The mention of shortages in stores reminded me of another way I save money... we make our own hay.  A few years ago I came across a post in a forum about the crazy high hay prices and I was like, "Huh?  Hay prices are high?"  I had no idea!  (If I had, maybe I would've made more hay and sold some!)

nikelodeon79:

The mention of shortages in stores reminded me of another way I save money... we make our own hay.  A few years ago I came across a post in a forum about the crazy high hay prices and I was like, "Huh?  Hay prices are high?"  I had no idea!  (If I had, maybe I would've made more hay and sold some!)

While I realize "high" is a relative term or a geographical term when it comes to hay, I feel ours would definitely be considered high around here in Central TX!  Right now it's 9.00 a square bale and rising.  However, I know this hay is nutritionally quality hay and the horses really like it so there's no waste, and I don't need to feed any other supplements other than MSM, so to me it's worth it.

I keep mine 2 horses at home.  When we moved from north Florida to south Florida, I was shocked at the price of boarding here.  So we bought a house with a little bit of land and had a barn built.  I bought a second horse to keep my boy company and keep them at home.

I haven't bought any new tack in several years.  I have 3 saddles that will probably outlast me.  My bridals are also good quality.  I take care of everything so I don't have to buy anything new.

I splurge on hay for my babies.  I buy orchard grass or some other grassy quality hay, never alfalfa.  They get a little grain morning and evening and hay twice a day.  They are turned out at least 12 hours a day.  My hay is between $15 and $17 a bale, yep a square bale.  The round bales down here don't have much nutritional value so I don't buy them.

We have so many foreclosed and vacant properties in my neighborhood, I've thought about taking them to a different yard every day for grazing.  Sort of like they do in the islands with their cows and goats!

I have actually downsized from two horses to one horse with the cost of board going up.  It appears that my board is cheaper than some of yours at $275/month, but I just couldn't do it anymore with two.  I had my own ASB show horse and 18 year old daughter had her own, both supported by me.  We decided to upgrade to one really nice horse and share him for the next show season.  After that, she will probably be off to college anyways, so it only made sense.  I haven't had to cut out all of my Smart Paks yet, but have started buying some of them in bulk if it's cheaper.  I am also doing chores at the barn where I board in return for lessons and some training assistance.  I may not have a lot of money either, but I am willing to work, and actually love looking after the horses at the barn where I board, and thankfully the owner will trade chores for lessons and training.

I took a second job on the weekends.  This has decreased my riding time.  We cut our shows down to 2-3 bigger ones per year instead of monthly open shows too.  We also don't travel as much to go trail riding.  I shop for tack on the discounted websites and we share expenses when going to shows with others (tack stalls, hauling, hotel room, etc).  We also don't feed store bought treats anymore and we have stopped taking weekly lessons and monthly training and board.  We brought our horse home and this has saved us over $450 month.  We are going to start back soon on weekly lessons with my teenager now that the gas prices are down.  

Thanks

Teresa    

Howdy-- when buying tack I always go to the monthly horse auction in Arthur Ill. I know there are many horse auctions around the nation, there are 3 within 75 miles of my home town. Most of these type of auctions start out with tack, new and used, saddles are sold right befor the horses. Not only are there great buys on tack, I found a lot of new and old friends there. Plus an abundance of knowledge, w/ folks ready to help in any way they can. I don't spend a lot of money, but usually have a great time. (Plus I get to see all of the horses up for sale)

txspots:

While I realize "high" is a relative term or a geographical term when it comes to hay, I feel ours would definitely be considered high around here in Central TX!  Right now it's 9.00 a square bale and rising. 

 

Yes, that is high, but I am about to make you feel lucky that you pay $9.00, lol. Down here in Miami, a decent bale of hay costs anywhere from $18-$20! There is one place that sells hay for $13.50, but it smells funny and is full of little moths, so there's no way I would feed that to my guy. I guess maybe it's so expensive because they have to ship it from so far...who knows. But having a horse in Miami is not cheap!

As far as helping others,  we recently took in two Morgan mares that needed homes due to their owners loosing their jobs. Things were tight before with 4 of our own and two that belong to one boarder, but we'll manage. We don't go out to dinner anymore and cancelled cable, but subscribed to netflix. We like it better anyway. We feed roundbales out in the big paddocks to help cut expences. We don't need any new tack, we take care of what we have. It's a lifestyle choice and we are pretty happy with it. I wouldn't trade it for anything.

 Suzette

www.harmonymorgans.com

Frizzle:

txspots:

While I realize "high" is a relative term or a geographical term when it comes to hay, I feel ours would definitely be considered high around here in Central TX!  Right now it's 9.00 a square bale and rising. 

 

Yes, that is high, but I am about to make you feel lucky that you pay $9.00, lol. Down here in Miami, a decent bale of hay costs anywhere from $18-$20! There is one place that sells hay for $13.50, but it smells funny and is full of little moths, so there's no way I would feed that to my guy. I guess maybe it's so expensive because they have to ship it from so far...who knows. But having a horse in Miami is not cheap!

Ok, that is waaaay high!  But if they do have to ship it a ways, then I can kinda understand that.  But my hay is grown, cut, baled and stored about 5 miles from my house!  And we're about 2 miles from the Colorado river, so it's even irrigated right out of the river (which is what makes it so good)!!  I do realize that it takes a lot of diesel and fertilizer to grow and harvest hay, though.  I don't think having horses anywhere is cheap.

 p.s. you're right, i wouldn't feed funny smelling hay to a goat! 

I have always been the "broke but happy with horses" type also...so for me also, the economy is the same pretty much always..stock market? what stock market?  I guess this is a way of life for me and I dont think of it as sacrafice... I buy almost all tack at auctions or on ebay - good quality used tack that costs a bit more is much better than cheap new tack that wont last.  I pay $16.00 a bale (CA) for good alfalfa for my horses - ugh - I hope it goes down soon.  I dont buy store bought treats, use carrots and apples cut up - they go farther for the $ and are natural.I also buy all show cothes on ebay - same way... look for bargains on good quality stuff.  Used clothes and tack can be cleaned up real well.  I also get inventive with thrift store stuff - material and items - I have found some really nice english and western show clothes at thrift stores.  My son and I both like to show, but I have put my own showing on the back burner so that he can continue - he is 7 and this is his second year showing 10 under w/t both english and western.  We both do trail trials and lots of trail riding together...there is an excellent site family - equiteric and horseloverz on ebay - that has great winter and summer new sheets and blankets for outstanding prices year round.  I try and find shows that are back to back Saturday and Sunday in our area and stay in a hotel since it is a minimum of 4 hours driving each way for me.  I also "camp" in the back of the truck or trailer at shows to save money - saving the hotel for the hottest months where a swimming pool is a treat.  I have  been trying to horsepool to shows also - find people in the area going to the same shows to save on gas - it can work great.  Gas is back up to $2.00 a gallon, which is still great considering it was $4.00 a gallon not so long ago.  I leave early and drive slower to save on gas, and just cruise back also.   My horse (TB) is lucky - he is sound barefoot, and my sons only have shoes on the front- which saves on cost.  I buy my own shots and worming meds also.  I dont have cable TV, and try and make grocery shopping with coupons ... make it fun finding sales and bargains instead of thinking its a hardship and it will be easier...think treasure hunting and be creative.

 One thing that has helped us big time is bringing in some boarders instead of having only ours on the property. It is extra work (feeding, doing stalls, etc.) but we are able to pay for our horses feed at least, so we practicaly break even. Also, I have seen a couple of posts about hay prices, where I live in Southern California a bale of Orchard is $22.99, Alfalfa is $17.99 and Bermuda is like $21 I think. Round bales are not an option. When I first started buying Orchard almost 2 years ago it was $15.99. I can save on all the stuff I get at the feed store with my 10% 4-H discount. And I was lucky enough to have gotten involved with my trainer/barefoot trimmer/equine physical therapist who lets me work everything off.

lazy-daze-paint:

And I was lucky enough to have gotten involved with my trainer/barefoot trimmer/equine physical therapist who lets me work everything off.

excuuuuze me?    (JK!)

txspots:

lazy-daze-paint:

And I was lucky enough to have gotten involved with my trainer/barefoot trimmer/equine physical therapist who lets me work everything off.

excuuuuze me?    (JK!)

LOL! Now, that's quite an...erm...exchange of services. *wink, wink* (Again, totally JK!) Thanks for the chuckle! 

I've found its amazing how you can cut costs on lots of stuff when you have to.  My husband and I are retired and on not only fixed incomes, but smaller incomes.  We, along with lots of others, were victims of a scam investment and lost all our savings that my husband worked hard for, all his working life.  We may or may not see anything back, ever.  Plus, the economy in general has put everyone in a bind.  I, too, never had lots of money for my horse stuff, but am lucky enough to have my 2 horses on our small farm.  I am determined to keep my horses no matter what, and take care of them properly.  We have an old guy, 22, who has to eat good quality hay and senior feed, which isn't cheap, but we manage.  Our 14 year old gelding is a an easy keeper (read "chubby") and very healthy, so he doesn't require much of anything special.  We don't eat out as much, or in many "nice" places, have cut back on some monthly service expenses we could live without, etc.  We ride just for pleasure and are lucky enough to be able to ride all over from our farm, without trailering anywhere.  Living out in the country, we have also cut back some on driving, to save buying gas as often.  Even tho those prices are lower again, they aren't cheap, and have been creeping back up around here.  As long as I have my horses, can ride, and live in a place I love, I don't really worry about money issues.  We have found ways to get along fine.  Last tack I bought was an almost new used cordura saddle that my horse and I l just love, for a real reasonable price.  It's lightweight, which is nice for me and my horse, comfortable for us both, and I really like it a lot!  I buy much of our food thru Angel Food Ministries, which is all over the country.  It has been good quality food for less than you pay at the supermarket.  I make my own horse cookies instead of buying the expensive ones in the store.  We buy carrots in bulk which is much cheaper, as well.

We are splitting farm and farrier calls, Keeping horses turned out more, We planted winter grazer and have left a couple of pastures open for rotating.  We have added ground flax to the feed for fats. It's a lot less expensive.

And we found a great little consignment tack store in town, that has great prices and can get the flax seed bulk as well.  They were a hidden gem, that no one seems to know about.