Does Caring for Your Horse Constantly Bust Your Budget?

Has your horse become one big money buster? Hold that thought! - Before you consider selling your horse and plan on breeding goldfish instead, review these do's and don'ts to check if you're committing some expensive mistakes.

Caring for a horse can be expensive! Learn how to cut on your vet bills.

• Don't go easy on basic lodging costs if it means restricting amenities like good footing inside the arena and a sufficient, solid feeding program. Good footing allows you to prevent soundness issues and accidental injuries that will not only hurt your horse but also cause expensive vet bills. And a stable that feeds ample amounts of quality fare promotes excellent nutrition and well-being for your horse, improving his life and productivity.

• Do take into account the luxury items you're spending money on that perhaps you aren't making use of. If you do not go out for a ride that much during nighttime, why are you boarding at a stable that has lights inside its arena at night much like a baseball ground? Your boarding stay is helping to pay for that power bill.

• Do plan well in advance for any kind of show costs, and start saving your pennies. Before accepting the responsibility, get a list of possible charges from your coach or trainer. Inquire about daycare fees, rail fees, and your share of the "splits." These could be hidden charges that you may not be aware of if you're a novice to show events.

---

Caring for a horse can be costly – vaccinations, equine deworming, tack, and etc. For affordable solutions to equine parasite problems, you can only trust ABLER dewormers.

---

• Don't drown yourself with credit card debt! Credit cards flow freely these days, and so do the chances for utilizing them. Many horse shows now acknowledge credit cards for admittance fees. Some breeding farms even allow you to pay stud fees while using swipe of a card. Wouldn't that be ironic if you're required to sell your horse to pay off your equine-related debts?

• Do check the consignment stores for second-hand tack and riding apparel. Although the item may need extra care or even some minor repair, it's often much less expensive than purchasing the same thing completely new. On the other hand, consider holding your own version of a yard sale: a tackroom sale! You and your networks should gather up those beneficial yet used items like halters, outgrown clothing, saddle pads, bits, and no-longer-needed horse blankets-do some local marketing and sell your lovable junk. Who knows, you might raise enough cash to stabilize your busted budget!

Before raising a horse, do keep in mind that this animal requires a portion of your finances for their feed, lodging, and health needs. Be smart enough and budget well when necessary.