Money Saving Tips and Tricks For A Horse Owner
Owning Horses can be an expensive lifestyle to maintain. From steep veterinary bills to food costs, horse owners have many expenses that simply need to be fulfilled to maintain a healthy animal. With all of these expenses, it’s helpful to find ways to save without cutting corners. In this blog, we’ll explore some tips to help you save money on your horse.
Products
What is the number one way to save money at the doctor? Not going to the doctor! This concept is the same with horses. To maintain your horse’s health and avoid the steep veterinary costs, your horse needs a diet with high vitamin E. We also carry topical sprays to keep your horses bug-free. These supplements are the highest quality on the US market and are all-natural! Our products can prevent and treat a variety of illnesses, from vitamin E deficiency to insulin resistant horses. Our products are trusted by horse owners to keep your horse happy and healthy. In addition to our products, we offer free veterinary consuls. We offer programs for insulin resistant horses, heaves and COPD horses, and mares.
Feeding
Buy horse food in bulk! While it is more cost-effective in the long run, it should also be noted that you should not cut corners on the overall quality of the hay and food you are feeding them. Cheaper hay has less nutrient content, which means your horse will actually eat more of it. This makes cheap hay seem economical, but really be more expensive in practice.
Before the winter comes, buy your horse feed in advance. Hay prices increase incrementally throughout fall and winter, so stockpiling it in summer or early fall is a good idea. If you do choose to do this, make sure it is stored properly to avoid spoilage. Stacking hay off the ground reduces moisture and mold, and grain should be stored in cold metal or plastic bins, away from heat sources.
Equipment
Much of the equipment such as saddles, bridles, halters, riding boots, blankets, and other accessories you can find at discounted prices at the consignment section of your local tack shop. Avoid buying helmets used, however. It is also worthwhile to learn how to repair your equipment instead of replacing it. Hand sewing is a rewarding skill to learn, even if you don’t have horses. Cleaning equipment regularly can alleviate the urge to buy new tack and keeps it in proper condition. A hose, a brush, some pet shampoo, and a little elbow grease are all it takes to revitalize old rugs.
Products that are labeled as ‘horse’ products are likely more expensive. Some products can be made by yourself. A dressage dickie costs significantly more when bought at a tack shop than a cotton mock-up that is homemade. Additionally, ‘horse brushes’ are much more expensive than regular brushes. Most saddle soaps are just glycerin soap, and regular glycerin soap is cheaper than ‘saddle soap.’ Be careful though; any product that is applied on the skin or orally should be meant for horses.
Upkeep
When it’s time for a veterinary checkup, ask the vet to check as many patients as you can. This will remove extra costs per horse, and you can catch any problems with other horses at the same time. In addition to the checkup, it is recommended to vaccinate your horses based on their risk. While horses need the ‘core’ four vaccines, rabies, tetanus, West Nile virus, and Eastern/Western Equine Encephalomyelitis, there are others that may not be necessary. These are equine influenza, equine herpesvirus, equine viral arteritis, strangles, Potomac horse fever, rotavirus, botulism, and anthrax. Based on geography, age, exposure to other horses, and similar risk factors, your veterinarian can assess which horses will need these extra vaccines.
In addition to group veterinary checkups, you can train your horses in groups as well. Many trainers offer a discounted rate for group riding lessons, and it is also less time-consuming. Ask a friend to participate in a riding lesson to take advantage of these lower rates.
The best way to keep your horse’s needs in check is to take great care of them. Cutting corners is never a good option when it comes to horse health. Bad horse care can lead to even more expensive treatments down the road. Keep our products in mind to keep your horse at it’s best!