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There are many things to consider before acquiring a horse. Some of these are obvious – like whether you can offer appropriate shelter, have the means to provide the hay and grain to supplement pasture, and can afford to pay for regular veterinary and farrier care.
Indeed, properly caring for a horse is expensive ... and costs more than many new horse owners initially expect. The American Association of Equine Practitioners estimates that the minimum yearly cost to care for a horse, not including veterinary and farrier expenses, is $1,895. Include regular veterinary and farrier care, and perhaps boarding as well, and the annual cost could be as high as $5,000. And don’t forget the unexpected expenses, like a case of colic or an injury of some sort.
Yet aside from the costs, there are other intangible but critical factors to consider:
Horses can live for 30 years. So if you buy a gentle, easy-going 10-year old gelding to enjoy for trail riding, he might live for another 20 years. That’s a long relationship you’ve just started! (Longer than many marriages seem to last these days!) Will you be able to care for him that long? If not, what will you do with him? Think of the changes that many of us go through in our own lives in a decade, let alone two. Bringing a horse into your life is a decision that carries enormous responsibilities.
What happens if you have to move? It’s one thing to load the dog and the cat in the car when you move to another state to take a new job, but are you prepared to take your horse with you? That can be a logistical challenge, not to mention expensive. If you’ve already made a lifelong commitment to your horse, like you have to your dog or cat, you’ll make it happen ... or you’ll make sure you find a new home for it. (If you’re one of those people who dump their pets at the Humane Society because “we’re moving,” you absolutely should not be thinking about getting a horse!)
What will you do if your horse dies? This is a grim subject, but planning ahead is really important. The death of a beloved horse is emotionally traumatic, but you won’t have time to grieve until you can dispose of its body. A dead 1,000-pound animal needs to be taken care of right away. Your options will depend on where you live, your local regulations and ordinances, and your access to equipment like a backhoe. You may be able to bury the horse on your property, or you might have to haul the body to a landfill or call a rendering plant to pick it up. Find out beforehand what your options are. In a difficult, gut-wrenching situation like the death of a horse, having a plan worked out in advance can make it easier to cope when the time comes. Equine vets are the best source of information about local options for disposal.
What will happen to your horse if you die? Another grim subject, and yes, planning is just as important here. People all too often fail to make provisions in their wills for their animals. Either they don’t think their pets will outlive them, or they assume family members will care for them. Sadly, in many cases the pets get surrendered to shelters right after the funeral. If you have a horse, it’s even less likely that a friend or relative will step in and take the animal. Make sure your will communicates your intentions – and also provides the assets to carry them out.
You can see why getting a horse requires a lot more than a few fenced acres and a run-in shed. None of this is meant to discourage anyone from getting a horse. Indeed, we can’t imagine living without horses! But horses present unique challenges because of their lifespan, size, and daily care requirements. By understanding realistically what’s involved before getting a horse, we hope more people will be better equipped to make the lifelong commitment that these wonderful animals deserve. And doing so will help reduce the number of unwanted horses.
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