The Novice Horseman Blog

This is just a reminder that as I write this in early April, show season is around the corner.  You can’t show your horse in even the smallest of shows without a coggins test, which must have a negative reading.  Coggins papers are good for one year and are accepted within this time line for most instances.  Some of the larger shows may require a coggins test that is no older than six months.  Check the show rules for what is required.   If you haven’t done so, schedule a visit to the vet to get your horse’s vaccinations & coggins.  Now is the time to do it.

There are basic shots you should give your horse.  Different areas may suggest different combinations of vaccinations.  For instance, I give my horses flu/rhino, West Nile/EE/WE/VE/tetanus, and rabies shots.  If you are unsure of what vaccinations your horse needs for your area, ask your vet.

I would also suggest that if you have a new horse, have the vet give the shots.   One reason is that you may not know how the horse acts around the vet.  The vet & the vet tech handle all temperaments of horses every day and are better equipped to handle a rowdy patient.  Also, in case the new horse has an allergic reaction to one of the shots, the vet is right there to handle the emergency.

Keep your horse’s vaccinations & wormings up to date.  I know this is not the “fun stuff” but vaccinations are not the place to skimp on your horse budget.

The floundering economy has touched the horse industry in so many ways.  My own personal concession is I had to sell one of my horses.  I did this last November (before Iggette passed) to try to cut the rising cost of my board bill as well as the vet bill.  I didn’t want to sell Princess (pictured) and it was a hard decsison to make.  Actually I was supposed to sell one when I purchased my gelding over 2 years ago.  I just didn’t ever get around to it.  Quite honestly if we lived on our acreage instead of in town, I wouldn’t have sold her.  But she has a very nice owner who decided to stay at the barn where I am, so I get to see her all the time.  After Iggette passed away, I was left with 2 horses.  Even with my board bill being reduced by 2 horses, the money crunch can still be felt.  I have made some small adjustments in my horse keeping to save some money.  Here are a few of the ways that I chosen to save money.  Please keep in mind that my choices may not work for you.  Make your decisions wisely.

1.  My boarding has fluctuated over the years.  For 4 horses, I changed all of them to pasture board only.   After selling Princess & Iggette’s death, I changed my board to pasture with stall rights for inclement weather.  This is cheaper than full board in a stall.  Not all barns offer this option, but a good choice might be a paddock with a run-in shed.

2.  My horses are school horses.  I receive a small payment each time one of them is used for a lesson.  This pays my farrier bill most of the time.  There are times when it’s been too cold or too wet to have lessons.  On those times, I have to supplement the difference from my pocket.

3.  Since I don’t actively show or ride the trails, I have my farrier trim my horses hooves.  I am lucky to have horses that have good feet and  I’m a big believer in barefoot is better.  Trimming costs less than shoeing your horse.  This is a truly personal choice.  You, with the help of your farrier & your vet, have to make your decision based on your horse’s needs.

4.  I worm my horses myself.  I use a paste wormer and shop around for sales.  Sometimes I buy from the catalogs or on-line and sometimes I buy from the local co-op.  When buying from the catalog or on-line, be sure to compare the cost + shipping versus the cost + local sales tax.  You may be suprised how close these can turn out to be.  Try to find free shipping specials.

5.  I give my own shots.  I have bought shots from both the local co-op & from my vet.  If you don’t use the vet, make sure to tell his office what vaccinations you have given your horse.  This is to keep your records up to date.  I do not recommend this for the true novice.  You need to be trained on how to give shots.  Next time the vet is out, ask him to show you.  Also, check to see what shots are recommended for your particular area.

6.  If you have a trailer, haul your horse to the vet whenever possible.  This saves the farm call.  With the ever increasing fuel costs, the farm call fee is only going to go up.  Keep in mind that some vets also charge a mileage fee as well as the farm call fee.

7. I have owned mares for years.  I also don’t breed my mares.  I don’t have the added costs of  a pregnant mare or the cost of trying to raise a foal.  There are just wwwaaayyyyyy to many horses out there to consider breeding for one.  I can always find a good horse.

There are lots of ways you can cut your horse keeping costs.  The one thing to remember is to keep your horse’s well being in mind.

If you’ve been reading my blog, you  know  I’ve  talked  about  riding  lessons, checking the stable for possible flooding problems and  what  and  what  not  to consider for your first horse.  Now let’s talk about whether or not a pre-purchase exam is necessary.

First let me say, you need to get the March issue of EQUUS.  If you don’t have a subcription and would like to subscribe to EQUUS, just click on the EQUUS picture at the right.  This issue has a 14 page article on the pre-purchase exam.  It tells what the process is, takes you through an exam and gives you a few stories about different outcomes based on the findings of the pre-purchase exam.  This is another MUST read article for the novice.  I really can’t tell you any more than what is in this article. 

I have only had 2 full pre-purchase exams on horses that I either own or was considering.  I had a partial exam on a horse that had an eye defect.  One horse failed the exam because of arthritis that I would not have found without the vet check.  The horse with the eye defect was cleared because it was a birth defect and it was determined the defect shouldn’t bother her.  I still have the eye checked every year though.  The other horse passed the exam and then I had x-rays done on the knees.  I wanted these x-rays because the horse was just a 2 year old and I wanted to see if the knees had finished developing.  My decision for just knee x-rays was based on what the cost of the exam would be with full leg x-rays.  I simply couldn’t afford all of the x-rays.

You should consider your budget for horse expenses.  Pre-purchase exams are not cheap.  The cost will probably vary depending on which part of the country you live in.  Are they worth the money?  If it prevents you from buying an unhealthy or injured horse obviously the answer is YES!  If the pre-purchase exam proves that the horse is sound, then you not only have piece of mind, but now have a better idea what the horse can do.  Also, the more expensive the horse, the more obvious it is that you should have the pre-purchase exam done.  And if you are considering a less expensive horse, that shouldn’t keep you from considering the pre-purchase exam.  If you are trying to save money & buy a cheap horse that costs you a ton in vet bills, well . . . it wasn’t a cheap horse.  You, with the help of your trainer and/or vet, should make the decision of whether or not to have the pre-purchase exam or at least how much of the exam you can afford.

Like I said above, I had 2 full exams done and only came home with 1 horse.  One exam ABSOLUTELY saved me from buying a gorgeous palomino I really wanted but had unseen problems.  If you are actively looking for a horse, maybe you should consider a pre-purchase exam for the top candidate.  If the horse passes, you have a new equine friend.  If the horse fails, you are only out the cost of the exam instead of the price of an unsuitable horse plus whatever else it will take to keep the horse sound and healthy.

Read the article.  Be informed.  Consider the costs.  Ultimately, the decision for the pre-purchase exam is yours.