Owning a horse can be an exciting goal, but choosing the horse is only one part of the decision.
Before you start looking, it helps to understand what horse ownership will involve from day to day.
- Where will your horse live?
- How much time will their care require?
- What expenses should you expect?
- Who will you rely on when you need help?
Thinking through those questions ahead of time can give you a much clearer picture of the commitment you’re considering.
Where Will Your Horse Live?
One of the first decisions is whether your horse will live on your property or at a boarding facility.
Keeping a horse at home involves much more than having enough open space.
You also need appropriate fencing, shelter, access to clean water, feed and hay storage, manure management, and pasture or turnout planning.
Local zoning requirements may also affect whether you can keep horses on a particular property.¹
Boarding can shift some of those responsibilities to a facility, but services vary considerably from one barn to another.
Before choosing a boarding facility, find out exactly what is included, what you will be responsible for, and how the facility handles feeding, turnout, stall care, and other everyday needs.
Wherever your horse lives, make sure the arrangement fits both the horse’s needs and the time and responsibility you can realistically take on.
How Much Time Does Horse Ownership Require?
There isn’t a single number of hours that applies to every horse owner.
Someone keeping a horse at home is responsible for feeding, water, turnout, cleaning, property maintenance, and other daily chores.
At a boarding barn, the facility may handle some of those responsibilities.
How much time you’ll need also depends on what you plan to do with your horse.
Riding, training, grooming, lessons, competitions, and simply spending time with your horse all take additional time.
Rather than asking how often you should visit, think about what responsibilities you will personally have and whether you can fit them comfortably into your regular schedule.
What Will You Need?
Horse ownership comes with equipment, but the exact list depends on where your horse lives and what you plan to do together.
Basic items may include a halter and lead rope, grooming supplies, and riding or training equipment.
If you keep your horse at home, you’ll also need supplies and equipment for feeding, water, manure management, pasture or paddock care, and property maintenance.
If you’re boarding, ask what the facility provides before buying everything yourself.
Talking with an experienced horse owner, trainer, barn manager, or other knowledgeable professional can help you determine what you actually need instead of buying equipment simply because it appears on a generic list.
Who Will Be Part of Your Horse-Care Team?
Even experienced horse owners don’t do everything alone.
Horse ownership generally involves working with professionals such as a veterinarian and farrier, and depending on your situation, you may also work with a trainer, riding instructor, barn manager, or other equine professionals.
It can be helpful to identify these resources before your horse comes home rather than waiting until you need them.
If you’ll be boarding, the barn owner or manager can also be an important source of information about how responsibilities are divided and whom to contact when questions arise.
What Will Horse Ownership Cost?
The purchase price of a horse is only part of the financial picture.
Boarding or property expenses, feed and hay, routine veterinary and other professional care, equipment, lessons or training, transportation, and everyday supplies can all add up quickly in an owner’s budget. Unexpected expenses can arise as well.²
Because costs vary considerably depending on location, housing arrangements, and the individual horse, a generic dollar amount won’t tell you much about what ownership will cost in your situation.
Before making the commitment, talk with local boarding facilities and horse professionals about typical expenses in your area.
Building a realistic budget around your own circumstances can help you understand whether horse ownership fits comfortably into your plans.
Look at the Whole Commitment
It’s easy to focus on finding the right horse, but first-time ownership begins well before a horse arrives.
Understanding where the horse will live, which responsibilities will be yours, how horse care will fit into your schedule, what resources you’ll need, and what the ongoing costs may look like can help you make a more informed decision.
The goal isn’t to have every detail figured out before you begin. It’s to have a realistic picture of what horse ownership involves so you’re better prepared for the responsibilities that come with it.
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Visit our website to learn more and to see a list of NASC members who have earned the Quality Seal.
References
- Penn State Extension. Bringing Your New Horse Home.
- Penn State Extension. Finances of Horse Ownership.
