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Cost of Owning a Horse: January 2022 Expense Report

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Written by Horse Rookie

How much do horses cost? Here’s my answer for January.

These reports are intended to be a tool for horse enthusiasts who are considering buying (or leasing) a horse and want a transparent look at the real cost of horse ownership.

(If you’re new to these expense reports, make sure to read the “reminders” section here for background on my finances.)

Here’s the recap of where my horse funds went for January:

  • 32% Education
  • 26% Stabling
  • 15% Health
  • 17% Gear
  • 4% Insurance
  • 4% Travel
  • 2% Fun

Remember that if you’re not exploring barter opportunities, you need to start! Sign up for our email list to get 7 ways to trade for horse expenses and lower your cash out-of-pocket burden.

Cost of Owning a Horse This Month

$1,282.95 // Education

  • $400 – Lessons (Bartered down to $280)
  • $72.95 – Mindset books
  • $85.00 – Working equitation clinic (Bartered down to $0)
  • $275.00 – Jumping clinic (pre-payment for April event)
  • $450.00 – Mindset Boost group

If you’re taking lessons (or about to start), check out our 13 best horseback riding boots for lessons.

$615.99 // Health

  • $33.04 – Knotty Horse Leave In Conditioner (See it at Amazon)
  • $35.98 – ViaCalm Supplement x 2 (See it at Amazon)
    • I bought the second canister for a friend.
  • $210 – Farrier
    • Regular shoeing for my cow horse + trim for my barefoot pony
  • $160 – Pony Dental
  • $46.67 – SmartPak – EquiThrive Essential (cow horse)
  • $46.39 – SmartPak – SmartDigest Ultra (cow horse)
  • $46.96 – SmartPak – SmartDigest Ultra (pony)
  • $36.95 – SmartPak – SmartMuscle (pony)

$699.35 // Gear

  • $36 – Etsy Stall Plates
  • $25 – Kerrits neck wrap
  • $35 – Horseware shirt consignment
  • $32.89 – 11 heated insoles
  • $38.69 – Surcingle
  • $35.09 – Lunging head collar
  • $76.95 – Smaller shire girth
  • $17.99 – Barrel racing reins
  • $42.52 – Soft lunging aid
  • $6.33 – Roma martingale stopper
  • $86.95 – Stubben loose ring double jointed snaffle
  • $42.99 – Western bit for the pony
  • $18.23 – Browband (Used credit card points to get to $13.46)
  • $44.73 – Turnado Bit 5″
  • $159.99 – Heated base layer pants (Used credit card points for this)

$144.08 // Insurance

  • $14.58 – Equisure Liability
  • $129.50 – Berkley Mortality & Major Medical

$1,050 // Stabling

  • $475 – Cow Horse (Bartered down to $175; includes 10% prepayment discount + 10% multi-horse discount)
  • $475 – Jumping Pony (Bartered down to $0; includes 10% prepayment discount + 10% multi-horse discount)

$167.52 // Travel

  • $107.52 – Mileage to the barn
  • $60.00 – Brand Inspection (pony and mini horse) 

$100 // Fun

  • $100 – Kerrits Gift Card for lesson partner

GRAND TOTALS

  • TOTAL (Before Adjustments) = $3,959.89
  • TOTAL (After Adjustments) = $2,815.13
  • Over-budget by $815.13

Note: I doubled my budget for 2022 now that I have two boarded horses.

Wonder how expensive horses are where you live? We break down the average horse cost in all 50 states

Remember, if you’re surprised how expensive horses are, remember that there are plenty of other ways to get your horse fix besides ownership.

Happy Trails!

P.S. If you hate buyer’s remorse too, check out our Horse Rookie Must Haves on Amazon for equestrian gear that’s worth every penny!

P.P.S. Buying your first horse? Check out 60 Questions to Ask When Buying the Horse of Your Dreams and our Beginner’s Guide to the Best Equine Insurance

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About the author

Horse Rookie

I began riding horses at age six, and I'm just as infatuated (OK, more!) with the sport decades later. My AQHA gelding exemplifies the versatility of the breed -- reined cow horse, reining, roping, ranch riding, trail, dressage, and jumping. We're also dipping our toes (hooves) into Working Equitation!