How Much Do GOOD Horses Cost?

Ok... several questions. And then I'll explain my "situation".

1. How much would YOU pay for a decently trained (pretty much anything green broke (or better) with decent ground manners) young horse, age 3-7?

2. How much does a horse generally cost on a monthly basis (not yearly, monthly)?

3. How much are vet bills? And how many times does the vet have to come out the check your horse?

4. What kind/quality of horse would you suggest for someone who mainly wants a horse that she can go out to, ride for a while, become good friends with, and occasionally trail ride? Not really a show horse, but a "pet"/"friend" horse?

5. How much does it cost to feed a horse who isn't being worked like nuts? But lightly?

6. How much tack would I most likely need?


Here's my situation:

I'm going back to the States in one year, and while I'm there (I'm probably going to be there for good) I want to either lease, or buy myself a horse. I'm an intermediate rider, I can ride almost any horse put in front of me. But just riding. I want to do trails, and just riding around the field for pleasure. Occasionally a show every now and then... maybe. The horse will be kept at my grandparent's farm in Katy, TX. It's one of only a few farms in the middle of suburbia. So I won't have to pay for boarding. I will have to pay for feed (though I'll probably pay my Granddaddy for the use of his hay that he uses for his cattle), and for tack and stuff. My uncle is a farrier... so I might be able to get a bit off of the price for being family *is dreaming*. I'm also going to be working at a Vet's office (he's a good friend of my granddaddy... :P... we know EVERYBODY), so I might be able to get a "discount" on Vet bills. I get 40 dollars a month for allowance, plus whatever I might make baby/pet-sitting or at the Vet's. Is this enough to pay for everything I might need? I'll most likely be keeping the horse all through college (Vet Bills will go down as I get into my vet med program at college). I might even by a younger foal during college. But for now... just one horse. Any breed.


OK... so... now that you've read all of that... what are your suggestions?

Due to circumstances, I find it cheaper to keep a horse then a large dog. I keep my horses on grass all year 'round. Due to the drought we are in down south, grass is scarce but I have 18 acres of hay that I "give' my neighbor to harvest in return for enough hay for my horses as needed.

The feed I use costs $8.25 per 50lb bag. Each horse gets fed according to his/her needs - the most getting 1 1/2lb per feeding twice per day.

My farrier cost me $50 every 6 weeks (trim and front shoes). Trim is only $30. I worm my own horses and give all shots myself. Any typical problems that come up I can do without a vet. I do need a vet for Coggins and for dental work - and for emergencies of course.

My favorite breed is the QH which I find to be the best overall breed for consistent behavior. Pedigree is the most important factor in choosing a horse. Just because a horse is a registered QH does not mean you will have a good horse - it's all in the genes. The last horse I bought was a "no sale" at an auction that I contacted the owner about afterward. I "stole" him for $1,100 (including delivery to me). His breeder/trainer estimated his value (he is a trained cutting/turnback horse), even in a poor horse economy, at about $6,500. That just goes to show that spectacular buys can be had if your are lucky, knowledgeable and careful.

If I added up my cost per horse, I would come up with about $55 per horse per month.

Btw, be careful of cattle hay. Cattle can digest poor hay but horses can't.

Kk... thanks for the warning on the hay.

I'm not a huge fan of QH's... but if I find a good one that works for me, I'll get him/her. I'm thinking about Thoroughbreds, or Arabs/Arab Crosses. I enjoy high-strung horses.

Is there some site somewhere (here?) that has a lot of information on pedigrees, and how to tell if a horse is "good" or not depending on his pedigree? Because... well... I have absolutely NO idea about famous stallions here or there. All I know is that a horse looks good, has good manners, and is attractive both in mind and outter appearance, and so I assume that it's a good horse.

1. How much would YOU pay for a decently trained (pretty much anything green broke (or better) with decent ground manners) young horse, age 3-7?
You can get a really nice riding horse for anywhere between $800 - $35K, depending on what you are looking for. If you want a trail/riding - local show horse, you can get one for around $1800

2. How much does a horse generally cost on a monthly basis (not yearly, monthly)? Boarding can be anywhere from 250 - 700 per month... If you take care of one healthy horse yourself... you are looking at about $100 per month, maybe a little less... (feed/hay/farrier/dewormer)

3. How much are vet bills? And how many times does the vet have to come out the check your horse? Vet bills depend on the vet... Farm call is anywhere from 25 - 75 (you pay that every visit) and then you have shots are about 100, once per year, some people get boosters halfway through the year... emergence calls are usually around 250 bucks...

4. What kind/quality of horse would you suggest for someone who mainly wants a horse that she can go out to, ride for a while, become good friends with, and occasionally trail ride? Not really a show horse, but a "pet"/"friend" horse? I'd pick either a QH or a TWH......

5. How much does it cost to feed a horse who isn't being worked like nuts? But lightly?
100ish...

6. How much tack would I most likely need?
for around the house? One bridle, one saddle, one, maybe two saddle pads... one halter... couple lead ropes... maybe a blankie for the winter... flymask for the summer....

Thanks a ton. Seems like everyone points to QH's... *sigh*

I'm not going to throw them off completely... but I'd prefer a different breed.

I'm still in the process of looking, perhaps making/getting tack, and so on.

It doesn't have to be a quarter horse. Go for whatever breed you like. Breed doesn't determine temperment or behaviour. You seem like you are looking for a solid, laid-back, pleasure type of horse. Are you riding English or Western? I would suggest tb, because I own one and love her to death, but tbs are more sport/showing horses than relaxed, "friend," pleasure horses. Although I will tell you that my horse is the most well behaved, gentlest, sweetest and willing horse I know. She's one of the best behaved at my barn. I'm definitely biased towards thoroughbreds. Lol. But a tb doesn't really seem to fit your circumstance.

Quarter Horses are nice. Why don't you like them? What about a nice paint or appy?

It seriously depends on the horse... but... well... I have no idea. I'm just not a huge fan of QH's... :P Something about their personalities and the giant rear ends...

I don't mind paints, or appies (well... most appies). Like I said.. I'll be MORE than willing to take a QH if it's the right price, fits all the requirements... and so on.

I ride English. I'll be willing to switch to Western, because for me... I fit the horse's needs, instead of the horse fitting to my needs. Kind of odd... but since I don't have any HUGE goals, like becoming a top competitor... I don't see why I have to have a horse that's suited to one specific thing.

I really enjoy high-strung horses with a TON of personality... I just don't find that in most QH's, Paints, and Appies. I am wanting to just ride every now and then, but I also like a horse with some personality, not something like a bike that you can get on, and then get off without much effort at all. (if I wanted that... I could get a bike). And I'm willing to take them to shows, train them for shows, and so on. I just don't think I'll have as much time/money to spend on shows.


Oh... and can't you just see a dainty and high-strung arabian filly/mare running around and pestering three older (in their teens) QH horse geldings who just want to graze? :P

I think the QH is just such a popular breed... but.. you can get anything you want... You know though, the "newer" style QH's look more l ike TB's anyway... they don't have the monster butts... I personally love the monster butts though! Teehee..

Quarter horses are no more 'low-key' (not high strung) than draft horses are gentle giants. You can find A LOT of qh's with spunk!

But you get the horse YOU want. Just because everyone else has qh', tb's or what have you doesn't mean you gotta get that breed! I went with a draft, way different than from what everyone else around here has.

A good horse can cost you anywhere from $200 to $200,000. Just depends on the horse and what you want to pay. No matter what the price, ALWAYS get a vet check.

Boarding can be done in different ways. Full care which they pay for everything, stall cleaning, turn out, feed; partial care, they do some of the cleaning, some of the feeding; self care, you take care of the horse; pasture only - no stall.

I do full care for $300 a month. That includes: all the hay, grain, cleaning six days a week (boarders clean on Sundays), turn out, tack storage, wash rack etc.

Vet fees:

Shots twice a year: $65 and $35
Teeth floating: $135 to $250 (once a year)
Trip call: $50 each visit

Emergency care: a lot of money especially vet calls after hours

Farrier:

I pay $100 every 6 weeks, but I have a draft. Most farriers are $55 to $75 for shoes and a little less for just trims on light horses

Tack you need
Saddle
Bridle
Couple of pads
Possibly breast collar
Get more than one halter
A few cotton leadropes
Cleaning supplies
Buckets

I haven't seen any horse that can't do englsh AND western so don't let that limit you.

Haha... thanks Solon. I'm actually looking around on the web at various Arabian and Draft Breeders (whoa... what a difference in horse!)

I don't mind grade or crosses. I love my mutts... *cuddles up with her doggie*

I'll look at different horses.

I'm hoping to get "discounts" on different things for working for people (like less on vaccinations or something since I work with the Vet, or less on farrier stuff for taking care of my Uncle's QH's...)

But honestly peeps... wouldn't it be great to see a hot-blooded, thin coated Arab running around with slowish (they still have personalities) and fuzzy Quarter Horses? :P