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Post by wendyihts on Aug 18, 2008 13:42:29 GMT 1
Please could the mods pin this thread, by popular request..? (OK it was just 4 people but I'm sure others think it's a good idea too.. ) So, here's the thread to post information about any special offers that people see out there on horsey stuff: feed, tack, equipment, anything! Also, any bright money saving ideas (which is where Susan comes into her own, apparently - c'mon Ms Blue Peter!) Check here before you make that purchase! The IHDG may just be about to save you money! ;D
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Post by wendyihts on Aug 18, 2008 13:45:27 GMT 1
And I'm going first! Top Spec supplements all now come in 9kg and 20kg formats, saving up to 40% on the cost of buying the individual tubs. topspec.nmdnews.co.uk/The supplements have a shelf life of 9 months usually so well worth getting the larger sizes. You can order direct from them online.
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Post by wendyihts on Aug 18, 2008 14:04:14 GMT 1
Yay! thanks for pinning it so quickly Mods.
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Post by horsey123 on Aug 18, 2008 15:00:26 GMT 1
buy everything off EBAY and sell every thing that is not used on EBAY i belive it will take over the world one day HEHE
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Post by colourfulpony on Aug 18, 2008 16:11:58 GMT 1
see if you have a local tack swop - i have one about 15 mins away so if i have anything i don't need anymore i can take it along and either sell it to them or swop it for something i do need. Everything is cheaper to buy as it is second hand so even if you have nothing to swop it's still a good place to try. I'm about to take in all my yearlings rugs that she has grown out of from last winter and see if i can swop them for some that will fit her this winter; much cheaper than buying a load of brand new rugs which she will have covered in mud in 2 seconds anyway. another suggestion - make your own haynets out of bale string. someone else on here suggested it to me on a pervious thread. the first one i made came out about the right size to put a football in though so make sure your string is long enough as i just guessed! www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Haynet
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laura
Grand Prix Poster
going for a splash
Posts: 3,867
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Post by laura on Aug 18, 2008 17:38:06 GMT 1
If you feed treats to your equine ... for training purposes or not ... rather than buy the small packets invest in a huge tub of badmighton herbal treats for only about £5 ..... much cheaper than loads small bags
If you then break these into half , or even three bits, it will last even longer !!
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Post by jennyf on Aug 18, 2008 17:49:03 GMT 1
Cheap human hairbrushes do a super job of tails and manes without breaking the hair and get the tangles out a treat.
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Post by Gail&Merlin on Aug 18, 2008 17:50:18 GMT 1
Not as nice as a fresh bed every day, but i remember when all the horses i worked with were on deep beds of straw, didnt do them any harm and got through the winter on less than a quarter of the costs of shavings.
Or club together with some local friends and get a lorry load of shavings delivered direct from supplier.
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Post by geeup on Aug 18, 2008 18:18:31 GMT 1
make a brush fence for free, out of an old pallet (got free from company) and some twigs, actually at £90 for two you could set up a small business!
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Post by colourfulpony on Aug 18, 2008 18:21:05 GMT 1
yep, buying in bulk is really the way to go. if you havn't got a winter hay supply yet seriously consider this. There are three horse-owning houses up our lane so even though individually we can't buy much (no yards, just people keeping their horses at home) if we all club together and use the same supplier and share delivery it will work out a lot cheaper for us. so if you ever need anything (shavings/straw/hay etc) delivering, speak to your neighbours and see if they want to share delivery.
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lizziee
Grand Prix Poster
Grand Prix Poster
Posts: 2,230
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Post by lizziee on Aug 18, 2008 19:02:04 GMT 1
Do an audit of your costs. Put everything down on an excel spreadsheet and see if there's anywhere you can make savings. Research different suppliers and look on the web. There will be quite a list, and you will find that even though you may only save a pound or two per item (or less) they add up!
If you want to buy anything relatively expensive right now (tack etc), check out US websites - with US credit crunch there are lots of sales, and the exchange rate is amazing. Even taking into account the carriage costs you could still grab a bargain.
Big vet bill and no insurance? Ask them if you can pay it off monthly. I've never been refused, and it amounts to an interest free loan.
Wire wool is a cheap, excellent mud remover.
Make sure you don't skimp on teeth/back etc checks because you're skint - prevention is MUCH cheaper than cure!
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Post by taklishim on Aug 18, 2008 20:42:33 GMT 1
if you own/rent your stables (or at least if you are responsible for paying the electric bill) change your light bulbs to low energy ones. Most people change the house ones but I'm not sure they remember the stables. I changed the ones in the stables that are used most freqently and last winter with the dark mornings and nights noticed a real reduction in the units used. The other tip is a pain and hard work but buy ordinary molassed sugar beet rather than speedibeet and wash it. It only takes a few minutes, the bags are 25kg rather than 20kg and they are cheaper as well.
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Post by jes on Aug 18, 2008 20:58:42 GMT 1
If you feed treats to your equine ... for training purposes or not ... rather than buy the small packets invest in a huge tub of badmighton herbal treats for only about £5 ..... much cheaper than loads small bags If you then break these into half , or even three bits, it will last even longer !! Or, even cheaper, buy a big bag of Badminton High fibre nuggets for around £8. 1 bag will last for months and the horses love them!
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Post by Susan on Aug 18, 2008 23:00:03 GMT 1
Taklishim wrote
other tip is a pain and hard work but buy ordinary molassed sugar beet rather than speedibeet and wash it. It only takes a few minutes, the bags are 25kg rather than 20kg and they are cheaper as well.
One better ! buy euro beet unmollassed and cheaper still..mollassed I would rinse twice to be sure..
I make things. Like the training aid, borrowed a friends and then copied it! cord and elastic cord from B&Q. cord adjusters Wilco and fastening snap clips.. and bit of old fleece from old girth cover for elastic cords under tail hind quarters. Cost me max £15.00 in total
Mend rugs by getting free industrial sewing machine off Freecycle!and other friends rugs. Or what ever even repaired moutain horse long boots zip!
Wash rugs with pressurewasher and not lose proofing.. costs me my time.. hang over garden furniture to dry
Make boots like poutice boots if horse foot sore and put in pieces of pad inside and base layer use leather from old coats on freecycle
Make good non poaching area in field gateway with old carpet begged off freecycle of work notice board.. always someone recarpeting.. and then cover in wppdchip. I use woodchips yard provide but year before last I used stuff out of our own garden shredder,
I make up more bedding with all the paper from paper shredders at work and home
I will have more to come
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colin
Advanced Poster
Posts: 389
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Post by colin on Aug 18, 2008 23:00:33 GMT 1
Lauras right about the nuggets
If you are a BHS gold member and have horse insurance make sure you are not paying the other insurance for public liability-its covered in the BHS membership-know people that done realise
Sudacream does the same as many more pricy products.
Round our way some people leave three 'faller' apples out for people to take-treats for the horses or if it gets bad.
If treats get too pricy, then there is always cuddles and scratches-free!
Colin
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