Anyone here in California and own horses? Minis?

[Calico_Star]

I'm trying to figure out what it would realistically cost to keep a horse in my area, so I can figure out if it's something I could ever afford in the future. I'm also looking for cost information on the upkeep of miniature horses in particular. Cost of food is the area I'm having the most trouble getting a good idea of pricing for.

The prices I'm finding in my research either must be from people in another region of the US, or I'm buying my hay from the wrong place. I've lurked on a couple of forums where people talk about getting hay for $3-$5 a bale. Hay here is roughly $16-$23 a bale depending on the type, judging by the prices I see on my local Craigslist and at the feed store. Is this typical for California? I can't imagine there could be such a ridiculously huge difference in price regionally, am I just shopping in the wrong places? I'd love to hear from any fellow Californians about the cost of feeding their horse, miniature or full sized.

Horsey pics are encouraged, too!

[NovelNerd]

I don't live in California, but I can try to be somewhat helpful.

When you're looking at hay bales are you looking at small square bales or large round ones? That will have a major price difference between them. You could google search and find the nearest feed store to you and see their prices. Keep in mind you should also look up a vet and farrier to get estimates. You might also want to look up trailers for hauling your horse. Oh wormers as well since they need a regular worming schedule.

Are you going to board a horse somewhere or do you have your own place?

When it comes to prices there probably is a big difference. I live in Arkansas and buying things here for animals is cheaper since it's one of the poorer states. Also were a huge agricultural state so plenty of competing resources for feed and hay ect. Like my dad grows his own.  I know one of our horses was brought in from New York when we got her twelve years ago. The cost on her upkeep there was unreal. The owners couldn't afford it.

[kaoskat]

Good luck getting a horse! I hope you'll share pics if you do!

[Galactica]

My sisters have horses and live in CA- I had horses for years before I moved. I can tell you that hay is WAY more expensive in CA. I have never heard of it costing $3-$5.  $15-$20 sounds more like it- although it depends where ou live and the quantity you buy.

But the real expense with horses is vet care. Your horse has a tummy ache- the vet has to come to you and it gets extraordinarily expensive. If you can barley afford food/shoeing/annual check ups and vaccines- you probably can't afford a horse because it costs thousands if your horse colics or gets into trouble- and it will happen eventually, especially as he or she gets older.

[Calico_Star]

Oh don't worry, girls! I know there's a lot more cost involved in owning a horse than just feeding it, and I'm definitely not of the mindset that I should go out and buy one as long as I can scrape together the money for a few bales of hay each month I know there's regular bills for the farrier, teeth floating, worming, shots, etc, and that's if nothing goes wrong! It's just frustrating that I'm having a hard time figuring out what the actual cost of feeding will be, since it's one of the most basic and frequent expenses. For now, I'm just researching whether or not it would be possible for me in the future.

Madhatterda- It would be the square bales. People don't seem to "do" round bales around here, and the only times I've seen them is when I've traveled up through northern California. I have my own place so boarding wouldn't be an issue, but putting up a fence would be. I've been looking into the costs of that as well.

California has a lot of agriculture as well, and I live in a little valley where it seems like every other house in the suburbs has a horse in the yard, so I'm surprised that it seems like hay is so expensive here. But hey, this is California, everything is expensive here.

Kaosakat- If it ever happens, I'll be sure to share pics

Galactica- Thanks for helping put it in perspective a little more! I was hoping I was just looking in the wrong places to buy hay, but I guess not. Sounds like my best bet is probably to go around and visit the neighbors who I've horse-sat for and my relatives who own/have owned horses and talk to them. I was hoping not to quite yet because I know if I start asking questions like that they'll think that I'm looking around and wanting to buy a horse RIGHT NOW OMG and then everyone will get carried away. I'm really surprised there aren't more people here on the forums with horses here in California, though!

[Galactica]

Oh don't worry, girls! I know there's a lot more cost involved in owning a horse than just feeding it, and I'm definitely not of the mindset that I should go out and buy one as long as I can scrape together the money for a few bales of hay each month I know there's regular bills for the farrier, teeth floating, worming, shots, etc, and that's if nothing goes wrong! It's just frustrating that I'm having a hard time figuring out what the actual cost of feeding will be, since it's one of the most basic and frequent expenses. For now, I'm just researching whether or not it would be possible for me in the future.

Madhatterda- It would be the square bales. People don't seem to "do" round bales around here, and the only times I've seen them is when I've traveled up through northern California. I have my own place so boarding wouldn't be an issue, but putting up a fence would be. I've been looking into the costs of that as well.

California has a lot of agriculture as well, and I live in a little valley where it seems like every other house in the suburbs has a horse in the yard, so I'm surprised that it seems like hay is so expensive here. But hey, this is California, everything is expensive here.

Kaosakat- If it ever happens, I'll be sure to share pics

Galactica- Thanks for helping put it in perspective a little more! I was hoping I was just looking in the wrong places to buy hay, but I guess not. Sounds like my best bet is probably to go around and visit the neighbors who I've horse-sat for and my relatives who own/have owned horses and talk to them. I was hoping not to quite yet because I know if I start asking questions like that they'll think that I'm looking around and wanting to buy a horse RIGHT NOW OMG and then everyone will get carried away. I'm really surprised there aren't more people here on the forums with horses here in California, though!

Good to hear! 

If you have lots of space and a covered barn or shed- one thing that saves money is buying in bulk.  The larger your order is, the better deal you can get from an alfalfa farmer.  The downsides: 1) usually you have to pick the hay up yourself- so unless you have a big truck or a truck with a trailer- + strong people to help you load and unload- this is not a very feasible option; 2)  If you don't have a number of horses, they hay can sit around and get moldy and it won't matter that you got it for a deal because it will be worthless at that point.