Think Before You Adopt
If you have ever looked into getting a horse, you have probably heard it said: "The cost of purchasing the horse is the least expensive thing related to getting a horse." Once you have a horse, you come to realize, this very well is true.
Experts at the American Humane Association (AHA) estimate that tens of thousands of horses are abandoned each year. The American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) cites that the most common reasons for surrender of horses include: horses being sick, injured, old, dangerous or burdensome. And, according to the AHA, one of the biggest reasons for surrendering a horse may be the expense.
According to the Horse Protection League in Golden, CO, and the American Humane Association (AHA), a typical 1,000 pound horse with no serious nutritional or medical issues requires over $2,000 annually for veterinary care, shots, worming and farrier care. Additionally, a normal horse eats about ¾ of a bale of hay per day.
Similar projections done by the AAEP estimates that the annual cost of keeping a horse, including veterinary care and farrier services as well as boarding, if needed, can easily reach up to $5,000/annually.