TO OWN A HORSE

BOARDING
Unless you build your own barn and fencing you will be looking at the exspence of boarding your horse. The best thing about this is that you don't have to worry about barn maintence, repairing boards, fixing water lines, keeping the arenas groomed and the property maintained.

PASTURE costs $275 per month including your horse being fed top quality hay twice a day. Our pastures are about 175x200 feet and are shared with other horses. Each pasture has a 12x24 foot shelter for your horse to get out of rain or sun. This is the most econmic way of keeping a horse. Pasture boarding is ideal for your horse if he gets along well with other horses and is a great way for your horse to get exercise if you don't have the time to work him.

PADDOCK costs $475 a month per month including your horse being fed top quality hay twice a day and are cleaned 6 days a week. Paddocks are 12x24 foot pipe corral with a 12x12 foot cover shed and shavings are included. The Paddocks are ideal if your horse needs his own private place to eat and if you like your horse to stay clean. Because of his shavings and shed he will not get muddy in the winter. Horses in the paddocks should get exercised or trained at least 5 days a week.

BOX STALL costs $475 a month and includes your horse being fed twice a day top quality hay and are cleaned 6 days a week. Box Stalls include all shavings needed and stalls are fully matted, have lights and automatic waters. Durring the summer box stalls also have fly control system. The Box Stalls are ideal if you horse is in full time training. This alows the horse to be focused on his job of learning. When horses are in box stalls they look forward to getting worked and end up learning faster with a better foundation. Box Stalled horses should all be exercised or trained 5-6 days a week.

FARRIER SERVICE
Your horse will need a trim or shoeing every six to eight weeks. For just a trim it costs about $50. A full shoeing (all 4 feet with iron) is about $150 and to reset (same old shoes put back on after a trim) is about $75. If you have a show horse the price is closer to $250 - $300 per shoeing every 8 weeks because of the specialty iron and leather pads and wedges.

VETRINARY CARE
Veterinary costs usually run between $200 and $300 a year for routine care, providing the horse stays healthy. This pays for two annual vaccinations, the cost of de-worming every six to eight weeks, and having your horse's teeth floated (rasped) once a year.
Two of the most common emergency veterinary calls, colic and lameness, can bring you an additional $150 to $250 per visit, including minor medications. If the colic or lameness workup is extensive, be prepared to spend $750 to $1,000 easily. Better to get medical insurance because it only goes up from there for proper care of a serious problem.

TACK AND EQUIPMENT
You'll need grooming equipment and tack: a saddle, a bridle and a saddle pad; other supplies may include a halter, lead rope, horse blanket and sheet. Tack and equipment will cost you $500 at the low end and all the way up to $3,000 or more at the high end. If you plan to show your horse, you could end up spending even more. Most competitive riders maintain at least two sets of tack: a moderately-priced bridle for everyday riding and a more expensive bridle for showing.

INSURANCE
You'll need mortality insurance - which pays when your horse dies - and medical insurance (to cover unexpected accidents or illnesses). Premium costs for mortality insurance usually run about four percent of the insured value of the horse, so if your horse is valued at $3,000, you would pay $120 annually. Medical insurance usually costs another $150 per year.