merrygirl
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 12041
posted
Hello. I had some questios for thoe of you who own horses.
I grew up on a horse fam as a kid. I dont remember a lot of the details.
I am thinking of buying a horse for my daughter at some point in time. I want to research the costs associated with owning a horse.
Could someone tell me
How much does full board cost nowadays in MA?
How often does the vet come?
What are the vaccines/blood tests etc that the Vet routinely does?
How much does the vet visit typically cost?
How often do they need shoes?
How much does a farrier visit cost?
I am basically trying to see what it costs to own a horse.
Any help appreciated. It makes me sad that I dot remember these things. Horses were my life!
Thanks Melissa
Posts: 3905 | From USA | Registered: May 2007
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just don
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 1129
posted
I Just read a post on another board of a lady in Virgina somewhere close to DC,,,and she was quoting 650-850 buckaroos to board a horse per MONTH!!
I dont really know how much the rest of its care costs but I think its a bit expensive for a common lymie family for RIGHT now!!
Concentrate your resources on getting well for NOW and worry about horses and THOSE costs after you and your whole family is all better!!
Those horses arent called hay burners for nuttin!! unless of course you have the 'grass' grazing and space of your own to utlilize!!(Let alone the TIME)
Sorry to rain on your parade,,,check into somebody that has one,,,and where you USED to work to ask for costs etc. Let us know what you find!!being--just don--
-------------------- just don Posts: 4548 | From Middle of midwest | Registered: May 2001
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kam
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 3410
posted
I think it depends on your area as far as boarding.
I recall asking how much it was to board and feed a horse when I went back to my old stomping grounds.
It had not gone up that much. I was very surprised.
My neighbor wanted a horse and her husband said they could not afford it.
She figured out how much he was spending on cigarettes a month and it was more than what she would be spending to board and feed the horse.
She got her horse.
Bottom line is I think you will need to check your area for costs.
There is a lot of variation with boarding places even in the same area, cost of feed also varies...I recall getting together with others to get the feed out of town as it was less.
I had my horse boarded at the same place the horses who ran the race track were kept.
When the guy came to put on shoes, he put on the same shoes as the runners.
Luckily, the owner of the paddocks noticed it.
My horse could have gone lame with the wrong shoes on.
I also would recommed riding lessons for your daughter.
I took a class in college years after having my own horses, and did not realize how little I knew.
I wished I had taken the time to take lessons on the care and feeding and all the other things that go along with riding.
I feel having a horse is a very good way for your daughter to spend her time.
That is something to factor in also.
Posts: 15927 | From Became too sick to work or do household chores in 2001. | Registered: Dec 2002
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kam
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 3410
posted
HA! I just read Don's post. Sorry, Don...didn't mean to say just about the opposite of what you posted.
Posts: 15927 | From Became too sick to work or do household chores in 2001. | Registered: Dec 2002
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merrygirl
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 12041
posted
Thans for your responses. I am not planing on doing this anytime soon. I thought it might be nice when I am well. My daughter has taken lessons before.
I think for now Lessons are good.
I used to ride/show Saddlebreds and grew up o an Arabian horse farm. Once it is in your blood, it never leaves.
Melissa
Posts: 3905 | From USA | Registered: May 2007
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posted
Don't forget the cost of increased exposure to ticks while riding and caring for a horse!!
(sorry...just worrying ahead of time for you!)
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96239 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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just don
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 1129
posted
Here is just a thought.
Is there ANY elderly horse owners that MAY not be able to ride and exercise them???
THEY may take your daughter under their wing and trade the ride for excercise there hore NEEDS!!
OR find somebody to 'timeshare' one!!
I would think there are ways to ride horses without 'OWNING' them,,,for now!!
Does she REALLY like it?? If so, pursue it!! learning to ride a horse isnt real difficult,,,I managed,,,and that MAY be a miracle in itself!!!
How far from YOUR home are the closest horses??? Ask at feed stores of names of elderly owners?? OR put up a flyer or two!!
best to be as careful as possible on both sides,,a BAD owner is worse than none. Check out the owner AND the horse,,,bad habits of either!!
Good luck and HAVE FUN,,,like I read Kam say,,,there are differences in stable rates BUT cheapest may be inferior care.
Also be SURE to check for BAD weeds in any pasture /boarding facility. One person said buttercups are toxic to horses.(made blisters on horses noses) As is moldy feed stuffs.
-------------------- just don Posts: 4548 | From Middle of midwest | Registered: May 2001
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posted
Horses are a huge expense but they can be very healing, too.
Qualifications for giving this advice: I am a student in the University of Guelph's world renowned equine program. Also undergoing certification in natural trimming (hooves) and certification in resistance free training. I have guided in wilderness areas and consulted (prior to retirement and re-entering school I was a small business development consultant) to equine establishments.
Costs include (find out local dollar amount from local tack stores and boarding facilities):
MAINTENANCE Boarding - pasture is way healthier and leads to less health/behavior problems than stall boarding. We stall horses because it makes us feel good, but bad for horses.
Lessons - do not skimp on this or listen to folks who say you can teach yourself! There is a right way to ride and the self taught way to ride. The self taught way leads to all kinds of injuries and invisible physical problems which lead to behavior problems which lead to a very unhappy situation you pay lots of money to be in!
Trimming feet every 4 - 8 weeks
Shoes if required (get one that doesn't need them, but budget for them 'cuz could change)
Fecal tests for worms 2 + times a year - don't listen to folks who tell you to skip this and just worm regularly. Wormers are neurotoxins and should be used only as needed
Worming up to 4 times a year - may not be required, but budget for it as changes year to year and facility to facility
Shots 1 - 2 times a year depending on region
Equine dentist annually - don't listen to those who tell you to skip it.
MINIMUM EQUIPMENT Saddle
Saddle pads
Bridle
Halter
Lead rope
Blanket
Rain sheet
Fly sheet
Fly mask
Lunge line and whip
Riders Helmet
Riders Paddock boots
Grooming supplies
First aid supplies
A million other small things - though most of the items in this category are wanted rather than needed.
CONSUMABLES Fly spray
First aid treatments
Supplements (most boarding facilities require you to provide your own)
I strongly suggest not buying a horse right off. Start with lessons and volunteering at an equine therapy center. If she isn't interested enough to keep up with this, she isn't interested enough. Graduate to a part lease or share-board situation. Only then move to ownership.
Find a barn where the riders are required to learn to tack up and otherwise care for their horse.
Find a barn where ground work is as important as riding work. Most problems start on the ground. If the barn is so behind the times they will allow bad ground manners and not expect a rider to know how to rectify, or worse are willing to put a rider on a horse with so little respect for people he has bad ground manners, it is an accident - or death - waiting to happen.
As far as common knowledge goes... there is a lot more common than there is actual knowledge when it comes to horses!!!
Dara
Posts: 93 | From Illinois / Ontario | Registered: Jan 2008
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Just Julie
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 1119
posted
I second the idea of "sponsoring" a horse. I had no idea what that entailed when I happened to come upon the option to do this with a neighbor of mine . . . it was a wonderful experience, and I did not have any huge outlay of costs.
My neighbor was renting out her back pasture to an elderly lady whose horse was about 18? The elderly owner lady was in her 70's, and had broken her hip some years back, so her horse had been in the pasture, unridden for 10 years.
I asked if I could "sponsor" her horse, which entailed, exercising, limited riding, occasional feeding duties, and grooming. All of the above were not a daily activity, more that the owner lady and I split the activities. I did the exercising/riding parts, most of the grooming, and a few times a week, the feeding. The owner lady did not live that close by, but would drive over daily to feed.
I also contributed towards the boarding fee, which was minimal, perhaps 25.00/month? This was about 7 years ago, so memory is spotty on price.
I loved "having" my own horse! My boy was so appreciative of the human attention, and when I eventually got my own saddle and threw a leg over and we took off on our first ride in my neighborhood, I knew he was smiling
We had some wonderful walks on the trail that borders our neighborhood, and I even mosey'd on over to the local Starbucks and tied him up to a tree while I went in and bought my mocha~~~ not a common sight to see at this particular Starbucks, so he got lots of loving attention! Very gratifying and heartwarming.
I have to say finding my first crawling tick while grooming him was a bit unnerving, so that aspect of horse care is a definite "whooaaaaa Nelly" !!!moment. As Lymetoo mentioned, this will definitely increase your tick exposure. NOt for the faint of heart.
But there is nothing like the love of a 1,200 pound sugar-lipped loverboy!
-------------------- Julie Posts: 1027 | From Northern CA | Registered: May 2001
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posted
Regarding earlier comment on ticks and horses: very true.
Guiding in Shawnee National Forest (Tick paradise and where my daughter got Lyme) I learned a lot about dealing with ticks and horses.
Most important - fly/tick spray horse 1/2 hour before tacking up and mounting. Otherwise ticks leave horse searching for non-sprayed area. That area will be your tack and as soon as you get on they will move to you.
Dara
Posts: 93 | From Illinois / Ontario | Registered: Jan 2008
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merrygirl
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 12041
posted
Thanks for all the great and very detailed advice. I dont think I have ever seen a tick on any horse before, then again I never saw one on myself either!!
I agree that we should start with lessons and work up from there.
I hope someday to be well and have my own farm..
Melissa
Posts: 3905 | From USA | Registered: May 2007
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