How to Own a Horse on a Budget (HORSE BUDGET HACKS)

There’s no doubt. Owning a horse can be expensive! But with a little effort, you can cut the costs substantially. In this video, I share my 16 tips for owning a horse on a budget. Visit equinehelper.com/expenses to see my complete expense guide.
Hi there! 👋 I'm Carmella. I’ve been obsessed with horses for as long as I can remember, and I make videos about all things horse training, horseback riding, and living an equestrian lifestyle. New videos are uploaded EVERY WEEK so subscribe now for more horse videos.
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Read my 100+ horse articles @ equinehelper.com!
Follow me on Instagram: @equinehelper

[@sailorbychoice1]

As a sailor I have to say owning and working with horses and boats have many things in common. What is a horse or a boat worth? Whatever someone is willing to pay for it; ~and~ It is amazing how much this number can fluctuate depending whether you're looking to buy or sell. Neither could be considered wise financial investments as each will probably cost you more to house and maintain than the usual purchase price would indicate. Horses and boats also mean more to their owners than any arbitrary number of dollars, and rarely do those who don't ride/sail have any understanding why sailors or equestrians bother; they don't understand the joy received either.

[@adley.and.b]

I do a half lease and I LOVE it! I share it with my barn. Mine barn charges full farrier fee and half board. My horse only has shoes on her two front hooves so its like 50 dollars. I ride her every lesson and ride her once a week by myself. Definitely would recommend if mot ready to buy or lease, or just can’t afford it

[@brigidnewton5939]

Thank you for your great video. My budget tips to add: join Pony Club! You get lessons, basic first aid and horse care training, low cost competitions and camps and make friends and have heaps of fun! 👍☺️🏇

[@Piparoodle]

This is going to be so helpful! I've been helping someone with their horse recently to learn how to take care of one and I'm ready to get my first horse but I don't live near a barn and my family are worried about the price so watching this will be so helpful in the future! Also a good idea if you have a leather saddle (not synthetic) then a good idea is to get a saddle cover that you can put on your saddle when your riding if you don't have in indoor arena. This means that if it's raining (this will be great if you're British) your leather won't dry out and you can cut out unneeded cleaning so you don't run out of leather conditioner, shampoo etc! It won't save you too much however if you do this and don't clean your tack constantly it will mean that you don't run out of cleaning supplies for your leather as quickly so instead of buying it every other month you could spend it every season for example.

[@GamerGirlMaster]

I just got a horse from one of my neighbors who's dying of cancer. This horse is a rescue and would just wander on to our property so the neighbor gave her to us, she's 17 horse years and she used to work with kids with disabilities. I've always wanted a horse its been my dream since I was a kid im so excited 😁

[@jonaszkubik6550]

That video really helped me! Your channel is Great. The best equine channel on KZbin. Thank you so much

[@EquineHelper]

Thanks for your support!

[@barbstrona1]

I wish I’d seen this fifty years ago. At 80, I don’t have the energy for much of this. I have leased a horse (in my forties) and then split the lease by giving lessons to the other person for even more financial help. Sadly our barn got flooded (it was a ten minute drive from my house) and while his owner offered to give him to me, I knew I didn’t have the time or the money to deal with a 30-40 minute drive twice a day. Today I live 30-40 minutes’ drive away from barns and stables. But in my next life… if I have one!

[@brittneylashaeg.5116]

Jesus loves you.

[@katie-ud5nm]

i never had any idea about self care board but THANK U SO MUCH because i’m saving up and all the ones near me are like 50pound a week and it’s just too much i never had any idea about self board

[@EquineHelper]

Glad I could help! Not every stable offers this option, but if you find one that does, it's worth it!

[@ellagrace149]

That’s it? My stable boarding is $400 a month!!

[@bree8813]

Tough 1 is affordable and is a name brand. I definitely recommend it

[@ToshaRaeNailed]

I was a vet tech for many years and even an emergency vet tech, which was a completely different experience and invaluable. Everything I learned has come in so hand over the years and continues to be a great blessing.

[@josequintero4034]

Best equine channel no doubt! So glad I found Equine Helper:)

[@ZenaTheJumper2121]

I do private lessons but my stable was super nice and charged us for the group lesson fee

[@ritamariekelley4077]

BLM auctions for mustangs. They are usually in great condition, have eaten organic, don't have as many typical ailments and you can get a nice little horse for as little as $100!

[@HannaH-jh1hd]

Thank you so much for this video! I’m looking into getting my first horse and I’m super excited. I’m also wondering about horse insurance, if you know anything about that

[@EquineHelper]

Good luck with your first horse! I've never gotten horse insurance on any of my horses before, but I know that places like Ark and Allen Financial provide insurance. Hope this helps!

[@HannaH-jh1hd]

Equine Helper tysm!!!

[@bjulias7299]

This is awesome!! Thanks for all the tips

[@moonshyneart2840]

These are excellent tips, I’ve made great use of a lot of these personally and they’ve made a world of difference with finances! Especially offering work in exchange for board/lessons/reduced costs, and purchasing tack secondhand.

[@taylordash8837]

You are the best! Thank you so much for this 🦄💖

[@kayleeskorral3196]

This is Soooooooo helpful! Thank you!!!

[@cynthialaeger4846]

Thank you for your videos! Yes! “Ya need a horse”! I love it!

[@mikalemur3511]

Thank you soooooo much i dont have a horse yet but im looking forward to getting one! :)

[@aixpert291]

Great tips! Thank you.

[@christophresmerowski1824]

I'm not a horse person but I enjoy your videos and your hands-on approach and openness. Keep up the good work...and thank you.

[@ToshaRaeNailed]

Thank you for so many great tips

[@sashakys]

this is awesome advice! thank you

[@Esperanza..]

Love this! Hopefully I can afford an horse when my boyfriend and I live together and I finished school. Can't wait

[@sieliestschonwieder1987]

Your tipps are gold! I want to get a horse the next years, so I am already looking around and planning a bit :) Owning a horse always seems to be kind of 'impossible', because it's not cheap and you need some experience. That I am getting now. :D

[@abdulazizalhamar_]

Love you Carmella ❤️✨

[@katieemccrary]

Thank you so much!!!

[@EGORElicious]

This such a great video and made me even more hopeful. I always wanted to do self care when I get a horse to lower the board fee. Question is, I would have to buy my own feed and hay? Do I keep it there? Lol getting a horse was and still is my long term goal and dream. I do however need a vehicle first

[@vulu3914]

You may of already found your answered but! Yeah you do pay for everything you're just renting the stable and field alone with self care board (Or what we call DIY here in the UK) you are in charge of your horses expenses and care :)

[@EGORElicious]

@@vulu3914 thanks for replying! Yes I know you're in charge of the expenses, but do I keep my feed and hay at the stable or do I keep it at my own place lol dumb question I know lol

[@vulu3914]

@@EGORElicious oH you usually have your own storage box!! Sorry I got a little confused haha sometimes it's shared obviously with cameras or you get your own locker or shed :)

[@suzannahkolbeck6973]

Administering vaccines is so easy. And if you have a horse with good feet, learn how to rasp and do some basic trimming to extend your horse's regular trimming.

[@katiebundrock7209]

I'm looking for a horse. I will be on a budget but I'm so excited. I know how to do my own vaccines as of done them on a variety of livestock. My uncle will let me keep it st his farm for free but I'll be doing the chores so that is huge. I have a semi retired farrier that is cheap and does wonderful work. I bought up hay this summer and luckily I paid what I paid last year, since this summer prices have been 3 dollars more poor bale. You gave great tips

[@cw73]

What do the Roman Numeral tattoos on your arm mean? Just curious.

[@inzentive]

and last question would $5000 a month be a good budget sorry for the three question i'm starting horse riding again and i (hopefully) will get a horse when i know how to do a small jump or gallop

[@helenadabney]

do you mean $500 a month? Horse care shouldn't be $5000 a month lol. Where I live full care boarding is $430 and then the occasional vet bill, fees, misc. I account another $100 or so per month.

[@androidgaming7809]

@@helenadabney you talking about dollars.

[@filly2299]

Usually budget for around £400 a month and I have 10,000 saved up in emergency funds and the excess money from that month will go into that!

[@elizabethw6619]

Hey I don’t know if anyone has the answer to this but I was wondering how old you have to be to work in return for board? I’m 14 right now.

[@ashleybee2190]

I worked at a barn younger than that, not to board my horse but in exchange for lessons. If you are not getting paid I am sure it is dependent on the barn you want to go to, I have seen places advertising working for boarding in my area in the pnw.

[@inzentive]

is saxon and dublin good brands or are they too expensive

[@katiekat44]

Quality-wise they are good brands, but yes they do tend to be very expensive. You get what you pay for

[@inzentive]

how do you now if a horse is good and if it's good for you

[@katiekat44]

Work with a trainer! Also don’t jump in right away- make sure it’s a good horse for your level, and be sure to test ride the horse multiple times to make sure you click

[@janiyalizcolon7850]

Is there an age limit for helping at a barn

[@janiyalizcolon7850]

In your experience

[@alicecollins776]

It would totally depend on the yard

[@audrey-uk7pf]

Janiyaliz Colon from what i’ve experienced if the place is more professional then it’ll most likely either be 14 or older but i’ve been to a few where it’s 12 and up lol so yeah, it really depends on what barn you’re at of course

[@katiekat44]

It definitely depends on the barn. A lot of places legally can’t hire under 18 (it’s the law in some places), but I was hired when I was 12, and I’ve been there almost 6 years

[@oaksavannahomesteadllc9976]

Should you allow the trainer/owner of the barn your boarding your horse dictate the care of your horse. I have had several unexpected expenses because my trainer/barn owner has taken it upon herself to provide medical/maintenance care to my horse with my prior consent or knowledge. Than let me know and gave me the bill to pay. This is my first horse I have owned and the first time I have ever boarded. Is this behavior consistent with boarding stables?

[@EquineHelper]

At all the barns I’ve been at, the stable has notified me if the horse needed medical care, etc.

[@Bosgeit]

Where can I learn basic medical skills? I would want to learn it correctly, but I am scared that if I learn it online I could injure the horse.

[@katiekat44]

When your barn doesn’t offer self-board or group lessons 🙃😂

[@lynnthebeagle2634]

I was also wondering how can I make money for my horse without working cause Im too young

[@bethcl8133]

I'm currently trying to save up for a horse with out working too by making horse bracelets and necklaces and selling them on etsy, you could make anything you want though, even something to do with horses, like a browband or something. hope this helped, good luck!😊

[@IzzyAndAndy]

Things like Etsy and Depop/Poshmark are great options :)

[@lynnthebeagle2634]

@@IzzyAndAndyAre you looking to have horses too.🐴

[@IzzyAndAndy]

@@lynnthebeagle2634 I am

[@ashleybee2190]

If you're looking to own your own horse I would assume you could do some hard work, you could mow lawns, babysit, lemonade stands, etc until you could get a part time when you're old enough. The young entrepreneurs tend to do well in life so get creative! Selling stuff online is a good idea but during the summer people appreciate not having to do yardwork!

[@crikeymikey8731]

16:32 Be careful using detergents for washing horses OR humans! Horses (like humans and probably most other animals) have a unique and diverse skin microbiome. Detergents tend to kill the 'good' bacteria which can contribute to skin problems... You'd be better off using a nice foamy handwash :)

[@julianicole1294]

I will never buy another cheap helmet after finding out that ebay is FULL of unused or hardly used charles owen helmets for $40-$50. cheaper than most troxels and you can show in them. I wouldnt buy one with any signs of wear and tear (dont know if there's been any falls on them) but mine was spotless and unused ($40). I think rich girls buy them, they dont fit, forget to return, then they sell cheap online because used helmets can be sketch if you arent careful.

[@Kittymeow375]

Bark

[@stopmakingrepliestomycomme3991]

We have a entire pen to keep a horse in. Too bad, we have no place to build a stable. :I

[@jenmill3980]

Perhaps cut down the size of the pen to make room or just build a shelter inside it.

[@stopmakingrepliestomycomme3991]

@@jenmill3980 Well, that is actually a nice decision. We do have like a little shelter for them, it's like a tent, they also drink water there, they just don't seem to wander there often.

[@Kittymeow375]

Pewpew

[@MrSargenti]

Hi! Can you play the guitar and sing us a song? Sing us a cowgirl song about your horse. Please? Pretty please? Sing us a little song!

[@Kittymeow375]

Meow

[@andypena7930]

What happens if your grandma had a horse her horse was white with black spots and it’s and wild horse but it also was very smart and trained buy My grateful parents then they took it and made baby’s with it and then they train’s ported it to USA and the baby’s of My grandma’s smart horse pass away but there baby’s come out in commercials with bud wiser And they baby’s want to go back to there farm I haven’t been to My farm in like 36 years what you think I sold do buy they back . The Sad thing is I haven’t reserved at call or Nothing from owner of bud wiser the company. I’m very confused with this.! What you think I should Do. After so many year’s that bast.

[@clairedeluna3585]

So, Clint is blinder than the actually blind horse. Ugh, he pisses me off too. No need to hit this animal for any reason.

[@abdulazizalhamar_]

Love you Carmella ❤️✨