Horses

[Anonymous]

Realistically, how much money do you need to have in this area to support a horse riding hobby? Assume this means owning 2-3 horses and showing them on occasion. I know next to nothing about horses, so I am just trying to get a rough gauge or range for how expensive this hobby can get.

Any data points would be appreciated!

[Anonymous]

A lot. I have a few friends who own horses. One whose daughter is close to olympic level horse riding. Many, Many years ago, before they had three kids in private school, she told me her credit card is about $50k a month.
Another friend who has a wife and daughter who ride and they had one horse at the time. Now they have more. He said that paying for the horse's boarding was basically the same as what a payment on a Porsche would be. That doesn't include the saddles, boots, gucci belts, travel for shows, etc.

[Anonymous]

Are you rich?

Owning a horse is like having a kid in college if you don't have your own property with a place to board them.

My SIL had a dressage horse with bad feet. Medical therapies cost a fortune.

Are you aware you can rent horses? That might be a way to go at first. Horses worth showing are more expensive than ordinary horses.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A lot. I have a few friends who own horses. One whose daughter is close to olympic level horse riding. Many, Many years ago, before they had three kids in private school, she told me her credit card is about $50k a month.
Another friend who has a wife and daughter who ride and they had one horse at the time. Now they have more. He said that paying for the horse's boarding was basically the same as what a payment on a Porsche would be. That doesn't include the saddles, boots, gucci belts, travel for shows, etc.

$50K/month credit card bill for just horse stuff? Or for all of her expenditures?

[Anonymous]

OP, it might be better if you gave a budget range and explained if you are willing to buy land to keep horses on.

Fancy horses cost as much as new cars. Cheap horses cost like junkers to decent used cars.

Boarding costs like an apartment (potentially shared) per stall unless you live in a rural area where land is cheap. And don't need amenities like an indoor riding ring.

Also would help to know if this is showing for kids (ponies) or a grownup-level of showing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, it might be better if you gave a budget range and explained if you are willing to buy land to keep horses on.

Fancy horses cost as much as new cars. Cheap horses cost like junkers to decent used cars.

Boarding costs like an apartment (potentially shared) per stall unless you live in a rural area where land is cheap. And don't need amenities like an indoor riding ring.

Also would help to know if this is showing for kids (ponies) or a grownup-level of showing.

Ok, so this is not my hobby (hence my ignorance), but things are getting serious with a woman who is very much into it but would also like to eventually leave her job, so I am just trying to get a general sense of things out of curiosity. Recently attended an event that featured a few olympians and it was pretty cool.

Yes, would be willing to buy land if that made sense. This would be grown-up level showing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, it might be better if you gave a budget range and explained if you are willing to buy land to keep horses on.

Fancy horses cost as much as new cars. Cheap horses cost like junkers to decent used cars.

Boarding costs like an apartment (potentially shared) per stall unless you live in a rural area where land is cheap. And don't need amenities like an indoor riding ring.

Also would help to know if this is showing for kids (ponies) or a grownup-level of showing.

Ok, so this is not my hobby (hence my ignorance), but things are getting serious with a woman who is very much into it but would also like to eventually leave her job, so I am just trying to get a general sense of things out of curiosity. Recently attended an event that featured a few olympians and it was pretty cool.

Yes, would be willing to buy land if that made sense. This would be grown-up level showing.

This is a discussion to have with your lady. She can fill in the numbers for you

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, it might be better if you gave a budget range and explained if you are willing to buy land to keep horses on.

Fancy horses cost as much as new cars. Cheap horses cost like junkers to decent used cars.

Boarding costs like an apartment (potentially shared) per stall unless you live in a rural area where land is cheap. And don't need amenities like an indoor riding ring.

Also would help to know if this is showing for kids (ponies) or a grownup-level of showing.

Ok, so this is not my hobby (hence my ignorance), but things are getting serious with a woman who is very much into it but would also like to eventually leave her job, so I am just trying to get a general sense of things out of curiosity. Recently attended an event that featured a few olympians and it was pretty cool.

Yes, would be willing to buy land if that made sense. This would be grown-up level showing.

This is a discussion to have with your lady. She can fill in the numbers for you

Yeah, I get that. In that case, it can probably wait. Bit too early to get into that level of financial detail. I just wanted to get a rough sense of what it entails.

[Anonymous]

Including land, $1 million the first year. Then maybe $600k? She wants to quit working and have you support this avocation? Are you an oil prince or what?

[Anonymous]

There's a saying about boats is that the 2 happiest days are when you buy ine and then when you sell it. There's another that a boat is a hole in the water you pour money into.
Horses are boats that you fall in love with, that get sick or injured, and that require very expensive moorings, yacht clubs, and crew.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Including land, $1 million the first year. Then maybe $600k? She wants to quit working and have you support this avocation? Are you an oil prince or what?

Haha, no she hasn't explicitly stated it like this. She's just mentioned wanting to do both, but at different times and in different contexts.

Thanks for the ballpark figures.

[Anonymous]

I have friends who are feds making $160k or whatever who have a couple horses. Their partners make the same or a little more. Neither has kids. Horses are stabled at places up in poolesville. They ride and lend horses for shows at the barn and do a few adult shows. But nothing fancy.

[Anonymous]

It really depends.

My I bred most of my horses and expect to put about $10k into them, variable costs, per year to keep alive and in top health.

Foals: about $10k with stud fees, vet, etc.

Keep them until they are 3 and I can sit on them: $30-40k.

My coach comes twice a month: $500/month (he’s very good).

Dressage shows cost me about $2500/week (Thursday to Sunday).

Farm: $a lot

indoor arena: because I stay north with my kids and don’t go to Wellington: $450k, but cheaper than a few winters south so there is that

I try not to add it up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Horse person. This is laughably wrong.

Maybe you want to explain why, instead of dumping all over something.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Realistically, how much money do you need to have in this area to support a horse riding hobby? Assume this means owning 2-3 horses and showing them on occasion. I know next to nothing about horses, so I am just trying to get a rough gauge or range for how expensive this hobby can get.

Any data points would be appreciated!

If you have to ask….