THE ECONOMICS OF HORSE PRODUCTION

Norman Storey, B.Agr.Sc. Teagasc, Equine Specialist Advisor

The breeding and production of sport horses in Ireland is often considered to be a hobby.However it can be an expensive hobby.

Breeders must set goals and objectives. They must set standards against which efficiency canbe measured. Horse breeding can be a profitable enterprise but breeders must be aware of thecost involved.

In this paper I will assess the minimum cost of breeding and producing horses. I must stressthat these are minimum costs and they can be considerably higher. I have divided theproduction into a number of different time spans

The production of a weanling foal From weanling to yearling The young horse from yearling to three and a half years Basic training (breaking) The young competition horseThe Production of a Weanling Foal

The production of a weanling foal is the most expensive stage of breeding. These figures arebased on an April born foal.

Stud Fee Stud fee will vary from 100 to over 4,000.I have taken 350 as an average figure.

Stud Keep 20 days at stud at 7 per day 140

FarrierMare: Six trims at 17 each 102Foal: Three trims at 15 each 45

AnthelminthicsMare: Six doses at 15 each 90Foal: One dose 15

ConcentratesMare:Pre-foaling 100 days at 2 kgs stud cubes per day @ 34c per kg = 68Post foaling 25 kg 8.50

Foal: 25 kgs of foal pencils @ 42c per kg = 10.50

Hay 120 days at 0.75 bales per day equals 90 balesTo make one bale cost 90c (Teagasc Farm Management Data) 81

Straw One and a half bales per day for 120 daysOne bale costs 0.30c to bale 54

Veterinary Vaccinations EHV x 3; Flu / tetanusRegistrationScanTotal of six visits at 50 per visit 300

Registration Irish Horse Board 45

Grazing Fertiliser for one acre ** 35

Total 1,344Weanling to Yearling(November to March)

Farrier: Two visits @ 17 for trimming 34Anthelminthics: Two doses @ 10 = 20Concentrates: 2 kgs per day (weanling/yearling cubes) 126Hay: 75 bales @ 0.90c = 68Straw: 130 bales @ 0.30c = 39Veterinary: Vaccinations (Flu / tetanus) 2 visits @50 each = 100

Total 387

Yearling to Three and a Half Year Old

The yearling to three and a half years old young horse is the cheapest stage of production. Unless theyare being produced for show or sale prior to breaking, young hoses can be maintained as store horses.In fact, they will not suffer from developmental growth disorders when reared this way.

Farrier Anthelminthics Vaccinations Grass Feed Straw TotalApr-Nov 4x17= 68 4x10= 40 2x30 =60 35 92 39 388

Yearling Dec-Mar 2x17= 34 2x10= 20Apr-Nov 4x17= 68 4x10= 40 1x30= 30 35 92 39 358Two

Year Old Dec-Mar 2x17 = 34 2x10 = 20Three

Year OldApr-Nov 4 x 17= 68 4x10 = 40 1x30= 30 35 173

* Vaccinations Flu/tetanus** Three bags of 10-10-20 per acre and lime*** One bale haylage (430 kgs) feeds 6 two / three year olds for 3 days. One bale costs

14 to produce (Teagasc Farm Management Data), i.e. 0.77c per head per day.**** One bale per day for four months at 0.30c per bale.

The cost of producing a young untrained horse to three and a half years of age is 2,650.

Basic Training

A six-week period of basic training (breaking) will cost 100 per week livery and 20 forfarrier, i.e. 620.

The Young Competition Horse

Keeping a horse in training for competitions is expensive. Owners must be sure that theirinvestments will be worth while unless it is a hobby. A four-year old horse in training willcost about 150 per week including livery. Farriery, anthelminthics, transport, vaccinations,and entry fees.

Norman Storey, B.Agr.Sc.Teagasc, Equine Specialist AdvisorThe Production of a Weanling FoalStud Fee

Stud fee will vary from 100 to over 4,000.

Stud KeepFarrierAnthelminthicsConcentrates

HayStrawVeterinaryRegistrationGrazingTotalYearling to Three and a Half Year OldTotalYearling

2x30 =601x30= 301x30= 30Basic TrainingThe Young Competition Horse