With increased feeding and bedding costs, winter is always the most expensive time for keeping horses so we’ve rounded up some top tips to help you save money this winter.
1, If you have storage space buy green hay straight off the field in summer. It’s much cheaper than paying winter prices when demand has increased.
2, Don’t waste money on hard feed if your horse doesn’t need it. Most horses do very well on good quality hay or haylage alone.
3, Learn how to repair your damaged horse rugs and equipment rather than replacing them. Most repairs can be done by hand if you don’t have a sewing machine.
4, Organise a tack swap with your friends. It’s a great way of clearing out unused equipment as well as gaining stuff you need.
5, Clean your own dirty rugs with a hose, a stiff brush and some horse shampoo rather than sending them off to a professional.
6, If you can’t afford to keep several horses then don’t. Sell some to bring the number down to a manageable level.
7, Ask local sawmills if they can provide you with shavings. Make sure they are dust free softwood and not redwood shavings.
8, For paper bedding try asking a local company if you can take their shredded paper away. It will save you both money.
9, Turn off lights when not in use. If using an indoor school switch on half the lights only unless you need good lighting for jumping etc.
10, If you are on full or part livery consider doing more of the jobs yourself. Alternatively consider grass livery with shelter for hardy types.
11, Turn your horse out for as long as possible every day to avoid soiling expensive bedding.
12, Consider letting your horse go barefoot. This may be temporary if you don’t ride over the winter or permanent if your horse copes well being ridden without shoes.
13, Keep up good levels of basic horse care. A well cared for horse is less likely to need veterinary treatment.
If you have top money saving tips please share them with our readers.
