ALWAYS PLAN AHEAD
Anyone considering horse ownership should look into the cost, care and commitment required before deciding to take a
horse on, see our accompanying document, "Can you afford a Horse?". There are three areas of expense you must be
prepared for:
• Routine maintenance (e.g. boarding bills, feed, bedding, insurance)
• Unforeseen circumstances (e.g. accident, illness and equipment damages)
• Euthanasia and disposal of the body. This may become necessary at any point in a horse’s life. It is
far better to make provisions for this before you need it than to find you’re struggling to afford it when the time comes.
It is worth thinking about the re-homing potential of any horse before you take on ownership so that you are prepared for
the future. Prior to purchase, your horse should undergo a pre-purchase veterinary examination. If you are a first time
horse owner, BITS recommends you seek the advice of a knowledgeable horse professional. It is essential to ensure that
you are aware of any existing or likely issues you may have to deal with, including behavioral problems.
CUTTING COST WITHOUT COMPROMISING ON WELFARE
Caring for a horse properly is never going to be cheap, but there are areas where you can minimize costs.
1. Feeding
The majority of horses manage very well on a forage-based diet and if necessary one vitamin and mineral supplement. A
veterinary surgeon or nutritionist can advise whether your horse really needs additional feed or supplements. BITS
encourages you to learn weigh taping and body condition scoring so you can accurately monitor your horse’s health and
could save you money. (Horse weigh tapes do not work for donkeys; use a heart-girth measurement instead) Click here
for a “101 ob horse feeding” class schedule.
2. Bedding
There are many bedding products on the market. Look into alternatives and decide what will work best for you and your
horse. For example, although there is a high initial expense in fitting rubber matting, it can soon pay for itself in reduced
bedding costs.
3. Boarding/ location
One of the biggest costs for many owners is a boarding facility fee. Review the facilities you are paying for to check that
you do need and use everything you are paying for. If you are paying for someone else to provide all or part of your
horse’s day-to-day care, it may reduce costs if you were able to do more yourself, even on a temporary basis. Many
horses can do very well on permanent turnout. It could be worth looking around for a suitable field to rent, which can be
even cheaper if it is shared with friends.
4. Horse share
To reduce costs in all areas, look into sharing your horse with someone else or keeping the horse on
working boarding facility. It is very seldom that we all ride our horse’s everyday, see if there is someone in the
neighborhood who might like to ride a few days a week and help share the cost of your horses. This will also reduce your
workload!
5. Working together
If you share a yard with other people, why not club together to save money and time:
• Many feed, forage and bedding suppliers may offer reduced rates if they deliver in bulk.
• Ask veterinary surgeons, farriers and other professionals if they can reduce rates for group bookings.
• Save fuel by sharing transport whenever you can
• Work as a team with other owners to share daily duties, this will save time and fuel.
6. Routine veterinary care
Discuss worming and feeding routines with your veterinary surgeon to make sure you are using the most effective and
economical regimes. Click here for a great calendar for worming
7. Farrier
Discuss the shoeing options for your horse with your farrier; you may find your horse does not need to have a full set of
shoes. If there is not much wear on the horse’s shoes, your farrier may be able to refit them.
8. Resist marketing
Horses have simple needs. When money is in short supply think very carefully about what is REALLY needed for your
horse’s welfare. Make sure you are not buying unnecessary supplements, rugs or equipment. Looking after existing
equipment helps it last longer, even if it starts to show its age. Check out your local tack sales, craigslist and consignment
shops for great deals on gently used horse items.
THE ESSENTIALS
There are some essential areas of horse care where corners should never be cut. These are the fundamentals of
responsible horse ownership; short-term savings can put the horse’s welfare at risk and can cost the owner a lot more in
the end. The essentials include:
• Proper veterinary care. Do not be tempted to diagnose and treat a condition yourself.
• Vaccinations. Lapsed vaccinations leave your horse vulnerable to disease.
• Regular hoof care. Taking shoes off to save money without consulting your veterinary surgeon or
farrier could lead to lameness and expense as some horses are not able to go barefoot.
• Worming and dental checks. These essentials can be reviewed, as outlined above, but not avoided.
• Professional services. Do not employ a cheaper, unqualified person to do a professional’s job.
• Repairs to damaged property and equipment are vital to safeguard your horse’s safety and security.
• Insurance. If you are not insured against veterinary fees you must be confident that you could pay an unexpected
veterinary bill. Third party liability cover is highly advisable for all horse owners.
BE REALISTIC
It is vital to look ahead and budget effectively to meet the needs of your horse. Ideally, put a little away every month or
when you can, to help you manage if and when unforeseen problems arise.
Be realistic about the effect on your horse, both short and long term, should your financial circumstances change. Not
facing up to looming difficulties can greatly reduce the options available to you once the problem has become too
overwhelming to ignore. Taking advice on personal budget management before your finances get out of hand may also
help you make the savings necessary to keep your horse.
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