Pleasure/Recreational Horse Budget Guide.

Note: Estimates are for one horse for one year.

Horse kept at home - Total Annual Feed Cost Estimate:  $1328.00.

Maintenance etc. -Total Annual Cost Estimate:   $2,400.50. Total Estimated Annual Cost:  $3,728.50.

Boarding Horse (depending on locale and type of facility):

Important Notes:

• All costs vary tremendously from one area of the country to another.
• Hay or hay pellet quantities assume that a 1000 lb. Horse consumes 2% of his body weight daily.
• Grain/pellets are fed to the majority of horses but some owners may disagree. This judgement may be based on the quality of hay available in their area and feeding philosophy etc.
• A bale of hay is calculated @ 50 lbs. But like most things in this guide, it can vary. (2 wire bales range from 40-75 lbs. / 3 wire bales generally run 95-110 lbs.)
• Salt and mineral consumption assumes 39 grams per day.
• Horse care products calculation includes hoof picks, brushes, shampoo, fly mask, fly spray, wound dressing, hoof dressing, scraper and bucket.
• None of the estimates include taxes, delivery charges or personal vehicle expenses (example; picking-up hay).
• There are no estimates for costs of land, equipment or insurance included above.
• The cost of tack is also not included.
• The cost estimates used here are based on a Pleasure Horse: A horse used for recreational riding, trails and general enjoyment. It assumes that the horse is not shown.
• Vet estimates assume that this horse has one or two minor injuries or illnesses during the year and may also get a minor check-up.
• Vaccine and worming estimates assume you do the worming and administer the vaccination, not the vet.
• The boarding cost amounts used in this guide are based on a study done in 2001 in the state of Arizona adjusted for 2009.
• Boarding costs generally include feed only. Shoeing, vet, horse care products, worming, vaccinations, riding instruction/lessons are all extra.