Initial Costs: $800-1,000
Horses come into 3S in varying states of health, mostly poor. All of our horses receive a veterinarian physical exam immediately upon arrival; tests for infectious disease are run, worming is done, they receive a dental exam and floating, vaccinations are administered, feet are examined and done, and a three-month re-feeding protocol is developed that includes supplements, grain and hay. Some will require emergency rehabilitation including medication.

The cost typically starts at $1,000 per horse and can easily double or triple if the horse is severely under weight or ill.

Hoof Care: $45
All the horses see our farrier, this costs $45 initially, depending on the severity of the issue. If corrective work is needed this will drive the cost even higher and it may take several months of repeated farrier work to get the hooves back in shape.

Feed and Rehabilitation: $190
The majority of the horses that come to us are underweight. Currently a single bale of hay is $10-$15 depending on the season and type of hay. A horse should eat 2% of their optimum body weight per day, about 2 bales per week. The monthly cost of hay per horse is approximately $100.

Supplements such as grain, bran and chop can be as much as $50 per month per horse. Some horses require special medication and this can add $40 extra per horse needing it per month.

Teeth: $150
If the horses need their teeth “floated”, and most do, the cost is $150.

Training: $550-800
We know that most horses end up in the slaughter pipeline because of lack of basic training. Each horse is out into basic training or a tune up, the cost can vary from $550-800, typically we put about four to eight sessions into each horse before they are listed for adoption.

On-Going Maintenance: $130
Routine hoof care needs to be performed every six to eight weeks and costs $45.

Horses need worming every six months. The cost is $10-50 each worming, depending on the need of that horse. Our volunteers administer this in order to keep costs down.

Semi-annual vaccinations for tetanus, influenza, rhino pneumonitis, etc. are approximately $35 per horse twice per year. We administer to keep costs down and write grants whenever possible.

Emergency Veterinary Care: $500+
This can really vary depending on the situation. Lacerations that need sutures, anesthetic, x-rays, and antibiotics can cost anywhere between $200-500 depending on size and seriousness of the injury. We joke that horses can hurt themselves in a bubble wrapped stall, it’s not funny but true!

Our average monthly cost to maintain a single horse is $150 and most horses are with us on an average of six months.