$ The more you ride your horse, the more (expensive) feed he's going to need to maintain his body condition. If your budget is really tight and you can't afford to provide extra hard feed, then consider riding your horse less until your financial situation eases.

$ Cheap gardening gloves from Bunnings Warehouse make good everyday riding gloves.

$ Most saddle shops offer a free saddle fitting service...take advantage of it as it could save you money in the long run, eg. a badly fitting saddle will need to be re-stuffed or worst still, replaced.

$ Learn to do your own hoof trimming.

$ Draw up a yearly budget plan in advance, taking into account wormers, shoeing, feed etc. and try to stick to it. Allow extra for unexpected vet bills although some vets don't mind if you pay off large bills in regular installments.

$ Bag your horse's manure in old feed sacks when you clean his paddock, or stable and sell them as garden fertilizer to help pay bills.

$ Shop around...if an item of saddlery or a horse-related service seems expensive, check out other places. It might take a bit of time but could save you in the long run.

$ A pair of cheap rubber gloves are great for removing dead hair during horse-shedding time....no need to buy expensive grooming blocks or mitts.



$ The cheapest stable flooring is dirt with a thick layer of shavings on top. It's softer on a horse's legs, drains well and is easy to clean.

$ Some outlets of supermarket chain Aldi occasionally sell horse-related items at budget prices!

$ Take advantage of saddle shop sales, ask to be placed on their catalogue mailing list so you don't miss out on any bargains.

$ Get your horse's teeth checked regularly as if they're sharp, all the good (and expensive!) feed in the world won't maintain condition. He may be trying to chew but dropping it on the ground instead, wasting it.

$ A bar of glycerine soap available from supermarkets makes an excellent saddle soap.

$ Unless you're a serious breeder, think twice about putting a mare in foal. It might seem like a good idea at the time but do you really want up to four years of expense while the filly or colt matures?

$ Organise a second-hand gear sale or swap meet at your Pony or Riding Club.

$ If you can't afford to buy a horse, look for one to lease. Some horse owners will free lease a horse in return for it being well looked after. Get a lease agreement (available from the EFA) and have it signed by both parties so it's clear what the terms are.

$ You can often find cheap horse items and books at car boot sales and Trash & Treasure markets.

$ Look for secondhand gear cheaply on Ebay...a Horsewyse reader recently bought a pristine four month old saddle that retails at $1,900 for just $600! Stick to the Australian Ebay site as buying from overseas will cost you heaps in postage. If the item turns out to be unsuitable, you can always re-list it.

$ Learn to repair your own rugs if you have a sewing machine. Mend small tears quickly before they become big expensive repair jobs!

$ Buy feed in bulk and store it in air-tight containers. It's much cheaper than buying lots of small amounts.

$ Look after your tack and it will last for decades.

$ Ask your friends or instructors if they have any horsey stuff they don't want anymore, or will sell cheaply to you.

$ Buy generic human shampoo in bulk...it works great!

$ Buy the best quality gear you can. It might seem expensive at first but should last a lifetime rather than break (which can also be dangerous!)

$ Cheap hairbrushes from the Reject Shop are great for manes and tails.

$ You don't need to buy expensive toys for your horse...get some witches hats from Bunnings, rubber balls with handles on them from the toy shop, or tie a plastic milk bottle filled with molasses to a tree. Punch a few holes in the bottle and your horse will have lots of fun licking it off as it seeps out.

$ Feed hay from a haynet, haybag or proper hay feeder to avoid it being trampled on the ground and wasted. You can also place it inside a large tyre.

$ Enter lots of horsey competitions, you never know your luck...you've got to be in it to win it!

$ Name all your grooming gear! Write your name on everything, then cover with a coat of clear nail varnish. Also wash your grooming brushes regularly, then rub a little baby oil through the bristles to keep them soft.

$ Cheap waterproof sleeping bags make good rugs. Remove the zipper and cut out a semi-circle for the neck. Stitch around all the edge and add binding and up the middle of the back. Use big strips of velcro for the breast straps and under the belly.

$ Take advantage of the free advisory service offered by some feed companies...they can help you plan an optimum diet for your horse which could save big feed bills.

$ If you have stainless steel bits or stirrups that have rusted, soak them in a bowl of vinegar for several days to dissolve the rust. Rinse thoroughly before using.

$ Buy cheap plastic storage bins with lids to store your rugs in over Summer, it protects them from mice and moths (and spiders!)

$ A crushed aspirin added to ordinary shampoo makes a good anti-dandruff shampoo, great for scurfy manes and tails.

$ Ask for saddle shop vouchers for Birthdays and Christmas.

$ If there's not much grazing in your horse's paddock but there's some long grass in your area, let your horse graze on the (free!) grass. You might have to sit there and hold him for a couple of hours while he eats as it's not advisable to tether horses in public places. Don't let him eat grass alongside busy roads as it could be polluted or sprayed with weed killer and if moving around in longish grass, be on the alert for snakes!

$ Get your mum to save the fat from lamb roasts as it makes a great hoof oil.

$ Offer to work around your riding school or agistment place in return for free lessons or reduced fees.

$ If buying bulk hay, make sure you try before you buy. It's no good buying 50 bales of mouldy hay that your horse wonÕt eat!

$ Save money by using homebrand disposable nappies and electrical tape for wounds...it's much cheaper than cotton wool and elasticized bandages.

$ Learn to make your own basic horsey gear, there's a few books available with step-by-step instructions which will end up paying for themselves.

$ Good pasture management will increase available grazing which will reduce your feed bills. Pick up manure regularly and rest your paddocks.

$ Get together with friends and have an instructor visit for lessons and share the cost. Some horse dentists and farriers will also reduce their fees if there's a bunch of horses to do in the one visit.




$ Compile a library of horse books with friends or at Pony Club, that way you can share books around and return them when you've finished without having to pay a cent. It might take a bit of organization keeping track of them all but will be worth it in the long run. You can have both fiction and instructional books. You could also do the same with horsey videos or DVD's.

$Learn to make ribbon browbands...if you get really good you can sell them to your friends!

$ Mr Sheen makes a great and inexpensive de-tangler for manes and tails (use sparingly though).

$ SAARDS Wonder Soap is a cheap way to get white socks and tails sparkling clean.

$ Take time to check your horse's environment...are there any sharp objects in his paddock he could hurt himself on? Are the tops of star picket fence posts safely covered? Are your fences in good repair? "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." Taking precautions now could save you big vet bills in the future!

$ Invest in a temporary, moveable electric fence and section off parts of your horse's paddock to rest it. Looking after your pasture will save you having to buy feed and hay.

$ Going to a show? Maybe you can share a float with a friend and split the petrol bill.

© Horsewyse Magazine Cartoons © Peta Taylor