PLN
Key information at a glance
- Two horses mean real costs of approx. PLN 4,000-5,000 per month - stable board, feed, farrier, and basic veterinary care.
- Leasing one of the horses reduces monthly costs by approx. PLN 400 and provides daily care for the horse even when I am away.
- A young horse requires significantly more time and attention than an older gelding trained for years.
- Open stable and box stable are two different worlds - the choice of stable depends on the horse's needs and the owner's capabilities.
- Each horse requires its own, fitted equipment. A saddle and bridle fitted to one horse will not work safely on another.
- Before deciding, check the budget for the worst-case scenario - a month with unexpected veterinary expenses for both horses simultaneously.
Table of Contents
- Two stables, two different worlds
- What my week with two horses looks like
- Feeding: similar menu, different supplements
- Equipment and grooming
- Veterinary care and farrier
- Summer and winter: how care changes
- Lease: what it means in practice
- How much does it cost to keep two horses - detailed table
- What each of them gives me
- Is it worth having two horses? Checklist before deciding
- FAQ
Two stables, two different worlds
My 5-year-old mare and 15-year-old gelding are kept in two different places. This is no coincidence – it's a choice dictated by each of their needs.
When I learned about my gelding's injury, which ruled him out of sports work, I quickly decided to change his lifestyle. The vet recommended daily exercise, so I started looking for a stable that would allow this. I chose an open stable, and I believe it was the best decision I made for this horse.
What does this stable look like? The horses have one night pasture with hay feeders, shelters, and water. During the day, they go out to other pastures – with fresh grass in summer, and supplemented hay in winter. The facility has a riding arena, lunging pen, social room, tack room, and feed room. There is no indoor arena.
The mare initially stayed in the same stable – and this was a deliberate choice. She was 3 years old at the time and was just beginning her adventure with working with humans. At this stage, the most important thing was for her to have plenty of movement and freedom, and the open stable gave her constant access to a large pasture. These are ideal conditions for a young horse not yet ready for intensive training.
When it was time for breaking in and systematic work under saddle, I moved her to a box stable that has everything: a box stall, lunging pens, a horse walker, a riding arena, and an indoor arena. I didn't want to make training dependent on the weather – and that was the main reason for the change. Now we can work regardless of rain or frost.
Both stables are close to my home. They differ in their philosophy of horse keeping and the price of board – and that's the point. The horse gets a stable appropriate to its needs at a given stage of life, not for my convenience.
What does my week with two horses look like?
I visit the mare 5-6 times a week. I visit the gelding 2-3 times - plus a co-leaser comes to him twice a week. The difference in the frequency of my visits stems from the needs of each horse: a young horse requires regular, systematic work, while an older, well-trained gelding primarily needs companionship and exercise.
A week with the mare looks like this:
Most visits involve training: riding, lunging, or a walk in the forest. I give her 2-3 days off from work. One day is a complete rest. The second is a visit without training: grooming, hand walking, grazing, and hosing down in hot weather. Such a day is as important to her as training.
Occasionally, I replace training with riding on a cordeo, i.e., without a bridle. This is a looser form of training that shows the level of trust and communication - whether the horse responds to seat and body aids. I recommend it to anyone who wants to see what their relationship with their horse is really like.
A week with the gelding looks like this:
I come to spend time with him. I groom him, we go out to graze or for a hand walk outside the facility. I rarely ride him. This isn't "training" in the classic sense; it's simply being together.
When I visit both on the same day:
On a day off from work, I first go to one horse, spend 2-3 hours there, then go to the other - where I spend another 2-3 hours. On working days, it's different: I go after work, first to the horse that's being trained - I spend 2-3 hours with him, and then to the other, where about an hour is enough for me to check on him and prepare his meals.
This is an important point rarely mentioned before buying a second horse: the time spent at the stable multiplies by two, plus travel time. If both horses are in the same stable, you save a lot of time that you can dedicate to both. Two separate stables mean two separate routes - it's worth considering this when choosing a place for your second horse.
Feeding: similar menu, different supplements
Both horses receive oats and Mebio Build Up as a base. That's where the similarities end.
Gelding: wheat bran, beet pulp, grass pellets, and dried fruit are included in the board price - I don't pay extra for them. Additionally, I buy vitamins for him, which costs about PLN 100 per month.
Mare: I buy chaff and vitamins myself, outside of the board. Each of these items costs about PLN 100 per month.
Electrolytes are given to both horses - after intensive training and on hot days. In summer, with high temperatures, electrolytes become part of the daily menu. In winter, only with exertion. The cost is about PLN 100 per month per horse, totaling about PLN 200.
Horse feeding is not a topic that can be solved once and forgotten. I observe both horses and, if necessary, consult a veterinarian about their diet.
Equipment and grooming
Each horse has its own equipment: a saddle, a bridle, and a set of brushes. This is not a matter of sentiment; it's a matter of safety and hygiene.
Why must a saddle be fitted to a specific horse?
My two horses differ in build. One ride in a poorly fitted saddle won't harm the horse, but regular training with unsuitable equipment can lead to back injuries and changes in behavior. The same applies to bridles and bits. If you want to learn more about saddle fitting, read our article on dynamic saddle fitting.
What do they share?
Saddle pads, halters with lead ropes, and boots. Before I use a saddle pad on the second horse, it is always washed - even if neither of them has skin problems.
Grooming:
For daily mane and tail care, I use Effol conditioner. After intensive training, we rub cooling ointment or clay on their legs. It's worth checking out the Over Horse collection at Equishop: you'll find electrolytes, cooling products, and everything you need after exertion. If you want to know how to care for equestrian equipment so it lasts for years, also check out our article on caring for riding boots.
Veterinary care and farrier
The farrier visits both horses every 6-8 weeks. Both are trimmed, neither has shoes.
The vet comes when needed, but several mandatory visits take place once a year:
- Teeth - yearly check-up, earlier if I see the horse needs it
- Blood tests - once a year, to verify everything is normal
- Vaccinations - mare twice a year (flu and tetanus), gelding once a year (since he doesn't compete)
- Deworming - twice a year: autumn-winter and spring-summer
At the moment, neither horse requires more veterinary visits than the other. But I am aware that the older the horse, the greater the risk of health problems. This must be taken into account when planning the budget.
Summer and winter: how does care change?
In winter, the biggest difference concerns the gelding. He is outdoors all the time, so I continuously monitor the temperature and weather. When it gets cold, I put on a rug. When the temperature drops further, I switch to a warmer one. The mare is in a warm stable, so the situation is easier to predict.
In winter, training with the gelding depends on the ground. When temperatures are below freezing, the arena freezes and riding is out of the question. The mare has an indoor arena, so we ride regardless of the weather.
In summer, both horses receive electrolytes daily in high temperatures. I also remember to ensure access to water and shade, especially for the gelding, who is in the pasture.
Lease: what does it mean in practice?
The gelding is on lease. This means there is a person with whom I have a signed agreement and who visits him several times a week. She takes care of him according to my instructions in the agreement, and has exclusive use of the horse on designated days.
For me, this is a double benefit. Firstly, the horse receives daily care and companionship, even when I can't visit. Secondly, the lessee pays an agreed amount, which reduces my monthly costs by approximately PLN 400. This is a real financial relief.
If you have an older horse that requires care, but your time or financial resources are limited, a lease is a solution worth considering.
How much does it cost to keep two horses - detailed table
No need to beat around the bush: two horses are a serious, monthly expense. Below, I break it down into specific items, separately for each horse - so you know what you're really aiming for.
| Category | Mare 5 years old (box stable) |
Gelding 15 years old (open stable) |
|---|---|---|
| Board | 2 000 PLN | 1 100 PLN* |
| Basic feed (oats, Mebio Build Up) | 120 PLN | 120 PLN |
| Chaff | 130 PLN | - (included in board) |
| Vitamins + electrolytes | PLN 400 | PLN 200 |
| Farrier (trimming every 6-8 weeks) | PLN 100/visit (~PLN 58/month) |
PLN 140/visit (~PLN 81/month) |
| Vet – mandatory visits** | ~PLN 67/month (PLN 800/year) |
~PLN 58/month (PLN 700/year) |
| Equipment and grooming products | ~PLN 100 | ~PLN 100 |
| Total (gross) | ~PLN 2,875 | ~PLN 1,659 |
| Lease (deduction) | - | -PLN 400 |
| Total to pay | ~PLN 2,875 | ~PLN 1,259 |
* The gelding's livery includes additional feed: wheat bran, sugar beet pulp, grass pellets, and dried fruit.
** Veterinary costs spread over 12 months. Mare: teeth PLN 400 + deworming 2×PLN 100 + vaccinations 2×PLN 100 = PLN 800/year. Gelding: teeth PLN 400 + deworming 2×PLN 100 + vaccination 1×PLN 100 = PLN 700/year. Does not include emergency visits.
Total monthly cost: approx. PLN 4,134 with gelding lease. Without lease - approx. PLN 4,534.
Before deciding on a second horse, it's worth calculating these figures in a pessimistic scenario: sudden veterinary expenses for both horses in the same month could amount to an additional PLN 1,000-3,000 as a one-off. Can you handle this without financial stress?
If you are just planning your adventure with a horse and want to see the full breakdown of costs for keeping one horse, check out our detailed article: how much does it cost to keep a horse.
What do each of them give me?
I have an equally strong bond with both, though completely different.
The gelding has been with me for 8 years. We understand each other without words. Visiting him is my time: silence, peace, a chance to switch off from everything. I don't have to prove anything, I don't have to achieve anything. We just are.
The mare has been with me since birth, for 5 years. It's a completely different kind of relationship. I teach her everything from scratch and I see every progress. Every training session where I see that she trusts me more than a week ago is my fulfillment.
The older one gives me relaxation. The young one gives me development.
Is it worth having two horses? Checklist before making a decision
If you're considering buying or getting a second horse, I'll be honest: it's a good decision - but only if you're financially and time-ready for it. The easiest way to make a decision is to ask yourself a few questions.
| Question | What it means in practice |
|---|---|
| Can I afford a second horse in the worst month? | Calculate your budget including emergency veterinary expenses for both horses simultaneously. |
| How much time can I dedicate per week? | One horse in work means at least 5-6 visits per week. Two horses = two schedules and two commutes. |
| Do I have a care plan for when I'm away? | Holidays, illness, work - horses don't get days off. Check lease options or stable care. |
| What stable for each horse? | The horse's needs (movement, age, health) determine the choice of stable. Also check livery prices and availability in the stable where you plan to keep the horse. |
| Will each horse have its own equipment? | Saddles and bridles must be fitted to a specific horse. This is a cost that needs to be included when buying a second horse. |
Two horses mean twice as much logistics, costs, and responsibility. But also twice as many moments when you stand by the stall and everything else ceases to matter.
If you are just starting your adventure with competitions with your horse, check out our interview about packing for equestrian competitions with groom Joanna Przepióra.
FAQ
How much does it cost to keep two horses per month?
For my horses, it's approximately PLN 4,134 with the gelding lease or approximately PLN 4,534 without it. Livery is the biggest expense - PLN 2,000 for the mare and PLN 1,100 for the gelding. Additionally, there's feed, supplements, a farrier every 6-8 weeks, and a vet spread over the months.
What's the difference between a free-range stable and a box stable?
In a free-range stable, horses have constant access to movement and spend most of their time in the pasture. In a box stable, the horse stays in a stall and goes out to the paddock at designated times. The key is to match the current needs of the horse - and the budget, as livery prices can vary greatly.
How often should a farrier visit a horse?
Regularly every 6-8 weeks, regardless of whether the horse is shod or trimmed.
What is horse leasing?
Leasing is an agreement under which another person cares for the horse and uses it for part of the week, paying the owner an agreed amount. It helps the owner with care and reduces monthly costs.
Does every horse need its own saddle?
Yes. A saddle fitted to one horse may not fit another. Continuous training in an unsuitable saddle can lead to back injuries. It is advisable to consult a specialist for saddle fitting.
What is riding on a cordeo?
Riding on a cordeo is riding without a bridle. The rider only has a cord placed around the horse's neck. It's a form of training that shows the level of trust and communication between horse and rider.
