Lacey's Story
The experience of having your very own horse is a unique blessing and often a lifelong dream for many. My first horse, a gelding named Napoleon, wasn’t technically mine; he belonged to a close friend of my husband. At the time, this friend visited only a few times a year, but Napoleon still needed to be ridden, exercised, and, of course, loved.
I was new to horses, and Napoleon was the first horse my husband (then my boyfriend) put me on. I remember him saying, “This horse is a soldier. He’ll do anything you tell him, so don’t point him off the side of the mountain, because he’ll go.” That day, I think I fell in love twice.
I rode Napoleon almost exclusively for years. He was my go-to horse for adventures into Griffith Park, often bareback, galloping up the mountains and feeling as if I were flying. My relationship with Napoleon marked the beginning of my journey into horse ownership. Since then, I’ve purchased many horses for various purposes, and I’d love to share what I’ve learned along the way.
The bond between a horse and their “owner” (I prefer the term guardian, but I’ll stick with owner for simplicity) can be profound. However, it’s also a significant commitment in terms of time, money, and emotion. Horses can be expensive—not just to buy but to care for—and their average lifespan is between twenty-five to thirty years. I don’t mention this to deter you but to help you understand the commitment you’re considering.
Where to Start?
I want to start by noting that there are plenty of alternatives to owning a horse, like taking lessons, leasing, or forming ad-hoc arrangements with horse owners. I highly recommend exploring these options before committing to buying your own horse. For this article, though, we’ll assume you’ve taken some lessons and decided that horse ownership is the path for you.
Let’s talk about the monthly costs associated with owning a horse. These expenses can vary widely based on your location and how much care you plan to handle yourself. The primary components of monthly costs include feed, board, shoes, supplements, grooming essentials, and possibly training, depending on your horse’s intended use.
Your expenses will largely depend on whether you live in an urban or rural area, how much of the daily work you plan to do yourself, and whether you want your horse trained in a specific discipline. For example, boarding a horse in Los Angeles will likely cost more than in rural Kentucky.
To give you a clearer picture, here are a few sample scenarios of what you could expect to pay:
A Monthly Estimate of Costs:
- Pasture Board: $200–$600, depending on your location and sometimes the season.
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Stall at a Self-Care Boarding Stable: $250–$500
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Hay/Feed: $300–$450
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Stall Bedding (Shavings): $80–$150
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Stall at a Full Care Boarding Stable (includes hay, shavings, and daily turnout): $500–$1,600
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Stall at a Full Care Boarding Stable with Training (includes hay, shavings, daily turnout, training, and lessons): $1,600–$2,500
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Shoes: Ranges from $50 for a barefoot trim to $450 for a full set of shoes with pads (every 4–6 weeks)
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Horse Care Supplements and Grooming Essentials: $50–$150
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Vet Bills: This can be unpredictable! An emergency vet call to our ranch in Malibu starts at about $500, while a colic surgery can cost around $15,000. For basic yearly care, you might expect to spend $400–$600 for vaccinations and dental care (like teeth floating).
You’ll also need to purchase tack for your horse. The most basic tack includes a saddle, saddle pad, cinch/girth, bridle, reins, bit, halter, and lead rope. On a budget, you could expect to spend around $1,000 to outfit a horse.
While there may be some outliers that don’t fit these ranges, this is generally a fair estimate of what you can expect to pay.
How to Purchase a Horse?
Specialty Horses
If you’re looking to buy a horse specialized in a specific discipline, working with a trainer can be incredibly helpful. They often have connections with breeders, know of specific horse auctions, or may have horses for sale themselves. Prices for these specialized horses can range from around $10,000 to millions of dollars—yes, literally!
Take the time to research different trainers in your area. Reach out to them to see if their training programs align with your goals. Everyone’s needs are different, and various trainers focus on different levels of riders.
Most disciplines offer “lesson horses” for beginner to intermediate riders, allowing you to gain experience before purchasing your own horse. Each discipline also tends to have specific breeds that excel in those areas. For example, quarter horses are the most popular choice for Western disciplines, while jumpers often include “warmbloods” (many from Europe) or “OTTBs” (off-the-track thoroughbreds).
When it comes to trail riding, you’ll find a wider variety of breeds suitable for those adventures. A bit of research on horse breeds can help guide your choice. Just as certain dog breeds have unique personality traits and skills, horse breeds do too.
Equally important is selecting a horse that matches your level of experience. Generally, older, more experienced horses are better suited for novice riders, but there are always exceptions.
By taking these steps, you’ll be better equipped to find the perfect horse for your journey!
General Horses
If you’re looking for a horse to love, ride, and enjoy without a specific discipline in mind, it’s a great idea to enlist the help of someone knowledgeable about horses. Having a friend or mentor who understands what you’re looking for can make the search much easier. Most horse enthusiasts will be happy to assist you in finding the right match.
You’ll likely be browsing platforms like Craigslist, local Facebook horse groups, or attending horse auctions. Prices for these horses can vary widely, ranging from a couple thousand dollars to well into the tens of thousands. Keep in mind that a higher price doesn’t always mean a better horse; often, it reflects specialized training rather than overall quality.
If you’re a total beginner, look for descriptions that include terms like “beginner-friendly,” “good for the whole family,” “bomb-proof,” “babysitter,” or my personal favorite, “husband safe.” Avoid terms like “green,” “thirty days under saddle,” and, of course, “not for beginners!”
When you find a horse online that interests you, make it a priority to visit in person, ideally with an experienced horse person by your side. Unfortunately, just like in any field, there are honest and dishonest people in the horse world. It’s crucial that you do your research and seek guidance to ensure you make a well-informed decision.
You’ll want to have the horse “vetted,” which means having a veterinarian conduct a basic physical exam. This typically costs around $500. For more expensive horses, you might want a more extensive vetting process, which can include scans and x-rays and may run from $1,000 to $2,000. This level of vetting is usually only necessary for performance horses with high-level training in their future. For most horses, a basic exam will suffice.
I highly recommend getting at least the basic vetting exam for your first horse purchase. Some issues might not be obvious to the untrained eye, but an experienced vet can catch them. Depending on the horse’s age and history, you might find some concerns during the exam. There’s a common joke in the horse community that it’s nearly impossible for a horse to pass a vetting exam; you just have to decide if you can handle any issues that arise. While I don’t completely agree with this, I understand the sentiment.
How much weight you put on the vetting exam really depends on what you want to do with your horse. To be honest, I haven’t vetted most of my horses before buying them. My husband has extensive horse experience and can often spot problems and perform basic vetting tasks himself. Additionally, most of our horses aren’t expected to train like high-level athletes.
Again, this is where having a knowledgeable friend comes in handy! If you plan to use a horse for jumping fences, it will need to be in better shape than one you intend to use for leisurely trail rides. Essentially, you’re looking for a horse that can comfortably handle the activities you have in mind.
Horses are a significant commitment, so it’s essential to take your time in the process and wait for the right horse at the right price. It can be tough when you find a horse online that seems perfect, fits your budget, and you’ve driven hours to meet and ride, only to realize it’s not the right fit. However, for your sake and especially for the horse's, make sure you’re making a well-informed decision.
I won’t delve into the darker aspects of the horse industry or the fate of horses that are hastily purchased without considering long-term costs, but it’s a grim reality. By making informed choices and doing your due diligence before buying, you can help reduce the number of horses that end up in unfortunate situations.
Even with all the research and planning, buying a horse can still feel like a gamble. You can insure a horse like you would a car or a house, and if you’re purchasing a more expensive horse, it’s definitely worth looking into insurance options.
Lastly, despite their size, horses are surprisingly delicate animals. Even with the best diet, care, and training, a simple stomach ache can be life-threatening. The financial loss might not compare to the emotional loss, which, unfortunately, is uninsurable. So, prioritize finding a horse that truly fits your needs, and take the time to make a thoughtful choice.
Now that I feel like I’ve done everything I can to talk you out of buying a horse, I’ll say this: I still hope you do.
With love,
Lacey