Oh budgeting, how I loathe thee! It seems to be getting more and more difficult to budget for a horse lately.
Between the constantly increasing hay prices and the ever-growing list of required equine supplements, it sometimes feels like we're spending our entire paycheck on just one animal! But don't despair; with a bit of creativity and organization, you can still find ways to make horse-keeping fit into your budget. So pull out your calculator and read on for some tips on how to save money when keeping a horse!
Let's discuss hay. Most of us need it for our equine partner and friend at some point every year. Yet, as expensive as it is, there are ways to keep your horse healthy and well fed without breaking the bank. First; try to look at how you spend on your horse rather than cost. Many people buy hay every week to two weeks. Whether its because of a lack of storage or spending shortfalls, this can actually cost more in the long run. Take some time, sit down and write out the actual cost of buying hay every week to two weeks. Consider fuel (very expensive at the moment!), compare the cost of the hay you purchase versus cost of buying in bulk. Consider the time spent, whether away from work, family or whatever you have on your list. All these items are costs to you! When you actually do line to line comparisons you may find you are spending more than if you bought in bulk!
Some of you are might be thinking; "I don't have any storage!" Well let's consider an option. Purchase grass round bales. The most common size is roughly 4 x 5 feet, and weigh roughly 800 pounds. You can find them wrapped in plastic, sot the hay can be stored outside. If your horse is using this as its only source of food, then based on an average of 20 pounds per day, one bale can last one horse a little over a month. The caveat to this is that you control how much you feed your horse. You do not just leave it in a pasture, otherwise a lot can be wasted.
So where are you supposed to store these 5 bales, you ask? If you have 2 acres of land, look around it; there is some part of that land that you rarely if ever go to. With barely 20 square feet (or less if they can be stacked) you can have the hay ready and waiting!
Grass forage is the natural diet for horses, but they may not get all the nutrients they need. That’s where pelleted feed comes in – it supplements their diet and helps them stay healthy. As with any discussion on feeding horses... that opens an entirely new conversation which we'll save for another day. But do consider that a small amount (one to two pounds)of a pelleted food can give your horse the supplemental nutrition he's lacking from the hay. It can be stored in metal trash cans, safe from pests, and you can often save money when purchasing 4 or more bags.
Back to the hay! The round bales currently cost around $100.00 to $150.00, cheaper when there is no drought or fuel hikes. So, in theory, if you're feeding a horse 5 months out of the year... that's 5 round bales. So possibly $500.00 - $700.00. Not a small sum of money, but compare it to the cost of buying weekly. You're buying from a local dealer who buys it from someone else and has it delivered. The local dealer adds on cost before they sell it to you. How much fuel are you using? Come one, don't be shy, calculate the mileage! With current fuel costs, it can add up!
"But what about coming up with that money all at once?" Well, nothings too good for our ponies. Look at where you can tighten costs a little for just one month. Or begin saving ahead of time so that you're ready for the payment. If you get to know a dealer directly, and develop a good relationship, they may allow you to make payments.
There are some things to consider when purchasing bulk hay. First, Be sure you are buying from a reputable dealer. Use social media and join a group dedicated to buying and selling hay. Look at the dealers, and see the responses they get. When you chat with a dealer, be clear about the quality you expect, and find out if you can refuse the load if its not to your standard. If you want testing, be clear about it. If they are close enough, you may want to go look at the hay first. Be clear as to whether or not you expect them to unload they hay. You do not want to spend a large sum of money and then be stuck with something that not only is not good for you horse, but could possibly harm him. There are bad sorts out there. It's up to you, to be proactive and find a good source. The thing is; once you do, and you become a regular with them, it makes life a lot easier. They know you are ordering on a regular basis (maybe twice a year) and you know they will deliver what you need.
There are a lot of different theories out there about what the best way to feed horses is, but the truth is that there isn't one right answer. You need to find the feeding plan that works best for your horse and your budget. This post discusses the one tiny subject of grass hay bales and how to consider cost in a different light. In doing so, maybe you'll come up with a better solution! One that benefits your finances,and your horses' health and happines!
We'll see you next time, here at Little Pine Stables!
