Learning how to be a responsible horse owner is a long-term commitment that requires you to invest much of your time, financial resources and talent. A horse is not a low-maintenance pet, like a small bird or a goldfish, or one that you should decide to bring home on a whim, such as a stray cat.

First, take inventory of the things you and your horse will need:

• Boarding at your home or at a professional boarding facility
• Feed and hay that is provided by you or given to him by the boarder
• Veterinary medical care and farm calls by your veterinarian (at least twice a year is recommended)
• Tack for your horse and related gear for yourself
• Training and riding lessons (especially if you are a new owner or an inexperienced rider)
• Farrier visits to regularly trim your horse’s hooves and shoe your horse every six to eight weeks
• Miscellaneous items, including grooming supplies and turn-out blankets.
• Towing vehicle and horse trailer

The value of barn time for your equine friend

When it comes to your time, you can expect to spend an ample amount of it feeding, grooming and exercising your horse. If you keep the horse on your own property, you are responsible for your equine friend 24 hours a day. You will also have to maintain the area where you keep him with seeding and fencing and by making sure he is protected from the weather. Other time demands include everything from such regular maintenance as watering and cleaning his stall to scheduling veterinary and farrier appointments. Whether you board your horse or keep it at a stable away from home, you’ll have to spend hours of travel time going back and forth to properly care for him.

A horse will put a sizable dent in your pocketbook

You’ve probably heard the phrase “as big as a horse.” Well, when it comes to horse ownership, there is a hefty financial commitment over time. While most horse lovers understand how much money it takes to own a horse, it can be a good idea to sit down and summarize the costs, so that there won’t be any surprises. If you nail down a budget, you’ll know exactly what to expect. In 2009, veterinary costs for routine care averaged about $200 to $300 a year, yet you might not realize that an item like insect repellent or flea spray for the summer can range in cost from about $30 to $100. Depending on the part of the country you live in, you should be prepared to spend $2,000-$3,000 a year to maintain a horse.

Invest your talent

How to be a responsible horse owner can only be boosted by the amount of talent you display. Whether you are a casual hobbyist, or someone who allows her life to revolve around her horse, investing your talents can be enriching for both of you. Whether you ride for pleasure, exercise or because you want your horse to steal the next horse show, that’s up to you. If you’re a new owner or a beginner, horseback riding lessons might be high on your priority list. More experienced horse owners will likely want to use their skills in more challenging ways, such as teaching, training or breeding horses.