Winter tips for horse owners in the credit crunch

We're well into winter and with the credit crunch biting harder than ever, we’ve seen a marked increase in horses and ponies being handed over to our equine centres for financial reasons. At the end of last year, more than 80 per cent of requests for us to take in horses involved financial difficulties.

The cost of food and upkeep is traditionally higher during the winter and many people are already struggling to cope with the global financial crisis, so the charity has come up with ten top tips on how you can tighten your belt but still give your horse the best possible care this winter.

Kate Gloyn, acting centre manager at The Blue Cross equine centre at Burford explains: “With cold, wet weather and shorter days, winter is a tough time for many horses and ponies and also for their owners, especially in today’s depressing economic climate. Providing extra feed, hay and rugs, maintaining muddy fields and mucking out stables take extra time and invariably cost more money, causing many people to struggle. Hopefully some of our ideas will help owners and their equine charges to have an easier winter this year.”

Top tips from The Blue Cross include:
1. Sell your unwanted horsey items on e-bay to raise some extra funds.  If e-technology is too much to cope with you could have a good old-fashioned car boot sale instead.
2. Get together with friends and share transport to shows and events. This will save fuel and transport costs and you’ll have the benefits of moral support and companionship too.
3. Ring one of the nutrition help lines to find out how you can fine-tune your horse’s diet and cut costs without compromising on quality.
4. Consider bartering! Can you offer skills such as book-keeping or typing in return for free lessons or hay / straw?
5. Does your horse really need to be stabled during the winter? He could be happier living out and he (and your pocket) could be healthier, too. Invest in a good quality rug and save money and time on bedding costs and mucking out.
6. Does your horse need a full set of shoes in the winter? If your horse has suitable feet consider just having the front feet shod while the ground is softer over the winter. This could save pounds.
7. Organise a car share to your yard or share DIY livery duties with a friend on alternate days. If you live close enough consider walking or cycling to the yard on fine days. It’s great for fitness as well as saving money.
8. Make sure you’re not wasting hay during the winter. Use a big plastic water tank or a tractor tyre in the field to hold your horse’s hay and prevent it from being blown around and trampled. 
9. Have a go at washing and mending your horse’s rugs yourself rather than use a professional.  Maybe you could invest in an industrial sewing machine and carry out repairs for other people too and earn some extra money.
10. Lag water pipes and taps properly during the winter. A burst water pipe can mean extra expense especially if you have to get a plumber out.

For those horse owners who will struggle to make ends meet this winter even with careful management, it’s important to remember that animal welfare charities like The Blue Cross are available to offer advice and practical support if needed. 

Angel is a gentle piebald mare who was born with only one eye and was severely neglected before she originally came to The Blue Cross. At our Burford equine centre, we rehabilitated and retrained her before finding her a good home where she has lived happily for the last seven years. Sadly, Angel’s borrower has now hit hard times and reluctantly brought her back to the Burford centre before the winter set in because she can no longer afford to care for her.  It was a tough but very responsible decision and she takes comfort from the fact that The Blue Cross will take excellent care of Angel until another suitable loan home can be found. 

Kate continues: “If you are struggling this winter please remember that The Blue Cross is here to provide advice and support. If you find yourself in the heartbreaking situation of being unable to care for your horse or pony any longer we may be able to take him into our care to ensure he has a safe and secure future.”

If you need help or advice from The Blue Cross this winter please visit www.bluecross.org.uk/horses or phone 0845 2301672.