So many of you might already know that I'm trying to find a way to buy Rizzie, the horse I've been leasing for the past 2 years.  If not, well, I'm trying to find a way to buy Rizzie, the horse I've been leasing for the past 2 years.  :)

 I'm trying to figure out when exactly I will be able to afford to purchase her.  Either I will put money down on her now and start paying board/expenses on her in October (when the baby is weaned) or I will have to wait another year and my trainer is going to breed her again.  I REALLY don't want to lose another year of work with Rizzie if I don't have to. 

 So, my question is this.. what routine expenses go into owning a horse and how often?  I want to make sure I think of everything so that I'm prepared.  Any other tips?  I'm also going to ask my trainer to give me some advice but I want as much advice as I can get!

Thanks,

Nicole

Routine -- assuming you have full board including feed and hay.  This is what I do for Solo.

--trimming/shoeing (every 5-6 weeks)

--worming (every other month)

 --vaccinations (2x per year)

--Coggins test (once a year) 

--teeth - I only have to get Solo's done every other year by the vet

--chiropractor (every 3-4 months -- good to get a working horse at least checked out once to see if adjustments needed)

--supplements (hoof and joint -- I get a pretty good deal through SmartPak, love 'em)

--general supplies like fly spray, treats, vetwrap, SWAT (continual expense, varies seasonally) 

--online shopping at eBay and evil horse catalogs (way too often)

I think that's the basics.   Just be prepared for a shock -- both sticker shock and the shock of the overwhelming responsibility.  I've been riding and taking care of horses since I was a little bitty kid, but I STILL didn't realize what a different experience ownership is.  I would say I spend at LEAST another $200 per month and that is probably on the low end, ON TOP OF board (which does include feed, hay) just to keep Solo in supplements and the other random stuff you always seem to need to buy.    

I would suggest shopping around for the horses needs, prices can vary quit a bit for grain, farrier,etc.I don't know your boarding situation but those prices can vary alot. I think my shots run about $100.00 a year,wormer runs about $5.00-$15.00 depending where and what brand.Grain I spend about $40.00 a month, farrier is $35.00 a trim or $60.00 for shoes.Have you thought about asking boarding barn about work in exchange for price reduction? My grandma has done that before with her boarders.Horses are kinda like kids if you wait until everything is perfect you wouldn't ever have any lol.I hope things work out for you.If there are any horse and tack auctions in your area they are a good place to find deals.

Well, I think our major expense is hay b/c we live in MB and have to feed hay for at least half the year if not more.  Other than that their hooves get done every six-eight weeks (although that varies, they get less done during winter b/c of less growth).  We feed some grain but that isn't a major expense.  We don't really do a lot of extras for our horses.  They live fairly naturally I guess.  That said, we don't show or anything and our horses are just for pleasure.  I would also say to check prices in your area because the prices vary so much.  Good luck.

I bought my first (and probably only) horse in early February this year.  Cannot believe how much $$ I'm spending on her.  It's one thing to have people tell you how much it costs, and then another to really have to deal with how much it costs.  I'm not boarding her at an extra-fancy, high-priced place, either.  We're pretty set for tack now, are going to be adding another supplement soon, so I'm figuring, including the extra gas for going to the barn twice as often as I was when I leased a horse, it's around $600/month.  Plus, you have to set aside money to pay for insurance once a year, unexpected vet bills (my horse colicked and hit her head, requiring stitches, in the same week!), stuff like that. 

I decided to go the ownership route because I just didn't find a horse at my barn I really clicked with after the one I'd been leasing was sold out from under my barn owner/trainer.  Plus, I wanted to be able to haul offsite in order to go trail riding.  Horse ownership ain't cheap, but it sure is worth it!  There's nothing like being able to say This Is My Horse!

Mary

I hear you guys about it not being cheap! 

Board here is $265 a month (probably going up to $275 in the near future).  It includes hay, worming, handling for farrier/vet, and blanketing.  I can work off board pretty easily by working 3 days a week at the barn. 

Rizzie doesnt need supplements (yet) and she is a really easy keeper so that is great.

She also doesnt need shoes, just trims $25.

I'm mostly worried about vet and insurance.  I will have to call the vet to ask about pricing on shots and teeth.  What are some good insurance companies to look into?  How much do you think I should have set aside for emergency vet bills?

Thanks for ALL your help!

Our vet is really good about letting people make payments.I try not to have a bill long, never know what will come up.