• Skip to main content
  • Skip to header right navigation
  • Skip to site footer
Budget Equestrian

Budget Equestrian

DIY projects for barn, tack room and even your home

  • DIY Tack Room Projects
  • Horse Jumps
  • DIY Projects
  • Resources
  • Videos
  • ♥ My Amazon Page ♥
Visit My YouTube Channel!
June 14, 2022 by Lisa

Riding A Horse Is Not Cheaper Than Driving A Car

Riding A Horse Is Not Cheaper Than Driving A Car

I honestly think people are losing their minds. And understandably so. With the cost of everything skyrocketing (including everything related to horse ownership) it seems there are those asking if it would be less expensive to commute by horseback instead of driving your car to work everyday. And I can honestly say NO – Riding a horse is not cheaper than driving a car.

Riding A Horse Is Not Cheaper Than Driving A Car

I found an article, “Is Riding A Horse Cheaper Than Driving A Car?” Where the author shares there ideas about the cost of owning a horse, and what it takes to care for said horse. The article gives very basic, and vague figures for how much it costs to ride a horse and then compares it to how much someone with a car spends in a year. The author claims that a driver will spend about $5,000 a year for gas and $1000 a year for insurance. But they left out the incidentals like oil changes, routine maintenance, and heaven forbid, other expenses or repairs that always seem to come up. So this should be your first indicator that this article is just an attention getter – not really something to take seriously.

But then they go very briefly into their thoughts of how much a “horse rider” will spend on a horse in a year. You know, to compare the two ideas, as well as show what they think it costs to own a horse for a year.

How Much Does it Really Cost to Have a Horse?

In the article ( I use that term loosely) the author claims a “horse rider” is likely to spend $3000 for the horse, (I paid $6000 for Frisby 16 years ago) $4000 to stable said animal, (that would be $333.33 a month) $700 to learn how to ride it, and $1800 to feed it for a year. They then throw in the jab ” That’s one hungry horse”.

And yeah, I know they are trying to be funny, but obviously have not done any real research at what it costs to actually own a horse. For their article they claim it will cost about $10,000 a year to ride a horse. And I wish their assumption were true that you spend $700 and poof! You’re a fantastic rider! So in the rare chance that the author would find my article and read it, I thought I would share some real figures with them.

Feed

For simplicity sake, I will only be using Plezant as my example. Sorry Frisby – I will save you for another analysis. But for one horse this is what I spend in a month for feed.

  • 3×3 Bale of Timothy Hay: $175.00
  • 2 bags of Senior horse feed: $62.00
  • 6 Bags of Alfalfa/Timothy pellets: $90.00
  • Supplements (MSM, Weight Builder, Horseshine, Simplifly, Vitamin Supplement) $105.00

So for the month it costs about $430 to feed my horse. So I guess I have a REALLY hungry horse at a cost of $5,160 a year.

Horse Care

The author didn’t really seem to even realize this was a thing, I guess with the exception of stating $4000 to stable the horse for the year. But lets look a little closer at that number. If they are referring to boarding a horse, They are giving $333.33 a month for boarding costs. Well I don’t know about where you live, but boarding a horse where I live is a little more expensive. So lets give a realistic number of $550.00 for full care (this includes the feed) Which puts the annual housing cost at $6600.

Now I am fortunate because I keep my horses at home so I don’t have the boarding expense. But I do have a mortgage on my horse property/home. And I live where I do in order to keep my horses at home. So let’s figure a portion of my mortgage to be considered for my ‘board’ at $400 a month – which is close to their figure.

But they left out routine vet visits (at minimum one time a year at about $350.00) Medications, and farrier costs. My horses are cheap when it comes to their hoof care. They are barefoot, so it costs me $75.00 every 6 weeks for hoof trimming. Or about $650 a year. And if I were riding my horse to work – he would need shoes. So add on a much higher cost here.

Riding Lessons

The author also feels that it will cost $700 for a person to learn how to ride that horse. Really? $700 to ‘learn’ how to ride? And I am assuming this is their idea of how much lessons cost? If you calculate that out, it is less than $15.00 a lesson for a years worth of riding lessons. But again, a more realistic figure for riding lessons would be about $3900. And this is very dependent on your local area.

And All the Extras

And they completely glossed over the tack, equipment and clothing necessary for being a “horse rider”. You have your saddle, bridle, saddle pads, riders clothing, boots, helmet, etc., etc., etc…..

The Real Secret to an Organized Tack Room

And then just the logistics of actually commuting to work on your horse, wow. For starters, where are you going to put the horse once you get to work? Who’s is going to care for him while you are working? I’m pretty sure he isn’t going to stay within the lines of his parking space. And sitting here writing this, I am thinking of what it would be like to ride Plezant to work. Yes, it’s a comical thought. I can just see the wheel in his brain turning right now……“hmmmmm, how am I going to try to get hurt today?”

Riding A Horse Is Not Cheaper Than Driving A Car

Alright, so let’s reassess their claim that it costs about $10,000 (then they do say or more) a year. And yes, they are right – it is more. My annual horse cost is about $18,000 a year. And I don’t even show my horses.

But if they were looking to spark a fire, they definitely did. I’m not the only one who decided to write an article because of their article.

So I suppose mission accomplished. They got their clicks. But if you found this article because you thought this just might be a viable option, you know, to ride a horse to work, instead of driving your car? Well I hope this gives a little bit more of a realistic information on the real cost of owning a horse. And those of us who own horses do it for the joy and companionship our horses give to us, not because we are trying to save a buck.

Related

Category: ArticlesTag: can you ride your horse to work, equestrian, horse costs, is riding a horse cheaper than driving a car, what it costs to have a horse

About Lisa

I am horse crazy and love DIY projects, and finding great deals on everything horse related. When I have a new idea, or find a great deal I love sharing this information with you……..AND just to have FULL Disclosure:

Affiliate Disclaimer: Some of the blog posts on my site will allow you to purchase different products and services online provided by other merchants, and not myself. Some of the links that I post on my site are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I may receive an affiliate commission.* I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn a commission by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
*Disclosed in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Previous Post:Making The Most of Your Time With Your HorseMaking The Most of Your Time With Your Horse
Next Post:Summertime Horse Shows 2022Summertime Horse Shows 2022

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Sidebar

Get Your Book Today!

Check Out Stability Stirrup Leathers!

GET THE BOOK

Recent Posts

  • Getting Your Horse Fit for Summer – 6-Week Fitness Plan

    Getting Your Horse Fit for Summer – 6-Week Fitness Plan

    March 19, 2023
  • The Latest and Greatest Shedding Tools for Horses in 2023!

    The Latest and Greatest Shedding Tools for Horses in 2023!

    February 26, 2023
  • Save the Date! The Horse Shows are Coming!

    Save the Date! The Horse Shows are Coming!

    February 25, 2023
  • Total Saddle Fit Stability Stirrup Leathers

    Total Saddle Fit Stability Stirrup Leathers

    February 18, 2023
  • The Best Ever List of Barn Hacks for Equestrians

    The Best Ever List of Barn Hacks for Equestrians

    February 18, 2023

VISIT OUR FACEBOOK PAGE!

VISIT OUR FACEBOOK PAGE!

Tags

30 day blogging challenge 30 day challenge 30 day confident rider challenge being a better rider challenge Colorado Horse Park confident rider challenge diy diy horse jumps diy projects equestrian equestrian diy equestrian gift ideas equestrian products equipment exercise gift ideas giveaway goals grooming groundwork homemade horse jumps horse care horse jumps horse projects horses at home horse show horse shows horse training how to how to build horse jumps information my favorites no stirrups November photography product review review riding Riding lessons riding lesson tips the podcast VEDA Videos working with your horse YouTube
Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy

Sign Up To My Email List!

Subscribe

* indicates required
/ ( mm / dd )

Check Out My YouTube Channel!

horse fitness plan

Getting Your Horse Fit for Summer – 6-Week Fitness Plan

horse shedding tools for 2023

The Latest and Greatest Shedding Tools for Horses in 2023!

Colorado horse park shows

Save the Date! The Horse Shows are Coming!

total saddle fit stability stirrup leather

Total Saddle Fit Stability Stirrup Leathers

Affiliate Disclaimer: Some of the blog posts on my site will allow you to purchase different products and services online provided by other merchants, and not myself. Some of the links that I post on my site are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I may receive an affiliate commission.* I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn a commission by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. *Disclosed in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Copyright © 2023 · Budget Equestrian · All Rights Reserved