re: Would a horse cost you less than an automobile?

Horses are money pits.

Feeding a horse at 1.25% body weight for 1200Lb horse = 105 lbs of feed a week. That'll be around $30 a week.

Hay at the 1.5% body weight for 1200lb horse = 126Lbs of hay. That'll be around $25 a week depending on type of hay.

$55.00 a week just for feed, which is moderate.

Vet bills will be high considering the use.

Factor in housing and there's no way it's economical. There's a reason we have cars.