Best Ways to Save Money on Horse Feed

Horses are one of the most expensive and labour-intensive animals. Therefore, to meet their day to day requirements you need to spend lots of money. Where their high-cost feed grabs the first position. But, in order to reduce the cost, you cannot compromise for their diet with poor quality. As it can lead to dire consequences even the death of your horse. So, in this article, here we have some good ways to save your money on horse feed. Let’s begin:

    1. Feed The Best 

The use of low-cost, low-quality feed is a bad way to save money. As it will risk your horse’s health due to the lack of proper nutrition. To buy at a low price, you can purchase the feed in bulk. Another way to go with bulk buying is to make a group of friendly horse owners in your area who are ready to share your purchasing. Apart from this, you can also go with:
    • Shops around. Look on the Internet and call around for the best deals available. Tell the retailer about your requirements, and buy in bulk if possible.
    • Ask a nutritionist for advice. Many feed manufacturers have free helplines. Make sure you spend your money on the best feed, and not on feeding expensive supplements.
    • Always use perishable food prior to shelf life. Just buy as much or share if you bought in bulk to use on time.

    2. Buy Winter Feed In Advance 

Winter feed prices are rise as compared to summer. So, for the winter incomer, it is advisable to invest in bulk buying, as it will help you to make more money by saving.  If you do not have the cash to buy you need at the end of summer or autumn then you can take a small loan from a bank.  Even paying off a loan with interest will be cheaper than buying more expensive food in the winter, but do not forget to consult a banking adviser first. Again, with the help of other horse owners, you can buy in bulk and store in a general store. This will reduce costs and increase team spirit among horse owners!

3. Buy Feed Additives From Local Stores

Apple cider vinegar, oils, garlic and salt can be bought cheaper in local stores than from feed merchants. If you buy along with other horse owners, you can buy in bulk. Moreover, there are many online stores sells sell the best quality cheap horse supplements at reasonable rates. Feeding your horse these supplements results to enhance their performance.

4. Find Cheap Sources Of Additional Power

You can ask stores, supermarkets and market stalls that if they have any fruits or vegetables that they cannot sell or need to sell quickly you can buy from them at competitive prices. In addition, you can also farmers and landowners if they have surplus crops that they cannot eat, donate, or sell. But remember, Do not take rotten or sick foods; if you find them, make compost or dispose of them as needed. And know that horses should not eat all kinds of fruits and vegetables. Do not give them citrus fruits, tomatoes or potatoes (cooked or raw). Remove all the bones from the peaches or plums. You must also look at:
        ◦ Feed carefully while choosing kitchen waste such as crusts and melon pulp from a juicer. They should be stored in the refrigerator and fed to the horse immediately after processing.
        ◦ Grow your own vegetables or herbs. If you have a room, you can grow vegetables for yourself and your horse. You can grow herbs easily in pots. Mint loves most horses and is easy to grow.

5. Measure The Amount of Feed

You can spend a lot of feed if it is not measured in advance. This is not only excess waste, but it can lead to an overweight horse.  Therefore, always weigh feed before giving; Use scales to weigh each feed.
        ◦ Avoid hay nets. Feeding on the floor is healthier and faster, but wasteful. Feeding on a large rubber bucket or protecting the corner of a stable plywood sheet gives the advantages of feeding on the floor, without a lot of waste.

6. Keep Your Horse Healthy For Optimum Feed Utilization

A healthy horse will get the most out of feeding. Therefore, you must consider
        ◦ Hold your horse firmly. This will reduce the amount of energy that the horse uses to keep warm/cool and help it maintain its condition with less feed.
        ◦ Ride horse worms regularly. Ask your vet about the best program from worms for the horse and the region. Feed your horse, not worms.

Bottom Line

A healthy horse always required optimum nutrients in their diet. So, it is good to save money, but never sacrifice your horse health for some piggy saving. With the regular hay or another diet, always add when necessary required a joint supplement for horses in their diet.