RESOURCES
“ May your belly never grumble, may your heart never ache, may your horse never stumble, may your cinch never break”
-Cowboy Blessing
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WHAT DOES A HORSE COST?
On average (per month/per horse)
Hay - $150
Bedding - $30.00
Grain - $30.00
Supplements - $50.00
Insect control- $30.00
Other costs:
Boarding Costs (when applicable)- $300+ (monthly)
Miscellaneous Barn Supplies - $300 per horse one time purchases (buckets, feeders, manure forks, wheel barrow etc)
Deworming- $20 (every other month)
Farrier- $75-130 (every 6-8 weeks)
Equine Dental- $100At least once a year
Chiropractic- $100 as needed
Vet Care- $300 for annual vaccinations between $300 and $1500 for emergency calls
Tack and Equipment - $500 - 3,000+ (depending on your discipline,
Trainer/Lessons - $50+ (depends on if it is for you, the horse - or both, as well as discipline, and what type of training)
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SIGNS OF ABUSE
Please notify your local Humane Society, and local law enforcement if you are questioning the condition of any animal. Horse abuse and neglect can occur anywhere - from any back yard pasture, to a private or public boarding stable. Besides the obvious signs (No access to food, clean water, or shelter) the following are some other signs to look out for:
Unusually thin (spine and hips protruding)
Lack of condition (dull coat, glassy eyes)
Untended and overgrown hooves
Lethargy behavior
Lameness (any sign of limping, or extreme stiffness
Relucant to move from “sawhorse” stance (front legs extended)
Unusual discharge from nose, mouth, eyes
Unattended wounds
Cuts and whip marks
Spur marks (sores on their sides)
Tack sores
Extreme fear, depression, and distrust
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NEWS ARTICLES
USDA moves to end the cruel “Big Lick” for horses (APR 2024)
https://hslf.org/press-release/2024/04/usda-moves-end-cruel-big-lick-horses#:~:text=In%20passing%20the%20Horse%20Protection,walking%20and%20racking%20horse%20breeds.
Feeding a horse with dental problems (JUN 2023)
https://ahomeforeveryhorse.com/horse-care-101/feeding-the-senior-horse-with-dental-problems/?utm_campaign=AHF%20-%20Rescue%20Eblasts&utm_medium=email&_hsmi=264515594&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_djP1Z1mR5NkQimcWMyunPKIRmtcc2dt3lFBmOHbdxZpNbDCqVN6fDEJQHmCEUBKiLlCeU54V2ZBYfOC2yKMI0l2uKOA&utm_content=264515594&utm_source=hs_email
The global pipeline begins at poorly regulated US Auctions (MAR 2023)
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/how-us-racehorses-end-up-on-dinner-plates?fbclid=IwAR2SwljGp4trZOMxRR_eu4xfyBvZGkuCcpyXqM3nN6TGM6bb_52yf856SBQ
Legislation to permanently end slaughter of American Horses (DEC 2022)
https://www.humanesociety.org/news/more-200-veterinarians-express-support-legislation-permanently-end-slaughter-american-horses
Investigation into horse slaughter (NOV 2022)
https://animalequality.org/press-release/horse-5036-american-horses-facing-slaughter-investigation-shows/)