Cost-saving tips for horse owners

Prices are skyrocketing in South Africa, so it’s worth keeping a monthly budget to make timely decisions on cost-cutting, says Dr Mac.

- Dr Mac.

Costs have increased rapidly over the past six months. Petrol and diesel prices have gone through the roof, and this has had an impact on everything that is transported before being sold, including horse feed.

To save money, now is the time to work out your costs and budget for the new season.

ADDING UP, AND SUBTRACTING In a recent discussion with horse owners, I established the following subdivisions in a budget: travelling, feed, livery, farrier, veterinary, vaccinations, preventative health, dentistry, insurance, show costs, new clothes and equipment. This exercise is probably easiest if you use Microsoft Excel (or an old-fashioned lined exercise book when we have load shedding) while checking last month’s bank account payments.

Sit down and look at last month’s budget within the first week of the new month, so you can estimate monthly costs in each category. Then consider the following cost-cutting tips: