| Whether you are a college student or just "horse | | | | consider what type of work your horse is doing and |
| poor" (or both), there comes a time when your horse | | | | what his energy requirements are. An adult horse only |
| budget isn't always what you would like it to be. There | | | | requires 8% crude protein diet and this can be |
| are a lot of things you would like to buy for your horse | | | | provided from a 100% hay diet for maintenance on a |
| or need for your horse, but right now you can barely | | | | horse that is lightly worked. A younger horse is going |
| afford to feed both of you. Don't worry because there | | | | to require a 10-12% crude protein diet depending on |
| are many options that you can explore. | | | | whether or not he is in training and being rapidly grown |
| First, you might need to consider your current boarding | | | | or not. If you feed a balanced sweet feed with a good |
| situation. Depending on what part of the country you | | | | grass or alfalfa hay then you will be able to meet their |
| live in the cost of boarding is going to vary. Can you | | | | energy requirements. If he seems to lose weight, |
| really afford full care boarding right now or are you | | | | gradually increase his feed a little more until he stops |
| going to have to start doing some of the work? Find | | | | losing weight. He certainly does not require a fat added |
| out if your current boarding facility is willing to work | | | | or high protein diet, unless he is doing intense work like |
| with you. Will they allow you to do partial-care board at | | | | roping, cutting or jumping. Most feed stores carry a |
| a reduced rate or pasture board? Will they let you help | | | | basic sweet feed that is 10-14% crude protein for $5 |
| them in some of their daily duties and reduce your rent | | | | to $6 a bag. |
| for your hard work? Is it time to move your horse? | | | | If you live in the West Texas or New Mexico area, |
| Look for smaller facilities that meet your needs, often | | | | you know that we are in a drought and hay prices |
| they will have reduced rates than other barns. Would | | | | have soared. Not to mention the cost of gas isn't |
| you be willing to feed somebody else's horses for | | | | helping much either. You can hardly find a round bale |
| board? These options need to be researched and | | | | of Coastal grass hay for less than $75 out here. I |
| explored. I have been successful in running ads in the | | | | suggest finding a hay wholesaler where you can load |
| Thrifty Nickel newspaper stating, "Will feed or ride for | | | | the hay yourself out of the field or a barn for less than |
| boarding." I currently board for free because I take | | | | what you would pay at the feed store. If you have the |
| care of a couple's farm while they go out of town. | | | | space, stock up on as much as you can for a few |
| It works well for both of us and I have been at this | | | | months. This will be expensive initially but it is better |
| facility for two years now and have become great | | | | than buying it a few bales at a time. |
| friends with the couple. Also, do you have friends or | | | | Shop around for farriers and see what they are |
| family that have land or other horses? Would they let | | | | charging for a hoof trim. If you are on a very tight |
| you keep your horse there if you help them out? Most | | | | budget, then you probably should have your horses |
| importantly, always get an agreement in writing. This | | | | shoes pulled. He will like being barefoot and you can still |
| helps in the fact that both parties know the terms of | | | | ride. Unless your horse has lameness problems and |
| the agreement and if anything is to happen you have | | | | requires special shoes, it will be cheaper for you to pull |
| your agreement in writing. | | | | his shoes and have him trimmed regularly. |
| Secondly, let's look at your horse's diet. You need to | | | | |