Page 26 - April 2022 Parker County 4-H Connection

Please Read Before

You

Commit to a Horse

Trailer - I can’t tell you the number of people that
So You Think You Want a Horse? get a horse before they get a trailer and this, in

By: Kayla Neill, September 2018 my opinion, is not responsible horse ownership. A
horse owner should never have to depend on
***Please Note*** I gathered these prices back in 2018 so there's a good chance someone else to haul their animal. There will
they have increased.
come a time that a horse will need to be hauled
I have had the great privilege of owning horses since I was two in for an emergency at midnight (I promise it will
years old and cannot imaging my life without them. Over years as happen), and when that time comes (because it
County Extension Agent for 4-H and Youth Development here in will), you will need a trailer. Vets cannot treat all
Parker County, it has come to my attention that some may have emergencies on a call out. I’m not saying that you
jumped the gun in getting a horse before they were ready. I’ve have to have $120K rig, but you do need a way
put together a basic list of things you need and things you should that you can safely transport your horse to places,
be prepared for. that doesn’t solely rely on other people hauling
the horse. Stepping off my soap box now.
Fact: This past week (7 days) one of my horses has cost me Routine Vet/Farrier Care (this is so often
upwards of $900. In 1 week!! Part of this was due to routine care, overlooked)
the other, an emergency vet visit. On a completely different Yearly Vaccines - ~ $150 - Includes office visit
occasion, 1 week (7 days), my horse cost me $10,000 in medical or farm call, vaccines (EWT, F/R, WNV and
expenses. So you think you want a horse? Rabies), and Coggins.
6 Month Boosters - ~ $85 - Includes office
In no way is this article meant to be mean or scare your but it is visit or farm call, F/R and WNV Vaccines
meant to be real. A horse owner is responsible for caring for an Yearly Teeth Float - ~ $180
animal that is completely dependent on it’s owner. Yes, they are Farrier - a horse MUST have their feet
beautiful majestic animals, but they are not meant for everyone. trimmed every 5-6 weeks. Depending on the
quality of the horse’s hooves, the terrain it’s
exposed to, as well as the horse’s job
Things you must have and be able to provide: determines whether or not the horse will
Equine Care and Career
Exploration
A place to keep it - need shoes. A hoof trim usually runs about

Outlaw Equine Rehabilitation
Your horse will need at minimum a shelter where $40-$50 per trim ($450/year). If your horse
Tour
it can get out of the weather. requires shoes you’re looking at $130-$150

Horses can quickly overgraze a piece of land and ($1,350/year). RSVP is Required
Click to RSVP
leave you with nothing but a dry lot and weeds. Worming - 4-6 times/year at $12/tube
Proper pasture rotation should be practiced to ($72/year).
help maintain grazing.
25 PARKER COUNTY 4-H CONNECTION / APRIL