Comments on: The Hidden Costs of Horse Ownership

By: Kwei Quartey

Kwei Quartey — Sun, 02 May 2021 17:49:45 +0000

I suspect that costs are much higher in certain areas where real estate costs are high; for example urban and suburban centers in Southern California will be more expensive than say a small town in Idaho or Ohio.

By: Ami

Ami — Mon, 01 Dec 2014 07:27:58 +0000

I cant imagine paying what the others who commented pays for hay! I am definitely blessed and fortunate to be paying $4/bale for grass mix hay, and to have a tiny pasture for grazing! my farrier (who is excellent!) charges me $25 to trim my mini and $55 for fronts on my arab. and my annual vet visit for vaccines/teeth/coggins runs me about $320-$350 for both of mine, and that’s me taking them to the vet. thankfully I have my own trailer to do so, plus we go to local open/fun shows occasionally (when finances allow it!), as many parades as we can, but my passion is trail riding. I’ve owned horses on a budget for 15 years now so yes it can be done!…I may not have the best of everything or have a whole lot of stuff, but what I do have is what I need! I am able to have my horses at my house and give them the best possible life I can, and I’m thankful for all of it.

By: Samantha

Samantha — Fri, 24 Oct 2014 04:50:30 +0000

Down in Miami, a decent bale cost $23 on a good day, you can’t get a trim for under $30, vet bills are high. A bandage change is $80, and teeth floating is $175. A lot more people need to see this. As an active member of the SFSPCA I’m tired of people not realizing this and than starving and dumping their horses.

By: Linda

Linda — Tue, 14 Oct 2014 20:00:36 +0000

The vet costs are too low. Just shots alone will run you $200+ a year. Add in teeth and sheath cleaning and you are talking $200-400. If you have an emergency, all bets are off. Hay costs $18 a bale in California and shoe trims start here at $45, not $25.