How to Handle the Costs of Owning a Horse

It’s no secret that owning a horse can be expensive. Their shelter, food and vet bills can cost you a lot of money. And it’s even more costly if you ride or perhaps compete with them. You might start off having no problem with the expenses that come with your horse. But everyone hits hard times sometimes or wants to try and save a bit of money. Even though it’s not cheap, there are still ways you can reduce the cost of owning a horse. Try these tips to spend less on keeping your equine friend happy.

Consider Your Options for Shelter

One of the things that can eat up most of your horse budget is providing them with shelter. As with everything, there are cheaper and more expensive options. Some owners elect to put their horse in stables, where they will be cared for by staff and have someone to go indoors. This is the most expensive option, and it’s not always necessary. Horses can survive in some tough conditions, so a bit of wind, rain and even snow isn’t going to do them any harm. You can keep them outside and provide shelter for them in their paddock. And, of course, doing all the routine tasks yourself will save on the cost of labor.

Take Out Insurance

One of the largest expenses for horses can be veterinary bills. Anyone who thinks their cat or dog is expensive would get a shock when seeing a vet for a horse. Horse insurance will help to protect you against any unexpected costs that arise. If your horse has an accident or becomes ill, the insurance will help you cover the expense. You can take out insurance from equine specialists who offer policies designed for horses and their owners. If your horse is older, you can find a plan designed for them and their needs.

Buy Secondhand Tack

Riding can be an expensive hobby, especially if you transport your horse to shows and competitions. Buying new equipment can cost you a lot, but there’s no need to get it brand new every time. Second-hand tack might not be as shiny, but it will work just as well as anything you get new. If you can, try to inspect things before you make the decision to buy them. That might involve going to look at them in person or just looking carefully at photos online.

Prioritise Your Horse’s Needs

It can be difficult to stop yourself from buying things that you want, even if you don’t really need them. But it’s important to put your horse’s needs above your wants. Think about which things are necessities, and which are luxuries that can wait until another time. Save all the nice extras for special occasions, instead of making them a routine part of your budget. Your horse’s health and happiness should be above yours.
Owning a horse will always be expensive, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make savings. Try to make sensible decisions to reduce your costs.

Above photo courtesy of Kim Hill.