We’ve collated some of our most practical money-saving tips for horse owners, helping you to save some cash!
Owning horses is not the cheapest hobby, yet it is one of the most rewarding. We all know how it feels when your horse eats all your money, then poops it out for you to shovel into a wheelbarrow, day in, day out.
It’s a good job they’re cute…
With some careful thought and planning it is possible to manage your finances without compromising the health of your horse, or your enjoyment.
(although number 10 isn’t for the faint-hearted…)
1. Don’t skimp on your horse’s care in an attempt to save money
By delaying or skipping shoeing, vaccinations, dentistry or other routine appointments, not only do you risk compromising your horses’ health, but you also increase the risk of further complications which can be costly.
2. Discuss your horse’s feet with your farrier
If your horse is usually shod with four shoes, you may find that there is a season during the year when you do less with your horse, therefore they could manage with just front shoes, or potentially no shoes! Of course, we recommend talking to your farrier about options, as you may find that taking the shoes off could cause you more problems than it’s worth.
If your horse can cope with being barefoot all year round, then great! That’s an excellent saving and is possible with the right maintenance, nutrition and care.
3. Plan, plan and plan some more!
Horses are unpredictable and we don’t like surprises, especially when they’re expensive!
Being organised with your appointments means you can financially plan without being hit with an unexpected bill.
Using myYardd makes this so easy. Here you can see exactly when your horse’s appointments are due, from farrier, physiotherapy and dental, to vaccinations, saddle fittings, transport maintenance and even when you are due to replace your riding hat. Plus you can add in any custom reminders so that you can see what you have coming up, so you can plan your budget.
Download the app and create your free account today!
4. Do your research when it comes to feeding your horse
With so many different feeds and supplements on the market, it can become overwhelming to feel the pressure of feeding a different supplement for everything. Feed merchants generally have very good advice on their websites, here you can check exactly what is in a bag of feed. Some will even work out the cost per day for you. Just remember, by feeding a balanced diet to your horse, you improve their general health which may prevent issues arising from lack of nutrition such as cracked hooves or a poor immune system.
Feeding a balancer is usually the easiest way to make sure your horse is getting everything they need. The initial bag may seem expensive, but since the concentration is higher you need to feed less, so it lasts longer than a cheaper bag of feed that you need to feed more of to be at the correct levels. Before buying an additional supplement, check what your feed already contains so you aren’t wasting money.
Of course, supplements are useful for your horse’s health, for example, all horses in work should be fed electrolytes to help them recover from losing sweat, by replenishing this at the correct level you prevent further problems.
It may be worth speaking to a nutritionist about your horse’s specific needs, find one near you on Yardd.
5. Check out options for your horse living out 24/7, rather than being stabled
This is very much dependent on your horse, what is available where you live, the facilities you need and what livery services you require. However, many horses thrive on living outside 24/7 ‘as nature intended’.
Often horses living this way suffer fewer injuries due to constant turnout; they’re less likely to mess around as they often do after being stabled. Other benefits include improvement to arthritic symptoms as well as less work for you, plus you’ll save money on bedding!
6. Going to events? Take a packed lunch or picnic!
OK, this is a hard one… we all LOVE the food vans at events, but an already expensive day can become more costly by the time you feed yourself as well as the groom you’ve dragged along with you. By taking a picnic, even if it’s just drinks and snacks if you can’t resist a cheeseburger, you can save yourself a small fortune.
7. Treat your leatherwork well
You can add years to the lifespan of leather items if you look after them correctly, limiting the need to buy replacements. Take extra care of your tack if it gets wet from rain, sweat, or especially sea water!
We recommend using Renapur Leather Balsam:
One 200ml tub costs you £13.00 (RRP) and is enough to treat 100 saddles!
‘Renapur Leather Balsam nourishes, conditions, restores, polishes and helps waterproof leather, restoring original softness and extending the life of your leather.’
https://renapur.com/product/renapur-leather-balsam-200ml
8. See if your vet offers a health scheme
You can save money by opting into a health scheme if your vet offers this service. They are all slightly different but generally, they allow you to pay a monthly premium to help spread the cost of routine treatments such as vaccinations, worming and dental examinations.
Often these health schemes will include running your horse’s bloods as part of a general check-up, this can be useful to spot any early indications of problems helping you to save money.
Looking to find an equine vet near you? Browse our specially designed map here.
9. Rugging! If your horse needs a rug, read on…
Good old British weather means you need approximately 57 rugs for every weather type. However, you can save yourself some money by using a liner system.
Find a good quality brand that suits your horse so they are comfortable, invest in one or two outer rugs, plus some liners then you can create combinations for all weathers. You’ll be surprised how many different combinations you can make, without the need to buy multiple rugs.
10. If your horse is stabled…
Could you teach them to pee in a bucket when they come in? OK, we get this one is a bit mad, but think of the bedding you can save by disposing of the pee straight onto the muck heap without using any of your bedding!