Horses
 

OK a long shot I know but does anyone have approximate annual costs for keeping a horse.

I'm looking at average Veterinary care (is it possible to get an almost inclusive insurance plan to cover his)
Stabling\livery
Feed
etc.

Thanks in advance

PS I'm in Alberta (as most of you probably know) but I suspect costs wont vary that much across provinces

Re: Horses
 

BC - if you arent able to get the info you need, I know that there are at least a couple of people living in the states that might be able to help. I know its a different country etc., but you could probably get a ball-park figure.

Maybe if you start a thread in the lounge, you might get some info as well.

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Well I was hoping dbd may have a clue :unsure:

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Sure and he may. I was just making a suggestion in case you didnt get want you wanted.

Good luck love!

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:wub: :thumbsup:

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Bwaahaaaahaaaaaa :D:p

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OI dont go offending him. :p

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Oh alright I'm sorry. :o

I just couldn't resist and I'm sure dbd would see the humour in it. :p

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The costs do vary quite a lot - depends very much on rural or urban location.

My wife and I own Fieldstone Equestrian Centre (www.fieldstone-equestrian.ca), which is in Kamloops, BC. We're approx 30% less expensive than Vancouver based boarding facilities - the market here won't stand for the prices charged in Langley.

Anyway, here are broad prices for you - it all comes down to the type of place you want and the facilities it offers.

As an example, Fieldstone has a 32 stall barn with competition sized indoor and outdoor arena, 2 round lunging pens, shower facilities (for horse and riders) seminar/conference room, hot/cold drink machine and lounge area, two tack storage rooms, 32 acres of riding on the property, plus direct access to managed trails on Crown Land.

We charge between $275 and $420 per month for board - this ranges from paddock board (with shelter/water trough), to self board in the barn (client mucks out own horse, we feed it 3x per day), and at the most expensive full barn board where we do everything for the client (rug changes etc)

All clients arrange their own farrier visits (c$100 every 6wks), we organise vaccination and de-worming programs (reckon on $250 p/yr). In addition you need to consider the cost of any insurance you might want (for injury to rider, and for vet's bills for the horse - very few owners take out vetinary insurance as it's so expensive), lesson fees (from $30-$50 per hour), clinic fees (2 day dressage or jumping clinic will cost c$250) and the price of a trailer if you want to haul your horse anywhere (from $5k upwards).

As a good average, I'd say taking the full board option, plus all the other things into account it costs $500 as a bare minimum to own a horse each month. This doesn't include lessons, cost of tack etc. Many owners will easily spend $750 upwards each month.

A neighbour leases a paddock to several horse owners who are happy for a few acres of land for the horses to live on - they pay $150 per month. Any additional hard feed, supplements etc has to be added on top (as well as farrier, vet etc). Obviously they have no facilities without trailering up to us though (we charge $10 p/hr for non-boarders to use our arena space).

Hope that helps you....?

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WOW

Thanks everyone. Didnt expect so much so quick.

Calgal the Links were great

R I C H excellent mate do you do short term boarding? (month or so just thinking IF I go ahead with this I'd like to get out your way for a while in the summer)

Sue- great idea 'bout the lounge but look what happened :D

Steve made me smile as usual. :p

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Just as an addition to my post, your horse will also need a tooth examination once a year ($100, providing nothing troublesome is found). If vet treatment for illness or injury is needed, in this part of BC it's $75 for a call-out, plus cost of treatment.

We had a client's horse suffer from colic this morning - vet call out, and an injection will cost c$150. Poor thing was really suffering, it was touch and go for a while.

If you're going to buy a horse, spend a few hundred $'s on a vet examination - get it thoroughly checked over (x-rays or whatever's recommended). It's easy to mask lameness or problems prior to an innocent new horse owner viewing. Don't get lumbered with a money pit - they're expensive enough to keep without adding unnecessary vet bills on top.

We've 30 something horses that board here, and not one of them's ours. Mugs game horse ownership ;)

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Not usually Butch - we're currently fully booked with a waiting list. It really depends on our situation when you need it. All you can do is get in touch nearer the time, and see if we are able to accommodate you.

If you're out this way on holiday, we often have RV's parked up for a few nights as people travel around/between provinces with their horses. You'd be welcome to do that anyway - we always set aside a few stalls for that type of requirement.

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Is this just an excuse for you to wear those buttless leather chaps again? :sneaky:

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was that the photo you showed me HWP?

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That glossy spread, yup.

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not the one with shaving rash I hope. :o

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Dont forget the time required to look after them Butch, unless you are going for full boarding.



Rgds Scotty

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LOL

Thanks mate (or was that from your good lady???)

I was looking at somewhere within the city or just outside for exactly that reason.

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No, no, no.... the one with the back, crack and sack injury. :ohmy:

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ah the one where the wax was way too hot (I've still got scarring from some of those blisters)

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You guest right sir.

:)

Are you looking to trail ride?

Rgds Scotty 1972

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Yes indeed.

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Yeah, that's one. Did your waxing aesthetician ever find your left testical?

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I hear its excellent, with many options around here. You can camp etc with the horses as well.

Rgds Scotty

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PM Tiaribbon maybe as she runs a horse establishment...

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Hi.

Sorry to bring the thread back to horses (!);) :confused: , but does anyone know if you can 'loan' horses in Canada (partic BC)? My daughter's pony mad, but I wouldn't know where to start with one, so we were planning to loan her a pony/small horse.

Ta

MK Murrays

Re: Horses
 

If you don't know anything about horses, it's best just to send her to a riding school to start off with as they should get her looking after the horses as well as learning to ride properly.

They are quite delicate creatures and need a fair bit of looking after and it's best your daughter learns properly than picking up bad habits that are hard to unlearn.

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Thanks. I don't think I was clear!
I'm the novice, my daughter's a reasonable rider. She started when she was three years old, and has been riding at least once a week since then. She's also been to week long camps, and stayed on ranches in Canada etc.
So she knows a fair bit about horses - I'm the problem!:)

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Ah, sorry, I took it to read she was getting her 1st pony.

I learnt to ride as a mature person and was always sent out on trails with the 3 ten year olds who ran the place with the stern injunction to "Look like I was in charge" when I clearly wasn't!

Kids who have been round riding schools like your daughter are usually exceptionally competent, it comes from crawling under the pony without fear, I think!

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Yes, she knows her ponies. My concern is that I don't! That's why I was interested in loaning rather than buying. I've made no promises, but I know I'm going to be pestered to get her one!
If loaning's an option, or if anyone else has any suggestions on a compromise, please let me know.
Thanks!
:confused:

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oh, is that what that was?? - so you wont need the ointment I sent you? :lol:

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Heehee!

In addition to the above, have a look at the discussion boards at :

http://www.equiman.com/

that one's Canadian with lots of AB posters

and

http://www.chronicleforums.com/Forum/

US based but a fair few Canadians.

R I C H's prices would be low for here and, I suspect, for anywhere near Calgary.

So far as insurance is concerned the way to get it here is by joining the OEF. I expect there's an Alberta Equestrian Federation with a similar deal.

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If the potential horse is for a child then watch out, horses make sailing look like an economical hobby. Beyond the obvious running costs there are:

- coaching

- entry fees

- trailering

- tack

- injuries

- attire

The child will quickly outgrow the attire and the horse and will need new tack for the next horse as well as a better coach and then an A circuit barn and then to winter in Florida (perhaps California from there) and so an equestrian friendly private school and a traveling tutor and yet a better horse and more tack and on and on and on.

It's less ruinous if the serious rider is an adult and there are fabulous fringe benefits so long as you stay clear of the hooves.

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It's usual to "part board" a horse at a training barn, the rider pays a set amount per month for a share of the use of a horse. My OH had two on the go a couple of years ago, iirc the deal was two group lessons a week (1 hour each) and a free (uncoached) ride for 2 hours for $500/month. It's better than just lessons because you always ride the same horse and cheaper than leasing the horse exclusively.

The OH then moved to where she is now, the deal is exclusive use of a quality horse (on or off the premises) and casual use of three others in return for mucking for whatever combination of horses and minis is in the eight stall barn (usually six horses) three days a week. This arrangement would be good for a keen teenager and there are many barn owners wanting to make such a deal, the problem though is that a car is usually needed.

There's a constant thread on coth (link above) called riderless horses and horseless riders (or similar) on which people make deals to match the two. That might be worth a look.

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Fantastic!
Thanks for the help.
Murrays
:thumbup:

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Thanks dbd.
Actually looking just outside Calgary (I WILL NOT ADMIT WHERE, I AM TOO ASHAMED) R I C H's prices are pretty much on the mark as far as pasture boarding is concerned.

I'll have a look at those links. :thumbup:

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Look guys - I dont' "do" horses (so to speak; scary creatures with huge teeth and a leg in each corner) and I only came to check out this thread to see if there were some more photos of horses arses ! I am sorely disappointed and now feel bereft ! :p :p :p

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Be careful what you ask for.