What is the average cost of owning a horse in Australia?

It varies too much to give one honest figure. Agistment type, region, feed prices and the horse's needs all change it. Use local quotes.

Which costs do people forget?

Gear (saddle, bridle, rugs), emergency vet bills, transport and club fees. Agriculture Victoria lists gear to budget for.

How often does a horse need the farrier?

Agriculture Victoria says every 6–8 weeks.

Can I claim horse costs on tax?

Usually not if it's a hobby. The ATO's view is in TR 2008/2. Ask a registered tax agent.

Enter prices as you pay them, which for most owners is GST-inclusive.

How much does it cost to own a horse?

Agriculture Victoria says it plainly: horse ownership "is expensive" and is a long-term commitment. This calculator turns that into numbers for your situation. Enter what you pay, or expect to pay, for agistment, feed, farrier, dental, worming, vaccinations, insurance and gear, and how often each one comes up. It converts everything to weekly, monthly and yearly totals. We don't fill in "average" prices, because costs vary widely by region and horse and we haven't found a reliable public source. Enter quotes from local providers instead.

Enter your own prices (GST-inclusive, as you pay them). Blank rows count as $0.

Agistment (per week)52 a year if paid weeklyTimes a year

Feed and hay (per month)Use the feed calculator for an estimateTimes a year

Farrier (per visit)Every 6–8 weeks; 7 weeks ≈ 7.43 visits a yearTimes a year

Dental (per visit)At least yearly; 2 a year if under 5 or grain-fedTimes a year

Worming (per dose)Every 6–8 weeks, or as the product label saysTimes a year

Vaccinations (per visit)As advised by your vetTimes a year

Other vet (per year)Times a year

Insurance (per year)Times a year

Gear and rugs (per year)Saddle, bridle, rugs, repairsTimes a year

Other (per year)Club fees, transport, extrasTimes a year

Your horse costs about

–

Enter a price to see weekly, monthly and yearly totals.

Sharing a racehorse? Use the share cost calculator.

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This tool gives an estimate only. It is general information, not veterinary, nutrition, legal or tax advice. Every horse and every situation is different. Check with your vet, equine dentist, farrier or a registered tax agent before you act on the result.

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How to use it

Enter each cost and how often you pay it.
Use the suggested intervals as a starting point.
Read the weekly, monthly and yearly totals.
Print or save the page.

How it's worked out

Annual cost of each item = cost per occurrence × occurrences per year. Monthly = annual ÷ 12, weekly = annual ÷ 52. Suggested intervals from Agriculture Victoria: farrier every 6–8 weeks (7 weeks ≈ 7.4 visits a year), dental at least yearly, worming every 6–8 weeks or as the product label says. No default dollar figures.

Questions

What is the average cost of owning a horse in Australia?: It varies too much to give one honest figure. Agistment type, region, feed prices and the horse's needs all change it. Use local quotes.
Which costs do people forget?: Gear (saddle, bridle, rugs), emergency vet bills, transport and club fees. Agriculture Victoria lists gear to budget for.
How often does a horse need the farrier?: Agriculture Victoria says every 6–8 weeks.
Can I claim horse costs on tax?: Usually not if it's a hobby. The ATO's view is in TR 2008/2. Ask a registered tax agent.
Does it include GST?: Enter prices as you pay them, which for most owners is GST-inclusive.

Sources

Sources checked: 17 Oct 2026.