Buy or Lease?

Many horse lovers opt to lease a horse rather than own. Once the cost of owning a horse in LA is considered and the time commitment required, busy Angelinos might find that a half-leased horse is a better choice.

The terms and price of a lease will vary, but in general the lessee pays the owner a set amount each month in exchange for use of their horse on certain days and times. For example, a horse owner makes his horse available to another rider 3-4 days a week in exchange for a portion of the cost of maintaining the horse each month.

The monthly rate of a half-lease will vary depending on the cost of the monthly board and the cost of maintaining the horse's hooves - shoeing or barefoot trimming. The lessee is typically not expected to cover medical expenses or supplements, but this is not always the case.

Rates for a half-lease generally fall somewhere between $200 - $400 per month for 3-4 days per week. It is usually understood that the horse is being shared with only one other person - the owner or another half-lessee. It would be unfair to pay for an overworked horse.

Occasionally, it is possible to find a lease for one or two days a week. When you consider that renting a horse is $25 per hour and rental horses are sent out on the trail as many times per day as business dictates, leasing is pretty attractive.

Finding a lease is the tricky part. A good place to start is at local feed stores like Damoor's and Stephen's. The sales clerks are very knowledgeable about the area and might be able to offer a lead or two. Check for ads on store bulletin boards or post a want ad detailing what you are looking for.

Another good place to look is on the public bulletin board at the end of Mariposa Street near the entrance to the foot bridge that crosses the LA River. Craigslist.org is another good resource.

If riding on a regular basis sounds good to you, but committing to ownership seems intimidating, taking on a half-lease is an excellent place to start. You will need to do a little foot work to find a horse, but it will be worth it to have a privately owned and well maintained horse to ride.

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Hunter/Jumper Show this weekend at the LAEC

This Friday, February 19th through Sunday, February 21, Langer Equestrian Group is presenting the Gold Coast 1 hunter/jumper show at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center.


Come watch talented equestrians and their equine athletes compete for prizes. Jumpers start in the Equidome on Friday at 8:00 a.m., followed by pony jumpers after 2:00. Hunters will be in the large outdoor oval ring and the east ring at 8:30 a.m.

Saturday's schedule includes more jumpers in the Equidome, and equitation on the flat in the large oval ring. The weather report says we are expecting rain on Saturday, so the Equidome might be a good place to spend the morning and/or afternoon.

The Equestrian Center also has a gift shop and tack store that are great for meandering in between events. Glenroy's gift shop also serves coffee.

Click here for the complete detailed schedule for the weekend. You can also call Langer Equestrian Group directly on (818) 567-7317.

Can you afford a horse in LA?

Horse ownership can be demanding of your wallet and your time, but the rewards are tremendous. What is the real cost of owning a horse in a city like Los Angeles? It might not be as expensive as you think.

First of all, your horse will need a place to live. Unless you live in house that is zoned for horses, like the Burbank Equestrian Rancho, you're going to need to pick a stable where you will board your horse.

You can find stalls starting around $400 per month. That includes hay and mucking. You will need to pay for any extras like turning your horse out in the stables' arena, assuming they have one, and any other supplements you decide to provide.

Secondly, there will be vet bills. If you are lucky, it will only be a twice a year call for vaccinations that will run from about $75-$100, and once a year dental care around $200. You can always lower the cost of the vet by sharing the "call charge," that is the charge of just getting the vet to show up, with other horse owners at your barn.

Should your horse fall ill, vet bills can quickly add up. Making sure your horse is vaccinated on a regular schedule, taking care of his teeth, and maintaining a consistent diet will help keep him healthy.

Your horse will also need hoof care. If you choose to use shoes, find a reputable farrier and have your horse shod every 6 to 8 weeks. If you decide to go barefoot (check with your vet) there are several good barefoot trimmers in the area. Expect to spend at least $100 for a full set of shoes, and $50 for a barefoot trim.

Lastly, you're going to need tack. You can shop locally at LA Saddlery, drive to Broken Horn Saddlery in Baldwin Park, or do your shopping online at Dover Saddlery. You might even try eBay if you know what you're after. For average, every day use tack, complete with saddle and bridle, you can expect to spend $500 to $1,000.

You have to look cool on the trail, so you'll probably want to buy some riding apparel. Including boots and a helmet, you can get a complete outfit for around $300. The tack shops recommended above are a good place to start.

The rough estimate of owning a horse in LA is about $6,000 per year. If this sounds like more than you can chew, consider a half-lease on a horse. Many owners offer leases on their horses to offset costs. You can enjoy the benefits of having a privately owned, well maintained horse to ride without the long-term commitment at less than half of the cost of ownership.


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