How much does it price to intendance for a equus caballus where you live?
When information technology comes to knowing how much horses cost and if you can beget one, you demand to start crunching numbers early. From housing and feed to vet care and regular shoeing, these animals are a lot of responsibility. Withal, the "payoff" of having a wonderful equus caballus in your life is, well, priceless.
Read on to larn about key expenses you lot need to be prepared for, likewise as a detailed breakdown of typical costs for each state.
*Comprehend photo provided by Brittney Chambers
Summary of estimated* annual cost of basic horse care by state:
State | Average Annual Cost |
Alabama | $8,448 |
Alaska | $10,226 |
Arizona | $9,341 |
Arkansas | $8,522 |
California | $eleven,040 |
Colorado | $10,015 |
Connecticut | $10,560 |
Delaware | $ix,715 |
Florida | $nine,619 |
Georgia | $8,995 |
Hawaii | $eleven,565 |
Idaho | $9,079 |
Illinois | $9,715 |
Indiana | $8,832 |
Iowa | $8,752 |
Kansas | $8,752 |
Kentucky | $8,597 |
Louisiana | $8,832 |
Maine | $nine,525 |
Maryland | $x,676 |
Massachusetts | $10,335 |
Michigan | $9,079 |
Minnesota | $9,432 |
Mississippi | $viii,375 |
Missouri | $8,674 |
Montana | $9,252 |
Nebraska | $8,832 |
Nevada | $9,525 |
New Hampshire | $10,226 |
New Jersey | $xi,040 |
New Mexico | $ix,165 |
New York | $11,167 |
North Carolina | $8,832 |
Northward Dakota | $8,995 |
Ohio | $eight,674 |
Oklahoma | $eight,752 |
Oregon | $9,619 |
Pennsylvania | $9,525 |
Rhode Island | $9,619 |
Southward Carolina | $8,752 |
South Dakota | $viii,597 |
Tennessee | $8,752 |
Texas | $ix,432 |
Utah | $9,432 |
Vermont | $9,913 |
Virginia | $ix,913 |
Washington | $x,226 |
West Virginia | $8,674 |
Wisconsin | $9,079 |
Wyoming | $9,341 |
Typically, the most affordable states for horse buying are:
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- Kentucky
- Mississippi
Typically, the most expensive states for equus caballus ownership are:
- Hawaii
- New York
- California
- New Bailiwick of jersey
*Annotation to Readers
It'due south important to retrieve the numbers in this article are merely estimates.
Costs vary widely based on your particular horse, its health needs, where you house it, and what blazon of activities you like to practise together. We started with the averages in our horse ownership cost article and applied country-specific values of the dollar to arrive at estimated expenses.
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Horse Care Categories
At that place are a lot of factors that tin influence your equine bottom line. Purchasing your horse, buying a equus caballus trailer, taking a horseback riding lesson, and competing can all inflate your expenses (and deflate your depository financial institution business relationship).
For this commodity, we focus on six basic horse intendance components:
Housing
At that place are a a multifariousness of housing options to choose from, including keeping your horse at home or at a boarding facility. Full, board, fractional board, self-care board, and pasture board are all sub-categories of housing your equus caballus at another facility.
Learn more near how much it costs to board a equus caballus.
Feed (Grain & Hay)
Horse feed costs vary depending on your location and the individual horse. For our purposes, nosotros estimated average grain and hay costs for one year.
Learn more nigh how much it costs to feed a horse.
Read our Horse Hay FAQs.
Encounter How Much Hay to Feed Your Horse During Winter.
Routine Vet Care
Horses require routine "vet intendance" every year, including vaccinations, an almanac checkup, regular deworming, and typically a fecal egg count.
If you are planning on traveling with and showing your equus caballus yous will demand a Coggins examination and (potentially) a wellness document.
Acquire more about how much vet intendance costs for a horse.
Farrier
Most horses crave shoeing every 4-6 weeks. Even if your equus caballus is barefoot, (i.east. don't wear shoes ) still need to be trimmed regularly.
Learn more virtually how much it costs to shoe a equus caballus.
Come across Why Good Horseshoes Don't Injure Horses.
Read nigh Why Some Horses Wear Shoes And Others Don't.
Dentist
Dental intendance is critical, only sadly often overlooked. Having the vet check teeth yearly, or twice per twelvemonth if the horse is a senior or quite young. The vet will let yous know if floating (i.due east. evening out/filing teeth) is needed.
Learn more than about how much information technology costs to float a equus caballus's teeth.
Equus caballus Cost Estimates past State
Alabama
Category | Annual Cost |
Housing | $4,435 |
Grain | $652 |
Hay | $i,587 |
Vet Intendance | $304 |
Farrier | $one,326 |
Dentist | $143 |
Total | $eight,448 |
Alaska
Category | Annual Price |
Housing | $5,368 |
Grain | $789 |
Hay | $1,921 |
Vet Care | $368 |
Farrier | $1,605 |
Dentist | $174 |
Full | $10,226 |
Arizona
Category | Annual Toll |
Housing | $4,904 |
Grain | $627 |
Hay | $one,755 |
Vet Care | $337 |
Farrier | $1,466 |
Dentist | $159 |
Total | $9,341 |
Arkansas
Category | Annual Cost |
Housing | $4,474 |
Grain | $572 |
Hay | $1,601 |
Vet Care | $307 |
Farrier | $1,338 |
Dentist | $145 |
TOTAL | $8,522 |
California
Category | Annual Cost |
Housing | $5,795 |
Grain | $741 |
Hay | $two,074 |
Vet Intendance | $398 |
Farrier | $ane,733 |
Dentist | $188 |
Total | $11,040 |
Colorado
Category | Annual Cost |
Housing | $five,258 |
Grain | $672 |
Hay | $1,881 |
Vet Care | $361 |
Farrier | $1,572 |
Dentist | $170 |
TOTAL | $10,015 |
Connecticut
Category | Annual Cost |
Housing | $5,543 |
Grain | $709 |
Hay | $1,984 |
Vet Intendance | $380 |
Farrier | $1,658 |
Dentist | $179 |
TOTAL | $x,560 |
Delaware
Category | Annual Cost |
Housing | $five,100 |
Grain | $652 |
Hay | $1,825 |
Vet Care | $350 |
Farrier | $1,525 |
Dentist | $165 |
Total | $9,715 |
Florida
Category | Almanac Cost |
Housing | $v,050 |
Grain | $646 |
Hay | $1,807 |
Vet Care | $347 |
Farrier | $1,510 |
Dentist | $163 |
TOTAL | $9,619 |
Georgia
Category | Annual Cost |
Housing | $four,722 |
Grain | $604 |
Hay | $i,690 |
Vet Care | $324 |
Farrier | $i,412 |
Dentist | $153 |
TOTAL | $8,995 |
Hawaii
Category | Annual Price |
Housing | $six,071 |
Grain | $776 |
Hay | $ii,173 |
Vet Care | $417 |
Farrier | $1,815 |
Dentist | $196 |
TOTAL | $eleven,565 |
Idaho
Category | Annual Price |
Housing | $four,766 |
Grain | $610 |
Hay | $ane,706 |
Vet Care | $327 |
Farrier | $i,425 |
Dentist | $154 |
Full | $nine,079 |
Illinois
Category | Annual Cost |
Housing | $five,100 |
Grain | $652 |
Hay | $1,825 |
Vet Care | $350 |
Farrier | $one,525 |
Dentist | $165 |
Total | $nine,715 |
Indiana
Category | Annual Cost |
Housing | $4,636 |
Grain | $593 |
Hay | $1,659 |
Vet Care | $318 |
Farrier | $1,386 |
Dentist | $150 |
Full | $8,832 |
Iowa
Category | Annual Cost |
Housing | $4,595 |
Grain | $588 |
Hay | $1,644 |
Vet Care | $315 |
Farrier | $one,374 |
Dentist | $149 |
TOTAL | $8,752 |
Kansas
Category | Annual Cost |
Housing | $four,595 |
Grain | $588 |
Hay | $i,644 |
Vet Intendance | $315 |
Farrier | $1,374 |
Dentist | $149 |
TOTAL | $eight,752 |
Kentucky
Category | Annual Cost |
Housing | $4,513 |
Grain | $577 |
Hay | $1,615 |
Vet Care | $310 |
Farrier | $1,350 |
Dentist | $146 |
Full | $viii,597 |
Louisiana
Category | Almanac Cost |
Housing | $iv,636 |
Grain | $593 |
Hay | $i,659 |
Vet Care | $318 |
Farrier | $one,386 |
Dentist | $150 |
Full | $eight,832 |
Maine
Category | Annual Toll |
Housing | $five,000 |
Grain | $639 |
Hay | $1,789 |
Vet Care | $343 |
Farrier | $1,495 |
Dentist | $162 |
Full | $nine,525 |
Maryland
Category | Annual Cost |
Housing | $5,604 |
Grain | $717 |
Hay | $2,005 |
Vet Intendance | $385 |
Farrier | $1,676 |
Dentist | $181 |
TOTAL | $10,676 |
Massachusetts
Category | Annual Toll |
Housing | $5,426 |
Grain | $694 |
Hay | $1,941 |
Vet Care | $372 |
Farrier | $ane,622 |
Dentist | $176 |
Full | $x,335 |
Michigan
Category | Annual Toll |
Housing | $4,766 |
Grain | $610 |
Hay | $1,706 |
Vet Care | $327 |
Farrier | $i,425 |
Dentist | $154 |
Total | $9,079 |
Minnesota
Category | Almanac Cost |
Housing | $4,951 |
Grain | $633 |
Hay | $one,772 |
Vet Care | $340 |
Farrier | $1,481 |
Dentist | $160 |
TOTAL | $9,432 |
Mississippi
Category | Annual Cost |
Housing | $four,397 |
Grain | $562 |
Hay | $i,573 |
Vet Care | $302 |
Farrier | $1,315 |
Dentist | $142 |
Total | $8,375 |
Missouri
Category | Annual Cost |
Housing | $4,554 |
Grain | $582 |
Hay | $1,629 |
Vet Care | $313 |
Farrier | $ane,362 |
Dentist | $147 |
TOTAL | $8,674 |
Montana
Category | Annual Toll |
Housing | $4,857 |
Grain | $621 |
Hay | $1,738 |
Vet Care | $333 |
Farrier | $1,452 |
Dentist | $157 |
Full | $9,252 |
*Want to see real horse expense reports from Montana? Check out what my equus caballus costs!
Nebraska
Category | Annual Price |
Housing | $4,636 |
Grain | $593 |
Hay | $1,659 |
Vet Care | $318 |
Farrier | $1,386 |
Dentist | $150 |
Total | $8,832 |
Nevada
Category | Annual Cost |
Housing | $five,000 |
Grain | $639 |
Hay | $1,789 |
Vet Care | $343 |
Farrier | $1,495 |
Dentist | $162 |
Full | $nine,525 |
New Hampshire
Category | Annual Price |
Housing | $v,368 |
Grain | $686 |
Hay | $ane,921 |
Vet Care | $368 |
Farrier | $1,605 |
Dentist | $174 |
TOTAL | $10,226 |
New Jersey
Category | Annual Cost |
Housing | $v,795 |
Grain | $741 |
Hay | $2,074 |
Vet Care | $398 |
Farrier | $i,733 |
Dentist | $188 |
Full | $11,040 |
New United mexican states
Category | Annual Cost |
Housing | $four,811 |
Grain | $615 |
Hay | $1,722 |
Vet Care | $330 |
Farrier | $one,439 |
Dentist | $156 |
TOTAL | $9,165 |
New York
Category | Almanac Toll |
Housing | $v,862 |
Grain | $750 |
Hay | $2,098 |
Vet Care | $402 |
Farrier | $1,753 |
Dentist | $190 |
Total | $11,167 |
N Carolina
Category | Almanac Cost |
Housing | $4,636 |
Grain | $593 |
Hay | $1,659 |
Vet Care | $318 |
Farrier | $one,386 |
Dentist | $150 |
TOTAL | $8,832 |
North Dakota
Category | Annual Toll |
Housing | $4,722 |
Grain | $604 |
Hay | $1,690 |
Vet Care | $324 |
Farrier | $1,412 |
Dentist | $153 |
TOTAL | $eight,995 |
Ohio
Category | Almanac Toll |
Housing | $iv,554 |
Grain | $582 |
Hay | $1,629 |
Vet Intendance | $313 |
Farrier | $one,362 |
Dentist | $147 |
TOTAL | $8,674 |
Oklahoma
Category | Annual Price |
Housing | $4,595 |
Grain | $588 |
Hay | $i,644 |
Vet Care | $315 |
Farrier | $one,374 |
Dentist | $149 |
Full | $8,752 |
Oregon
Category | Annual Cost |
Housing | $5,050 |
Grain | $646 |
Hay | $1,807 |
Vet Care | $347 |
Farrier | $i,510 |
Dentist | $163 |
Full | $9,619 |
Pennsylvania
Category | Annual Cost |
Housing | $5,000 |
Grain | $639 |
Hay | $1,789 |
Vet Care | $343 |
Farrier | $i,495 |
Dentist | $162 |
TOTAL | $9,525 |
Rhode Island
Category | Annual Cost |
Housing | $5,050 |
Grain | $646 |
Hay | $1,807 |
Vet Intendance | $347 |
Farrier | $i,510 |
Dentist | $163 |
Total | $nine,619 |
S Carolina
Category | Annual Cost |
Housing | $iv,595 |
Grain | $588 |
Hay | $ane,644 |
Vet Care | $315 |
Farrier | $1,374 |
Dentist | $149 |
Total | $viii,752 |
South Dakota
Category | Annual Cost |
Housing | $four,513 |
Grain | $577 |
Hay | $i,615 |
Vet Care | $1,615 |
Farrier | $one,350 |
Dentist | $146 |
Total | $8,597 |
Tennessee
Category | Annual Cost |
Housing | $4,595 |
Grain | $588 |
Hay | $ane,644 |
Vet Care | $315 |
Farrier | $ane,374 |
Dentist | $149 |
TOTAL | $eight,752 |
Texas
Category | Annual Cost |
Housing | $four,951 |
Grain | $633 |
Hay | $one,772 |
Vet Intendance | $340 |
Farrier | $1,481 |
Dentist | $160 |
Full | $9,432 |
Utah
Category | Annual Cost |
Housing | $4,951 |
Grain | $633 |
Hay | $1,772 |
Vet Care | $340 |
Farrier | $1,481 |
Dentist | $160 |
Full | $9,432 |
Vermont
Category | Annual Cost |
Housing | $v,204 |
Grain | $665 |
Hay | $1,862 |
Vet Intendance | $357 |
Farrier | $357 |
Dentist | $168 |
Full | $ix,913 |
Virginia
Category | Annual Price |
Housing | $5,204 |
Grain | $665 |
Hay | $1,862 |
Vet Care | $357 |
Farrier | $357 |
Dentist | $168 |
TOTAL | $9,913 |
Washington
Category | Annual Price |
Housing | $5,368 |
Grain | $686 |
Hay | $one,921 |
Vet Care | $368 |
Farrier | $1,605 |
Dentist | $174 |
Full | $10,226 |
West Virginia
Category | Annual Cost |
Housing | $iv,554 |
Grain | $582 |
Hay | $i,629 |
Vet Intendance | $313 |
Farrier | $1,362 |
Dentist | $147 |
TOTAL | $8,674 |
Wisconsin
Category | Annual Price |
Housing | $4,766 |
Grain | $610 |
Hay | $1,706 |
Vet Care | $327 |
Farrier | $1,425 |
Dentist | $154 |
Full | $9,079 |
Wyoming
Category | Annual Cost |
Housing | $4,904 |
Grain | $627 |
Hay | $1,755 |
Vet Care | $337 |
Farrier | $1,466 |
Dentist | $159 |
TOTAL | $9,341 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why practise horses price then much?
Horses are a living breathing fauna with needs, simply like us. They demand proper feed, housing, veterinarian care, and farrier care to stay happy and good for you. As we've merely covered, the toll of all of these items does vary past state, simply they can also vary a bit by horse and your situation. Many equus caballus owners choose to relieve on boarding costs past keeping their horse at home, though that comes with a different prepare of expenses. Preventative vet intendance also helps to reduce unexpected medical costs, which is why keeping your horse up-to-date on vaccinations, teeth, and hoof intendance is important.
Do you have to be rich to have a equus caballus?
No! You lot do not need to exist rich to take a horse (though it certainly helps). Owning a equus caballus can exist achievable for many income levels, specially if yous create a budget of anticipated expenses — and stick to it. Thinking alee will salve you a lot of coin in the long run. Purchasing used equipment and tack, or getting vaccines done during a on-farm vaccination dispensary, are also great ways to reduce your horse costs.
How much money exercise you lot need to get a horse?
Make sure you lot have enough coin for the anticipated ongoing intendance expenses, not only the buy toll of the horse. If y'all accept a look at our land-by-land calculations higher up, it volition requite you a good idea of what your horse will cost on a monthly and yearly ground. You should likewise allocate for ane-time or infrequent expenses similar tack, blankets, building housing and fencing (if the horse is staying on your belongings), a horse trailer, and a vehicle to haul your trailer. Proceed in heed, all of these items are not necessarily required. Many depend on your state of affairs, what you are planning on doing with your horse, and where your animal are housed.
What is the cheapest horse?
Horses can exist purchased from many places, including auctions, for depression prices. While at that place are some amazing horses to be found in these unfortunate situations, be very cautious. Have your veterinarian do a consummate health check to detect any wellness or soundness issues. If you are able, information technology is as well nice to spend some fourth dimension with the equus caballus and get a meliorate idea of its personality. Often, y'all will not be able to observe out much about the equus caballus'due south groundwork or training at an sale, but a at-home personality tin tell you a lot. Do your due diligence to make sure your cheap horse doesn't get a very expensive vet or preparation beak once you get it domicile.
How can I become a free horse?
Horses can sometimes be adopted or rehomed for "free." A note of caution on all "free" horses — they exercise not stay free. You will take the aforementioned general expenses for any horse, regardless of the purchase price. Learn what you can nigh the horse's situation and history. Unfortunately, some of these horses take beliefs bug or past injuries that prompted the original owners to give them abroad. This is not always the case, but it is certainly something to look into before you make a delivery.
Is it hard to own a horse?
Owning a equus caballus takes time, hard work, and a solid upkeep. If you lot are unable to commit to any of these areas, it will be much harder to own a horse. Carefully consider the resources available for a equus caballus prior to buy. While you may not need to go to a boarding facility every day, if your horse is at home you are fully committed to at least two meals a day and daily stall cleaning.
How tin can you afford a horse in college?
Affording a horse in college can exist challenging. If you are close to home, y'all tin offering to work at the barn cleaning stalls, doing repairs, or fifty-fifty exercising horses for reduced board. Many barn owners are willing to work with students and go creative. Depending on your horse, yous tin also consider a fractional lease or ask your trainer to add together your horse to their lesson program to help with the expenses while you are in school. If you are going to school far abroad, you could offer a full lease to a friend or your trainer. Some lease agreements will cover all of the expenses of the equus caballus.
Go Forth and Pinch Those Pennies
Now that you take a improve idea what it volition toll to intendance for a horse in your area, you tin commencement to budget accordingly. If y'all want to run across how this all shakes out in existent life, cheque out my monthly equus caballus expense reports that rails my spending down to the penny!
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