How to Save Money Owning a Horse (49+ Tips)

Buying a horse is an expensive proposition, and the costs of owning a horse go well beyond the purchase price (if you’re wondering if you’re ready to buy a horse, read this helpful article). The day-to-day costs of owning a horse can add up and easily get out of hand if you’re not careful.

However, there are tons of ways you can save money owning a horse.

We’ll start off by looking at how much to budget for your horse, so you know how much you’ll need every month. Then, get ready for some money-saving tips to cut down on the cost of horse shows, board fees, horse care, health care, feeding and bedding, tack and riding equipment, and how to save on riding lessons. Finally, we’ll take an important look at the four areas you shouldn’t be cheap on.

So settle in and get ready to pinch those pennies!

How to Budget for a Horse

Horsey Emergency Fund

Ideally, your emergency fund should not be your available credit limit. Your horse is very likely going to get hurt or sick at some point. At the very least, he’s probably going to pull a shoe (or two… or three…) or destroy a perfectly good blanket in the middle of winter. Expect unexpected costs. 

Before you buy a horse, determine what it will really cost you to own. Not just the purchase price, but how much it will cost to maintain your equine every month (check out the checklist, below, to get your horse budget started). Have a few months of “horsey costs” set aside, so you’re not left scrambling if something goes awry. 

Costs of Owning a Horse

You’ll have several recurring bills, such as:

-Monthly board
-Farrier every 1.5 to 2 months
-Annual vet visit, plus emergency calls
Note: Ask at your barn if they charge a horse holding fee if you’re not there to hold your horse for the vet or farrier. Many barns charge extra for blanketing/ booting/ supplements/ extra feeds, etc. as well.
-Annual vaccinations
-Weekly lessons
-Trainer fees
-Consumables, like supplements, saddle soap, fly spray, first-aid supplies, etc. 
-Insurance
-Impulse purchases. Be honest – you’ll probably be tempted to buy new polos, boots, saddle pads, bits, etc. 
-Gas & mileage to and from the barn
-Show fees, trailering, braiding fees, etc. during show season, if you show
-Association membership fees if you show or participate in any group activities, like trail rider clubs, etc. 

Barter For It

Bartering your time for reduced costs is a great way to save on the cost of owning a horse.

Many barns will offer reduced board fees in exchange for work around the barn, like mucking stalls or doing the evening feed. While this is a great way to save some cash on owning a horse, in some cases this may amount to having a second job, so make sure you’re ready for the responsibility.

If you buy your own hay, you may be able to save money on hay by helping the farmer with the hay harvest. Working on the back of a hay truck is hard work, but the money you save on hay (especially if you can bring it home yourself and save on delivery fees) can make it well worth it.

Capable help in the horse world can be surprisingly hard to find, so if you’re a hard worker and are willing to get a little dirty, trading work for less expensive (or free!) equine services can be a great way to stretch your budget.

Equine Insurance 

Even if your horse isn’t “expensive”, insurance is still a worthwhile consideration. If he gets sick or badly injured and needs to be euthanized or undergo expensive treatment, horse insurance can go a long way towards helping offset emergency costs and helping you sleep better at night.

Save on Horse Shows

Consider Your Goals 

If you absolutely love showing, then horse shows are certainly something to fit into your horsey budget. But if affording shows is a stretch, don’t feel like you have to show. If you’re doing it because everyone in your barn shows, it may be more cost-effective to switch to a recreational barn where you won’t be pressured to go for ribbons every year.

Change Classes

If you’re showing in A Circuit or rated shows, consider local schooling shows. Entry fees are usually much lower, and you won’t have to travel too far afield for them. Here’s a handy guide outlining the differences between affiliated and schooling shows.

Nearby shows, where you can ship in and ship out on the same day, mean you won’t have to pay overnight stabling fees, which will drastically slash your budget. For the ultimate in show-savings, in-house shows (hosted at your barn) will reduce shipping and stabling fees to $0. 

Split, Share, Save

If you show with your barn or with a specific trainer, you may not have much say in trailering fees. But if you don’t, consider sharing trailer space with another member of your barn, or other riders going to the same show. 

For out-of-town shows, split a hotel room with a fellow rider. If your show schedules are the same (and you’re both friends!) you can carpool for even greater savings. 

And of course, avoid the concession stand at shows and pack your own food, snacks, and beverages. 

Buy Classic

Show ring trends change almost as often as street fashion trends. Instead of looking like a fashionista one season and dated the next, opt for classic looks instead of trendy ones. 

A double-vented navy hunt coat and a crisp white shirt may not be all the rage, but it’s never “wrong”. Conservative, muted tones and classic styles are always appropriate in the ring. 

Make Your Show Coat Last

Your show jacket will be one of your greatest show attire expenses. To get a few more seasons out of your coat, opt for a size slightly larger than what you normally wear and have a seamstress take it in. This works especially well for kids and teens, and adults with fluctuating weight, as the coat can always be let out as you grow. 

DIY Show Grooming

Clipping, mane pulling, and braiding are two common show season expenses you can easily eliminate by doing them yourself. Braiding will take some practice to get perfect, but consider it a good excuse to spend more quiet time with your horse. 

Cut out groom fees by mucking your own stall (and providing your own bedding) and bathing your horse, if you’ve been paying someone else for this. If it’s part of your barn’s show fees, speak to the trainer or manager about doing your own work for reduced fees. 

Bonus: Once you get good at braiding and show ring prep, you can make extra money offering these services to other riders. The money you make can offset your show fees. 

Save on Horse Board

Pasture Board

Outdoor pasture board is almost always much less expensive than stall board.

It also has the advantage of being much healthier and more natural for the horse, who will get to graze, socialize and exercise as he likes. Pastured horses are less likely to colic, get ulcers, or develop stall vices (‘stereotypies’ such as cribbing, weaving, stall walking, or chewing). Because their lifestyle is much more natural, pastured horses are also generally less stressed. 

The only downside to pasture board is that it can be difficult for barn staff to coordinate individual grain or supplement feedings. You may also need to arrive at the barn a bit earlier than usual to catch him in the field. 

DIY/ Self-board

DIY board is the ultimate money-saver. If you’re already at the barn every day anyway, this could be the option for you. Depending on the barn, you may be able to just rent the stall and do the mucking, turnout, feeding, etc. yourself. 

If you live near a horse farm, consider inquiring about this option. Not all barns offer it, but if the manager is willing to offer you a DIY option, and you can make time for the responsibility, this is a great option to consider. 

Share Your Horse

Want to cut your board cost in half? Get a part-boarder. Sharing your horse 2-3 days a week can be a great option, for several reasons. 

First, a part boarder will typically pay half the cost of the horse’s board in exchange for riding, and possibly showing, privileges. Plus, if you don’t ride every day a part boarder can help keep your horse fit and working. 

Another option for offsetting your board bill is to allow your horse to be used for lessons. You’ll need an especially calm and uncomplicated horse (and a willing trainer or barn manager), but if your barn is short of lesson horses, it can be a great option. Another bonus is your horse will always be used under supervision, so you can rest a little easier about how he’s being ridden.

For more advice on boarding, read our first-time guide.

Save on Horse Care

Use Human Products Instead

Anything with a horse on the label is likely to cost you a few bucks more than the human version. Items like shampoo, conditioner, detangler, sunscreen, and petroleum jelly can be found at your drug store for a lot less than your tack shop. 

In many cases, you can even find horsey staples at your local dollar store. Good discount store finds include hairbrushes, combs, sponges, braiding elastics, baby wipes, baby oil, baby powder (to get white socks extra-flashy before entering the ring), first-aid supplies, grooming totes, and tack trunk organizers. 

DIY Horse Care Products

In addition to using human products and discount store finds, here are a few horse care products you can mix up yourself.

Rubbing Alcohol Instead of Liniment

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