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annual cost of a horse.

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Spook

12-29-2007 11:31:47

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I no longer have horses, but I figure my cost per year, in Michigan, was a minimum of $3,000 per horse. Excluding shelter. Is that in ball park for your area?

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hayray

12-30-2007 15:07:49

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Re: annual cost of a horse. in reply to Spook, 12-29-2007 11:31:47

Feed and vetrinary should be around $500 per year. I have trained and borded horses for years and know that you can't have costs much over $40/month. Too many variables to consider land, rent, and interest, but $3000 per year is way over the top if you are actually trying to manage finances.

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Tradititonal Farmer

12-30-2007 15:00:45

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Re: annual cost of a horse. in reply to Spook, 12-29-2007 11:31:47

Thats the great thing about tractors turn off the key and they quit eating!

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Lee in Iowa

12-30-2007 10:37:06

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Re: annual cost of a horse. in reply to Spook, 12-29-2007 11:31:47

Don't know about horses, but the research says a cow costs 300 to 400 a year to keep, and those are old figures before hay and pasture rent went up 50% so now it would probably be 450 to 600. I don't if a horse would be any cheaper or not. Lee

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rrlund

12-30-2007 09:17:20

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Re: annual cost of a horse. in reply to Spook, 12-29-2007 11:31:47

When you figure it all in I'd say it's $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

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Mike (WA)

12-30-2007 08:52:17

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Re: annual cost of a horse. in reply to Spook, 12-29-2007 11:31:47

We have 12 Paso Finos- Schedule F runs about $20,000 a year in expenses, but some of that is not directly related to cost of keeping the horses (some of my tractor hobby is in there, too- gotta have lots of tractors to run a horse farm!). We have enough pasture for about 4 or 5 months, rest of the year on local hay we buy. Some grain, not a lot. I cringe when I do the taxes, but the Mrs. is happy, so that's worth something. We've decided that there'll never be any money in it, so getting out of "the business" and getting down to 4 or 5 just for riding.

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MartyinVa

12-30-2007 00:05:33

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Re: annual cost of a horse. in reply to Spook, 12-29-2007 11:31:47

PRICELESS most of the time.

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Scott in SF

12-29-2007 20:43:44

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Re: annual cost of a horse. in reply to Spook, 12-29-2007 11:31:47

In the San Francisco Bay area it is cheaper to keep a airplane than a horse. Just as soon not explain how I know that. Thimking about it is far to painfull!

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Bill in Colo

12-29-2007 17:29:58

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Re: annual cost of a horse. in reply to Spook, 12-29-2007 11:31:47

If it costs 3000 per year the biggest horse outfit Sombreo Ranches wouldn't be in business.They have about 3000 head.
I have several aquaintenses in the dude and guide and outfitting business that have 50 to 100 horses and I doubt that their annual costs are over 600 per head.

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Randy-IA

12-29-2007 17:14:33

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Re: annual cost of a horse. in reply to Spook, 12-29-2007 11:31:47

My wifes 5 horses don't cost more than about five hundred a year for all , this includes me making the hay . Very few vet bills as long as the pasture doesn't have a lot of things in it to get hurt by . Solitary horses and highly stressed ( show ) horses have much higher vet bills than a herd does . Keep some rocks and sand in the pasture for the horses to walk over and hoof trimmings are reduced to twice a year or less . Do for the horse what you'd do for yourself and they'll stay healthy - Good quality food , good shelter , a dry place to stand year around to keep their feet healthy and close friends ( this could mean a burro or donkey to keep the horse company ) . After all a horse is a herd animal . Some horses are easier to keep than others . We have easy keepers - three Arabian's , one appaloosa and one mustang who's been owned by my wife since he was 5 months old and is now 27 . They are a LOT cheaper than children . The App has a very good sense of humor - I was planting willow shoots in a wet spot out in the pasture a few years ago about ten of them . I was going along and pushing a hole in the wet ground with a big stick to put the rooted shoots in and pressing them closed with my feet when I heard my wife laughing . I looked up and turned around and that horse was two trees behind me pulling each one up carefully and laying them back down on the ground . I didn't really believe what I was seeing till he pulled the last one up in front of me and taunted me with it just out of reach . I was mad but I had to laugh . He was like a 900 lb puppy . ...Randy

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Spook

12-29-2007 16:46:17

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Re: annual cost of a horse. in reply to Spook, 12-29-2007 11:31:47

That was my reason for getting horses. I think if it's going to be part of your lifestyle, it will be ok. If you only ride occasionally, you are better off going to a dude ranch a couple times a year.

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doug in illinois

12-29-2007 16:20:28

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Re: annual cost of a horse. in reply to Spook, 12-29-2007 11:31:47

Kind of hard to say, but if it keeps the wife happy, or at least somewhat so, what is that worth? The little acreage where we live is only 5 acres, almost 2 is in the yard and buildings, leaves 3 that COULD be farmed instead of horse pasture. I typically take one cutting off the pasture during the summer, but not really the best hay, anyone who has horses will understand what I mean, a few too many weeds under the horse grazing. Most of my hay comes from a few other small patches around the area, some of it waterways that the owners are glad to have mowed, and some I have to do on shares or buy out their share. But, back to horse cost per year, I would guess at least 1K per horse, we have 2. Both are young, have traded hay for training, so kind of hard to really know a true figure. In 06 hay was quite plentiful, that was when majority of training was done, but had attitude adjustments done on both this spring with more hay traded. Makes it a little hard to show income/loss on the farm schedule on the traded hay. Not black and white like the grain from the farm back in Nebraska. DOUG

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jd b puller

12-29-2007 15:40:00

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Re: annual cost of a horse. in reply to Spook, 12-29-2007 11:31:47

You could get those daughters a tractor. My daughter LOVES tractor rides. And much cheaper to maintain than a horse. Only eats when I use it. No vet bills and no *oop to clean up.

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Steven f/AZ

12-29-2007 14:53:52

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Re: annual cost of a horse. in reply to Drill, 12-29-2007 11:31:47

Gun guru said: (quoted from post at 13:54:38 12/29/07)I would rather have a big dog instead.

In my opinion, a dog is a near-worthless animal -- unless you have them trained to do a specific job, they are just a food-burner like an unused horse.

I enjoyed growing up with horses, there is a certain feeling when you're riding a horse and working cattle. Also, taking proper care of them and showing them taught us lots of responsibility.

Having said all that, I like having a useless cat around and kittens are so darn cute, too.

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Randy-IA

12-29-2007 17:53:30

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Re: annual cost of a horse. in reply to Steven f/AZ, 12-29-2007 14:53:52

Dogs are worthless ? How many folks in town can keep a horse to teach their kids responsibility ? ...Randy

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Hartman

12-29-2007 13:25:38

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Re: annual cost of a horse. in reply to Spook, 12-29-2007 11:31:47

I have three daughters that ride and show their horses,and if it will keep them responsible and out of trouble till they"re 18 and on thier own,them horses will be PRICELESS. Other than that they are kind of an expensive hobby,almost more trouble than..... .....tractors?!?!? I said almost. Happy Holidays Chris

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Gun guru

12-29-2007 12:54:38

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Re: annual cost of a horse. in reply to Spook, 12-29-2007 11:31:47

I have never owned a horse, I rode one once. But can you guys tell me why would you want a horse? Big animal that you have to feed, vet bills, big up a lot of *oop, etc. I would rather have a big dog instead. I am not trying to be a smart a** here but I just dont know why people have these animals unless you can raise them and then sell them to a slaughter house like cattle, for money.

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James22

12-29-2007 19:17:25

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Re: annual cost of a horse. in reply to Gun guru, 12-29-2007 12:54:38

I'm in your camp. We had ponies when were young and horses later. Mom loved them, her husband and three boys didn't give a hoot. Nothing but a bunch of hassle to ride, something with an engine is much easier/better to get around on. Perhaps if I lived out West and was a pretend cowboy, my attitude might change. A dog is man's best friend, a horse might also be a cowboy's best friend but for most it is just a troublesome black hole to pitch money in.

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Fawteen

12-30-2007 03:06:42

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Re: annual cost of a horse. in reply to James22, 12-29-2007 19:17:25

I like horses well enough. If I was up to my hip pockets in money, I'd likely keep one around as a present.

But I got NO interest in riding them. I have no idea what I'm doing, and they know it. Got sweet-talked into riding one once when I was a kid. I was clueless, and it was a cutting horse. I lasted just about 30 seconds, and 29 of them were pure luck.

That was the day I swore I'd never throw a leg over anything that didn't come with handlebars and brakes. 50-odd years ago, and I haven't broken my promise yet...

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Randy-IA

12-29-2007 17:32:07

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Re: annual cost of a horse. in reply to Gun guru, 12-29-2007 12:54:38

Hi Gun Guru , Not trying to be a smart a$$ or single you out or cause trouble or a war with you but why does everything done on a farm boil down to making money ? There are more important things in life such as enjoying life instead of persuing something that technically means nothing in the end . It DOES help pay the bills but that's about it for me . Never got a thrill from the bragging rights back when I had a lot of it ( money ) . JMHO ...Randy

OH yeah , I agree with you though about why someone would want a horse . I grew up with show horses . Tennesse Walkers . Some of the oldtimers from the south may have heard about the horses my uncle owned . Drug Dealer and Country Doctor . Two very good horses . Made my uncle pretty wealthy back in the sixties . My wife has five horses now . Three Arabian's , a Appaloosa and a Colorado high country born mustang she's owned since he was 5 month's old - he's now 27 . I personally don't understand either but most people don't understand why I rescue animals of all breeds ( mostly dogs ) . It's a compulsion I guess , I empathize with animals . I'm not a tree hugger or a lover of PETA types so don't take this wrong . I don't hunt either . Got nothing against it , I used to hunt but found I got more satisfaction saving a life as opposed to taking it , but that's me . Still , after a lifetime of horses and having a lot of good times with them they aren't in my blood like they are in my wifes blood . I could live without them but they do make a farm a little more homey and not as clinical or factory like . They'll greet you at the fence - not because they want to be fed like cattle or hogs but because they like you . I suppose that's it , they have more interaction with us than meat animals do or are allowed to . ...Randy

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Bill in IL

12-29-2007 17:31:32

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Re: annual cost of a horse. in reply to Gun guru, 12-29-2007 12:54:38

So we can sell hay to them.

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suptscottyb

12-29-2007 14:55:06

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Re: annual cost of a horse. in reply to Gun guru, 12-29-2007 12:54:38

What a bunch of crud! The great American west was settled & civilized, as we know it today, by men (women and children) who used the horse to make it possible to travel, haul, plow, plant, harvest, market, and defend the ground your working today.
Men rode over 3 million of them into WW1 to defend the country. Horses carried the men and pulled the canons. They made the cattle industry possible. Today they allow a man to ride out where the country is pristine and leave it that way when he leaves. I've packed deer out of canyons so deep an ATV would never get out.
There is Rodeo for cowboys and horse shows for young and old. Gymkana to teach children sportsmanship,humane behavior, animal husbandry, and how to be competative.
Horses don't have to cost a lot if kept smartly. They will eat about 7 or 8000 pounds of good quality hay each year. But if you know what yer doing there is no need for a lot of Vet bills. Shoes are optional, I guess, dentists are needed a few times in a lifetime. I say the same is true for the big dog, who by the way eats big and craps big, goes to the Vet..... . Anyway, I hope this helps explain why people have horses and maybe the next time you look at one you'll see him different. "In a lifetime a man will get 1 good dog, 1 good horse, and 1 good woman." Well then, I'm done. Scottyb

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alg

12-29-2007 12:10:38

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Re: annual cost of a horse. in reply to Spook, 12-29-2007 11:31:47

I spent $11,000 last year on two belguim draft horses.That's feed and vet bills. Al

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kyhayman

12-29-2007 12:10:09

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Re: annual cost of a horse. in reply to Spook, 12-29-2007 11:31:47

All depends on the level of care. I've got a half a dozen different boarders heres with all levels of care. The low cost ones pay 45 a month for pasture rent and buy there hay from me at 35 a roll. Somewhere around 600 a year. To my knowledge they never see a farrier, dentist, or vet.

That as opposed to my high rent inside boarders. They are paying 300 a month for full care plus 2.5 a day for a third of a bale of baled hay. Once a quarter the farrier and dentist comes to do their thing. Thats bill at 100 a a quarter for both. Twice annual vet check and deworming runs 150 twice per year.

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ericlb

12-29-2007 11:39:09

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Re: annual cost of a horse. in reply to Spook, 12-29-2007 11:31:47

thats ball park here in nm, maybe aittle more for the increase in hay prices, and if one of the animals gets sick....., i may just start riding one of ours to work, if fuel gets any higher, although at my age if i did that id probably wind up using a buggy, im not as spry now as i was in my younger days,

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