Equestrian Goods

I've been hearing about how people are having to sell their horses and give them up because of rising food costs. So I started to wonder about how much it costs on average to care for a horse if someone were to keep it in their own yard. It is just some random question i have. Thanks

First you have vet fees which can range from any costs. Then you have farrier fees (mine are $40 every six weeks. though it varies when your horse needs shoes and if it does). Then you have to purchase tack (saddles, bridles,etc)which can run you up into the thousands. Then riding gear for you, which can run into the thousands. Brushes and grooming tools can run into the hundreds. Feed, such as grains, can run from $10 to $40 for a 50lb bad. Horses usually go through a bag every two or so weeks. Then if you don't have two acres for your horse (two acres is about how much land you need to prevent pasture detriation) you'll need hay which can run you into the hundreds since horses need roughages 24/7 to help prevent stomach ulcers and other conditions. Anyway you'll need hay for the winter and you'll probably need another two acres to rotate pasture. Which of course costs money. Then if your horse needs any supplements thats about another $20 or so. Then you'll need fence for your horse, a water source, and other accesories (such as stalls, wash racks,etc) which will run you into the thousands. Horses are alot of money, easily running into the thousands per month. They are expensive but definately worth the money.

I’m not going to lie i’m a city girl but when i get older i want to get a horse but i don’t know how to take care of one. I don’t want to get one and not know how to take care of it. So i need to learn how and that’s why i’m asking this question.

I live in the city too. But I take riding lessons and have been involved with horses throughout my life.

Outside of every city is the country…and usually horses. I drive a long way to go riding and for some sanity. Horses are in the city too. Do you take lessons? Yeah, there are alot of things that I “like” but for what ever reasons, can’t have but if I have enough of an interest, I will find out all I can through books, magazines, and now there is the internet for research. Alot of horse sense is gathered from hands-on experience. There are so many way to further your knowledge.

To ask someone explain what has taken most of us years to learn cannot be written in this space. It is a learning EXPERIENCE and everyone has their special ways of doing some of them but there are the basics.

If you really have an interest, read and then when something needs more clarification, then ask something more specific. You’d be surprised what can be learned if done on your own and really take it in.

And, I don’t recommend “getting one” until you’re sure it is for you…it is a lot of fun..but also takes alot of dedication and “dirty work”!!

Good luck!!

I mean, like, what do you do first, then second, third, and so on.

Taking care of it, I mean the whole stable, but only one horse. I'm sorry, it's confusing.

Like, let's say you get up, go to the barn, then what do you have to do first. Second, so on, so on.

I was just wondering, and curious of how to take care of a horse, really.

Thanks, and sorry, again, that my question is confusing.

Well, I have 4, but I'll just speak like I have 1, if that helps?

First, I go and say hello to my horse. (This is at about 5:30 AM or 6 AM). Then, I feed him breakfast. If it's nice out, I wait until he's done eating and put him outside. Then, when he's outside, I muck out his stall. Usually, after that, I go have breakfast myself and go to school. If it's the summer though (like now), I usually give him about half an hour outside and then we'll go for a hack or we'll do some work in the arena for a bit if it's not too hot out, that way he doesn't have to work during the hottest part of the day (like now). After we ride a bit, he goes back outside. Then, at bout 1:30, the horses come back inside and they get lunch at about 2. Then they can usually go back out. (If I'm at school, this all gets done for me). We usually work with them during this time, so if any ground work needs to be done, this is when we do it. In the winter, the horses get brought back in at about 6.. They get fed dinner, and at 10 it's lights out for the horses.

If it's the summer, they don't board, they live on our property, so it's pretty much the same thing, except we don't have a barn (we only have a paddock with trees and a shelter), so to feed them, we individually put their feeds in feed buckets in the arena. We also have a shed with small crossties and a small tackroom, but it's not big enough to have stalls.

Hope this helped… if you have any more questions, please don't hesitate to e-mail me

I have always wanted a horse. I love riding them when I can. Right now I don't have the means to get one, but I'd like to save some money so someday down the road I can make this a reality for myself.

How much does an average horse cost, and how much does it usually cost to take care of them? I won't get one until I have some land and a place to keep it, in case that makes a difference in how much it costs.

Any information would be great, thanks!
I'm really looking for some information about how much it would cost on a monthly or yearly basis to care for the horse.

thousands of dollars a year for food and housing

Hi!
I'm interested in buying a horse but i no nothing about them. I think i want to buy a gelding but i dont know how to take care of one and what ill need. I hav no clue about the sadle types and vetrinaary expences we own a 4 acer property where ill board it . If any one knows anything about horses pls pls help me!!!!!!!!!!!!!

a horse could be equated to the saying about boats being a money hole in the water. you have to really be committed, esp at the beginning, when your start up costs will be astronomical. to get a good idea of this, go into a tack store and look at just the basic supplies you will need.

also if you have no experience with horses, you should definitely start working with an experienced instructor on a school horse first. you can also learn more from them or by helping at the stable about grooming and other care to see if you're really up for it.

if you decide you really want a horse, and can maintain it, look into a share or a lease at a local stable. you can then continue lessons with your horse, with experienced people nearby to help you.

i love my horse and hope you find it works for you! but it is a huge decision and one to be made very carefully.

good luck!

As I havnt owned a horse for some 20 years Im very rusty and am getting stuck on some of the questions. One of them is to explain what I know about "trotting up" and how to hold the lead rope in this situation? If anyone can help Id be very grateful.

Trotting up is usually done to test the soundness of a horse. It should be carried out on a solid and level surface so that uneven steps can be spotted easily. The horse should be trotted steadily and you should hold the leadrope far enough away from the horse not to interfere with the horses movement. Make sure you bring the horse back to a balanced walk before turning around and trotting back and always turn the horse away from you.

I’ve seen tons of people exaggerate the amount of time and care you need to own a horse. I know plenty of people who own pasture horses that require little maintenance. I am looking into buying a horse and I need realistic answers. One horse. It will be a pleasure horse that will be ridden probably every other day and live in a pasture. And additional information you can provide me with about caring for a horse is welcome
depending on how you have your pasture set up, and weather or not you will stall the horse, it can take as little or as much care as you want, but you will get what you give. my wife bought 2 horses 8 years before we met, when they came to her they were lead trained and halter broken, and not hard to work with at all, by the time I met her, they had devolved to the point where it is next to impossible to get a halter near them, and they are certainly not able to be ridden. she spent almost no time with them, gave them just the basic care required, and now it has taken me forever to get them somewhat trained so I can work with them. the more time you spend with your horse, the better the bond should be between you.
you will need to plan on paying for basic care items, vet work, tack and equipment. also grain and hay, in all likelihood will be needed if you will be riding every other day, we hay our three through the winter and early spring in upstate NY, you may or may not need to where you are, but it would be a very good idea to grain. how many acres will the horse be running on, and what type of pasture is there now? there are tons of plants that they can’t eat, and you should check to make sure those aren’t present.
do you have a shelter of some kind for the horse to go into? they don’t need much, but they do require a place to get out of the weather, and local law may require it as well, check with a local vet to find out.
what type of fence do you have? we had barbed wire at one of the places I worked as a stable hand, and the vet was called far too often to stitch cuts from it. 500 $ vet bills are no fun!
there are tons of books online and in stores that can help you, do your research and find out if this is something you really want to do, and if it seems too much, you can always rent a horse at a local stable and ride there, much less fuss, and it may cost less for you.
hopefully this helps, and feel free to contact if you’d like more info, songwind923@hotmail.com.

i have been to horse camp 1 year and know how to mount up and lead a horse and i know most basic things.

Here are things I think everyone should know;
Basic ailments and how to treat them, wrapping legs, taking resp, pulse and temp, diet and nutrition, how to dismantle tack, clean it properly and reassemble it. I'm sure there are a few more things but these cover the basics of health, feeding and maintaining and using your tack.

I am keeping care of my cousins male Paint horse while he is offshore working for a while. I would like to read up on horses. What they like to eat, how to bathe them, how to brush them, just things like that. Thanks…And Yes my cousin told me a few things but I want to learn more

if you want to read about horses then just type in "how to care for a horse" on yahoo.

but if you want to watch videos on how to do this I would suggest going to www.horse.com and watching their video selection

here's the link:
http://www.horse.com/horse-video-gallery.aspx

dont forget to click on the grooming and nutrtion links too!

have fun!

Ive been riding horses every weekend for a long time but I want to own one. Where can I go and what can I do so I can learn everything I need to know to ensure that any future horse of mine will have a happy, healthy life? I live in England by the way and I’m not interested in jumping or showing or anything I just want a trail horse.

i would get a few riding lessons, or hang out at the barns for a few weekends, don’t be afraid to ask people questions! most were once in the same situation as you are now. Books are a great source of info, be careful with the internet, some of the content can be misinforming.
Coo dos to you for wanting to know more before you buy a horse, it is a big responsibility but learning about their care is the first step!
good luck!