I heard a
neigh, Oh,
such a brisk
and melodious
neigh it was.  
My very heart
leaped with
the sound.
The Horse Rescue Site
Everything you need to know
about adopting your own horse.
Owning a Horse >
So you think you are ready to own your own horse?  Hopefully you are answering this
question with a confident "yes," but if you are still inexperienced when it comes to
horse management, use this page as a general guide.

*But before you read any further, check out this video I made about owning a horse.  
It is a little introduction to the pleasures of horse ownership, and I think you will enjoy
it.  Be patient, it may take a while to load!

Initial Cost
    I've said this many times before, and I'm going to say it again.  Horses are
expensive, but to save some money initially and get a horse that is unwanted by
others, adopting is a great and rewarding thing to do.  The first step to being a great
horse owner is obvious: buy a horse that you can easily bond with, and that can
perform to your expectations.  In addition to the expense of getting the horse, you
need to buy equipment and supplies, including a saddle, saddle pad, bridle, halter,
and grooming tools.  Plus, you need riding clothes, helmets, and so forth.

Maintenance
             If you choose to keep your horse at a boarding facility, expect to pay a few
            hundred dollars a month for your horse to live in a box stall.  An average
            barn will charge at least $400 a month for board.  A less expensive fee
            would be for rough board, where the horse stays out in the paddock 24         
            hours a day, and doesn't have his or her own stall.  Depending on the barn,
            the board fee may or may not include expenses such as stall maintenance,
            feed, or bedding.
             If you are keeping a horse on your own property, you need to keep your
            pasture area maintained.  In addition, you need to pay for hay and/or grain.
             Many horses benefit from supplements.  If they are old, lack nutritional
            elements from their feed, or are ridden on a grueling schedule, they may
            benefit from supplements.  However, don't waste you money on things your
            horse doesn't even need in his diet.  It is always wise to talk to your
            veterinarian about your horse's feed.
             If you clean and maintain your own horse's stall, you are responsible for
            manure disposal, stall cleaning, and bedding.  You must clean your horse's
            stall daily.
             Regular health maintenance for most horses includes vaccinations,
            deworming, and teeth floating several times a year.
             If your horse gets injured or sick, it is your responsibility to pay for vet
            treatment.  This may include calling fees, treatment expenses, or even
            surgery.
             Most horses wear shoes, and if they do, expect a farrier visit every 6 to 8
            weeks for new shoes.  But even if your horse doesn't have shoes, a trim is
            needed.
             Not everyone chooses to insure their horse, but if you do, include that on
            your list of expenses.  There are many different types of insurance; some of
            them are medical, morality, and liability insurance.
             One riding lesson costs about $35 at an average boarding facility.  If you are
            a more experienced rider, it is very beneficial to ride in a clinic, in which a
            professional or experienced rider gives you a lesson.  In addition to riding
            lessons, you may decide to pay for a trainer if your horse has
            temperamental or control issues
             If you plan on showing your horse, be prepared to pay for show clothes, tack,
            entry fees, and transportation.

These are just some of the expenses that are required for owning a horse.  But
owning a horse isn't just about paying for it.  The most important thing you have to
remember when owning a horse is that you must give it love and affection.  Money
means nothing to a horse.  You can pay $1000 a month for board at a high-tech
show barn, or $400 a month at an old ramshackle farm, and your horse will enjoy it
just as much.  If you are going to be a horse owner, there is one thing you need more
than money, and that is time.  Don't spend time with your horse once a month and
leave him to sit in the dust the rest of the time.  You are never going to bond that way,
and you lose all of the joy that comes along with horse owning.  Don't get a horse just
because you have the money, or you think it would be a cute lawn ornament.  Get it
because you want to make a difference in an animal's life, and you want to create a
bond that will last forever.