Owning a horse is often romanticized by many, and horse ownership, while something that can be beneficial for your physical and mental health, isn't something that should be undertaken lightly.
While purchasing a horse is often the fulfillment of a lifelong dream, it is, much like owning a domestic pet, a lifelong commitment and going into this with your eyes open will help you to avoid making mistakes and ensure your first-time horse ownership experience is a positive one for both you and your horse.
The Cost
The upfront cost of purchasing your horse is the cheapest part of horse ownership. If you are serious about moving forward with this venture, you need to be confident you can financially take care of your horse the way it deserves you to. On average, you can look to spend anywhere from $6,000 to $9,000 per year, sometimes more.
Typical costs can include;
- Boarding or housing costs
- Feed
- Hay
- Blacksmiths
- Grooming
- Blankets such as Magnetic Horse Blankets - XLR8 Equine Products
- Worming
- Vet bills
- Time and Companionship
Despite being domesticated over time, horses are still pack animals, and they need to be in the company of others for long periods. This means you need to form part of their pack and commit to spending as much time as possible with them.
Horses are highly social animals, so if you cannot be with them for most of the day, they need the company of other horses, ponies, donkeys, etc. Neglecting to ensure your horse has adequate companionship means that they could potentially become stressed due to loneliness, which will make them ill.
Equine Vets
Not all areas have equine vets available, and if this applies to your location, then you need to find out where your nearest equine vet is, what area they cover, and what the callout fees are, especially for emergencies. Unlike a dog or a cat, you cannot just load your horse into a car and take it to your local vet. You need to be confident that you can access veterinary services when you need routine checks and emergency treatment.
Space
If you plan to keep your horse at home, you first need to check that this is legal in your local area before moving ahead. Horses need at least 2 acres of escape to move around and graze while also being safe and secure on your property. The exact requirement will depend on your local city council regulations. Some areas require more space and conditions to be met before allowing you to have a horse on your property; others might forbid this in specific locations. Make sure you know all of these details prior to agreeing to buy a horse. If you cannot keep your horse at home, you will need boarding, which can increase the cost of horse ownership drastically depending on the type of boarding you choose and the services offered.
Horses, much like any other pets, require time, dedication, and commitment. Neglecting To give your horse what it needs will result in illness and neglect, both of which will have profound implications for you and your horse. So before you jump into being a horse owner, make sure you have considered all the above points and be confident you meet all the requirements.
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