Winter Money saving tips anyone..?

[Racing_Gal]

As above really!

Don't know about you lot but I AM SKINT! With a lower wage than i was on this time last year (different job) And everything going up in price I don't know how I'm going to cope. I have 4 horses & I'm on a yard on my own so bluk buying isn't really an option, any ideas, other than selling a kidney or half a liver?!

 

[Coffee_Bean]

Theres a sticky post in the stable yard which you might find useful.... keep them living out?

 

[jesterfaerie]

Even after reading the sticky in SY the best conclusion I came up with is to sell the lot of them.

Don't buy new rugs, repair them or shove them all on under a rug that isn't ripped to shreads!

 

[Jane_Lou]

I have a couple of heavy weight rugs that now leak - can't afford to replace them this year and I have never found re-proofing that effective so I turn them out with their rainsheets on top and no more leaks!

If your stable rugs are dirty and you don't want to/can't afford to get them washed put a summer sheet/fleece underneath which will keep your horse clean and can be washed regularly keeping your horses cleaner! (also useful for keeping clean rugs clean - I get at least 2 years out of my stables now as I put a summer sheet on the top which I can again wash at home so they stay clean on the outside as well!

I don't waste so much as a blade of hay or straw either, any loose hay and straw (read barn floor sweepings) is bagged and used underneath clean straw in the area where he wees - that way you take it out the next day and nothing is wasted and as he normally has a wee as soon as he goes in his stable I have never had problems with him digging it out and eating it!

Just bought some 2006 hay for £1 a bale which has been well stored and is suprisingly good and I am mixing 1 slice with 2007 hay per net.

Sorry if these seem lame but just a couple of things I do to try and save a few pennies!

 

[shirley123]

tip for saving on bedding, teach them to wee in a bucket !!!!
they usualy have a wee as soon as you put them back in the stable after mucking out lol ??!! you can laugh but it works

 

[dwi]

Get them to live out, will save you loads of money and time

 

[Fleur100]

Use your local feed mill rather than paying big proces for brand names

 

[chunkytfg]

[ QUOTE ]
tip for saving on bedding, teach them to wee in a bucket !!!!
they usualy have a wee as soon as you put them back in the stable after mucking out lol ??!! you can laugh but it works

[/ QUOTE ]

we do that with our little one.

let him in his stable and stand in the corner for a couple of mins then just shove a bucket under him as he get 'it' out.

he barely ever wee's more than once a night so mcuking out consists of poo picking and a quick once over to check he hasnt weed for a second time plus when on shavings saves a fair bit of wastage.

Poo pick with your hands as with a shovel you lose alot of shavings that are perfectly useable again.

 

[sidesaddlegirl]

Mix shredded waste paper (I save up the shreddings from the bills,bank/credit cards statements that I shred up!) with shavings to stretch them out.

I go to Tesco's and buy the 10p carrots and apples when they are reduced at night for treats instead of paying £3.99+ for tack shop horse treats.

 

[Queenbee]

Bag yourself a nice farmer, I do and i have free grazing, haylage and straw... lots of cash saved and a lovely partner too!

 

[SpruceRI]

Feeding soaked oats has reduced my feed bill by half as nothing else really seems to put the weight on my skinny mare.

She's only 14.3hh and used to cost me £60 a month in feed just for her!!

It doesn't make her silly or fizzy either.

 

[xnaughtybutnicex]

[ QUOTE ]
Bag yourself a nice farmer, I do and i have free grazing, haylage and straw... lots of cash saved and a lovely partner too!

[/ QUOTE ]

What do you suggest for those who don't have one available? Make 'good friends' with a taken one?

 

[3Beasties]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Bag yourself a nice farmer, I do and i have free grazing, haylage and straw... lots of cash saved and a lovely partner too!

[/ QUOTE ]

What do you suggest for those who don't have one available? Make 'good friends' with a taken one?

[/ QUOTE ]

lol, that's so funny!! Might try that!