Before Buying a Horse
Do a Budget Even the gift of a horse doesn't guarantee it’s affordable‌..
Written by Anita Bast-Cook with assistance and direction from Greg Cook of Greg Cook Horsemanship
The Horse
Buying an old horse…
This is a highly
[Type the document title]
A nice quiet old horse shouldn’t cost any more than $1000 due to age and the fact they may need a little more attention for their teeth and feed and a retirement plan. In Australia, a good, quiet, young, well bred horse will probably start at $4000, a young horse suitable for a beginner starts at $8000. You would need to check he/she has been broken in by a good hand and done a lot of miles under the saddle before buying for a beginner. At this price, its best to get a vet check to make sure you’re buying a healthy horse with no previous injuries. If you think this will be the most expensive part of owning a horse, think again....
recommended way to start. If you can find an old horse
that's done plenty of miles, doesn't have too many nasty tricks and only does as much
as it is asked, they're great for building confidence! Just going to need a retirement
These registered Quarter Horse yearlings were each $3000 - $4000, well handled, easy to catch, lead and float, they are all from horses known for their quiet bloodlines.
plan for them….
1
Feed and nutrient supplies
The amount of feed and extra nutrition required depends on the amount of work a horse is getting, paddock size, location, time of year, age and state of your horse (eg. in foal or sick). It also depends on the type of feed and nutrition you decide to feed. We’ll cover all this in a later ebook. As a general rule, a horse in a large paddock with feed all year round may only need a dipper of a grain feed a day/or per ride and a little nutrient scoop to keep healthy and shiny. Dipper of feed - $15 to $18 per week Nutrients - $3 to $5 per week
[Type the document title]
Before Buying a Horse, Do a Budget
A horse in a small yard with little or no feed/grass will need hay on demand ie a round bale of hay (or breaky, lunch and dinner hay), cool grain feed morning and night, and nutrients to keep looking healthy and shiny. Agistment in a joint paddock - $30 to $45 per week Agistment in a single paddock - starting at $50 per week Full care in a stable yard - starting at $70 per week can easily reach $150 in some areas A round bale or constant hay - $30 to $45 per week Dipper of feed twice daily - $35 per week Nutrients - $3 to $5 per week
Worming
2
Every 6 weeks a horse needs worming whether it’s in a small yard or a large paddock. Wormers vary in price and products need to be changed regularly so as a general rule a wormer will cost between $16-$20 per wormer.
Vet and Vet Supplies
Starting from the feet... Hoof treatments for soft footed horses, if you know a good farrier he may be able to help you out with some home remedies otherwise treatments start from $15 these are handy to have on hand. Up the legs... Anti-bacterial sprays/ointments for scratches and cuts $7 to $30, these are essential to have on hand. The body Insect sprays and, depending on the area you’re in tick sprays. You can use people’s sprays, horse sprays start from about $15 and do large areas a little easier; The occasional body adjustment by a horse chiropractor. $80-$150 The head Eyes can be very delicate and it’s better to be safe than sorry and get a vet to check them out. $200-$400 Young horses between two and four years should have their teeth checked every 12 months and I always have their wolf teeth removed to avoid complications down the track. $150-$300 Old horses should have their teeth checked every 12 months as their old teeth can become sharp and need some gentle filing. $150-$300 Jaw alignments are very important as they can affect the whole body, I get these done on my young and old horses when their teeth are getting checked. $110-$220
Make sure the vet you choose has experience with horses; If at all possible, put your horse on a float and take it to the vets, unless vets are doing the rounds of your area it can be very expensive to have a vet come to your property. Home visits on rounds start from $150; a visit to the vets for a routine check starts from $150; a home visit in an emergency can start from $300. This doesn’t include any treatments or examinations.
How to decide?
[Type the document title]
The best way to decide on a horse chiropractor, dentist or vet is your horses’ health. If your chiropractor requires 4 or 5 treatments to fix a simple issue, you might
like to look for another one. A vet and dentist is a little trickier and other experienced horse
owners opinions are valuable in this respect.
3
Farrier for Hoof Care
[Type the document title]
Good farriers should be treated as national treasures, they should know how to trim, shape, correct hoof issues and shoe hot and cold. Don’t take one farriers word for it, take a photo if you’re not sure and get some advice. If you post a photo of your horses’ hooves on Greg Cook Horsemanship’s Facebook page, Greg will personally let you know if it’s a good job. A trim will cost between $55 and $65 and shoeing starts at $150 for a good farrier.
Barefoot trim done properly can be beneficial, but I stress done properly. There are a lot of backyard barefoot trimmers, as before if you’re not sure take a photo and post it.
A horse ridden occasionally will generally require trimming every 6 to 8 weeks, a horse ridden regularly requires trimming or shoeing every 4 to 6 weeks, it all depends on the country they’re in.
If your horse is trimmed regularly you can avoid the extra expense of corrective shoeing and treatments.
Find a good farrier, its important!
A lot of pressure is put on horses’ hooves, that's why correct trimming is so important. Corrective
shoeing is expensive and requires extra treatments and specialist
4
farriers.
Saddlery Cheap saddles are just that, cheap. They generally don’t sit the rider in the correct position, cause issues to your horses back and generally don’t last, causing safety issues down the track. I have saddles my dad rode in that I could still sell for $800 or $900 because of their quality.
Regardless of what discipline you ride, dressage or western, showjumper or barrel racer, buy a good quality, well fitted saddle. These generally start second-hand at $700. A new, good quality saddle, will start at $2000. A new exceptional quality saddle, will start at $5000 and last you for 30 years with the occasional check from a saddler, fit most horses and sit you in the correct position. Personally, I choose the $5000 saddle any day, and I’m in them day in, day out, 360 odd days a year.
Same goes for bridles, halters, bits, reins, saddle pads and lead ropes. Fully kitted out with the remaining quality gear, will set you back about $300 - $400, of course you can go into town and get all the bling but there’s no real need to…
There’s a bit involved in choosing a bit…here’s a list of what to look for: [Type the document title]
I find a 5 inch fits most
horses, and use my 5 inch GCH Bit on every horse that come through the gates, big and small. Fixed sides – better direction, no pinching; Sweet iron mouthpiece for taste and
5
temperature adjustment Copper inlays – keeping your horse’s mouth moist.
Rugs
[Type the document title]
Horses are rough on even the toughest rugs, the only horses in rugs at my house are kept in the yards. They will roll, rub, catch them on wire, trees, pickets, nails (not that I like some of this stuff around my horses, but they’ll find it if you have it) and rip them to shreds. If you have some good quality thread and darning needles you can repair the majority of rips, it’s finding the time to repair it that I struggle with. A rug will set you back from $55 for a summer lightweight rug or starting from $100 for a winter rug.
Transport To travel anywhere further than is reasonable to ride, you’re going to need a float, doesn’t need to be flash but it does need to be safe! Hire of a float is generally available in most major centres. Cost starts at $88 per day. A second-hand float can start from $1500, have an expert check the flooring underneath to ensure its safety. A brand-new floats start from $7000, unless you have a mate in the industry.
Clinics and Lessons Having the gear is a good start, but knowing how to handle your horse and create a willing partnership takes skill, knowledge, confidence, time and effort, even with the quietest horse. Reputable Horsemanship Clinics start from $350 Lessons in a group $55 per hour
There’sina the bit Riding involved or in paddock choosing a down at the bit…here’s local club a list of what grounds, it’stoall look horsefor: riding and primarily for your enjoyment, so enjoy!
I find a 5 inch fits most
horses, and use my 5 inch GCH Bit on every The primary reason for horse that come through having a horse is to the gates, big and small. enjoy it! Fixed sides – better
For me, hang direction, no pinching; the cost, I’m
Sweet iron mouthpiece -
6
for taste and
in, ridingadjustment temperature boots and all!
Copper inlays – keeping your horse’s mouth moist.
You!
There are certainly no requirements for pleasure riding, trail riding or just riding in the paddock, but for safety’s sake helmet (replaced every 2 years), riding boots with the heel and long pants and shirts are recommended. Helmets and boots start at $65 each and you’ll find them at any good saddlery.
Most clubs will have a dress standard and requirement, it all depends on what you would like to do.
You’re ready to get started!
The minimums: If you were to purchase items/services of the least value, yet still safe, you would need the below total in your first year. I wish I was exaggerating… ITEM
COST
Horse
$1000
Feed and Agistment
$2652
Wormer
$144
Vet supplies + Vet visit (Only includes a vet check at the Vets)
$550
Farrier
$495
Saddlery
$1000
Rug (Summer and winter rug)
$155
Float hire (you get 4 outings for this)
$352
Boots and Helmet (I’m presuming you have clothes here)
$130
Clinic and 6 follow up lessons
$680
Total
$7158
[Type the document title]
This list and pricing is based on experience and is not extensive, exclusive, nor absolute.
7
Author: Anita Bast-Cook Published by: Greg Cook Horsemanship
[Type the document title]
Date: 20 October, 2014.
8