Whether you are raising them or racing them, horses can be pretty expensive.
If you are like me and are not horse savvy, a hand is a unit of measurement based on the breadth of a man's hand. It is abbreviated "hh," which stands for "hands high." In the context of horses, one hand equals four inches (10.16 centimeters), and a horse is measured from the ground to the top of its withers (the ridge between its shoulder blades). This is the highest point on a horse's back. So, for example, a horse that stands 15 hands high, or 15 hh, measures 60 inches, or 152 centimeters, from the ground to the top of its withers.
The average Abyssinian horse is small and round and usually stands about 140 centimeters, or 13.3 hands, tall. Abyssinians are built for living and working in mountainous areas. Assuming you can afford to purchase this horse, keeping her happy and healthy is a steal.
Here is a breakdown of the absolute minimum costs of caring for your new horse on your own property. Of course this only includes "horse care" and does not include the costs of property, land taxes, insurance, or property maintenance, including maintenance of barns and fences:
One half-bale of hay: $1.50 per day
Six-month supply of loose mineral supplement: $25, or $0.07 per day
Salt block: $14, or $0.04 per day
Two two-cup servings of inexpensive concentrate: $1 per day
Farrier visit every six weeks: $25 per trim, or $0.60 per day
De-wormer every three months: $0.20 per day
Dentistry once per year: $75, or $0.20 per day
Annual basic vaccinations for rabies, tetanus, equine influenza, and rhinopneumonitis: $95, or $0.27 per day
Minimum cost to keep one horse comes to $3.88 per day or $1,416.20 per year. Not bad at all. Of course that goes up dramatically when you use more expensive products and boarding facilities. Boarding can run you anywhere from $100 per month for pasture board with no inside stabling to more than $500 per month in barns with stalls, individual turn-outs, arenas, and other special amenities.
And don't forget that you'll need a blacksmith to shoe your friend and a veterinarian to take care of her. You'll also have to pay for the putting on and removal of blankets and fly masks. If you do this yourself, monthly board costs less, but you'll have to pay for your own supplies.
Now, assuming you want to do more than just look at your horse, there are additional expenses associated with
immunizing her for other diseases, such as West Nile Virus.
competing with her in riding competitions.
caring for her if she becomes ill or injured.
mating her to produce a foal.
circumstances in which your normally good pasture is hit by drought or the price of feed is driven up by bad weather or other factors.
LawCrossing provides with regular updates of all jobs on its database. This is quite unique. Good work! Anissa
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