Hey, I'm Omi. My family and I are looking to own a horse (we already have one in mind) but we aren't very wealthy and cannot afford to spend thousands upon thousands of dollars on a horse per year. I was wondering if anyone here could tell me some tips/tricks that they use to help reduce the monthly and/or yearly cost of their horse and horsey equipment. Please let me know asap! <3
How do y'all lessen the monthly/yearly cost of your horse and everything they need?
- Thread starter omiiiix
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I don't know the sitiuation where you are since I'm in the UK, but realistically there isn't a cheap way to keep a horse and you always need a fund to cover "unexpected" costs such as vet bills which can easily run into thousands. If you can't afford that then you can't afford a horse. Cobs and natives can be a bit cheaper to keep in terms of feed, but they can be such good doers that that in itself presents management problems. Some horses can go barefoot which will save you shoeing costs but they still need to be properly trimmed or you'll run into problems dowm the line.. Don't compromise on the quality of the hay you feed, you'll just pay for it another way (vet bills) likewise saddle fit and worming. Not competing will reduce costs, likewise not having lessons IF you don't need them. Look after tack and rugs, check them regularly and get any repairs done while they're small. But realistically there isn't a cheap way to keep a horse without compromising welfare.
Realistically, there isn't. Purchase is the cheapest part of owning a horse. They need water, good, quality forage. Possibly a hard feed. Depending on the nutrient availability in what they eat they may or may not need a vitamin and mineral supplement. Pasture. Turn out. Shelter. Basic care including annual vaccines, worming, dental, farrier - either trims or shoes Depending on their needs. All of that costs. If you board you pay board. If you own property you have maintenance, manure management and taxes. Probably a mortgage payment to go with. Then there's all the odds and ends, tack.... there is no cheap ownership. On top of that you need a healthy savings to cover surprise costs for illness and injury.
My advice is to add up all of your costs and look at whether you can afford those costs with what there is in your budget available for discretionary spending. How do you spend that? Whete can you cut your spending? Don't eat out as much. Skip the Starbucks. Shop Goodwill or other discount sources for clothing. Forgo some entertainment. Then look at what you can do to earn extra. Never plan on shorting your horse his needs. It's not fair to him and if you're in that place where you have to cut costs on his care you aren't in a place financially to afford it.
Consider lessons until you get to a point you can afford one. Start with a lease if you've stuck with lessons and still have that dream. A lease will let you know if you're ready without committing to something you may decide isn't something you can keep up with.
Owning a horse will cost you at least twice as much as you ever thought possible. They are a money pit and there is no cheap way to keep one. It’s not what you want to hear, but it’s the reality.
I dont own a horse. I could afford to buy and to keep one but I have never needed to buy because over the last 25 years I have had three favourite horses to ride and hack long term which I shared on full livery and which did not depend on me for all their exercise. I am an older, weekday rider and yards have been glad to have me ride at times when there is less demand. If I hadnt loved these three horses, I would have gone shopping for a horse of my own.
I will add that OH and I keep household accounts. Riding twice a week on shared or RS horses costs about half the amount it would cost me to keep a horse.
I will add that OH and I keep household accounts. Riding twice a week on shared or RS horses costs about half the amount it would cost me to keep a horse.
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