Putting a price on horses

Kirstie Robertson, Columnist, Pincher Creek Voice

When most people think of horses, they think of the expenses associated with purchasing and owning one. If you live in Alberta, chances are it’s not as much as you may think. In parts of Canada such as British Columbia or Ontario, owning a horse can set you back as much as $6000 a year. In comparison to Alberta’s $2000 a year, owning a horse here can be much more affordable!

The economy for horses is at an all time low due to over-breeding and a small sales market. Due to the excess amount of horses and a small pool of buyers, the prices have been decreased in order to sell before winter, which is generally when the price of feed and maintenance increases. Livestock feedlots also serve as an outsource for overproduction, exporting horse meat to other countries for a profit. This is the final resting place of many horses, expelled from the industry as a result of just too many animals. As unfortunate as this may be, it is often a reliable resource for those who cannot afford to wait to sell their horses into a different sort of circumstance. These livestock yards will usually pay minimum price for each horse, giving the sellers a small refund on the expenses paid for. Because these feedlots offer such a small value however, the rest of the market has been forced to follow suit in order to keep up with the plummeting prices and still make sales. It’s truly a buyers market for the time being!

Depending on where you decide to purchase a horse is also an important consideration. A consignors sale or auction will attract many sellers to one place, resulting in lower prices. Private sales will have less of a selection, as well as higher prices. At some spring or fall horse auctions, you could take home an unregistered, untrained weanling for as little as fifty to a hundred dollars. A registered weanling could set you back about seventy, to two hundred dollars depending on the breeding. Young colts (1-3 years old), can go anywhere from $100 to $700 depending on training and breeding. Anything older can vary depending on, once again, the age, training, and breeding from $700 to $5,000. Of course these prices can vary, depending on the location and type of sale, but for the most part they offer a good generalization for auctions. Private sales are, however, an entirely separate matter. This route may offer a better quality animal, but the price is often reflected on not just the basics, but also sentimental and personal value. This can put a major curve on the price, but usually also pushes the sale out from a few hours to a few months before the horse finds a new home.

Now for the next cash flow question – the feeding and maintenance of a horse.

Being in Alberta, we have no shortage of hay! A horse will eat roughly 1.5% of its body weight in hay, per day. For the average 1200lb horse, this means up to 18lbs of hay. A small bale of about 70 to 100 pounds can set you back about $5.00, and last about three or four days. A much more economical choice would be to purchase your hay in bulk, or rather the large round bales. Though they may be harder to transport, they can save you money in the long run. These bales range from 700 to 900 pounds and can cost about $40 to $60, plus the cost of transport.

The price of board will mainly depend on what kind of facilities you require. Pasture board is considered the bare minimum, and costs about $40 to $50 a month. It includes food, water, and more or less just a field to keep your horse in. The next step up would be paddock board. This usually costs about $150 to $200 and includes the basics of feed and water, daily care, and access to whatever facilities are available. The most expensive form of board would be when the horse is kept indoors in a stall. This may keep them out of the weather and easy to access, but can cost you anywhere from $300 to $500 a month per horse. It usually includes feed, daily care, water, and access to a riding arena and riding instructors.

The overall healthcare of a horse is an important matter, they are not low maintenance animals. Involved services include (minimum) a yearly vet visit, farrier services every two months and overall dental care can cost anywhere from $900 to $1200 per year.

So your horse is healthy, well fed, and has a place to live, but what about basic supplies and tack? If just beginning with horses, you will need tools such as brushes, and a hoof pick. This will only cost about $20 and can last years if cared for properly. Riding tack can very from $200 for a synthetic set, all the way to over $5000 for a professional western set.

The purchase and care of a horse can be a big undertaking, especially when just starting out. Many purchases are one time only such as the tack and equipment, but others, such as feed, board, and health maintenance recur monthly and yearly. Location and choices set aside, you should still be well prepared financially before you make the decision to bring home a horse!