A lot of household up and down the UK would love to buy and look after a horse. It’s a dream for many to handle the care of one of these beautiful creatures. But, as with anything aspirational in life, there is a cost. Exactly how much that cost is, depends on the horse, and where you intend to keep it. But make no mistake, it will make a serious dent in your finances.
In this guide, we’re going to look at the many costs involved when you own a horse. They are just the basics, and if you don’t feel like you could stretch to it, then we would plead with you to go down an alternative route. At the end of this post, we may have some suggestions for you if you have budget constraints. OK? Well then, let’s saddle up and get down to the nitty-gritty.
Food and living
First of all, let’s take a look at food. Horses need little and often to keep up their energy levels, and you will get through a lot of roughage such as hay and grass. You are probably looking at around £10 per bale of hay and chaff, plus extra for nuts and supplements. As for how much they eat – well, that depends on the size of the horse.
In terms of bedding and living quarters, you’ll need a hay bale for them to sleep on, or something similar. Bear in mind this will need regular clearing out – if the horse doesn’t eat it first. You can get a more modern rubber mat instead – they cost around £30, but will last a lot longer. All in all, you are probably looking at spending up to £150 per month on food and sleeping materials.
Medical treatments and insurance
Horses need a lot of looking after. Their hooves must regularly be checked, and their shoes if they have them. They will need a new set every 4-6 weeks at around £80 per visit. Horses can also get a lot of problems with their teeth, so they will need as many – if not more – visits to the ‘dentist’ as you every year. You will also need regular worming tablets. Take a look at http://www.wormers.co.uk/ to find out more about those costs.
It is advisable to get medical insurance that may cover any of the many veterinary bills you will face. You should also have third-party insurance because the horse’s health is solely down to you. If it suffers an accident or any damage, you will be held responsible by law, and will have to pay for any costs if you aren’t covered. Expect to pay from around £60 per month for the minimal protection.
Habitat
Keep your horse in a field, and you can expect to pay an average of around £500-1000, just to set it up. You’ll also need a horse trailer – let’s call that about £8,000. If you want a box, you will pay double that. If you are renting a stable, that’s going to set you back up to £1,500 per month.
Overall, if you own a horse, you can expect to fork out more than £15,000 for the pleasure. It is cheaper if you have your own land and stables, but it is still a considerable amount of money. Still interested? Let us know if you own a horse – we would love to hear about your experiences.
