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Post by gordo on Dec 13, 2010 14:30:10 GMT 1
I am on my knees financially keeping up with feed, bedding, worming etc. Never been this bad before but I can't even afford to buy him his bute that he needs. YO said worming needs doing but I can't buy that either! Keeping any horse is hard but a retired 17.2hh is crippling me, don't even get to ride to give me a cheery feeling! I have been advised to have him PTS as a money pit but I don't see him as an item to be discarded when no longer useful, he is my responsibility but I am at breaking point!
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Post by jennyg on Dec 13, 2010 14:35:37 GMT 1
I'm also feeling the pinch worse than I have in the past. doesn't help that the local farmer made a bad job of making my hay, so am now having to buy in.
This is a long shot, but is there anyone who might have your boy as a companion?
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Post by jill on Dec 13, 2010 14:37:21 GMT 1
How about turning him away - can you opt for grass livery where he is, or find somewhere where you can? Should be cheaper than keeping him in, to begin with you save on bedding, and if you can get good quality haylage you can cut down on the hard feed
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Post by gordo on Dec 13, 2010 14:37:26 GMT 1
He is supposed to be a companion jenny, somehow ended up paying for everything as well as doing stable each day and poo picking!!!
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Post by gordo on Dec 13, 2010 14:41:37 GMT 1
Jill, we only have 6 acres for 2 horses and he comes in as gets highly stressed when mare comes in. As he is old and arthritic he has a stable with open door out onto yard to keep moving so he still has bedding although he doesn't lie down. Use bale of haylage a week whereas I used to use hay but cheaper to feed haylage. Chaff of all kinds has shot up, bought AlfaA today and nearly £12 so £20 later (shavings too!!) I left nearly in tears!!! I just don't know what to do
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steve
Grand Prix Poster
Posts: 1,640
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Post by steve on Dec 13, 2010 14:42:48 GMT 1
If he is retired then I'd consider moving him as Jill suggests to somewhere on grass livery. Tell the person who has him as a companion that this is what you are going to do. Sorry cant help with the money front!! Dont have any either!!
Is there anything of his you could sell to tide you over? Tack, rugs, etc? Or that nice pair of jeans you still have that lurk in your wardrobe?
Good luck
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Post by gordo on Dec 13, 2010 14:48:06 GMT 1
Steve I am sat here racking my brains as to what I could sell!! As he is a companion I don't have to pay for livery, just everything else! I shouldn't moan as its a great place but I am struggling to make ends meet so grass livery would prob end up costing the same (if I could find anywhere around here!!)
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Dec 13, 2010 14:48:12 GMT 1
I agree with the others, it does seem silly to have him stabled just because someone else's horse is. Have a look round for grass livery, they should have natural shelter or field shelters he can use. Also, haylage is cheaper than chaff so only give him enough chaff to mix his supplements into (that's if you don't already! Or chop a handfull of haylage into a bucket with scissors.
MTA: oops sorry cross posted there Gordo!
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Post by jennyb on Dec 13, 2010 14:49:03 GMT 1
Have you hunted around for anywhere that does grass livery? I'd echo Steve with that sentiment. Our yard charges about average for DIY livery, but has plenty of grass, so all bar two horses are still living out with plenty to eat, saves loads on hay and bedding! (Apart from in the recent snow, when we have had to supplement with hay).
Have you ebayed everything?
You are not alone, charities will echo that lots of owners are struggling. I don't know what else to suggest really. Spring isn't that far away, does he live out in the summer?
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Post by poppyandbea on Dec 13, 2010 14:49:21 GMT 1
could he live out 24/7 as than what i have done it mine now and im saving 28.00 a week with my 2 being out + the cost of bedding athough have some incase the need to come in, was going to bring them in when wether got really bad but there seemed happy out bea wearing an extra rug and i couldnt have brought them in if i wanted to as the walk way to my field became and ice rink so there were safer out any way. so that way i can buy extra feed but im still saving money as hays so expensive and i can also put it to that as going throught loads due to the cold weather
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Post by jennyb on Dec 13, 2010 14:49:59 GMT 1
Oh sorry, I crossed posts too. Not sure how you could keep him more cheaply....
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Post by gordo on Dec 13, 2010 14:54:26 GMT 1
I know jenny! Pre-menstrual so all weepy but can't of making it better. I will look around for grass livery though, not hopeful as livery yards yuk!!
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Post by ProgFrock on Dec 13, 2010 15:02:28 GMT 1
Big hugs Gordo! x x x
Look after yourself for a few days until you feel better and see if a solution presents itself then.
I'm bricking it slightly myself as I'm having a baby in May and gawd only knows where the money for that will come from! Oh well, I just smile and look at my mug that says "Keep Calm and Carry on"...
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Post by Hannah on Dec 13, 2010 15:04:57 GMT 1
If he is just having chaff as a token feed, or to add supplements try using speedi-beet. I am sure it works out cheaper than using chaff.
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Post by gordo on Dec 13, 2010 15:07:22 GMT 1
He was on Hoof Kind only to add the bute to, changed it to veteran mix as cheaper then bought AA today to mix with Speedibeat that I have left over. I worry that I am not giving him enough to keep his body ticking over but it all costs so much.
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