Horsey money saving hints? (merged)

Raksha

LOL - Tell me about the 'being groomed' bit - I'm looking after a Sec D mare who may have MF or mites, and was having her feathers washed by her Mum at the weekend, while I was on the other end of the headcollar (she doesn't like water at the best of times, so it was easier to do it two handed) and I got a through grooming for my troubles. She was so sweet though, and didn't hurt me at all.

SDH

Picking new car (see earlier post) up in a few hours, very excited!!

Got to get a towbar put on it though.

First trip out likely to be the South Oxfordshire sponsored ride in 2 weeks. How exciting!!!

SDH

Oh and I don't know anything about mud fever as neither beasties suffers, but your discussion was interesting to read :-)

orlao

Well, the pig oil and sulphur is working a treat!!!!:j
Very few scabs left and NO raw skin, he's now happy to have his legs handled:D and the last few scabs are just flaking off, no picking required.

I have to admit that I was sceptical about this working but as all the usual "cures" weren't touching the underlying MF, just stopping it from getting worse IYSWIM I was just about to call the vet in........so I'm really impressed.A few people mentioned that pig oil was recommended on various forums last year and when I googled it I thought it was worth a try. It's also used in manes and tails to keep mud off during the winter.

It cost £15.50 on ebay for 5 litres ready mixed, so far I've used about 300mls so I think that I've got enough for the winter (and the next 10 years) so if that ain't MSE I don't know what is!

I've also started him on a supplement called total eclipse from Simple Systems, he usually only has this in the winter but I started giving him this a couple of weeks ago to try and boost his immune system so I don't know if that helped also?

upferret

Hi,Nice to see some more barefoot people here! I did a BTEC national dip. in equine studies.My two horses are barefoot (properly conditioned and trimmed by a barefoot farrier as opposed to just being left unshod) I do this because it is better for them and they have no problem doing any road work( or anything in fact they do it better without shoes. as an added extra providing you dont need hoof boots, it works out cheaper than shoes, in my area shoes are £50 a set, barefoot trim is £10! If your horse does need hoof boots at first buy them 2nd hand off ebay as youll probably only need them for a short while. Feed good quality fibre based feeds and dont waste money on high energy feeds if your horse doesnt need them. most horses only need hay/grass. Mine also have a feed balancer which lasts ages and I know they are getting the vitamins and minerals they need without having to feed them more. ( I have the fat , live off thin air type of horses) I buy most of my horse stuff on ebay and sell it there again if I no longer need it. I got two new full turnout rugs with hoods last year for under £50 on ebay. Mine also live out all year round only coming in in very bad weather or if it is really muddy. they get rugged up in winter and if the rugs get torn I will get them repaired instead of buying new ones. I make my own fly spray from citronella oil and vineger. looking after your horse well will save on vets fees! dont skimp on things such as wormers and vaccinations. I have found not trimming feathers off my horses have stopped them from getting mud fever, I make sure they are always clean and in winter I coat them with pig oil, with a drop of tea tree oil in.

tarren

After reading on here how expensive horses can be are'nt I the lucky one, my daughter wanted a nag, I said yes, but the Good Lord smiled on me. She met her husband to be, who mercifully lives 20 miles away, and they started a family instead. Two mites must be cheaper than one nag methinks.

Chesnut1

tarren wrote: »

After reading on here how expensive horses can be are'nt I the lucky one, my daughter wanted a nag, I said yes, but the Good Lord smiled on me. She met her husband to be, who mercifully lives 20 miles away, and they started a family instead. Two mites must be cheaper than one nag methinks.

Actually I keep 2 horses in the lap of luxury cheaper than one child. or so all my friends with chidren keep moaning:D

upferret

Chesnut1 wrote: »

Actually I keep 2 horses in the lap of luxury cheaper than one child. or so all my friends with chidren keep moaning:D

Snap! :rotfl:

Tae_Lia_2

Chesnut1 wrote: »

Actually I keep 2 horses in the lap of luxury cheaper than one child. or so all my friends with chidren keep moaning:D

Hehe, thats my plan, never felt the urge for kids and am planning having a horse instead!

mehefin

Tae_Lia wrote: »

Hehe, thats my plan, never felt the urge for kids and am planning having a horse instead!

Painful;)

Got 4 and a lodger who might as well be ours. 2 Welsh section D, 1 section C, and a 11.2 Heinz.
Expensive is not the word for this game- any Mums with kids wanting ponies - put foot down with firm hand unless you have VERY deep pockets!!