Do you need to know how to do a horse budget?

Here are some things to consider!  I’m sure you already know that horses can be an expensive hobby, but how expensive are horses really?  Can I fit a horse into my budget?  How do I make a horse budget?  Well, we are going to look at all the things that could come up while being a horse owner!  Let’s make our first horse budget.

Feed

Horses need grain, hay, supplements, and salt or mineral blocks.

• Grain
• Hay
• Supplements
• Salt/Mineral Blocks

Water

Do you have access to a well or do you have to pay for your water?  If you have to pay, your water bill might just go up.

• Water

Housing

Do you live on a farm with your own fields? Or, do you live in town with a small yard?  Where are you going to keep your horse?

• Stable Fees
• Pasture Fees
• Free Land

Equipment

Are you going to ride this horse you plan to own?  If you plan to ride you will need the proper equipment, such as saddle, pad, halter, lead rope, buckets, headstall, breast collar, girth, cinch, reins, and bit.  In addition, you might also need spurs, chaps, boots and jeans.  You can check here for how much things might cost. And, You may want to grab a free budget spreadsheet that helps you plan out the costs over a full year.

• Saddle (When purchasing a saddle, fit is the most important topic for both you and the animal!)
• Pad
• Halter
• Lead Rope
• Buckets
• Headstall
• Breast Collar
• Girth
• Cinch  (You might be interested in “Let’s Talk About Your Cinch” if you are in the market)
• Reins
• Bit
• Spurs
• Chaps
• Boots
• Jeans

Shoeing

If you are going to ride and have your horse wear shoes, you will need to do this every six to eight weeks.

Vet Bills

You will want to maintain regular vaccinations for your horse as well as a regular worming schedule.  In addition, you might want to set aside some extra cash just in case your horse has an accident or is snake bitten, etc.  You definitely want to be able to afford to go to the vet if you need to!

• Vaccinations
• Wormer
• Office Visits/Barn Calls
• Emergency Medical Vet Services

Events

Do you plan on competing with your horse?  If you are, that is great!  Some things to consider are having a horse trailer or someone to offer you and your horse a ride.  Also, you will need to have cogins pulled so you may enter the event.  There are also entry fees at most events.  Lots of people enjoy going to weekend and week long trail rides as well.  The cost is usually camping spot, stalls, entertainment and food all rolled into one.

In addition, you will also incur costs such as meals on the go, possible hotel stays, whether you go to a one or two day event.

• Horse Trailer
• Coggins
• Event Fees
• Event Food
• Possible Hotel Fees
• Trail Ride Events (Our favorite Trail Ride)

If you think you might travel with your horse, you might want to grab our FREE HORSE CAMP CHECK LIST!

Go ahead and print this out and try to put a dollar amount next to each possible cost.  This way you can see all the extra costs you might incur, so that you can plan ahead for them by having a horse budget.

If right now you feel like it might not be the right time, just keep plugging away.  You will get there, just like we did when we got 40,000.00 out of debt.

Always,

Bridget, the Cowboy’s Wife

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