What can you tell me about horses?

[micki76]

Are they quite expensive to own? We’re moving to the country in a few months and I’ve always wanted a horse, and I’m thinking of rescuing one. What are all the costs involved? What about their care? I know they live quite a long time. I really don’t know too much about them, so ANY info is appreciated.

Thanks!

[tikeyas_mom]

all i know is that YES they are VERY pricey to own!!

[kittie luna]

Horses are very expensive. It cost more to show them and join clubs. I find in the winter horses need more care (and trust me, no fun a night when its snowing to bring them back into the barns).

[wolfsoul]

I know that horses are very expensive to care for. My friend has a horse, and she bought a second-hand saddle for $900! Original price was $1800! I know that many saddles can cost more than a horse itself, but I think the general price is between 500-800 dollars...And then there all of the other equipment too lol. I'd be doing alot of shopping on Ebay and second-hand places.

[wolfsoul]

I know this isn't exactly a horse care site, but it says this:

http://www.lovelane.org/help.html

It costs approximately $3,600 a year to provide board, feed, hay, bedding, farrier and veterinary services for each horse.

This site looks like it has lots of info.

[G.P.girl]

it kinda depends on what breed of horse youget. but all of them are pretty pricey. American curlies don't need shoes and they live off just grass and hay. and arabs don't usually need shod either, but if you're rescuing i don't know how much choice you'll have in breed. but all horses are cool most people just think sbout big things that they'll need when they have a horse, but you have to think about all the little things too. (ie,grooming supplies treats,toys, sprays, shampoos, combs, halters, lead ropes, etc) and even though that stuff isn't very expensive, things get lost (or eaten) and you endup buying new ones, and the cost will add up after awhile. But i think it'sdefinatly worth the cost i wish i had a horse! of course i wouldn't be the one paying for it anyway...

[Desert Arabian]

It all depends on the horses current health status, age, sex, and what you want to use them for. Show horses cost WAY more than the pasture pony that you occasionally take on trail rides. Show horses require boat loads of extra supplements, vitamins, minerals and sometimes special vet work. Male horses also require care that female horses to don't require- sheath cleaning. The older the horse gets the more money you will have to spend, just like all animals. Vet bills are the main kicker. Unlike mules, horses can get serious stomach problems if you do not feed them the correct diet (i.e. colic). They are also very prone to lameness and hoof problems if they do not get the proper farrier work done. Horses also need their teeth filed down by the vet to prevent sharp hooks from forming on them. Horses have to be seen by the farrier every six weeks to get their hooves trimmed and shoes put on, if they are needed.

Horses are A LOT of work, period, and there is no arguing that one. Every day you must groom horses even if you have no plans of riding them to keep them in tip top shape. The average monthly cost of owning a horse is around $1,000-$3,000- and all of that mainly comes from food- horses need lots of it!

If you are considering getting a horse, I suggest you check out a lot of books and read them. A really good one being "Horses for Dummies". And of course, do TONS of research. I have been researching and learning about horses ever since I started riding 9 years ago, and I don't plan on getting a horse for at least another 2 years. There is so much to learn about horses I do not even know where to being. There are some very complicated complex things about horses that the average person doesn't know. In fact, it is impossible to know EVERYTHING about horses because there is just too much to learn about them, you learn something new everyday.

Honestly, I could give you thousands of horse links, you should see my AOL Favorites list for "horses".
You Want To Own A Horse? Are You Sure?
Very good info on this site!:
So...You Are Interested In Owning A Horse?
Budgeting For A Horse
This only works if you have Adobe Reader...it's an excellent guide!!
Guide to First Time Horse Ownership
To get an idea of how much tack, grooming, stable, and other horse items cost, check out this site:
Stateline Tack
Good books to look at (you ARE going to have to get books, do not just rely on the internet for information):
Horse Books
The Basics of Owning a Horse

[Desert Arabian]

It costs approximately $3,600 a year to provide board, feed, hay, bedding, farrier and veterinary services for each horse.

Horses cost $3,600 a year!?! If that was the case I would have 20 of them by now!

Try $3,600 a month, that may be the reason why I don't have my 20 horses yet.

[Desert Arabian]

Originally posted by wolfsoul
I know that horses are very expensive to care for. My friend has a horse, and she bought a second-hand saddle for $900! Original price was $1800!

That may sound horrendous to the average person, but techincally that is too terribly bad for a second-hand saddle. Second hand saddles, in many cases, are better than brand new saddles because they are already broken in, that is the main reason why horse owners by second hand saddles. But if the saddle is beat to pieces, parts are missing and falling off, the leather is frayed, etc, then you are better off getting a brand new saddle. If the saddle has only been used for a couple of years and in good condition, buy it!

[Cincy'sMom]

Originally posted by YellowLabLover
Horses cost $3,600 a year!?! If that was the case I would have 20 of them by now!

Try $3,600 a month, that may be the reason why I don't have my 20 horses yet.

I know you know a LOT more about horses then I do, but there is no way general care of a horse costs $3600/month....yes, you could spend that in shows and if you board at an expensive barn, etc, but just general care in your own barn, while expensive, is not that outrageous.

Micki- Delidog would be another great sourse to PM about horses. She spent a lot of years working with them and I'm sure could help you out

[Twisterdog]

Here is the sum total of my vast knowledge about horses:

1. They are very large.

2. They make me sneeze.

3. It hurts a LOT if one steps on your foot.

4. In the summer, they are stinky and lots of flies like to hang out with them.

5. They like carrots, apples and sugar, and they have big, funny, rubbery lips.

6. They eat some type of dried grassy stuff, that also makes me sneeze.

If you have any more questions about horses, please feel free to ask me. As you can clearly see, I know a LOT about them.

[Desert Arabian]

Originally posted by Cincy'sMom
I know you know a LOT more about horses then I do, but there is no way general care of a horse costs $3600/month....yes, you could spend that in shows and if you board at an expensive barn, etc, but just general care in your own barn, while expensive, is not that outrageous.

No, my post was in a sarcastic tone. . I was just being silly.

Most horses cost more than $3,600 a year, but just your plain old loveable field pony wouldn't run you that much. Now, if you had a Dutch Warmblood imported from Germany and compete in the Rolex in Kentucky, then I think you will be spending a wee bit more a month.

OR..if your a person love to spoil your horse rotten and have lots of money, you might be spending that much a month! Who knows!?

[Cincy'sMom]

Originally posted by YellowLabLover
No, my post was in a sarcastic tone. . I was just being silly.

Leave it to me to take things seriously!! And usually, I am so good at catching sarcasm. Oh well I'm sure like any animals you can spend as little or as much as you want to on them

[Uabassoon]

Twisterdog I am so impressed by your knowledge of horses

[Twisterdog]

Originally posted by Uabassoon
Twisterdog I am so impressed by your knowledge of horses

Thank you. Glad to help. Anytime.