How Much Does It Cost to Lease A Horse?

Many aspiring horse owners are deterred by the high upfront costs. However, purchasing a horse isn’t the only option. Horse leasing offers a more affordable alternative.

To help hopeful equestrians find the best deal, we’ll share some intel on horse leasing, including average leasing costs and the types of leases available.

How Much Does It Cost to Lease A Horse in the US?

The cost of leasing a horse is mainly based on the cost of the horse itself, as well as the type of lease you choose.

However, on average, you can generally expect to pay around the following:

• Full or a care lease: $500 to $1,000+ per month
• Half lease: As little as $150 per month

As you can see, the price range for leasing a horse varies quite a bit. So, to help you better understand how much you’d be expecting to pay, we’ll cover the types of leases in more detail in the following section.

5 Types of Leases

The two popular types of leases are a full lease and a half lease (also known as a partial lease).

However, these are not the only types of leases you could acquire. Let’s look into all the available types of horse leases in a bit more detail.

1. Full lease

Cost: 30% of the horse’s selling price per year

A full lease entails paying 30% of the horse’s selling price per year, as well as the additional maintenance and care costs.

For example, if your horse of choice is a Percheron that costs $25,000, you’d be looking at paying $7,500 per year ($625 per month), not counting the additional costs of caring for the horse.

Under this type of lease, you are expected to cover all of your preferred horse’s expenses. This includes everything from feed and veterinary fees to boarding costs, making it the most expensive type of lease available.

On the plus side, this type of lease allows for more freedom than other types, giving you 24/7 access to the horse for riding and horse shows.

2. Half lease

Cost: 15% of the horse’s selling price per year

A half lease is the cheapest type of lease you could get, making it a popular option for many individuals seeking horse ownership. However, you wouldn’t have full-time access to the horse, and you’d typically split the horse’s care costs with another lessee or the owner of the horse.

3. Care lease

Cost: Depends on the horse’s value, the level of care required, and the specific terms of the lease agreement

A horse care lease is a flexible arrangement where the lessee assumes responsibility for the horse’s care, training, and other expenses. It’s similar to a full lease in that it’s the closest thing to horse ownership, second to actually owning the horse outright. However, this type of lease is more fit for individuals who can’t commit to the horse’s training or who can’t actually host the horse.

The cost of a care lease can vary widely, depending on factors such as the horse’s value, the level of care required, and the specific terms of the lease agreement. Generally, you can expect to pay a significant portion of the horse’s ongoing costs, which may include boarding, feed, veterinary care, farrier fees, and training expenses.

4. Show lease

Cost: Around $100 per day (prices vary based on your preferred horse)

A show lease is more like “renting” a horse for a particular program. So, it’s the furthest you can get from full ownership and allows you to spend a very limited amount of time (usually only a day or a couple of days) with the horse. However, if you’re just interested in attending horse shows and don’t want to fully commit to leasing a horse, this may be the right lease for you.

Farms or stables that offer show leases usually charge a set price, which includes all the horse’s additional upkeep costs. The average show lease is typically $100 per day, but the prices could vary depending on your preferred horse.

5. Seasonal lease

Cost: 25% of the horse’s full annual lease fee

If you aren’t interested in leasing the horse for a full year, you could opt for a seasonal or quarter lease. This option is perfect for individuals who need a horse to train with for a few months or those who only like to ride in warmer weather. The lease period is typically three to four months.

Breakdown of Leasing Costs

As mentioned, there are many fees associated with leasing a horse, such as:

Lease fee

The lease fee is the original leasing price that depends on the selling price of the horse as well as the lease type. Keep in mind that not all leasing agreements take lease fees. For example, show leases or care leases don’t always require upfront leasing payments.

Medical expenses

This includes the veterinary check-up you should get before making an agreement (to ensure the horse is in good health) and all additional vet bills you must pay while the horse is in your care.

A check-up would typically cost around $50; all other expenses, including dental care, deworming, and vaccinations, may add up to around $600 per year.

Boarding fees

The boarding fee is the most expensive part of leasing a horse.

• Full lease: Expect to pay up to 100% of the horse’s boarding costs, which could be anywhere between $200 and $1,000, depending on where you choose to keep the horse.
• Partial lease: You would only pay around 50% of the boarding costs ($100 to $500).

Insurance

If the horse gets sick or is injured under your care, you will have full liability. So, it’s always a good idea to invest in a good insurance plan. Most horse insurance policies cost between $150 and $250 per year.

How Much Does It Cost to Lease A Horse in The UK?

The percentages you’d expect to pay for each type of lease are pretty much the same in the UK as they are in the US (30% for a full lease, 15% for a partial lease).

However, due to the differences between US and UK horse selling prices and the additional services, you may expect to pay a bit less in the UK.

For example, if you were to get a full lease in the UK, you would probably pay anywhere between £150 and £600.

FAQs

What is a normal horse lease?

A normal horse lease would refer to either a full lease or a partial lease.

Is it better to own or lease a horse?

Whether to own or lease a horse depends on your budget, time commitment, and experience level.

• Owning offers full control and long-term bonding but requires significant financial investment and time.
• Leasing provides flexibility, lower upfront costs, and access to high-quality horses but limits control and the bond formed.

Can you break a horse lease?

It depends on the boarding agreement. Most boarding agreements will require you to give one or two months’ notice before you break the lease. Within this time, you won’t generally have to keep the horse, but you’d still be expected to pay for its expenses.

Final Thoughts

Leasing offers a more affordable alternative to horse ownership, with options to suit various budgets and riding habits. However, it’s important to remember that your expenses often won’t be limited to just the lease fee, especially if you’re looking to spend more time with the horse.

Knowing which additional fees (such as vet bills or insurance) you’d be expected to pay can help you make an informed decision.