09/16/2026
Owning a Horse or Horses
I want to talk about what it really means to own a horse. While many of you already know this, some people still do not realize the true commitment it takes to own a horse.
Horses depend on us every single day. In most cases, they need care at least twice a day, every day, 365 days a year. They rely on us for food, clean water, shelter, exercise, health and wellness vet care, as well hoof care, dental care, and medical attention when sick or injured.
Your horse doesn't check the calendar. Holidays, birthdays, vacations mean nothing to a horse. They only know that you are their world, and you always have to show up.
Not every day in the horse world is sunshine and rainbows. There will be rainy days, cold and freezing days, hot and humid days, sleepless nights, unexpected veterinary bills, and days when you are not feeling your best. Bottom line, you have responsibilities to your horse.
Responsibilities may include and not be limited to:
• Feeding
• Providing plenty of clean water
• Cleaning or mucking stalls
• Cleaning and maintaining paddocks
• Turning horse out
• Bringing horse in
• Exercising the horse
• Checking fences and pastures
• Watching for signs of illness or injury
• Scheduling veterinary care
• Keeping dental care current
• Scheduling farrier appointments for healthy hoofs
To truly thrive, every horse requires three essential elements: companionship, grazing, and constant movement. Horses are social animals and generally benefit from companionship. They are grazing animals designed to spend much of their day eating forage and moving around. It is healthy for them mentally and physically, and an important part of responsible horse care.
The foundation of a horse’s diet is quality forage — hay/grass, or both — appropriate for that individual horse. Because individual nutritional needs vary, each horse requires a customized feeding program suited to their lifestyle.
They also need a balanced supply of six essential nutrients:
• Water
• Carbohydrates, particularly fiber
• Protein
• Fat
• Vitamins
• Minerals
And don’t underestimate the importance of clean, fresh water. A typical adult horse may drink around 5–10 gallons of water per day, and that amount can increase significantly during hot, humid weather, especially with exercise. Water intake can vary depending on the horse, diet, temperature, workload, and other factors.
And unfortunately, horses will get sick or hurt at some point. Accidents and health problems happen. It can be something as simple as a cut from a fence or as serious as a sudden case of colic. Being a responsible horse owner means being prepared for those unexpected situations. Having a basic equine first-aid kit on hand is a good idea, as well as knowing who to call when your horse needs veterinary care.
Horses need appropriate shelter or housing that allows them to get relief from extreme weather conditions, especially a senior horse. That might mean a well-maintained barn, run-in shed, or another appropriate shelter depending on your climate and property. The important thing is that your horse has a safe place to get out of the weather elements (You will have some that will stand in the rain, like one of mine😉).
If you don’t have enough suitable space on your property, you’ll need to consider boarding your horse. This is where you need do research, and visit different barns. Ask questions. Understand exactly what is included in the monthly fee and what costs extra. Look at the stalls, pastures, fencing, water sources, feed, turnout arrangements, emergency procedures, and overall management. Not every boarding situation is the same, and the cheapest to the more expensive options are not necessarily the best fit for you or your horse. Again, please do your research!
I recommend before you purchase a horse to spend time at a good barn first and/or training facility, and watch how things are done. You will be able to see the daily care and work that goes on into owning a horse. Spending time around experienced horse owners and horse professionals is well worth the time.
If you want to ride, take lessons from a qualified instructor or trainer. Just because someone can ride doesn't mean they can communicate the mechanics to a beginner. Find a trainer/horseman or woman😊 who has deep knowledge, real experience, and the patience to teach you the right way from the ground up. They could be in your area, or you may have to drive a bit further to find the right fit.
If you want to focus on a specific discipline, choose a trainer who teaches both foundational horsemanship and that exact style. Mastering maneuvers across different disciplines will highly benefit your overall riding skills.
Once you decide to purchase a horse, you will need to consider all the other expenses that go along with ownership. The list below can vary, depending on your situation:
• Feed and Hay
• Supplements, when appropriate or needed
• Living on your property or Boarding
• Tack and Equipment
• Training and Lessons
• Blankets and Seasonal Gear
• Fly Protection
• First-aid Supplies
• Veterinary Care
• Dental Care
• Farrier Care
• Emergency Expenses
Some of these expenses are predictable, some not! Are you financially prepared?
Owning a horse is a profoundly rewarding journey, shaped by a unique bond of trust and mutual understanding. Please make sure you understand the commitment in becoming a horse owner. Because when lift gets busy, and things do not go as planned, you still have a 1000 lb. horse that will depend on you 365 days a year.
I know this was a lot to go through, and I may have inadvertently left a few things out. I will sum this up by these 3 points:
1. Before you buy a horse, learn, educate yourself.
2. Before you ride, take lessons.
3. Before you commit, understand all that care, time, patience, and costs involved.
The love of horses is only just the beginning. Blessing and Best Wishes on the decision of becoming a horse owner. Finding the right horse is a whole different story. 🐴❤️
