Owning a horse means that you are the advocate, and therefore responsible, for that animal's health, safety, and training. Horses should be provided with:
- food of sufficient quantity and quality to allow for normal growth or maintenance,
- clean, potable water in sufficient quantity,
- shelter from adverse weather conditions,
- a clean environment and enough space for periodic exercise, and
- appropriate health management, including vaccinations, deworming, farrier care and dental care.
Recent estimates put owning one healthy horse at just under $6,500 a year. This includes basic care costs associated with vaccinations, deworming, hoof care, nutrition and shelter. Unfortunately, horses do get sick, become lame, become elderly or have career-ending injuries.
Also, children as well as and adults become disinterested or move away from home, or a divorce or job loss may affect an owner’s financial resources. Recently, the costs of owning a horse has continued to rise, while individual or family incomes have remained stagnant or declined.
