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Many people dream of owning a horse. It can however be a big responsibility – horses require a lot more care than your average household pet. On top of having the time to dedicate to caring for a horse, you also need the money to be able to afford the various costs that come with looking after a horse. Here are just a few of the big things to consider when thinking about owning a horse.
Shelter
A horse firstly needs shelter. Most people opt for boarding – this involves renting out a stable or barn at Shangri-La Farm or a similar facility, which comes with staff providing extensive care for your horse. Another option is self-care boarding which requires you to provide food and bedding. In the latter case, finding somewhere local may be necessary so that you’re not travelling too far.
Alternatively, if you have the land, you may be able to build your own stable. There are companies that specialise in constructing mobile field shelters. This could be a better investment than paying to rent a stable. If you have already got a stable but it’s looking a bit worse for wear, you may need to construct a whole new building. Alternatively, if you’re having issues with the gates or doors you may be able to find a company to change them. You can search for something like “Scotts stable doors” to find someone local to you who can design and build a new stable door to fit your needs and requirements.
Food
Most horses require half a bale of hay per day. On top of this, you should consider extras like mineral supplements and salt blocks (and possibly the occasional treats such as horse cookies, apples or carrots). Water is also essential – the average horse drinks 5 to 10 gallons of water per day. It’s important that you have the means to provide this amount of food and drink if you haven’t got boarding that includes feeding.
Veterinary care
You should also make sure that your horse is getting the medical care it needs. Regular vet check-ups can be useful for checking dental health and providing vaccinations and deworming. It’s often worth taking out specialist medical insurance for your horse to make the cost of veterinary care more manageable. Not all vets work with horses and you’ll usually need to find a specialist vet.
Grooming & cleaning
Regularly grooming a horse is also important. This includes brushing and washing. You’ll also need to muck out your horse’s stable regularly. This can all be important for keeping your horse healthy and preventing illness. Grooming and cleaning generally won’t cost you much but they can be time-consuming tasks.
Exercise
Horses need regular physical activity (ideally every day) in order to stay happy and healthy. Being in good physical shape is particularly important if you plan to use your horse for riding or for agricultural work. This can often be the most exciting part of owning a horse, but you need to be sure that you can keep up a good schedule.
Doing all of the above will help your horse to live a happy life and it will help you to build a strong friendship. Most people don’t realise the amount of work and the costs that go into horse ownership until they begin. Whilst it can be a lot of hard work, it’s very rewarding. Like raising a child, it’s a serious commitment – but one you’ll ultimately enjoy.
This is a collaborative post.
