Q: How much does it cost to keep a horse for a year?
A: Horses are very expensive animals to keep. It costs an average of about $3000 a year
to keep just one horse. Even a "free" horse requires this much expense to keep! Why so much? Hay is around
$4.00 a bale now, each horse requires about a bale a day, which adds up to about $1500 per horse if you have to
give hay all year due to inadequate grazing. Grain is around $15.00 for a 50lb bag, and can add up to $1000
or more a year depending on what/when/how much you feed. Farrier visits every 8 weeks on average cost about $35-50.00 for
a trim, shoes cost more, adding another $300 per year. Vaccinations and annual veterinary health checks cost about
$250 per horse, this does not include treatment of any illness, injury, colic, or any other emergency. Lessons, training,
trailering, and other "peripheral" costs also add up quickly.
Q: How much space do I need to get a horse?
A: Horses are by nature roamers and grazers so there is not really a "maximum" but a healthy minimum
is at least 1-2 acres of decent quality pasture (not wooded or overgrown with weeds) per horse. That much space
will allow the horse to graze without overgrazing and will also reduce the expense of hay. Horses also need shelter from the
wind, rain, and sun. Horse overcrowding increases parasite problems, fly problems, and the likelihood of injury due to competition
for food and space.
Q: My friend blankets her horse starting in the fall but some other people
I know don't. Which way is best?
A: That depends on what the horse is being used for. Most horses have the ability to grow thick
winter coats to protect themselves from the cold of winter. However, some horses, because of age, disease, or other
conditions may need to be blanketed to keep from shivering. Sometimes folks keep their horses inside and blanket them
to limit the coat they grow so that the horse can return to the show ring sooner in the spring or so that their horses are
easier to cool out and dry off after a winter ride as well. Generally, nature knows best and a horse is capable
of both heating and cooling itself without much intervention from us as long as we provide them at least a dry 3-sided shelter, clean
unfrozen water at all times, plenty of good quality hay, and grain if needed.
Q: Do all horses wear shoes?
A? No. Many horses do quite well without wearing shoes at all. Some horses wear special shoes to
help with gripping on a race track or if they are pulling heavy loads. Shoes can protect the hoof from wear
and bruising when the horse is ridden on rocky trails or roads, however, for those who choose not to shoe, hoof boots can
be used instead of shoes to protect the hoof as well.
Q: Is it true that horses don't need to be given water in the winter because
they can eat snow to stay hydrated?
A: No. Horses need to have water to drink every day. Snow is made up mostly of air so a horse would
have to eat a whole bunch of snow to consume enough water to stay properly hydrated. Most horses drink more water
in the winter because water acts as an anti-freeze and keeps the horse's body temperature consistent. Generally, an
average horse will drink about 10 gallons of water a day.
Q: Can you tell me about horse euthanasia?
A: For horse lovers, this is a very hard subject to talk about. Horses, like all other kinds
of domestic animals kept as pets, are generally kept around until they are unhealthy, unsound, or in pain. Since horses
are not raised for food in this country, they can live to be in their 30's and even 40's if properly cared for. We can
do such a good job taking care of them that the diseases and predation that would have ended their lives in the wild are not
as likely and so as they age, they begin to develop conditions like arthritis or Cushings disease, or they lose their
teeth or otherwise start to feel sore. Horses are remarkably stoic and we often underestimate how much pain they are
really tolerating so we must be very diligent in knowing our horses well. Without this understanding, our horses
can suffer a very long time before natural death occurs. Compassionate owners try to figure out when and by what
means to end their horses' suffering.
There are two generally accepted ways to euthanize a horse. The most common method nowadays
is to hire a veterinarian to come sedate then horse, then inject it with an overdose of tranquilizer. Sometimes a horse
that has just had a rush of adrenaline (fear response) will take longer or require more injections, which can be very stressful
for the owner or even the vet. In spite of this potential, it still remains the most popular choice since it is relatively
quick, painless, and "clean." This service can cost between $100-400 depending on the vet. The
other option is cheaper but one that few horse owners now choose; Shotgun shot to the head. Because shooting the horse
in the head is frightfully startling and potentially messy, it is often not even considered. However, it is important to note
that death is instantaneous and thus, painless, with almost no chance of the procedure getting "dragged out." The
cost for this form of euthanasia is whatever it costs for ammunition or to hire someone to do it for you.
No matter the procedure, the most important thing to remember is that when we agree to accept
one of these awesome creatures into our lives, we agree to take on the responsibility of making that critical
choice; when to end our friend's life with dignity, and not let the horse suffer in silence due to our own selfishness, fear,
or guilt.
Q: Who do I call if I see a very thin, neglected, or abused horse?
A: Contact your local Animal Control Officer and/or call the Maine Dept of Agriculture's Animal Welfare
Program at 287-3846.
Q: Where do I learn more about horses?
A: You can take lessons at a local stable, you can get involved with 4-H or any of the various local
riding clubs, volunteer at a shelter, rescue, or therapeutic riding stable, and read books and magazines that specialize in
horse care.
