Ownership of FEI Horses: A Tale for those who enjoy spending $$$

I remember when I was a youth and my parents couldn't afford to purchase a proven Junior or Young riders horse due to their mid five figures and up price tags, so we opted to purchase young horses instead. Because that'll be cheaper, right? 
The numbers game was a great idea when all these guys were 3,4,and 5 year olds. We only showed a few times at most a year, attended a clinic or two, and had the basic vet and farrier care being done. So having 3,4,or more wasn't so daunting. No to mention the time needed to work with each every day as the necessity for all these modalities of care wasn't as important. 
Now we have Jeriah(11- trying to make GP), Illuminator(11-I1/maybe further?), Melman(10-4th), and Monty(8-4th) and I feel like its becoming a monthly game to see which one can cost more. Although I have no doubt Lumie probably has them all beat(he is my "baby" afterall). 
Here is the thing I wasn't fully aware of when I was a teenager- the cost of maintaining and developing these horses once they get over 3rd level. Up till 3rd I don't really push my training, they are generally young and so things recover much faster, and I don't generally have big competitive goals with them at this point(as we also don't really do any young horse classes). But man, once they are 8+ and doing 4th or more then we start the game of "what does this one need to be able to do his job comfortably and happily at this level?" And trust me, no two can seemingly agree on a formula. 
So, meet our team who help me answer this: Larry Jones(Farrier and patience for dealing with my ideas), Dr. Blackwell and Dr. Kemper at Horse and Hound Vet, Shawntae Shipley (alternative therapies and a great extra eye), and our great saddle sponsor Trilogy Performance Saddlery (Sally Dietrich - Fitter). 
So, what are some things we do for ours?
We start fairly basic:
PEMF- we ended up purchasing a PEMF machine this year. We have noticed such a difference using this to help them recover from work, but also as a preworkout relaxation. 
Nebulizer/ Hay Steamer- Both very useful tools to have on hand, but absolutely necessary if you are hauling long distances or you have a horse with asthma(*cough* Illuminator)
Massage/cookie stretching- I try to cookie stretch regularly especially if I feel stiffness, but when I feel the horse has been working very hard or is sore then we will also have them massaged. 
Icing/Poulticing- Call me old school but you are more likely to see something Poulticed then Iced due to time- one I have to sit and watch and the other is a mess. Either way we do this whenever the horses have a heavy work. 
Chiropractic and Acupuncture - all my boys are regularly adjusted and get Acupuncture on an As- Needed basis. 
Shockwave: we LOVE this as its non-invasive, but we see a great response from it. We go per Veterinary recommendations for this procedure but use multiple times a year for various things. Most recently we have done Jeriahs neck due to some areas of marginal arthritis, but we also did this multiple times during Lumies healing process for his Suspensory Ligament and Collateral Ligament. 
Injectables: 
Acetyl-D Glucosamine - Something we give IM as a preventative care measure usually starting when they have been put into full work. 
Legend- a MUST for our higher-level horses. A noticeable difference in their performance following this IV injection. We give to the FEI horses monthly and other upper-level horses anywhere from quarterly to annually. 
Vet Joint Injections:
Corticosteroids: My vet and I don't prefer injecting this in many areas as it often just "masks" the issue instead of helping them. With that being said there are times and places where it is a very suitable option- Jeriah and Lumie both have their hocks fusing currently and have to get this injected every 6 months to a year until they finish fusing. 
PRP/Prostride: Often our "first line" of defense for things like arthritis or injuries. Melman has had OCD surgery done on his hocks as a yearling so we have done this on his hocks a few times to help them. When Lumie had his Collateral Ligament injury we injected it with this to help healing. 
Arthramid- This is something we generally go to when an issue is a bit bigger in the joint. We have used this on Wouters stifles, Melman's hocks, and Lumies Neck most recently. Wouter was night and day once he had this- we were very impressed with it. 
Lastly- a very good farrier is helpful. Lumie has to wear specialty shoes- in front Aluminum Denoix shoes to support his ligaments and a lateral trailer behind to help with his sit work(which is so fun because he is our resident shoe thrower). 
Anytime I feel something is not quite right we are able to use the Equinosis (lameness computer system) our vet has to determine where the issue is and to better address it before it becomes a problem which has been very helpful. 

This doesn't even touch the things we do in regard to our feed, travel, and exercise plans.

So now let's play an approx numbers game- We will use Illuminator (so maybe this will be on the high end? I don't really want to know for all of them) :
Shoes: $250/month x 12 = 3000
Approx Grain cost (Indiana based) Including supplements: $247/month x 12: $2964
Approx hay cost: ~$150/month x 12 = $1800
Legend: $135/month x 12 = $1620
Veterinary procedures(including Teeth Float, coggins, vaccines, chiro, joint injection, xrays, etc) :~ $7188 
Nebulizer/Hay steamer purchase due to asthma: $1600
Total not including purchase of any equipment, competitions/ and Board/bedding/care costs for 2025:  ballpark is $17,672
We did 6 rated competitions this year costing: ~$2,800
Membership/fees: $0 for this horse as he is lifetime already and passported. 

I did not take any lessons on Lumie this year or do any clinics(he was actually the only horse I didnt), but normally we do clinics 2-3x a year with Lilo Fore $225 and lessons with a regular coach virtually (ideally 2x month if the weather allows) $275 per. 
I dont even know how to get the number for all the "stuff" I bought him- 1 new double, 1 new snaffle, 1 new browband, 2 new winter blankets, and many, many, many bellboots ( and duct tape). Things like bits, pads, whips,etc are communal in my barn as used for everyone.
All this to say, even one upper-level horse is expensive.  I have a few youngsters I am backing and more that I will be, and I think we will be much (financially) happier with them for the time being. 

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