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The maintenance and care of any type of animal takes time and money. Backyard breeders can always turn a stallion out with a few mares and let them produce new
foals every year but a dedicated breeding program involves a lot more than just buying a couple of horses and letting them
breed.
To
figure out the actual costs involved in raising a foal, a breeder has to look at all the costs involved in breeding and raising
that horse. If the breeder already owns a mare, then he has to locate a good stallion to breed with her.
Stud fees can range from $500 to $3,500 and on up for a good stallion. If the stallion is in close
proximity to the mare, traveling costs won’t be high. If not, the mare might need to stay at the breeding facility
for a length of time. This boarding fee could range from $150-$300 for a month's stay.
The breeder has to
pay vet bills and other medical expenses such as de-worming and immunizations. The breeder should plan
to spend at least an additional $250 for these expenses. Also, changes in feed and hay are necessary during the entire
pregnancy to ensure proper nutrition for the mother and her growing baby, which will result in additional costs. There
is an old idea that a pregnant mare needs additional nutrition during her last three months only; this is a dangerous notion that has been proven wrong through research. Without additional nutrition
throughout the pregnancy, not only will the development of the baby be harmed, but the mare's condition will also be negatively
affected.
After the
foal is born, there are general expenses that can average between $750 and $1000 per year including such things as proper
feed and hay, vitamins and veterinary care. A good breeder understands that these expenses are necessary
for at least the first three years of a new horse's life. In addition to these key items, a young colt who is not
intended for breeding will require gelding - as early as possible. This can add anywhere from $85 to over $500 depending
on the farm's location. The younger a colt can be gelded, the better as it is cheaper and easier to do than on a
stallion who has grown into studdish behavior. If not done early enough and if the colt is around mares, an unwanted
and unplanned breeding can occur with a yearling.
Total Care For A New Horse
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Now the breeder can determine
the total cost of producing a three year old horse. The original breeding expenses plus the expenses for
care of the young horse all total at least $3,500. This is before any time or money has been put into training.
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