The Uncomfortable Topics: Money, Horses, and Future Planning

Looking at the books... The number of established, long-time equine professionals shutting down their businesses is occurring at an alarming rate. Many who are continuing to operate have taken massive income cuts in their attempt to keep prices the same for clients. Many professionals are having to work second jobs to cover horse business expenses.

As always, location creates different variants in costs, but everywhere, across the board, prices are rising yearly while income is not.

In the inland Northwest

2000 $220/ton high-quality grass hay delivered

2021 Summer $240 Fall $385 (previous year's hay as there is a shortage and no more hay until July 2022 when we find out what was actually able to grow.)

2025 Projected at $415+/ton with the minimal moisture winter has brought and the increased demand as long-time farmers retire.

SW US Full Set of Shoes

2021 Spring $125 Fall $135

2022 Spring $145

2025 Spring $175

Grain increased on average 25%

Cost of Purchasing Experienced Trail Horse 12-16yr

2020 $8,000-10,000

2021 $10,000-12,000

2022 $15,000

2025 $18,000+

In the last six months I've looked at many horses for sale for clients- 90% of which were lame- all between the ages of 6 and 15- trained in various disciplines, located across North America.

Finding a sound, sane, experienced equine that willingly offers to participate? Priceless.

Add in indiscriminate breeding, lack of education in "professionals" whose inexperience or quick-fix training practices diminish the equine's success at safely surviving the human experience. Too many horses are getting resold multiple times and ending up at auction or slaughterhouses as a direct result of uneducated trainers and owners.

The rising costs are not feasible for many horse enthusiasts. The last time the economy crashed in 2008/2009 we literally had people letting horses loose in both the PNW areas and the desert SW because they couldn't afford them.

Real estate prices are insane, people are at an all time high in both spending and debt... never mind world events that are going to continue to affect the cost of diesel, hay, grain, horse-related supplies, etc.

Many horse owners live far outside the affluent standards a few geographical locations have in the US. They have to choose between their mortgage or hay when the economy crashes. What some people pay in board on the east or west coast, folks in rural areas spend on their house payment. Trying to survive on minimum wage doesn't cut it, nevermind trying to do so while supporting equines.

I share this post as an honest warning to proactively consider the future and well-being of your equines...

Many horse owners are emotionally hopeful but not financially realistic about long-term care options, emergency plans, or future care for their animal(s) if something happens to them.The reality is that most people don't have emergency vet care funds.

Rescues are currently overflowing, 50,000 mustangs in captivity, slaughter trucks are full.

I remember the days of getting five to six calls PER DAY from people wanting to give me "free horses" because they couldn't handle, manage, or afford them...

So, rather than waiting until you might need a "back up" plan, here are questions to consider, initially answer, research, and maybe revisit as you refine your options:

How much can you afford in case of an emergency vet bill?

What are long-term horse options if you are unable to provide hands on care (for those who keep equines at home)?

Have you documented your wishes for your animals and found people who are willing to take on the responsibility (including financially) to care for them if something happens to you?

Is your horse "manageable" for the general public to handle easily- i.e. catch, halter, lead, and trailer? If not who has a skill set that would and could be responsible for him? What are you doing to develop a more adaptable, reasonable horse to increase the chances of his safety in case something happens to you?

If hay continues to be a limited commodity and prices continue to rise beyond your budget, what is your plan?

If your boarding facility increases their fees to cover their increasing costs, can you afford it? If not, what alternatives are there for your horse's care?

Do you have emergency evacuation options that you've rehearsed and are in place in case of flooding or wildfires?

I remind folks that however uncomfortable these conversations may be, it is far better to be prepared, to know your realistic options, than try and make decisions when you are in panic mode or are emotionally overwhelmed by an unexpected scenario.