Veterinary costs can be significant for any animal’s guardian. But if you have a horse, be sure you’re ready for some horse-size bills.

Start by discussing routine and emergency costs with your veterinarian ahead of time and compare them with your budget. You may find that equine insurance—at least major medical or surgical coverage—is definitely worth considering.

You’ll soon see that routine veterinary care makes up the bulk of your expenses. But it’s well worth the cost in order to prevent bigger problems down the road.

There are other preventative steps you can take as well. Make sure your horse’s surroundings are as clean and safe as possible. And when problems do arise, get veterinary help right away. Finally, opt for specific diagnoses instead of just trying various treatments in the hope that signs will resolve.