Equine Care Fund
It takes a very special horse to be a High Hopes therapeutic horse. A horse suited for equine-assisted services must be calm, adaptable, and tolerant of both their environment and people of all types, in situations ranging from ground-based horsemanship classes to working under saddle.
A good horse for equine-assisted services is a herd animal who accepts humans into their social circle. High Hopes horses need to be comfortable being fed, groomed, tacked, led, and worked with by many different people.
Horses accepted to High Hopes come for a trial period to evaluate their suitability for the program. Although their sizes may vary, they must be healthy and sound. These horses need to walk, trot, and canter with a free-moving stride. They are exposed to novel objects, loud noises, and various teaching tools such as rings, hoops, toys, and more that might be handled by a volunteer or carried by a participant in a class. Approximately one in five horses meet the requirements to join the program.
These horses are professionals. Their reward is excellent care, which includes feed, hay, and regular visits from veterinarians, veterinary dentists, farriers, and chiropractors. Scroll below to see the breakdown.
How You Can Support
Your support is essential to ensure our horses continue to receive the care they deserve. Donations, sponsorships, and fundraising efforts allow us to maintain our program and provide the best environment for our horses and the riders who benefit from their therapeutic services.
Thank you for considering supporting our mission at High Hopes. Together, we can continue to make a difference in the lives of our horses and the individuals they serve.
Hay and Forage
Hay is a staple in our horses’ diet, providing essential nutrients. Each horse consumes about 20-25 pounds of hay daily, depending on their size and activity level. For our herd of 22, that totals around 440-550 pounds of hay each day, or approximately 16,000-20,000 pounds per month. Given the average cost of hay is around $200-300 per ton, monthly hay expenses can reach $4,000.
Grain and Supplements
In addition to hay, many of our older horses require grain and specific supplements to maintain their health. This can include senior feed, joint supplements, and vitamins. On average, we spend about $800-$1000 per month on grain and supplements for the herd.
Veterinary Care
Regular veterinary care is crucial for our aging horses. This includes routine check-ups, vaccinations, dental care, and any necessary treatments for health issues. We budget around $2,000 annually for each horse, which totals $33,000-44,000 for our entire herd. Unexpected health issues can further increase this cost.
Farrier Services
There is a common saying in the horse world “No hoof, No horse”. Maintaining healthy hooves is vital for our horses’ well-being. Regular farrier visits are necessary every 6-8 weeks for trimming and shoeing, costing about $100-150 per visit per horse. This brings our total farrier expenses to approximately $16,000 annually.
Bedding and Shelter Maintenance
Our horses live outside year-round, but they still require proper bedding and shelter maintenance. We use high-quality bedding to ensure their comfort and health. This can cost around $500 monthly. Additionally, upkeep of their shelters and fencing is an ongoing expense that we prioritize.
General Care and Equipment
Beyond food and veterinary expenses, there are many other costs associated with horse care, including grooming supplies, feeding equipment, paddock and equipment maintenance. We estimate these costs to be around $12,000 annually.
Total Annual Costs
When we add all these expenses together, the annual cost of caring for our herd of horses can range from $100,000 to 180,000.
When you support the High Hopes Equine Care Fund, you are directly supporting the therapeutic horses who make our service delivery possible. Your donation helps to provide these incredible horses with the care they need and deserve alongside their daily work.