Yes, horses are expensive—but smart budgeting can keep you on track

How many of us have gotten the question: “Aren’t horses expensive?” While managing finances is important in all aspects of our lives, it’s especially crucial when it comes to equine health care. As summer rolls in, we pore over horse show calendars and schedule veterinary appointments, but lack of preparation for our horsey expenses can squeeze the optimism of show season dry. Preparing for recurring expenses, planning for our goals, and preventing health issues with proven products will keep us on track without taking shortcuts in our horse care.

Recurring costs with horses typically include housing, feed, hay, and farrier visits, but they should also include routine veterinary expenses. While emergency veterinary expenses often hit as unexpected costs, some services do recur, such as spring and fall wellness exams. These exams include different procedures such as vaccinations, a Coggins (a test vets typically conduct annually to identify the presence of antibodies against equine infectious anemia virus) blood draw, endocrine testing, oral exams and dental floats, and soundness exams, but there are ways to predict the cost of your visit. Review invoices for services performed from the previous year to predict the cost this year. Alternatively, contact your veterinary practice to discuss your horse’s needs and the current service fees to develop a more accurate estimate. If you board your horse, consider scheduling the farm call for multiple horses to share the farm-call fee.

If you see your horse daily, chances are you might not notice subtle changes. To help document your horse’s health, photograph him in the same place from the same angles twice a year. This will help you detect any physical changes, which you can communicate to your veterinarian. Sharing health changes since the last veterinary visit when scheduling will help your veterinarian plan the appropriate length of time for the farm call and ensure diagnostics are available.

For example, if you have an aging horse, be ready to discuss endocrine testing for pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID, formerly known as equine Cushing’s disease) and equine metabolic syndrome (EMS), rather than crossing your fingers that this isn’t the year. Detecting PPID and EMS early offers the benefit of early treatment intervention that can improve the horse’s quality of life. Your veterinarian might also recommend fecal sampling to determine if your deworming protocol is working. Also, plan to ask your veterinarian what vaccines or seasonal boosters might be recommended so you can budget accordingly.

Do you plan to travel with your horse to shows or trail rides? Be sure to let your veterinarian know that as well. He or she might recommend a product to help reduce the chances of equine stomach ulcers occurring. Depending on your horse’s level of activity and his soundness, your veterinarian might also recommend ways to maximize joint health. Prevention helps maintain overall equine health and potentially helps you avoid more costly treatments down the road.

As seasons change you might optimistically pack the blanket wardrobe away and dust off your tack, but have you peeked in the feed room? Horse owners are always searching for products that benefit their horses, but you need to be sure to talk to your veterinarian about those products and any he or she might recommend. The most expensive treatment is one that doesn’t work, so you’ll want to use products that have been proven safe and efficacious. Manufacturers of products approved by the FDA follow stringent guidelines while other businesses might not follow those guidelines and can use misleading marketing language.

You could also consider purchasing an equine insurance policy. Prices depend on the horse’s purchase price, level of achievement, and which type of coverage you choose. Insurance can come in handy for larger expenses such as colic surgery.

Are horses expensive? Yes, but you can use strategies to forecast expenses without sacrificing compassionate care. Following three simple principles—preparation, planning, and prevention—can make this year different. Anticipate probable recurrent expenses to get the most from your wellness appointment. Plan time to assess your horse’s current preventive program with your veterinarian. Be sure the products you use have been proven to work. After all, your bond with your horses is priceless.