RACHEL SOWINSKI
It’s a standing joke among horse owners that you never want to add up the total amount you’re spending on your horse. At least, not unless you’re sitting down. Although we may be in denial about the dollar amount racked up on horses and riding, it’s critical to crunch the numbers. This month, we take a look at the real cost of horsekeeping, since it’s always a top concern for horse owners.
A budget is so easily busted. For example, when I moved from a boarding barn that included shavings to one that was BYOB—buy your own bedding—I woefully underestimated the number of bags it would take to keep my horse’s new, larger stall clean, dry and fluffy. My monthly tab from the feed store was more than twice what I had budgeted. Ouch.