Well, if you think about it breathing requires work. Just imagine what your brain has to do just to get our lungs to expand, make all the cells rush about to nourish our muscles, and so forth. All those neurons firing just right so we can take in oxygen. Most of us are not even aware of what is going on but our bodies are working hard even if we are sleeping.
Once we are responsible for a living creature we must do everything we can to keep it healthy. That does require work and time. If you are not willing to take the time or do the work then don't bother putting an animal in your care. If you live in the city a horse will cost you plenty. Space is at a premium and the cost of stabling is expensive. And if a horse gets sick you will have more money to spend. You can save some money by caring for your horse on a daily basis such as feeding and cleaning the stall.
However, horse keeping can be simple. Most horses will do well on good quality pasture or hay. They don't need all those supplements or feed if the horse is simply a pasture ornament. Healthy horses can withstand cold temperatures and don't need to be stalled but should have access to a shed just in case. Pastured horses are usually healthier and happier than stalled horses, and pasture board is cheaper
Don't despair though, if you want to be around horses, try to volunteer for a horse rescue. You can get hands-on experience and see if horse keeping is for you.
If you decide owning a horse is not for you then look around and see what is most suitable for where you live. Do you want a house pet? Scales, furred, feathers or fins? Do you want something to interact with or observe as they go about their daily lives? And to be perfectly honest what ever you get will take a bit of work. No way to get around that. Aquariums require weekly water changes. Hamsters need clean shavings, fresh water and food. Bearded Dragons need a nice heated place. Parakeets need to have their cages cleaned and food and water.
Keeping a pet takes work. Keeping a spouse takes work. Keeping children takes work. And most of the folks on this board don't mind getting out there and getting the job done. We love our pets, spouses, and kids and don't mind working. And when you love what you are doing, the work is not so difficult.
I want to commend the OP for being honest and realizing the responsibility, time and money it takes for purchasing any animal.
