All horse owners know just how expensive horses can be. Between the feed and hay alone you can easily spend over one hundred dollars a week. But with a little research you will find there are some great ways to save money while still keeping your horses healthy and happy.

The most important thing for your horse is of course the high quality hay , never buy cattle hay for horses. Cattle hay doesn’t have the nutrients that horses require to stay healthy, especially if you have older horses that are harder to keep weight on. One option is to buy hay during the summer when it is cheapest and have it delivered and stored until the winter, just make sure it is covered and doesn‘t get wet. Hay can get quite expensive in the winter because its harder to find. You can sometimes purchase the feed at your local co-op and get discounts by buying generic brands, just make sure that if you need a mare and foal feed or senior feed for horses that need extra care that you really pay attention to the ingredients.

If you’re on the internet quite a bit you can search to buy your products in bulk including their vitamins and wormer and other supplements such as cosequin, bute or psyllium if you have a horse that really needs extra care. Another thing to keep in mind is that a farm call is very expensive and worming a horse is very simple. So if you worm them yourself your going to save a large amount of money because the wormer is usually only twelve to fifteen dollars and many vets will sell you a bottle of exactly what they use if you call and ask them. This also includes bute that you use to keep pain and swelling down.

There is also discount and clearance sales online where you can purchase your bridals, saddles and blankets, bits and reins. Using a coupon like a Home Depot coupon code can result in added savings online. Also , check with your local tack shops because most of them take in consignments from other people and they also sale used items that they have taken in on trade. Which is another great way to save you money if you have products you no longer use. You should buy buckets or large items to feed them in from other stores other than a tack shop because you will probably find them cheaper.

If your horses stay in a barn at night then check with your local lumber mill, because they offer the shavings for extremely cheap and this is a great way to save money. You also don’t have to have horses that are in the pasture shod unless they have an issue with an injury that requires it.

There are so many ways to save money as a horse owner, you just have to take the time to get online and research and don’t be afraid to call the vet and ask if they sale the medicines you need by the tube or bottle. Just because you own horses doesn’t mean you have to overspend.