, and where it will be used. What is your intent for buying it? Do you want to use it for racing, working, or recreation purposes?
Another factor that affects the pricing of a horse is its pedigree. Horses that have been bred for endurance and stamina are typically more expensive than those bred for racing.
The cost of a horse can also be determined by the breed, with Arabians being one of the most expensive breeds to buy.
The price for this type of horse will usually start at around $5,000 but could reach up to $30,000 depending on its pedigree and quality level. Horses purchased from auction houses tend to range in price and are usually cheaper than those bought from private sellers.
According to the University of Maine, the average cost of a horse for recreational use is $3,000 though prices vary widely based on location, availability, and demand. If you are looking for an inexpensive option, then try buying a pony.
Costs of Maintaining a Horse
Before buying a horse, it is crucial to understand some factors that affect its cost. These include:
Feeding a Horse
A horse is supposed to eat 1.5% of its weight in food per day. This would be about 50kg of hay for a 500 kg horse (equal to one bale). The approximate cost of hay is $5- $20 per bale but varies according to the location and time of year. It means that it costs around $150-$600 every month to feed your horse!
A cheaper option is buying chopped straw instead, which should last you anywhere from two weeks up to three months, depending on how much your horses eat each day. It also depends on where you live.
If they have access to fields with grazing grasses, it will impact their diet and the amount spent each month feeding them. You can also feed them grain, which costs $50-$200 per month, but hay has more nutritional value.
Farrier Visit Cost
A horseshoe costs around $150 for a basic, in-and-out trim with new horseshoes. Full shoeing can cost $250 or more. A farrier visit includes removing the old shoes if they are too worn to continue using and applying new clips (nails) to attach them back on your horse’s hooves.
The typical price is at least $200 but maybe as high as $400 depending on where you live and the services rendered.
Additional services include:
- Rasping away sharp points.
- Nipping thatch from between toes.
- Adding insulation so that ice doesn’t form around each nail.
The average horse will need its hooves trimmed about once per month. It usually costs between $25-50 (depending on how often they are done)
Boarding Cost
If you don’t have your compound, you might consider boarding a horse. It isn’t an option for many people, and it can be expensive. The boarding facility might charge by the day, week, or month, which means that you may have to pay longer than anticipated because of an emergency such as a vet visit that’s needed right away.
The costs vary with the type of barn you want for your horse. Various types of barns may be available at your facility. The cost ranges from $400-$800 per month for a stall, depending on the size of the horse and whether you will have to share it with another animal or not.
The average monthly boarding fee is about $600, but this can vary considerably based on how well they board them and other factors such as location, quality of care provided, type of facilities used, etc.
In Summary
Horses symbolize power, prestige, stability, and an investment that will last a lifetime. When you are in the market for a horse, it is important to remember that not all horses cost the same. Horse prices vary depending on the breed, age, and quality. Horses generally cost more if they have pedigree papers or show potential. But you can always find a horse that’s just right for your needs at an affordable price!