Responsible Horse Ownership

Horse ownership is a challenging responsibility that can be richly rewarding. The decision to own a horse, while often influenced by emotion, should be based on an awareness of the time, resources, and money needed to insure the horse's well-being. As the adage goes, "It's not the buying of the horse, it's the keeping of the horse."

Good horse-keeping begins with solid facts about horses and their basic needs. A well-educated prospective owner is more likely to commit to providing a horse with a long-term home than someone who purchases a horse on impulse. The Equine Science Center is committed to providing resources for those considering horse ownership.

Below are some links to help you get started. We welcome your questions and comments. See if your question has already been answered at our Ask the Expert page, or contact us directly.

Equine Science Center Resources

Handouts and Presentations

Responsible Horse Ownership
PDF | Web Presentation
Economics of Owning a Horse
PDF | Web Presentation

Fact Sheets

Unwanted Horse Coalition Resources

Additional Resources

The death of a horse is never easy to accept, especially if you decide to put the horse down. Since the decision of how to end a horse or pony's life is often made under extreme stress, it helps if one already has a plan to follow - or is at least familiar with the various options available for euthanasia and removal of the body.

Though euthanasia may be a difficult subject to address, the following websites provide valuable information and offer guidance to assist in making the responsible and appropriate decision. We recommend bookmarking these sites for future reference.

American Association of Equine Practitioners
Euthanasia: The Most Difficult Decision
University of California-Davis Veterinary Medicine
The Emergency Euthanasia of Horses