In this month's "B Is for Budget" episode of ABC's of Horses, world champion horse trainer Christy Wood joins Lisa D. Smith to talk about the part of horse ownership that catches people off guard: the money. From boarding and tack to hay, supplements, vet care, farrier visits and a trailer for emergencies, Christy walks through what to plan for so you can enjoy your horse instead of being overwhelmed by the bills.

Listen to the full episode on the Big Blend Radio podcast, and read the highlights below.

Plan ahead before you fall in love. Budget came up in nearly every ABC's of Horses conversation, so "B" had to be for budget. Christy's advice: take riding lessons, learn what it takes to feed and clean up after a horse, and know you can afford it. It's unfair to a horse to buy it and then realize you can't cover the saddle or the vet bills.

What you plan to do decides the price. A wonderful trail horse costs a very different amount than a horse that has already won a world championship, or one you want to jump, compete on, cut with or race. Research, visit people who do the kind of riding you want to do, and start saving toward your goal.

Where will your horse live? Check your zoning and any subdivision rules before bringing a horse home. If you don't have property, look at boarding stables: pasture, stall or paddock, the quality of the hay, and the safety of the facility. Christy offers to walk through a stable with you, and notes that a horse can't live full time in a 12 by 12 stall and needs turnout time for those zoomies.

Know your horse's current home. Ask where the horse lives full time. A horse used to a two-acre pasture may develop vices in a stall, and a stalled horse turned out in a new pasture needs time to learn the fence line, uneven ground and surroundings. Think like a horse: they spook at things that move and things that don't.

Tack: used can be a smart buy. Saddles, bridles, brushes, saddle pads, fly masks and a first-aid kit all add up. Used saddles are already broken in, but they have to fit both you and your horse, so try before you buy. With used bridles, check the leather for cracks and clean the bit.

Blankets, shelter and winter coats. Horses acclimate to their climate, but a dry place to eat and get out of the weather matters whether you're in Alaska or California. Christy's horse Dollar, now 30, gets a down jacket when temperatures drop below 50 degrees.

Hay is a budget line of its own. Christy says a bale in California runs about $26 to $28 and weighs 105 to 110 pounds, while bales in places like Oklahoma are smaller. She budgets for her hay once a year, buying before barn-stored prices climb after October, and keeps the quality consistent.

Switching feed and the "horse Costco" problem. If your supplier changes hay, mix the new with the old over the last few bales. A horse's digestive system is delicate, and because horses can't throw up, stress on the gut can lead to colic.

Supplements. Hard-working horses need extra nourishment. Christy shares what she feeds her own horses and why she feels the cost is worth it for their coats, hooves and overall health.

Vet care and teeth. Plan for yearly checkups, shots (including tetanus and influenza), worming and a fecal test every couple of years. Teeth should be checked every year, since sharp points can cause mouth sores and poor digestion. Watch for weight loss, a dull coat or spit wads in the feeder. Floating can run a couple hundred dollars because the horse is usually sedated.

The farrier. Hooves keep growing, and riding alone won't keep them in shape. Christy estimates about $150 every six to seven weeks for a full set of shoes, more in places like Los Angeles.

A trailer is your security blanket. Whether it's a fire, a flood or a sick horse and a busy vet, being able to move your horse quickly matters. Practice trailer loading ahead of time so you're not trying it for the first time in an emergency.

Next month, Christy and Lisa turn to holiday shopping: giving for horse lovers and for those who have served our country.

New episodes of ABC's of Horses air every second Saturday.

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