What Owning a Horse Entails

A student of mine asked me to elaborate on what owning a horse entails. This list is an elaboration of the note on "Barn Mathematics" that I previously posted here:http://paintedbarstables.blogspot.com/2010/12/barn-mathematics.html

Horse Ownership List:

• Board
  • $40 - grain
  • $50 - hay
  • water
  • $40 - bedding
  • general labor / utilities
• Farrier (every 6-8 weeks)
  • $25 - Trim
  • $70-120 - Shoes if necessary
• Veterinary 
  • Annual yearly appointments (in spring)
    • Necessary
      • $15 - 4-Way Shot (Tetanus, Flu, EEE, WEE) 
      • $25 - Rabies
      • $25 - Coggins (every 2 years)
    • Recommended
      • $15 - Potomac Horse Fever
      • $15 - West Nile Virus
  • Dental
    • $65-110 - Dental exam, float and repair (annual or semi-annual check)
  • Emergency Care
    • Wounds
    • Colic
    • Fever/Disease
    • Lameness
  • Specialty Health
    • $30-60 - Equine Massage 
    • $60 - Equine Chiropractic
• Tack and Supplies
  • $200-600 - Saddle (and rigging)
  • $50-100 - Bridle (and rigging)
  • $30 - Saddle Pads
  • $80-120 - Winter Blanket
  • $50-70 - Rain Sheet
  • $20-40 - Grooming Supplies
• Insurance
  • Personal Liability (you do something wrong - like Car insurance)
  • Horse Insurance (something happens to your horse - like Health insurance)
    • Mortality Coverage
    • Colic Surgery Coverage
    • Surgical Health Coverage
    • Stallion Infertility Coverage
    • Loss of Use Coverage
• Time
  • Working with ground manners
  • Exercise and Riding
  • Training
  • Attending appointments
  • Taking care of wounds or illness