Owning a horse on a budget

Many people consider their horses to be part of their family. But when times are tough, hard decisions have to be made. It is possible to raise horses without spending a fortune on them, says Krishona Martinson, equine specialist with the University of Minnesota. She says a good way to save money and to keep your horses healthy is to get your pasture in good condition.

"Make sure the pasture is productive. Resting the pasture, controlling weeds, fertilizing that pasture -- yes, it all requires a little bit of input," says Martinson. "But the amount of yield and the amount of nutrition your horse gets for a very reduced cost compared to baled hay will lead to a significant financial savings."

If you must feed hay, shop for clean grass hay or mixed hay. Another way to cut feed costs is by eliminating grain. A horse that's only ridden two or three times a week doesn't need grain to fulfill nutritional requirements. Martinson says grass hay and a vitamin and mineral supplement are all an adult, idle, or maintenance horse needs.

Don't skimp on the horse's yearly exam and vaccinations. Investing in prevention will save money on health issues that could become major expenses. Martinson says you can save by doing certain procedures yourself.

"I think horse owners should learn to give intermuscular injections," she says. "I also think with basic wounds, you can learn to do a simple bandage. Learn how to take your horse's temperature and to look at more of its vital signs. That way you know if something is really a concern and you need to call the vet."

By knowing the basics, says Martinson, you can tell the vet when you call, "This is my horse's temperature; this is the respiration rate." That will help your veterinarian decide if follow-up care is necessary.