Having recently been asked what preparations and costs are involved when bringing home a first horse, it was impossible to nail down a concrete answer. It was easier instead to ponder the variables of owning a first horse and try to answer those. There are many questions a potential horse owner should seek to answer, preferably before the horse is frolicking in the paddock.
The absolutes of horse ownership
There are some basic requirements that all horses will need:
- A halter and lead rope
- Grooming equipment
- Housing
- Feed, water and pasture
- Yearly immunizations
- Hoof care
- Transportation
- Regular deworming
The above list is a standard one, but when factoring in what the horse will be used for (if anything), where you live, the age of the horse and where you plan to keep him, this list splits into many different scenarios, that can incur additional costs and considerations.
The variables of horse ownership
The halter and lead rope are the most basic of supplies, a necessity for leading, loading and tying a horse. If you plan to ride the horse, (and many of us own horses for that reason), this list expands to include riding equipment: saddle, blankets and a complete headstall. A good saddle when purchased to fit the horse, can add thousands to basic costs.
Grooming equipment includes brushes, curry combs and hoof picks. If a rider plans to compete with their horse, then bathing equipment, braiding supplies, show shine and horse shavers are minimums required for a neat turnout. To complement the competition horse, a rider's own attire is equally important.
Housing requirements are going to vary according to where the horse is kept and where you live. Regardless of the age of the horse, all of them will require some form of shelter to protect them from the sun, rain, wind or snow. At the least, a horse will need a three-sided shelter positioned to offer the most protection during inclement weather. An older horse in a colder climate might do best in an indoor stall at night, the construction of which, can be costly.
Inevitably, if you plan on owning more than one horse, there will come a time when one will require a period of separation. Whether the reason is to restrict access to pasture, or it is a forced period of confinement for injury reasons, the owner needs to be able to separate and isolate, quickly. Stock panels can be useful in an emergency, but a dedicated area with an established water supply is far more effective.
Feed, pasturing and health care
A more complicated issue arises when determining what feed will meet a horse's needs. Some do well on good pasture alone, but most owners are not lucky enough to be able to offer this year round and must feed hay or hay-alfalfa mix. The age of the horse, what he will be used for and his environment, are all factors needing consideration when choosing feed for your horse.
Equines glean their energy and maintain heat from what they eat. Consequently, a competition animal will require additional supplements over a backyard pet. Questioning what role the horse will play, is crucial to establishing a feeding criteria. As he ages, his requirements will also change. Senior feed, more readily digestible, can provide nutrients not readily absorbed by a changed system.
What to feed your equine is one of the challenging questions a new horse owner faces and it isn't helped by the plethora of products available on the market. But by evaluating the use of the horse, his age and his geographical location (colder or warmer climate), a starting point can be narrowed down.
Purchasing or adopting a senior horse or rescued horse typically brings additional vet fees when they have existing conditions. Particularly sensitive equines might be prone to laminitis for example when on fresh grass. Others might be on a medication regimen to maintain their health. The wise owner-to-be, will research the costs involved prior to bringing him home.
Geographic location is more important than you might think
Where you live influences horse care far more than one might think. If your geographic location includes distinct seasons, each bring their own set of issues. The characteristics of an individual property also play a role. Your pasture for example, could cause a completely different set of problems from the neighboring one.
More tropical climates will require year round fly and mosquito control and are at greater risk of inclement weather such as tornadoes and hurricanes. Each bringing their own set of challenges. Flies can make an equine's life miserable, mosquitoes spread diseases such as West Nile Virus and sudden adverse weather can turn a barn into a deathtrap.
Pastures prone to flooding can affect a horse in several ways. Wet ground can cause fungal issues for hooves and skin; horses must always have the option to seek dry or higher ground. Desert climates with sandy soil bring additional issues. Even if fed off the ground in a feeder, the equine is a natural grazer, so a sand colic preventative might be needed to prevent colic.
Hoof care and deworming
Horses require regular hoof maintenance, ranging from a simple trim to more advanced shoeing from a farrier experienced in catering to a particular riding discipline. "Horses are what they eat" and "no feet, no horse" are popular but truthful sayings. A good farrier might cost more but is an equine's best friend.
Parasites, particularly internal worms are widespread, strongyles, tapeworms and ascarids cycle through horses that share common ground. Equines need deworming, but not necessarily on a regular schedule. Have a veterinarian perform a fecal egg count twice a year; he can advise when parasites are present and recommend the best and safest dewormer to use.
Transportation
A horse owner needs to be able to transport the horse on a whim. When needing medical care, it will be cheaper to haul the horse to a veterinary facility, than calling out the vet. If you live in area that has the potential for sudden diverse weather then rapid evacuation of the horse should be taken into consideration. Trailers vary in cost from a few thousand (for a good used one), to hundreds of thousands of dollars.
The costs of owning, feeding, housing, transporting and maintaining a horse's health is impossible to pin down because of the variables mentioned above. But a new owner can use the variables listed here to assess the potential cost involved. Do this, before the horse is brought home and you'll be as prepared as you can be, for horse ownership.
Elizabeth Batt - Elizabeth Batt is a former large animal nurse, certified NREMT, lover of equines and conservationist.
Join the Conversation