Horseback-riding can be a fun, rewarding hobby; trained riders who own their own horses are able to develop a strong bond with their animal that can impact many areas of their life. But when starting out, owning and maintaining horses can be one of the most expensive hobbies. The horses themselves are expensive to buy, but there are many other costs you may not expect.
Horse Insurance
You may not think horses are something you would need insurance for, but getting a horse insurance quote helps mitigate the damage done in an accident. Even for trained riders, horses can be unpredictable and can be dangerous when startled. A trained horseback rider with years of experience will probably be able to deescalate a startled horse, but even they could be injured. Purchasing horse insurance could save you money in the event of an accident.
Boarding
Once you buy a horse, you have to have somewhere to put it. Horses are big animals and need their own dedicated sleeping and feeding spaces. Building your own stable lets you decide where and how to board your animal, but can be enormously expensive. The easier option is renting space to board your horse, but even that can add up over time. Make sure you have budgeted for boarding costs before buying a horse.
Food
This is probably the most obvious expense but still bears repeating. An average horse costs between $600 and $1100 a month to feed. This figure applies to hay diets; feeding a horse a grain diet will be even more expensive.
Owning horses, like with any animal, can be a fulfilling and rewarding hobby. But be aware of the up-front and recurring costs before you decide you want a horse. Doing so will give your animal the best life possible.
