10.3: Owning and Caring for a Horse Video
Transcript:
Owning and Caring for a Horse
Horses have long been embedded in the fabric of America. Americans spend 39 billion dollars annually in the horse industry. The states with the most horses are Texas, California, Florida, Oklahoma, and Kentucky. There are 45 states with at least 20,000 resident horses and over one million in Texas alone! Why are so many people intent on owning a horse?
The top three reasons Americans own a horse are: they enjoy competition, horses improve their quality of life, and for relaxation and stress relief. And you want to be one of those horse owners!
Before taking on the responsibility of owning a horse, you should first consider the cost. The purchase price of the horse is the first, but not the only expense. Depending on the purpose, and the quality of the animal you require, prices for an individual animal can range from 500 dollars to over 100,000 dollars.
For the purpose of this presentation, let’s assume 2,000 dollars will buy a horse to meet your needs. You will also need to consider: housing and fencing, clean water and quality feed, health care, tack, equipment and grooming supplies, and a trailer for transportation.
Let’s evaluate each category, keep in mind that costs vary between rural and urban areas, and geographic location in the country.
The average horse owner spends about 15,000 dollars for a barn and fencing. Alternately, boarding a horse can range from 400 dollars a month up to 2,500 dollars a month in urban areas. Bedding and utilities cost about 600 dollars annually.
Water and feed for a horse of 1,100 pounds will cost 100 to 250 dollars per month. Remember the horse will need 10 to 12 gallons of fresh, clean water and about 20 pounds of quality hay each day. If available, grazing on pasture will supply the roughage. Grain should be added to the diet if activity is increased.
Keeping your horse healthy is important. Budget for annual vaccinations at about 125 dollars per year, parasite control another 75 dollars, dental care about 100 dollars per year, and routine First Aid 200 dollars per year.
Trimming hooves and shoeing the horse runs about 100 dollars every two months, for a total of about 600 dollars annually. The total annual health care expenses are about 1,100 dollars per year.
Don’t forget to consider manure disposal ranging from zero to about 300 dollars per year. An average horse will produce about 50 pounds of manure daily – that’s eight to ten tons every year!
One-time expenses for tack and equipment are another necessary investment for horse owners. You will need a saddle, bridle and bit, halter and lead rope, brushes, mane and tail combs, buckets, a hoof pick, and other supplies.
Visits to the vet or riding your horse in different locations will require transportation. The average expenditure for a trailer is about 8,500 dollars. But there are less expensive options.
So let’s add those categories up now!
One-time average initial costs include: A horse 2,000 dollars; housing 15,000 dollars; trailer, equipment, tack and supplies 11,150 dollars. Average annual varied costs include: bedding, utilities 600 dollars; feed 2,400 dollars; health care 1,100 dollars; and manure disposal 150 dollars.
By adding up these average expenses, the average initial cost is over 28,000 dollars. Then consider the average annual costs at over 4,000 dollars a year.
Clearly the cost of horse ownership is a major investment. With this basic information, you can check prices in your area, make a list of priorities, and create your own customized budget for owning a horse.
Horse ownership can be rewarding and beneficial in many ways, but prepare yourself with the knowledge to be a responsible horse owner!