Costs to own a horse

People often ask “How much does it cost to own my own horse?”

Here is an outline to give you an idea of the costs.

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Initial costs to get started:

Pre-purchase exams (by vets & trainer) $500.00 to $2,000.00

Purchase price  - anywhere from “free” to $50,000.00+ (usually free horses have some kind of physical or mental issues) 

Trailering to move horse to your facility $150.00+ (distance?)

New tack to properly fit new horse $1,000+ (saddle not included)

Monthly costs:

Boarding $350-$600 per month (depending on horse’s needs)

Shoeing $50-$200 per month (corrective shoeing is more costly)

Training $500-$1000 per month (if horse needs to be in training) 

Lessons $40-$90 per lesson (privates, 2-3x’s a week is typical) 

De-worming $20 every 3 months (or daily feed thru wormer $$$)

Teeth floating $200+ once a year (depending on horse’s needs)

Immunizations $50-$150 twice a year (depending on which shots)

Fly spray, Hoof Treatments, Showsheen, Topical Medicines, Shampoo, etc. $100+ every month or so. 

Extra costs:

Vet bills (injuries/illnesses) $200-$5,000+ (emergency calls?)

Trailering to vet/shows/schoolings/etc. $50-$500 (distance?)

Maybe just buy a new truck & horse trailer $??,???+

Morbid but realistic, $500-$1,500+ to euthanize your horse/friend

Now are you prepared to take on these costs or does it seem easier & more financially feasible to lease a horse?