| Is there really any such thing as a cheap horse? | | | | training. |
| I have been involved with horses for over 50 years | | | | So our yearling now involves an investment of: |
| and I get the same question from so many people; | | | | $1750 + $1030 = $2780 |
| "how do I buy a cheap horse" and my answer is | | | | Add about $1000 for each year: |
| always the same; "you can't". Are there exceptions? I | | | | Colts should not be started before 3 years of age, or |
| am sure there are, but let's look at what is involved in | | | | their useful lifespan will suffer. |
| breeding and raising a foal both the time and costs. | | | | $2000 + $2780 = $4789 |
| - Price of mare $2500 / 10 foals = $250, now it could | | | | Oh, you want a trained horse? |
| be more, but not less, I am assuming you want a good | | | | In my area training runs at least $750/month, so there |
| quality horse. | | | | is another $1500 to get the horse "green broke", want |
| - Cost to care for mare while in foal $1000, for hoof | | | | a little more reliability then add on more training. Gee it |
| trimming wormer, shots, feed and grain, again a | | | | looks like our horse costs more to raise than what you |
| minimum does not include housing cost | | | | or I want to pay, so what to do? |
| - Cost of stud fee usually at least $500 | | | | Older horses are an option, as they are usually |
| So we have $1750 in just the mare expenses nothing | | | | cheaper, but that is sort of like getting an old dog, |
| for the labor involved, no vet bills, so we then are | | | | you're going to have to say goodbye to them sooner |
| ready for the live foal which arrives and again no vet | | | | than you would like, so if that bothers you, then better |
| expenses, for mare or foal, so far so good, now let's | | | | stay with a younger horse and have more years |
| raise that foal for one year. | | | | together. |
| 1st Year costs: | | | | Because of the economy you will find more bargains in |
| - Hoof care $180 | | | | the horse industry right now than at any other time |
| - Feed cost $600 | | | | that I can remember, so you may want think about |
| - Healthcare; shots, wormer, $250 | | | | buying a horse before that window of opportunity |
| Again no costs factored in for labor which now | | | | closes. |
| involves not only feeding, but also cleaning the stall, and | | | | |