The true cost of horse ownership

The Costs of Horse OwnershipFor those of you reading who are not involved in the horse community, I’m sure it’s no surprise that horses can be very expensive. And, as a freelancer, I do not make anywhere near a six-figure salary. And yet, I make the room in my budget for Peanut every year, because he’s important to me.

How much of my budget? Glad you asked.
There are two types of expenses in horse ownership: one-time, and ongoing.
One-Time Expenses Include:

• The purchase price of horse(s)
• Saddle
• Girth girth and saddle pad
• New bridle
• Grooming tools
• Bareback pad
• Ongoing Expenses:
• Board
• Farrier
• Feed
• Shavings
• Supplements
• Vet
• Horse insurance
• Horse show/clinic entry fees
• And, most importantly, treats!
• On top of all of those expenses, I make sure to keep a separate account for the horses in case he needs any emergency medical attention.
  
   Benefits of Horse Ownership Physical Caring for a horse requires hard physical labor.  I never get bored with the same old routine. Changing up our riding schedule is simple. Some days we do dressage, other days we run the racetrack, a few days a month we chase cows, and every now and again we go on a trail ride, or jump a course. And I have a permanent workout buddy to keep me accountable! Who needs a fancy gym membership, anyway?
  
  
  Emotional Going to the barn for me is like going to the gym for a lot of you; sometimes the hardest part is just getting there. Since I have to clean Peanut’s stall (it’s seriously a health hazard to him if I don’t), it doesn’t matter if I don’t feel like going to the barn on a particular day; I have to go. Once I’m there, I’m always happy that I put barn clothes on and got out of my house. 
  Mental Riding horses teaches mindfulness and goal setting. I can’t get on one of our horses, I then think about what I’m going to have for dinner that night, or how much laundry I need to do, or that great new TFD article I’m going to write. I can only focus on what I am doing with my pony at that moment. 
  
  

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