Costs
What does a horse cost per month? Complete cost overview 2026
A horse is not a cheap hobby. We outline all monthly expenses — from livery to farrier, vet, insurance and competitions. Realistic figures for 2026, based on Dutch market prices.
Published: 2/10/2026
EquiSight Editorial
Redactie · EquiSight · SaFleu Equestrian Centre BV
Fixed monthly costs
- Full livery: €400–€800
- Self-care livery: €150–€350
- Farrier (every 6–8 weeks): equivalent to €40–€80/month
- Insurance (liability + health cover): €25–€90
- Feed & supplements (on top of livery): €30–€120
- Worming + FEC tests: €5–€15
Variable costs
On an annual basis, these also include: vet (€200–€600), equine dentist (€80–€150), physio/osteopath for issues (€80–€120 per session), competitions (€30–€150 per entry), KNHS membership (€100), saddle fitter checks, and optionally an instructor and further training. Spread out, that quickly adds up to €100–€300 extra per month.
Unexpected costs
An injury, an operation, or an urgent treatment can easily run into thousands of euros. Set aside at least €1,000–€2,000 per year for the unexpected — or take out a good health insurance policy.
Total monthly costs — what is realistic?
- Pony on self-care livery: €250–€450 per month
- Leisure horse on full livery: €600–€900 per month
- Competition horse in full care: €900–€1,500 per month
How do you keep costs under control?
Build a consistent monthly routine and track everything in a horse profile. With EquiSight, you can see at a glance what your farrier, vet, dentist and competitions cost per horse — and make decisions based on data, not gut feeling.