Learn to Ride a Horse - The 6 Expenses to Know Before Buying Your First Horse

Parents always ask how much they should spend onfront end, this will cost between $75 and $125 dollars
a horse for their child when they learn to ride a horse.each time. If any corrective shoeing is required to keep
There is not one answer. It entirely depends on whatyour horse sound, this may be somewhat higher.
you want to do. Buying a top level show horse can4. Routine veterinary costs will include several things.
cost over six figures! But, when you first learn to ride aShots are given about twice a year and a de-worming
horse, you need to find an older, retired, gentle trailprogram should be in place approximately every two
horse which can be found for $1,000 or so.months. The other routine care he will need is having
One important thing to know is that the initial purchasehis teeth "floated". That means having his teeth filed so
price of the horse is just the beginning. You will havethat sharp edges do not hurt him or cause him bridling
ongoing, monthly expenses that you need to expectproblems. This is usually performed about once a year.
that I am listing for you hereAll in all, a typical, normal, healthy horse will cost about
1. First there is board, lodging. This can range depending$500 per year.
on what you want done. If you are willing to do the5. When you learn to ride a horse, you will want to get
daily work, you can board a horse and pay for onlyyour own saddle that fits both the horse and your child.
the stall the horse stays in. That may run only $200 aA good, used kids saddle can be found for a few
month. You, then, would pay for the feed and beddinghundred dollars, but be sure it fits. New top-end saddles
and YOU would perform the daily routines of cleaningcan cost a few thousand dollars. But, that is certainly
and feeding your horse. Then there is full board thatNOT necessary and not recommended! You will also
includes not only the stall but the cost of the feed andwant to purchase a bridle and two or three different
bedding and the manual labor to perform the dailybits. All together, expect to spend around $750. You
tasks. This would be more in the neighborhood ofshould not have to buy another saddle until it is
$400-$600 per month. Remember, boarding rates areoutgrown. Then, there is always another parent looking
highly dependent upon the local market in your area. Ifto buy a good used kids saddle for THEIR child!
you are in an area, for example where you must6. Daily equipment will include grooming supplies,
import your hay, it will be more expensive than if thebrushes, hoof picks, fly spray, ointments for small
hay is grown locally. Call around and just ask theinjuries, leg wraps, shampoos, supplements, blankets
different barns in the area what they charge and whatand sheets. Usually in a boarding barn, you will keep
that fee includes.your things separate from others. You may want to
2. Lessons are an important part of the continuedpurchase a tack trunk to keep your for your things
education of your child to learn to ride a horse. Even ifthat can be locked, so you are not hauling all this stuff
your child already knows how to ride, I would adviseout to the barn each time. Consult your trainer before
that you continue in a lesson program. You canbuying.
NEVER know it all. Having an ongoing relationship withThere always seem to be some unexpected expense
a professional instructor can help your child avoidthat arises. It is just part of horse ownership. Your
problems with their horse and promote safe practiceshorse gets a cut that needs stitching, he somehow
in the barn.gets his blanket off and chews it to shreds, or
3. Horse hooves grow at a rate that will require you tosomething similar. It's like having kids...it is always
have him trimmed and reshod about every 6 to 8something!
weeks. Assuming he is wearing shoes, at least on the