So but what does it cost to keep a horse and help your child live their dream? Well that varies of course from regio, level and many other facets. In general you can board a horse in the North-America region for about $ 1,300 a month. A big difference with Europe where the median price is about $500 a month. Still despite the costs of boarding, most parents will agree it is worth the experience. However there is more, and we just put a GENERAL price tag on it, as said this varies from region to level to discipline to ... but it gives you an idea.
Having a horse is learning responsibility and caring for something that goes beyond the child. “They’re learning a lot of responsibility at a young age,” said Callie Kuntz-Bauer, owner of Echo Farm. “You have to give up a lot of your social life. You can’t go out and party if you have a 6 a.m. horse show.” Although that last statement might be argued by the Europeans .... ;)
But having a horse is more then just paying a monthly fee for boarding. A horse is like a human, it needs new shoes, and more than humans do. That costs you about $70 every 6 weeks in Europe and about $300 in the North -America region. Further the veterinarian is a common visitor of your four-legged friend. Minor injuries can be costly in time as well as in money. In general a veterinarian can cost you from $100 to over $2,000.
The real trouble however begin when the competition season starts. In North-America entry fees for competitions range from $500 for a one-day event to $3,000 to $6,000 for five-day events where the horses have to be transported, boarded and fed, Ms. Kuntz-Bauer said. There are also Interscholastic Equestrian Association events where competitors ride the horses at the host barn and don’t need their own horse to compete. However in Europe a one day event can cost you $100 while a four day international event will have a maximum cost of about $680...