What does it truly cost to keep a horse?

Well when you first get him you will have to buy saddles and tack and grooming gear and ect. that can be pretty costly. But if you buy just a little at a time then it may be easier. My vet has a health program for horses that costs about 400 dollars for everything. It includes vaccines, 1 check up, level one dental, and some other stuff. That helps a lot. You may want to ask your vet about that. If you board at a fancy heated barn it can be up to 800 dollars. But i board at a small barn that has a nice indoor and decent outdoor with a few stalls. That costs me about 400 a month. It includes feed and pasture during the day. She brings them in during storms and ect. Its nice. You can look for pasture board but they dont get grain. Then you would have to buy your own grain that costs about 30 bucks a bag. Bags only last a week or so. Deworming should be taken in moderation its like 15 bucks a tube. You give it to them yourselves and they say you should only do it twice a year so the worms dont grow an immunity to it. Just saying, but ask your vet. Ferrier should come out every 6-8 weeks and costs me 40 dollars everytime. I do all natural hoof care. But the rate should probably stay the same as long as you stay with a local ferrier. So it really all depends on what you decide to do with your horse but im gonna say that it will probably average out to cost you about 500 bucks a month to maintain a healthy horse (not including all those one time fees)