Ashley's Equestrian Pin Fever

All About Riding

$$ COSTS $$

Page 2 of Unlimited

Q. WHO ELSE SHOULD BE ON MY CHRISTMAS BONUS LIST?
A. Your equine vet, after all, he's still the only one who will come out at 2am to check on that cough. Of course, you are going to pay for this since PPO's haven't picked up on the equine industry yet. I do recommend equine major medical insurance. Though horse care expenses haven't risen to the level to catch Hillary Clinton's attention yet, they can still be pretty stiff.

Q. CAN I GET OTHER TYPES OF INSURANCE ON MY HORSE?
A. Let's face it, they do shoot horses, don't they? Most people w/show animals do carry mortality insurance. Unless you are Bill Gates, few of us can lose a $35K horse & not feel it in the wallet.

Q. WHERE SHOULD I KEEP MY HORSE?
A. Depends on whether you live in a condo on Central Park West or have 500 acres in Virginia Hunt Country. If it's the condo, good luck convincing the association that Shetland is really a great dane that got into your Rogaine supply. If you live in hunt country, do you have any unmarried sons?

Rule of thumb is 1 acre per horse. You can do it for less but risk indentured servitude to your hay supplier. Remember, with the freedom to have your pony in the backyard comes an equal loss of freedom at being away overnight unless you have a REALLY good relationship w/your neighbor who isn't scared off by poop piles the size of small dogs.

Q. IF I DON'T KEEP IT AT HOME, WHERE THEN?
A. Just like you wish you could do with your kids, board them. Stables run from do-it-yourself to full service, we-do-it-all-but-you're-gonna-pay-big.

Be sure you have a complete, preferrably written, description of everything the stable will provide. I know of stables who have virtually provided nothing for their fee...even charged for lightbulbs in the stalls. Another charged $40/month for providing a supplement that the individual could have purchased for $10/month herself. So get specifics about what's included.

Q. IF I KEEP THEM AT HOME, DO I NEED A BARN?
A. Geez, where do your kids live, in a dog run in the backyard? Yes, it doesn't have to be something the Ewings would build but they do need shelter. Unless your husband is Bob Vila, barns aren't cheap. But they can be put up very reasonably & can add to the value of your home, everyone needs additional storage space.