Winter is here! For horse owners, that means frosty mornings, muddy paddocks and, let us be honest, a few extra bills. Just when you think you are coping with the endless snow or rain, your cheerful horse tears another rug or loses a shoe while playing in the mud. With prices constantly rising, here are some tips to help you save money so you can buy that new rug sooner!.
Hay (Forage): Do Not Waste It!Did you know that almost 30% of forage ends up on the muck heap? That is literally a pile of wasted hay and wasted money! If your horse loves scattering it through their bedding, a different strategy may work better.
- Haynets are excellent for keeping forage off the floor and away from manure.
- If you are handy at DIY, try building a safe, sturdy hay feeder for your horse. It is an interesting DIY project that could bring substantial savings in the long run!
This year in Poland, as in other countries, there are widespread concerns about hay prices and shortages. Speak to your local suppliers, make a plan and budget appropriately for feed. Most importantly, do not waste what you have!
Weighing Feed: A Little Effort, Big Savings
Weighing your horse's daily hay ration may seem like an extra chore, but it will help reduce waste and keep quantities consistent with what your horse actually needs.
- For underweight horses, of course, provide as much forage as they can eat.
- However, if you have a good doer, calculate their actual requirements and stick to them.
- Monitor your horse's weight regularly - assess body condition (BCS) every few weeks or use a weigh tape weekly. If your horse gains weight, adjust their diet.
Remember: the absolute minimum your horse should eat each day is:
- 1.5% of their body weight (as dry matter).
Example: for a 500 kg horse, the minimum amount of hay (assuming 90% dry matter) is around 8.3 kg as fed. This is key to healthy winter feeding.
Straw: A Fibre Winner for Good Doers
If your horse gains weight easily and needs less energy, consider adding clean, good-quality straw to their diet. Straw can safely replace up to 50% of the daily hay ration, increasing meal volume without unnecessary calories.
- Introduce straw gradually and ensure your horse's teeth are in good condition.
- Avoid feeding straw to horses prone to colic.
- For other horses, it is a great way to keep them occupied! Straw takes longer to chew than hay, providing extra enrichment for fast eaters.
Simplify the Feed Bucket!
Now is the ideal time to reassess your horse's diet and seek specialist advice. The VETfactory team often speaks to owners who feed "a bit of this, a bit of that and a little something else". All those little extras can add up to a very expensive meal. Nutritionists can simplify horses' diets, ensuring your horse receives everything they actually need while you save money.
- Smart balancers: all-in-one products combining essential vitamins and minerals with supplements (e.g. for joints, coat or digestion) are a cost-effective alternative to buying a bag of hard feed and multiple supplements. SPILLERS Supple & Senior Balancer is a smart solution combining a balancer and key supplements in one pack! This concentrate provides essential vitamins and minerals, high-quality protein and biotin, plus joint-supporting ingredients such as glucosamine, MSM and Omega-3 fatty acids. Prebiotics and probiotics also support digestive health. It is an economical, cost-effective alternative to buying hard feed and separate supplements.
- Save with vitamin-enriched chaff: instead of feeding, for example, 3 kg of hard feed daily plus ordinary chaff, you could try a smaller hard feed ration alongside chaff already enriched with vitamins and minerals, such as SPILLERS Conditioning Fibre. You will still meet your horse's nutritional needs, but in a more budget-friendly way!
Happy Horses, Happy Wallet!
Horse ownership is full of surprises, but with a little planning and smart feeding strategies, you can keep your horse healthy and costs under control this winter. Remember - every penny saved is a penny you can put towards the next rug! We wish you a cost-effective winter with your horse!
