Hi! I’m a barn manager at a middle of the road boarding and teaching barn in Virginia. I also teach riding to child and adult beginners.
From your questions you seem very very inexperienced with horses. I would never suggest that a person with little to no practical experience take complete charge of a horse – I always recommends they spend 6-12 months in a boarding barn where professional, knowledgable assistance is always at hand. (Of course it has to be a good one!). The first year of horse ownership can be scary even for poeple with lots of experience!
Asking how much a horse costs is like asking how much art costs. It can be from next to nothing to tens of thousands of dollars. In most area of the country, other than California, a safe and experienced riding horse can be had in the $2,000 - $5,000 range. A horse like this has a calm demeanor, no major health problems and is experienced in the area of riding you wish to use it in (say, trail rides, or light horseshowing, or whatever). Note I said “safe and experienced.” Many people think that buying a rescue horse or untrained horse they are going to “bond” magically like Alec and the Black Stallion. I assure you, 99.9% of the time, the result in injuries for the rider and permanent “issues” for the horse. As we say, Green+green = black & blue.
Also, horses hate to be alone. Having just one often presents problems. If you only plan on having one for riding, ask around for a “companion horse” that can no longer be ridden (or only ridden lightly) to keep your horse company. Most large barns know of a few retirees that you can get for cheap or free. Or, if room allows, you might consider taking in a boarder to split work and costs. If you do this though, check References! Trust your gut! Horse people are cukoo! It can work out great, or be a living nightmare.
The basic costs of horse keeping, other than the purchase price are hay, feed, hoofcare, Coggins, shots, dental, and worming.
-Hay: varies by region. Horses always should have grass hay in front of them when inside, wherever this is possible (there are some regions where grass hay is not commonly available and the hays that are available are too rich for free choice feeding).
-Feed: the majority of horses in regular work benefit from “concentrates” such as sweet feed, oats or pellets. Some need a lot, others just a little. The ones
that need a lot of feed to maintain condition, are called “hard keepers.” They are more expensive to maintain than the others (some of our ponies get as little as 8oz, once a day, with fulltime turnout). Certain breeds, such as Thoroughbreds and Saddlebreds have a reuptation for being hard keepers. Other breeds, such as Quarter Horses and most ponies, are easy keepers.
-Shoes. Not all horses need shoes, and as an owner on a budget it would behoove you (har!) to seek one that doesn’t need them on all four feet, or all year round (some horses are shod only during showing season, for example). Every horse should have its feet seen to every 6-8 weeks, regardless of what it’s got on its feet. A basic guideline: Barefoot Trim: $25-$45 Shoes in front: $55-$75. All four shoes: $65-$125.
-Coggins is a test for Equine Infectious Anemia. Your horsemust have a negative test less than 12 months old to attend most horse functions like shows, clinics, and group trail rides. In many states, you must have one if you take the horse on a highway (i is also a form of identification for your horse). They usually take Coggins with the Spring shots, to save a vet visit.
-Spring shots. The most common innoculations are for Eastern/Western/Venezualan Equine Encephalitis, Tetanus, Strangles (equine distemper), West Nile Virus, Rabies, and Potomac Horse Fever (eek, I feel like a missed one!). Cost is usually around a couple hundred for the farm call, all the shots, and the Coggins test. Repeat each year.
-Worming: $9-$12 every 6-8 weeks. Ask your vet about a wormer rotation that is appropriate for your area.
-Dental: Once a year, couple hundred dollars. Teeth can form into sharp pointy spikes that make eating and wearing a bridle uncomfortable. Vets can do it, but they’re not usually very good at it.
-In your climate: a waterproof winter blanket. Horses like to be out. A nice medium-weight blankie will allow them to go out even if the weather’s pretty chilly or snowing. Cost is around $125-$200, but it should last several years.
Horses can live years and years depending on the care they get. Nowadays most have active lives well into their 20s. (once upon a time, anything over 12 was considered “aged.”)We have a large pony here that’s at least 37 and still working and feeling good!
I hope these answers have been helpful and not too discouraging. Let me reiterate that I strongly suggest regular lessons for a few months before you buy your horse, and boarding the first months of ownership. This provides a “safety net” against your inexperience and will really help you enjoy the experience. Good luck!