How Much Does It Cost to Train a Horse? 8 Important Details

It all depends on what you want your horse to accomplish. To get him broken in can take at least 30 days and set you back $600 to $1200, depending on the trainer and location. A trail horse, on the other hand, requires 90 to 180 days of training, while a top level dressage horse will take years of practice to reach his full potential.

Ideally a horse should come under saddle by the time he’s two years old, but depending on the horse’s pedigree and other factors, this could take a longer or shorter time. A horse that needs rehabilitation may need more training sessions, and can cost $3,000 to $6,000, or even more, to get him back on track.

An online survey by Synchrony reports the basic yearly expenses incurred when training and maintaining a horse range between $8,600 and $26,000 depending on whether your horse is reared for pastured, recreational or competitive activities.

How are these costs made up? This guide delves into the expenses you need to factor into your budget when considering getting professional training for your horse.

Trainer’s fees

The trainer’s fee can range from $50 to $120 per day based on whether they’re training your horse for a minor racetrack, or for major racing venues. You can therefore expect to spend between $1500 and $3600 a month getting your horse ready for the races or show jumping. But that is just a fraction of the total cost you will incur to get your horse in shape for the big events.

Out of training fees

In addition to training fees, there are many other costs that go into maintaining a horse especially those in the competitive category. These include:

Jockey fees and retainers

Jockeys charge fees to ride horses, especially if the demand for their services is high. Sometimes they can waive these charges for a chance to ride your horse on the track. If your trainer or yard retains a jockey for your horse, they will have to pay them a regular wage whose cost will be passed on to you. Before signing an agreement with your trainer, find out if they retain jockeys, and whether they expect you to cover part of the retainer.

Gallops fees

Most of a racehorse’s training is centred on constant workouts on the gallops. If the trainer has their own gallops they may charge this fee as part of the daily rate. But if they rent this facility, they will probably ask you to pay a gallops fee as an additional charge to your daily training fee.

Farrier

Farrier services will typically cost you between $37 and $43 for a trim, and $95 to $130 for shoeing. If your horse requires extra attention for a hoof condition, custom shoeing or special fitting may be arranged for an extra fee. A horse’s hooves are typically trimmed and shoed every three to five weeks.

Clipping

Your horse’s coat needs grooming to make him show-ready. Clipping costs anywhere between $100 and $250 depending on the type of horse (whether he’s a draft horse, pony or mini horse), and whether you use professional or semi-professional grooming services.

Veterinary costs

Horses need regular veterinary care which can drive up maintenance cost. These include vaccinations, drugs, and annual dental work. These are normally charged as they arise, and at cost by the trainer.

Boarding fees

The fees you pay for boarding facilities for your horse vary according to the services being offered and the location. Some boarding options include:

Full board: this option ensures your horse gets full professional care, but can be costly, ranging between $1,200 and $2,000 per month.
Pasture boarding: although less demanding than full board, this option still needs daily attention and may cost between $300 to $500 per month.
Stall boarding: here, your horse gets a stall and daily turn out to pasture. The charges vary based on who between you and the stall owners provides feeds.

Feeding

If you choose to train and keep your horse within your property, you will incur feeding costs which can range between $2,000 and $7,300 annually, depending on the diet offered and your horse’s feeding habits.

Other costs associated with owning a horse

Apart from the costs above, there are other incidental costs that come with training a horse for flat racing or jump racing. These include:

Race day charges: your horse will need items like bandages and run-down patches, as well as grooming and handling.
Trailering fees: these are unavoidable costs incurred when ferrying your horse to the racing venue.
Trainer travel costs: when trainers travel to other tracks the horse owner usually foots the travel bill.
Insurance: your horse will need insurance cover against unforeseen events, this can cost $400–$3,000 depending on the horse’s pedigree and type of cover.
Percent of earnings: expect to share your race earnings with the trainer. They usually charge 10% of the prize money.

Behavioral specialists

If your horse has temperamental issues, you may need to call in a behavioral specialist. For example, your horse may need stalls training if he’s affected by confined spaces. These services can be quite expensive, with some specialists quoting as much as $100 per hour which is billed to you directly. Before signing on a horse trainer, it’s prudent to ask if they regularly use these types of services.

Thinking of owning a race horse, why not syndicate?

Owning and training a horse is an expensive undertaking that shouldn’t be approached lightly. Some estimates show it can cost as much as $60,000 a year to maintain a thoroughbred horse. One way around this problem is joining a horse racing syndicate where members collectively own shares in one or more racehorses.

For example, you could buy a 5% stake in a thoroughbred horse valued at $100,000 at a cost of $5000. Syndicates offer a cost effective way to enjoy the thrills of horse ownership without having to spend a fortune.