What Does It Cost to Care For a Horse? By Katherine Blocksdorf Katherine Blocksdorf Kathy Blocksdorf is an equine expert and writer with over three decades of experience in training and riding horses. She was raised caring for horses, rehabilitated rescue horses, shows her own horses, and rides long distance. Learn more about The Spruce Pets' Editorial Process Updated on 12/19/25 Credit: The Spruce / Elizabeth Head Key Takeaways The initial purchase price of a horse is only a small part of the overall cost of ownership.Basic horse care costs about $5.80 per day or $2,100 per year, excluding property-related expenses.Unexpected veterinary bills and rising feed costs can significantly increase the expense of owning a horse. Horses are expensive to keep. The initial purchase price of your horse, pony, donkey, or mule is only a small part of its overall cost, and there is no such thing as a free horse. Whether they are $100 horses or $10,000 horses, basic horse care can cost the same. Your horse needs daily care, which can be costly. Plus, the costs can vary due to several uncontrollable factors. Here is a breakdown of the basic minimum costs, assuming you are keeping your horse or pony on your own property. Cost of Owning a Horse: From Purchase to Care Basic Minimum Costs These costs do not reflect the value of the property, land taxes, insurance, or property maintenance, including barns and fences. These costs vary depending on the area. The closer you are to an urban area such as New York or Toronto, or places like Kentucky or Florida that are horse meccas, the more expensive horse ownership can become. You may be able to cut costs by shopping for the cheapest good-quality hay and taking it off of the field yourself, learning to trim your horse's hooves yourself, and buying your own vaccinations (not recommended). One-half bale of hay at roughly $3.00 per day. This can easily cost more as hay is over $10 a bale in some places. Or, your horse may need more than one-half bale. A six-month supply of loose mineral supplements may run $30.00, or $0.17 per day Salt block for $14.00, or $0.04 per day Two-cup servings of inexpensive concentrate per day, about $1.00 Farrier every six weeks at $35 per trim or $0.83 day Dewormer every 3 months for $0.20 per day Dentistry once a year at $125 or $0.35 per day Annual basic core vaccinations of rabies, tetanus, equine influenza, and other routine vaccines at $95.00, or $0.27 per day Thus, the minimum cost to keep one horse is about $5.80 per day, or $2,100 per year. Credit: The Spruce / Elizabeth Head Potential Cost Increases Feeding more expensive concentrates or supplements You have unexpected veterinarian bills Immunizing for other diseases such as West Nile Virus or Potomac Horse Fever A horse that requires shoes or special trimming Competing with your horse A horse that is ill or injured Breeding your horse to produce a foal Rapidly rising fuel prices Your normally good pasture is hit with drought or the price of feed is driven up by bad weather or other circumstances Credit: Caiaimage / Rafal Rodzoch / Getty Images Boarding Boarding a horse can cost anywhere from $100 per month for pasture board, with no inside stabling to over $1,000 per month in barns with stalls, individual turn-out, arenas, and other amenities close to urban areas. You will also pay for extras such as farrier and veterinary care, special feeds, or care such as removing and putting on blankets and fly masks. In self-care facilities, the monthly board is less expensive, but you will supply your own feed and bedding and travel to care for your horse daily. Credit: The Spruce / Elizabeth Head Vet Bills One thing that really can throw your budget is unexpected veterinarian bills. The cost for off-hour calls can be very expensive and something like colic surgery can cost thousands or tens of thousands, depending on what procedures you choose to do. It's wise to think ahead and plan how you might cope with a large vet bill. Explore more: Horses Horse Ownership Basics Horse Care