Horse ownership is expensive—that’s no secret. When deciding which expenses to prioritize with their hard-earned dollars, horse owners might understandably weigh the pros and cons of investing in preventive care while their equine companions are healthy.
So, if you find yourself wondering whether vaccines, dewormers, and dental floats are truly worth the money, consider this: Unvaccinated horses that get sick from preventable, infectious diseases, such as equine herpesvirus (EHV), can easily incur four-figure veterinary bills. That’s a sharp contrast from the $30-50 average price tag of the (bi)annual vaccine against that disease. Along the same vein, having to make an emergency vet call for a choke (esophageal obstruction) or impaction colic (abdominal pain linked to food blockage) is exponentially more costly than the routine dental care aimed at preventing chewing difficulties linked to both conditions.
Preventive Care = Insurance
While diligent preventive care doesn’t completely shield horse owners from hefty vet bills (a common source of unexpected horse expenses), it remains the best insurance policy for both your horse’s health and your financial safety. In fact, if you choose to purchase an actual insurance policy for your horse, you’ll likely be required to show proof of up-to-date vaccination, parasite control, and dental care to be eligible for coverage in the first place. In other words, insurance companies are well aware of preventive health care’s potential to reduce sickness-associated costs.
Vaccinations
Annual (or biannual) vaccinations protect your horse against potentially fatal diseases such as West Nile virus, Eastern and Western equine encephalomyelitis (EEE/WEE), tetanus, and rabies. The American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) recommends these four ‘core’ vaccines for all adult horses, regardless of age, geography, or transport. Their combined cost totals about $120-$200/year. Your veterinarian might recommend additional risk-based vaccines for your individual horse based on his unique situation, increasing the annual price tag to the $300 range. In any case, immunization is a modest investment for peace of mind and protection.
Targeted Parasite Control
Gone are the days of giving our horses a rotating panoply of dewormers. According to the AAEP, modern parasite control strategies rely on quantitative fecal egg counts (FECs) rather than routine deworming without evidence of internal parasite loads. This approach helps prevent anthelmintic (dewormer) drug resistance and ensures treatments are appropriate and cost-effective. Strategic deworming can definitely be more economical in the long run, especially if you own several horses, because only those harboring parasites and shedding their eggs are dewormed more frequently. FECs typically cost between $20 and $40; dewormers generally range from $10 to $25 per dose. Effective parasite control can significantly reduce the risk of colic and weight loss, making it well worth the investment.
Dental Care
Unlike ours, horses’ teeth erupt throughout life. This continuous growth can lead to uneven wear, sharp points, and other issues that can cause difficulty eating, weight loss, colic, and pain-related behavioral problems. Dental exams and tooth floating help prevent these complications before they compromise your horse’s health and performance. An annual dental exam and float typically costs between $125 and $250. Addressing dental imbalances early is far less expensive than dealing with potential complications down the road. Emergency colic surgery, for example, can range from $8,000 to $12,000, and some (though not all) colic episodes can be avoided through proper dental care and parasite management.
Wellness Exams and Packages
During an annual or biannual wellness exam, including body condition scoring (BCS) and cardiovascular and respiratory evaluations, your veterinarian will thoroughly assess your horse. You’ll also have the chance to discuss any health concerns. Detecting emerging conditions during these routine visits allows for prompt intervention, often at a fraction of the cost required for advanced or emergency treatment.
The cost of a wellness exam usually ranges from $100 to $200 and is generally performed twice a year when horses receive their spring and fall vaccinations. Some veterinary practices offer bundled preventive care packages to multi-horse farms, including vaccinations, FECs, deworming, and dental exams at a discounted rate. The normal travel fees for vet visits might also be discounted or waived when opting into these packages. Thus, these bundles can make preventive care easier to schedule and more cost-effective for horse owners.
Don’t Skip Preventive Care for Your Senior Horses
Veterinarians tend to agree that aging horses need the most preventive care to support their weakening immune systems and degrading dentition. Yet, a 2023 survey revealed that in the US, semiretired and retired horses received significantly less routine preventive veterinary care than competition horses. It’s essential to remember that horses don’t need to travel to contract contagious diseases, carry internal worms, or develop painful dental issues. Regular preventive care is more important than ever in your horse’s golden years.
Take-Home Message
Healthy horses enjoy more productive, longer lives and careers and generally require fewer emergency vet visits. Take a proactive approach to your horse’s long-term well-being, and collaborate with your veterinarian to develop a comprehensive preventive health care plan that will save you money, stress, and heartache in the long run. Your horse—and your future self—will thank you.
Lucile Vigouroux, MSc, holds a master’s degree in Equine Performance, Health, and Welfare from Nottingham Trent University (UK) and an equine veterinary assistant certification from AAEVT. She is a New-York-based freelance author with a passion for equine health and veterinary care. A Magnawave-certified practitioner, Lucile also runs a small equine PEMF therapy business.
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