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getting started
cost of ownership
bloodstock agents
your trainer
transporting your horse
role of veterinarians
horseshoer or farrier
do I need insurance?
tax
considerations
library
reading
a catalog page
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The Cost of Owning a
Thoroughbred
Before you
purchase your initial horse, you should understand how much it is
going to cost in monthly expenses to maintain it. You will come to
know that the initial expense of purchasing your potential star is
just the beginning of your financial layout. You need to
familiarize yourself with the expenses involved and be able to
budget for them for your operation to be successful. A very good
point to keep in mind is that it costs as much to feed and train a
$10,000 as a $100,000 horse. You will have a better chance of
success with a higher initial investment and your expenses will be
the same.
A HORSE
IN TRAINING
Training day
rates include all the feed, staffing, equipment and housing that
it takes to train your horse. It usually also includes the
Workman’s Comp for the stable staff, but due to rising rates, some
trainers are itemizing this separately. Items not included in your
day rate would be veterinary care,
farrier,
transportation,
insurance (for your horse),
taxes and any special items your horse may
need.
At A Race
Track
$25-$130 per
horse per day, depending on locale and the trainer's "win" record.
Workman’s Comp surcharge can be an extra $100 per month.
Training
Center
$25-$65 per day. A good half way place between the track and the
farm. Good place to get your 2yr olds breezing prior to going to
the track where there is more activity.
Farm
Training Day-Rate
$25-$55 per horse per day. A good place to get your 2-yr-old
started and save some money. Some farms even have large enough
tracks to do some breezing. Also a good place for your older horse
coming off a layup period, again to save some money.
BROODMARES
Broodmares are boarded for $8-$30 per day depending on local and
if they are in the pasture full time or need stall care.
Broodmares usually have very
little veterinary expenses, other than de-worming and vaccinations,
except during the breeding season. Foaling fees are $200-$300. Getting the mares
pregnant again there will be numerous palpations ($20-30 ea), and
ultrasounds ($50-75) to check for pregnancy and or twins. If your
mare does not easily become pregnant, there could also be expenses
for drugs to get her to cycle, or treat infections. Additionally if
there are any complications post foaling, your mare could require
surgery. Mares are trimmed about every 5 weeks ($20-$35).
FOALS, WEANLINGS and YEARLINGS
There is either no charge for un-weaned foals
or a minimum charge of $3-$5 per day until weaned. Once weaning
takes place the board rate goes up to the yearling rate of $8-$25
per day where it stays until breaking. Breaking rates for yearlings
usually run $25-40 per day.
- Foals, if they are born healthy,
and stay that way, and have correct legs, should only have
de-worming and vaccination expenses, however, that is rarely the
case. An early foal that requires neo-natal hospitalization can
rack up enormous expenses. Foals in the first 8 months of their
lives are very susceptible to infectious diseases. Pneumonia and
other respiratory diseases are common. Antibiotic treatments can
run in the hundreds of dollars and hospitalization is not
uncommon.
- If your foal is born incorrect, surgery,
casting, special shoes and other measures may be necessary to force its legs to
correctly align. This expense can be small or run into hundreds
of dollars depending on the degree of the angular deformity. If
your foal's legs remain incorrect despite your efforts to correct
them, its future as a racehorse/sale prospect can be severely
compromised.
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San Diego, California 92130
