How to Save Time and Money As a Horseowner

Co-authored by Ryan Corrigan, LVT, VTS-EVN and Danielle Blinka, MA, MPA

Last Updated: November 3, 2022 References

As much as you love your horse, there’s only so much time and money you can pour into it. Each year, horse owners can expect to spend between $2,000 and $4,000 on maintaining their horse. Fortunately, you can save time and money while still giving your horse the proper care it deserves. With a few small changes, big savings will add up quickly!

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Boarding or Stabling Your Horse

1
Turn out your horse as often as you can. Allowing your horse to spend more time in a pasture or pen will cut down on the amount of cleaning you have to do, as the horse won’t be in its stall. Additionally, it also reduces the amount of feed your horse needs, since it will graze while it’s out.^{[1]
X
Research source}
- This might not be possible if you don’t have a lot of pasture area or the weather is unfavorable.
- Your horse may get dirtier if it spends most of its time outdoors, which can increase your time spent grooming it. However, it's best to groom your horse every day, regardless of how dirty it gets.^{[2]
  X
  Research source}
2
Arrange to work off part of your horse’s boarding fees, if applicable. Boarding your horse can save you a ton of time, but it’s also more expensive. Talk to your boarder to find out what type of discounts they offer for work around the facility. Although this will cost you some time, you can achieve big savings.^{[3]
X
Research source}
- For instance, you may save money if you muck your horse's stall yourself. However, some stables may require you to also do work around the facility.
- Some facilities will allow you to board your horse for free in exchange for feeding all the horses in the morning or evening, blanketing the horses, or mucking out their stalls.
- In some cases, your horse might be able to work off part of its own board. In the case of riding schools or working farms, the boarder may agree to reduce your fees if they can use your horse.
3
Check into boarding your horse in a pasture rather than a stable. You might think of boarding facilities as a stable, but some boarders offer pasture boarding. Your horse won’t have a stall, but it will have lots of space to roam and graze.^{[4]
X
Research source}
- Horses thrive the best when they spend most of their time outdoors with other horses. However, look for a pasture that offers a communal barn or run-in shed for days when the weather is bad. This will provide your horse with protection from the sun, rain, wind, or snow.^{[5]
  X
  Research source}
- Most horses enjoy being out in the pasture, so this may be a happier option for your horse.
- As an added benefit, this can also save you money on feed, as your horse will be grazing.
4
Use a deep litter system to save time and supplies when mucking. Fill the stall with 12 to 18 inches (30 to 46 cm) of hay or wood, hemp or flax shavings. When you muck the stall, toss lightly soiled bedding to the side of the stall, then remove heavily soiled bedding. Replace the heavily soiled bedding with fresh bedding as needed. Clean out and disinfect the entire stall at regular intervals, such as weekly, monthly, or twice a year.^{[6]
X
Research source}
- A deep litter system will save you a lot of time, and it usually saves you supplies, as well. However, it’s not as healthy for your horse.
- Since a deep litter system allows lightly soiled bedding to build up, your horse may develop respiratory problems due to ammonia. Cleaning out the stall more often, such as weekly or monthly, is the best way to prevent this.
5
Use a bigger wheelbarrow and pitchfork to clean your stall. A bigger pitchfork will pick up more soiled bedding at one time, cutting down on your work time. Similarly, a larger wheelbarrow will haul more to the disposal heap in one pass. Using these supplies will cut down on the time you spend cleaning.^{[7]
X
Research source}
- This is especially helpful if you choose to clean the stalls often.
Advertisement

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Saving on Supplies and Gear

1
Ask other local horse owners if they have used gear to sell. Buying used supplies instead of new can save you big bucks in the long run. Purchase your gear from people you know and trust, or go to a reputable second-hand dealer if you can find one. You can also buy online, but make sure to read the seller’s reviews.^{[8]
X
Research source}
- Don’t think of used gear as broken or outdated. Many horse owners take very good care of their supplies, as they’re an investment.
2
Buy items you know you’ll need in the future while they’re on special. Take advantage of sales and off-season markdowns. By stocking up on cheap necessities, you’ll also be saving yourself time, as you won’t have to shop for supplies as often.^{[9]
X
Research source}
- For example, purchase a year’s worth of worming medication while it’s on sale, or buy snow boots when they go on clearance in the summer.
- Similarly, buy extra hay for winter in the summer when it’s less expensive.
3
Organize or attend a swap-meet or trading party. Decide if you want your event to be trades only, or if it’s okay for people to accept cash for their gear. Then, invite fellow horse owners to bring items they don’t want or don’t need to offer for trade. Suggest items like riding gear, equipment, and maintenance supplies. This way everyone gets to save money.^{[10]
X
Research source}
- Clean the items you bring to the swap meet so you can get the best trade for them.
4
Use synthetic tack for daily use to save time and money. Although leather tack is more durable, synthetic tack is much cheaper. Additionally, synthetic tack is easier to secure than leather tack.^{[11]
X
Research source}
- You will need to replace synthetic tack more often. However, if you take good care of it, the synthetic tack should last you awhile.
5
Keep your supplies near the stables to save time. Retrieving and putting up your supplies can be quite time-demanding, but it’s easier if you store it near your stable. That way everything is in one place near your horse.^{[12]
X
Research source}
- Separate your supplies into categories, giving everything a place. This makes it easier to find what you need.
- If everything is in one place, you can grab all of your gear at one time rather than making several trips.
6
Share or rent a horse trailer if you don’t use it often. Unless you transport your horse frequently, don’t buy your own trailer. Sharing or renting a trailer will save you money on the cost to buy, maintain, and store a trailer.^{[13]
X
Research source}
- Check with other local horse owners to see if sharing a trailer is possible. If not, search online for local rental companies.
Advertisement

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Feeding and Watering Your Horse

1
Stick to the best food for your horse rather than skimping on quality. Horses need good quality hay or alfalfa-mix hay, as well as a mineral block. Don’t purchase low-quality food just to save money, as it will cost you in the long run when your horse develops health problems. Plus, your horse will be much happier eating its quality hay.^{[14]
X
Research source}
- Ask your vet what extras your horse needs. For example, your horse may eat a grain mix or molasses. Your vet can tell you if this is necessary.
2
Buy in bulk with fellow horse owners, then split it. Bulk food is cheaper, but it can also go bad quickly. Cut down on the costs and the risks by sharing your bulk orders with your friends who own horses.^{[15]
X
Research source}
- If you have the proper storage space, you can buy bulk hay by yourself. However, the hay needs to remain dry and protected from the elements, or it will spoil.
3
Treat your pasture as a crop field if you have one. Rotate the area where your horses are grazing to let areas rest. Additionally, reseed your pasture to encourage more plant growth, and work manure into the soil to keep it nutrient-dense.^{[16]
X
Research source}
- Don’t let your horse run in the field while it's wet, if possible. Otherwise, it will damage the soil and vegetation.
4
Fill several feed bags or buckets at one time to cut down on feeding time. When you do your morning feeding, prepare all of the day’s feedings. Store the prepared feedings in a clean, dry place until you’re ready to use them. That way you just need to grab the bag or bucket and put it in the stall.^{[17]
X
Research source}
- If you have several bags and buckets, you could prepare several days’ worth of feedings at one time.
5
Provide an extra bucket of water to reduce refilling. Hang the buckets in your horse’s stall so that fresh water is always available. This prevents you from having to check on the water often, plus you don’t have to refill the water as often.^{[18]
X
Research source}
- When it’s time to empty and refill the water buckets, make sure your horse didn’t run out of water. If it did, you need to provide an additional bucket or refill the buckets more often.
- Make the watering process easier by getting a hose that expands when filled and compresses when shut off. These hoses are lighter and easier to carry than regular hoses and will reduce the time and effort it takes to water your horse.
6
Invest in an automatic waterer to save a lot of time. If time is very important to you, install an automatic waterer so you don’t have to refill it yourself. This also provides your horse with fresh water. However, it is more costly than watering your horse yourself.^{[19]
X
Research source}
- You can find an automatic waterer at a local livestock store or online.
Advertisement

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Maintaining Your Horse

1
Arrange with fellow owners to have group vet checkups. Equine vets must travel to your home, which is an added expense. Your vet may charge less if they are able to do several checkups on the same visit. If your horse is boarded in a facility or other horse owners live near you, work with your fellow owners to arrange a single vet visit for all of your horses.^{[20]
X
Research source}
- This allows the vet to make one trip to see several horses. Generally, they’ll give each owner a small discount, as the vet saves travel time and resources.
2
Get only the vaccinations recommended for your area. Most horses don't need every vaccination available to them, so you can save money by only getting the shots your horse needs. Talk to your vet about the risks your horse faces in the area where you live. Be sure to tell your vet when and where your horse may encounter other horses or animals. The vet can then recommend the best vaccination plan for your horse.^{[21]
X
Research source}
- A horse that doesn't live with other horses may need fewer vaccinations than a horse that is a member of a herd.
3
Ask your farrier if going barefoot is a good idea for your horse. It’s often cheaper for your horse to go barefoot, as you don’t need to pay for shoes. However, you will still need to trim the hooves.^{[22]
X
Research source}
- As an alternative, you can shoe just the front feet, which bear over half of the horse’s weight.
- Ask your farrier’s advice before keeping your horse barefoot. In some cases, leaving a horse barefoot may be more expensive in the long run than having the horse shoed.
4
Use both hands when grooming your horse. Put a brush in each hand to cut down on the time you spend brushing the horse. Similarly, comb out the mane and tail with both hands at the same time. This will cut your grooming time in half.^{[23]
X
Research source}
- This might seem obvious, but it’s not intuitive to groom your horse this way.
Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Tips

If you live in the UK, you may be able to get free insurance by purchasing membership to the British Horse Society (BHS), British Show Jumping Association (BSJA), British Dressage (BD), or British Eventing (BE).

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

Warnings

Always call a vet if your horse may be ill or injured. First aid is never a substitute for veterinary care.

Thanks
Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
While saving money is great, your horse’s welfare should be the most important thing. Don’t cut corners if it harms your horse.

Thanks
Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0