Walking On Volume 2, Issue 1, January 2015 | Page 15

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wning a horse involves a significant investment of
both time and money. It is a major responsibility and
requires due diligence and difficult decisions, especially
during tough economic times. Income loss, interest rate hikes,
increased cost of living, and unexpected bills all affect a horse
owners ability to care for their beloved equine companion.
However, there are ways to minimize the costs associated with
horse care.
When considering how and where to house your horse keep
in mind that horses thrive outdoors and, if healthy, only require
shelter from excessive heat or cold (below 18 F), and freezing
rain. Keeping a horse outdoors with a run-in shed saves in a
number of ways. You avoid the cost of building and maintaining
a barn while also eliminating the need for things like stall cleaning
help and large amounts of bedding.

With costs continually rising, it is important to utilize feed
efficiently. Your horse’s nutrient requirements depend on a
number of factors including age, metabolism, weight, exercise,
and breeding status. Many horse owners over feed their horses,
leading to wasted money. Removing unnecessary grain from
diets can lead to substantial savings. No matter the horse, forage
should always be the backbone of their nutrition program and
at least 50% of their diet.
Keeping on top of insect control will also save money in
the long run. Flies, mosquitos, and ticks are responsible for a
number of bacterial and viral diseases in horses. Simple things
like eliminating standing water, removing manure, using fly
traps, and regularly using insect repellant will reduce the risk,
and expense, of these diseases.

Making repairs in a timely fashion will cut down on the likelihood
of expensive accidents and injuries. It only takes one broken
fence board to cause an injury that could result in hundreds, or
even thousands, of dollars worth of vet bills.
Speaking of vets, try to establish a good and lasting relationship
with one. Be open regarding the level of financial commitment
you’re able to maintain and create an emergency plan. If the vet
is aware of what you can afford before an emergency occurs he
will be better able to help keep care and after-care costs in a
more manageable range. Also to that end, learn to do things
like administer intramuscular shots, give oral medications and
clean and bandage wounds.
Additionally, become familiar with your horse. Spend time
getting to know him when he’s healthy. Become familiar with
horse vitals (temperature, heart rate, etc...) and normal behavior.
Changes in vitals and behavior are usually early indicators of
illness. Catching a problem early will reduce treatment costs.
Similar to the vet situation, it is important to have a regular
farrier. Using the same farrier time after time will allow him
to become familiar with your horse’s hooves. This will enable
him to catch any problems early on in their development. It will
also enable him to establish a trimming schedule based on how
much hoof your horse typically grows.
Horses are an expensive hobby, but by using a little common
sense and making the effort to stay on top of things, you can
reduce your costs without compromising your horse’s well-being.
–Sarah Gee

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