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How much does the feed, shavings, etc. cost per month?
There of course is the $ cost, but there's also the cost in time. Time brushing, combing and cleaning out the hooves, cleaning out the turn-out shed that they need for protection from the sun, rain and snow (believe me, that's where you'll have to clean the most), breaking the ice if you have no tank heater, defrosting the hose if you forgot to walk it the last time you filled the stock tank, cleaning out the stall, repairing damages to fences and barn before and after the horse arrives, riding it every day to keep it from getting bored and chewing on anything it can get bites out of (that can even be the tank heater if it can be reached)...and all that doesn't include the time it takes to keep the tack in order.
Thats hard.... You have to factor in the cost of building an area for them(barn, paddack) along with making sure there spot has grass in it and lacks poisonous weeds. Then there is the cost for food(pellets, oats, hay, meds, suppliments). Latly the price for hay is pretty high but for one horse you should be ok. Then of course you have to think about vet bills should anything happen in that one month. Add that all together and its quite a bit of money for just one month. If it were to be for the long run it would make more sence. I cant give you the exact price though, i dont think anyone could:/
Depends on the cost of hay....which changes yearly...depending on supply and demand. I've paid as little as $75 a ton, and as much as $250 a ton in just the last 5 years. You can count on a horse eating 2.5 tons in the winter....sometimes a little more, sometimes a little less depending on the weather. Including grain, I figure it costs $1000.00 a year per horse (in a good year)....$2000.00 a horse in an expensive year.
Don't forget the cost of a tank heater....they use quite a bit of electricity if you live in a cold climate.
