Page 17 - April 2021

4 - H H O R S E P R O J E C T

Please Read Before

You

Commit to a Horse

So You Think You Want a Horse? Trailer - I can’t tell you the number of people that get

By: Kayla Neill, September 2018 a horse before they get a trailer and this, in my
opinion, is not responsible horse ownership. A horse
***Please Note*** I gathered these prices back in 2018 so there's a good chance they
have increased. owner should never have to depend on someone else
to haul their animal. There will come a time that a

I have had the great privilege of owning horses since I was two years horse will need to be hauled in for an emergency at
old and cannot imaging my life without them. Over years as County midnight (I promise it will happen), and when that
Extension Agent for 4-H and Youth Development here in Parker time comes (because it will), you will need a trailer.
County, it has come to my attention that some may have jumped the Vets cannot treat all emergencies on a call out. I’m
gun in getting a horse before they were ready. I’ve put together a not saying that you have to have $120K rig, but you
basic list of things you need and things you should be prepared for. do need a way that you can safely transport your horse
to places, that doesn’t solely rely on other people
Fact: This past week (7 days) one of my horses has cost me upwards of hauling the horse. Stepping off my soap box now.
$900. In 1 week!! Part of this was due to routine care, the other, an Routine Vet/Farrier Care (this is so often overlooked)
emergency vet visit. On a completely different occasion, 1 week (7 Yearly Vaccines - ~ $150 - Includes office visit or
days), my horse cost me $10,000 in medical expenses. So you think farm call, vaccines (EWT, F/R, WNV and Rabies),
you want a horse? and Coggins.
6 Month Boosters - ~ $85 - Includes office visit or
In no way is this article meant to be mean or scare your but it is meant farm call, F/R and WNV Vaccines
to be real. A horse owner is responsible for caring for an animal that is Yearly Teeth Float - ~ $180
completely dependent on it’s owner. Yes, they are beautiful majestic Farrier - a horse MUST have their feet trimmed
animals, but they are not meant for everyone. every 5-6 weeks. Depending on the quality of the
Equine Care and Career
horse’s hooves, the terrain it’s expose
Exploration d to, as well
Things you must have and be able to provide: as the horse’s job determines whether or not the

Outlaw Equine Rehabilitation
A place to keep it - horse will need shoes. A hoof trim usually runs
Tour
Your horse will need at minimum a shelter where about $40-$50 per trim ($450/year). If your horse

it can get out of the weather. RSVP is Required
requires shoes you’re looking at $130-$150
Click to RSVP
Horses can quickly overgraze a piece of land and ($1,350/year).
leave you with nothing but a dry lot and weeds. Worming - 4-6 times/year at $12/tube ($72/year).
Proper pasture rotation should be practiced to
help maintain grazing.

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