Horse question?

I am looking into getting a horse and need a few more details. How much is it to get your horses teeth floated? How much is it for all the vaccinations? and how often do they have to be done?





Thanks in advance!!

Horse question?
It's around $100 to get their teeth floated depending on where you live. I spend about $200 year on vaccinations which should be done once or twice per year. I have had my horse for 13 years and I have spent over $50,000 during that time on board, vet bills, farrier bills (their feet should be trimmed every 4-8 weeks), emergency veterinary care, supplements, supplies, etc. It is VERY expensive. You have to look beyond the typical board, vet, farrier expenses. My horse fractured his coffin bone and that cost over $2000 and another time he had impaction colic and that cost over $2000. You have to be prepared for very expensive vet bills when something goes wrong.
Reply:Horses are not cheap; make sure you get a gelding or a mare; and that it is at least 5 years of age or older. I do not know if you are keeping the horse at your place of residence or if you will be keeping the horse somewhere else. If you keep it somewhere else you will have what are called boarding fees; these fees can be very exspensive. In my area I have heard prices from $350.00 a month up to $1,000 a month. If you do board the horse somewhere else; make sure it is a place that has a turnout pasture. It is very important that a horse is not kept in a stall all day, they will get bored and this can lead to a horse having bad habits that can be very hard to break them of. If you keep a horse at your location; make sure you have enough space, they need anywhere from 1/2 an acre to 1 1/2 acres per horse, depending on the horses size. Even if you do have enough space for a horse; you will still have to feed it some grain and hay, they will eat more during the winter months.





As for floating teeth and vaccinations; it will all depend on the Vet you use, some will cost less than others. I have had horses that needed floating once a year and other's that only needed it every two years or so. There is also deworming that will need to be done; this is I do in the spring and again in the winter. A Equine vet; should know which shots a horse will need and when and they usually will tell you. You also will need to have your horses hooves trimed, by a farrier, the price will again depend on the farrier; they usually need to be trimed every 4-6 weeks, more offten if you have shoes on your horse, as sometimes they will pull a shoe and the farrier will have to come and reset it. I am not sure how old you are; but you can look into www.ponyclub.org, they teach youth up to the age of 21, how to take care and ride horses. Even if you do not meet this; they have lots of good information on all subjects related to horses. Check out some books on horse care from you library; this would be a good place to start as well. Before you buy a horse you should have it Vet checked; this is to make sure the horse is healthy and will not cause you a HUGE vet bill, because of something the owner didn't tell you. If the owner will not let you have him vet checked; you do not want to buy the horses, the horse will also need to be Coggin's tested. Most states require this before the horse is moved; and all stables require it as well. GOOD LUCK!!!!!
Reply:Don't forget that horses are like children - they get into things and get cuts and scrapes and the like - emergency visits can be costly, depending on what needs to be done. Make sure you have a good vet that you trust also - you don't want someone who is inexperienced, as they could misdiagnose your horse and cause real problems, too. Good luck - owning a horse is a wonderful joy!

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