What do you do if your checkbook screams for money while your horse neighs for attention? In these money-tight economic times, what can a horse addict do? It seems like everything costs way too much money these days, from showing your horse to paying the farrier. So what can you do? Easy … practice equinomics with these money saving tips that will keep you and your horse healthy and happy.

Equinomics, or the practice of having fun with your horse without breaking the bank, falls into three categories:

Activities

Health care

Finance

Equinomic activities

It may no longer be practical to ride a truck to every horse show, but that doesn’t mean you can’t ride your horse and still have fun. Here are some great equinomic ideas on what to do with your horse.

1. Get social

Getting together with friends for riding can be fun and inexpensive! Many people used to being on the show circuit are saving money by riding trails (or even riding at a neighborhood stadium) with friends. To save money, share rides and transportation in the same trailer. If you still want to take lessons, save by taking a group lesson and bringing it to the trainer’s home with a friend.

2. School and show at the local level

If you’re not ready to ditch the show circuit entirely, consider taking it to local shows. Local shows are an inexpensive way to teach your horses. Use these shows to increase the mileage of young horses or to tune up experienced show horses. Either way, program fees are typically 1/4 to 1/3 the cost of the top-rated programs.

Equinomic health care

This inexpensive “downtime” is the perfect opportunity to really focus on your horse’s health from the inside out.

3. Focus on healing

If you have been alleviating your horse’s health problems, now is a good time to transition to a cure, as cure is a less expensive and more permanent long-term solution than symptom relief. For example, if you’ve only been “dealing with” your horse’s ulcer symptoms, stop and assess what is causing your symptoms. Do you need to live on pasture rather than in a stable? Do you need supplements like Stomach Reliever, probiotics or slippery elm and aloe vera? Or do you just need time off from work to decompress?

4. Health maintenance

With fall and winter just around the corner, now is a great time to float your horse’s teeth and take care of any other medical maintenance he may need. A healthy horse that assimilates nutrients easily will be less expensive to feed during the winter. To offset the cost of these veterinary services, consider pulling your horse’s shoes and giving your horse’s hooves a rest, especially if he is not going to show up. A barefoot cut costs less than four shoes and is healthier for your horse.

5. Discover the type or temperament of the five elements of your horse

Once you know your horse’s type, read about it in the book “Horse Harmony” to find out the best way to handle it. A well-managed horse is healthy, happy, and less expensive to keep.

6. Barter or buy in bulk

People are always more willing to barter in tough economic times. If you have goods or services to offer, consider suggesting an exchange with your trainer, hay supplier, or vet. Another technique that works well is to buy hay and feed in bulk. For example, you can set up an informal “cooperative” of horse people in your neighborhood and order a large quantity of hay or feed to get a discount.

Equinomic Finance

Ultimately, this economic downturn is the perfect opportunity to implement healthy financial practices. I’ve saved my best equinomial advice for last.

7. Learn to support your horse’s habit

Horses are an expensive addiction, and fortunately there are ways to support that addiction, especially now.