Hello!  I have been around horses on and off since I was a teenager and have been taking lessons/half lease for about a year.  I've decided after saving my pennies and putting my financial plan together for the years of major costs the horse willl bring :) ...that its time to buy one!   Just wanting opinions on what is a good price range for a first horse?  Not looking for anything flashy.  Age 10-18, mare or gelding, trail horse.  Is $1500-3000 a good range?  Thanks for the feedback! -Nadia

 You can definately find a well broke trail horse for that range.  Of course they will be older or have some type of issue for around 1500.  Just take your time and look at many prospects...I have been duped a few times on horses that were supposed to be dead broke and weren't or that ended up not being sound.  Spend the extra $ for a vet check.  Check all the internet sites...they are flooded now and of course use your instructor too.  Have fun with it!

It depends were you are located. In some states that is more than enough. In CT you might be looking closer to the $3,000 mark. They tend to be more expensive in the area. When I shop I try to shop more in MA or NY to save money. If you are close to CT area pm me. I know of a couple trail horses up for sale. Good luck!!!

I would say that seems like a fair enough price range for what you are looking for.

www.DreamHorse.com is an online place where people sell their horses if you want to look there. You can pick your price range, where you live, and even what kind of horse you want. I personally sold my horse there to a loving family.

Good luck! 

thank you so much for all of the feedback!  i live in CA so prices are all over the place...

i have a great trainer who said dont even go see a horse w/o him..

and of course a pre-purchase vet check...

looks like i will be able to find a retired showhorse and/or lesson horse for the price range.

again, thank you for all the positive words!

-Nadia

Sounds like you are going about the horse teh exact right way. Yes I think you should be able to get a great horse for that kind of price. But don't forget the horse is the cheap part and that everything you buy for the horse is the expensive part!!! I spend soooo much on the day to day stuff the horse needs, of course spoiling them!!!

Believe me I have went over the $'s in my head over and over again on the costs of owning a horse.  i

t's painful haha. ;)

What would you say is good guestimate on how much a horse costs for the average healthy horse (including feed, shoes, supplements, etc.), per month?

boarding for me..being in the area i live....is $400/mo.  which includes food (hay...upgrade to alfalfa for more $$).

there is so much that goes into it i know...but i'd like to hear what people are actually spending on a montly basis...

thanks!!

Soooooooo true Wolfy!  Purchase price will absolutely vary by market.  Here in NC, it is very hard to find something sound and trained and over 15 hh without issues for less than $3K, although there are always exceptions.  But I've spent many times over the purchase price on upkeep and goodies (dang ebay and horsey catalogs!!!), so if you find yourself stretching to absorb purchasing and PPE, than you probably can't afford everything your horse needs anyway.

Thats what I was saying about either being old, unsound or untrained for 1500.  Yes they can be found but are few and far between.  In my area which is near NC, a well broke, healthy horse is in the upper of your limit even with the market now...just take you time to look.

Sounds like things are pretty expensive where you live :)

my horse budget is this for 2 horses:

Farrier- $60 every 2 months

Shots- $400 per year ( I get the vet to come do the shots, coggins and full exam in June)

Hay- $3 per square bale x 300 bales

Pasture rent- $600 a year

Tack- start up probably $1500-2000 per horse for saddlebridle, halter, etc but I have a monthly budget of $25 for replacement and goodies

Supplements- I budget $30 but neither of my girls need them right now so I keep it

Emergencies- I budget $100 per month which I save up. good thing because I needed it when dd's pony had to be euthanized at christmas.

Dewormer and random stuff $40 a month also into the savings account until needed.

works out to about $250 a month plus tack

I live in Indiana and prices are real low on horses ,we bale our own hay . My grandma (live on same farm) boards and charges $100 a month hay incuded. I dont think my monthly spending would be very close to yours. I kinda look at it if ya wait till you can afford it you wont have one lol kinda like kids. Have fun finding your horse.

where in CA?  This is a big state and prices vary with the region.  My most expensive horse turned out to be my biggest problem (he is gone to a happy home now), and my two free horses have captured my heart over and over.  One is a 4 year old they used in the Rose Parade this year (see blog) and he carries children and beginners all the time.  You and your trainer should work together and find something and I know you will be successful. 

As for monthly costs, a full shoe for me is about 100, hay is 16-17/bale for 130# alfalfa and I do all my own shots and deworming.  The tack I bought the first year was enormous, but now I hardly need anything.  Boarding around $400 is expensive compared to Norco, but it depends what is included.

Wow... I wish it was that cheap here. Board with an indoor in my area is typically $675 and can go up to $1,600 per month. It averages around $750 and $850. Although, I have seen other part s of CT as low as $550 for a place with an indoor. Board with no indoor is typically $400 or more per month.

 Hay is $5.25 to $8 per bale depending where you go and how much you buy

 Shavings is $4 to $7 per bag

Tack is about the same price, but the people around here easily spend $3,000 for a saddle alone. (I wish I had that money)

 People around here easily spend $100 for Sup. per month

 I do mostly my own shots so I cannot do that part of it.

Wow... maybe I need to move lol...