by Lucy Collins

Created on: December 19, 2010   Last Updated: December 21, 2010

The cost of owning a horse is higher than one would think originally. It always makes me laugh the assumption of the general public that all horse owners are rich. Horses have the knack of keeping you poor as there is always something that they need. As a general rule, the initial cost of the horse will need to be spent each year to keep the horse. This of course, is only a rough guide. A new owner, with no experience of keeping a horse, can be particularly naïve with regards to cost.

Before buying a horse, you need to have somewhere to keep it. It will be cheaper for the owner lucky enough to own their own land. This will eliminate any livery costs. DIY livery (do it yourself), is the cheapest, except of course grass livery. There may be additional costs of turning out or bringing the horse in. Hay and bedding is another cost. Finally the horse will need hard feed, especially in winter.

When you first find a horse, the cost is the tip of the iceberg. Most horses do not come with tack. Even if tack is included, the horse will need rugs, a head collar and lead rope, at least one saddle pad. Most owners will need lunging equipment an this is another cost. It will need a grooming kit. Buckets will also be necessary, both for water and feed and a hay net. Bins to keep the feed in will be needed for the feed room. Yard tools are also necessary, a wheelbarrow, a fork and shovel. These are all of the essential items, but there are plenty more things that could be bought for the horse.

The first cost after finding a horse is getting it vetted. This is before the purchase is even finalised. Some people decide not to have the horse vetted. It is costly for a five stage vetting, but at the same time, sensible. A vetting could prevent an unsuitable purchase of a horse that could be dogged by lameness or other health problems. The next cost after purchase is, getting the horse home. For those not lucky enough to have their own horse transport, a transport company may need to be used, which can be very expensive. The horse’s legs will need to be bandaged or booted and the tail will need to be bandaged. It will also need a travel rug. Some sellers will deliver the horse at extra cost.

Horses need to be wormed. When I first moved to my yard, the horse had to be wormed straight away and had to stay in for 2 nights and a day so this was part of my initial cost. Yards vary but horses still need to be wormed, or the current trend is to perform worm counts regularly.

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