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Post by sunnylynn11 on Aug 18, 2008 23:24:15 GMT 1
How about considering changing bedding if you are on woodchips, VERY expensive at mo, use either paper or cardboard bedding instead, research on the internet for suppliers, much cheaper to buy direct. I can get cardboard bedding for £2.75 per bale if I collect them, or they charge £1 per bale extra to deliver, still MUCH cheaper than woodchips
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Post by lolamae on Aug 18, 2008 23:29:33 GMT 1
Make do with what you have. Chuck away the Robinsons (etc) mag.
Husband says SELL THE HORSES!
Change your mortgage provider....do you have Manulife One in the UK? One account for everything.
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Post by colourfulpony on Aug 19, 2008 2:33:43 GMT 1
keep your stuff organised so you don't end up re-buying things like sprays and ointments when you mis-place them.
use supermarket oils rather than more exensive ones bought from tack shops.
use babywipes instead of costly coat shine sprays/wipes for normal grooming and save the real stuff for shows.
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Post by jackiedo on Aug 19, 2008 7:41:28 GMT 1
Scrap metal.... trust me, it's a boom industry at the moment
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Post by Susan on Aug 19, 2008 11:30:47 GMT 1
Stop feeding horses , hard feed they do not need ..as so many are over weight.. save the money.. and save your horses life
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Post by marianne on Aug 19, 2008 11:54:15 GMT 1
learn to barter! I got my hay cut for the price of the string and the diesel ... in exchange for helping the farmer when he was cutting his own hay.
Totally echo the comment re the hard feed. Only 2 out of my 6 are getting hard feed at the moment, and that's only to ensure they're getting all the vits and mins they need.
Also, if your horses are stabled, consider a layer of sawdust first to absorb wee/smells [free] which then also allows you to use less straw on top. I know I have rubber mats so that may be cheating ....
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Isi
Olympic Poster
Advanced Poster
Such a Lady - Just Like Her Mum!
Posts: 657
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Post by Isi on Aug 19, 2008 12:09:30 GMT 1
www.Freecycle.com - thanks Susan - it is brilliant. Post wanted ads for things like wheelbarrows, brooms, metal dustbins, buckets, chest freezers for horsefeed storage etc. It is amazing what people get rid of when they are not horsey. I even managed to find an old (antique!) Sythe to cut down nettles in my field (for the horses to eat)
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Post by ProgFrock on Aug 19, 2008 12:44:45 GMT 1
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. Just watch out for import duty and VAT being added to your bill by the Inland Revenue. It's meant to be for items over £18 I think.
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Post by Susan on Aug 19, 2008 12:46:32 GMT 1
Totally echo the comment re the hard feed. Only 2 out of my 6 are getting hard feed at the moment, and that's only to ensure they're getting all the vits and mins they need. quote] Check out what vits and mins are in the hardfeed and if not better off only feeding supplement.. Flynn as many knows has no hardfeed especially as on diet. But I was recommended ( by D&H at the weighbridge clinic) to feed equibites for vits and mins.1 x 50 kgs body weight.. and cheaper.. or simply by only feeding a suppliments they need not waste on some hardfeed often made up with mollasses not required.. Not a dig by the way, just often owners by feeds for that reason and in fact the horse doesnt actually get the amont it needs and stuff they dont need.
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Post by Susan on Aug 19, 2008 12:48:26 GMT 1
Wheelbarrow cover to stop all the C*** going over the yard, use old fitted single sheet ( get on in charity shop even) and pull over one end then twist and tuck in.. no messy stuff blowing all over the place.
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Margaret D
Grand Prix Poster
Hola mi nombre es Arcos
Posts: 1,474
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Post by Margaret D on Aug 19, 2008 14:40:40 GMT 1
If you have the room for it buy your hay supplies "off the field", we have, at a fraction of the cost the farmer has stated he is going to charge!
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Post by Susan on Aug 19, 2008 15:15:13 GMT 1
sadly we cant have more then 10 bales ( we can sneak in a couple extra but not more.. the olny downfall to my yard!) I have done that in the past
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warlander
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Posts: 282
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Post by warlander on Aug 19, 2008 15:42:03 GMT 1
If you can, ask Yard owner for a discount of 1 month livery if you pay 6 months up front. Worked for and you can look forwards to a free month at Xmas modified as spelling very bad
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Post by dreamchaser on Aug 19, 2008 18:53:15 GMT 1
24/7 turnout for as long as you can. Much cheaper when you have no bedding to buy.
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Post by confidentgal08 on Aug 19, 2008 22:05:57 GMT 1
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. Just watch out for import duty and VAT being added to your bill by the Inland Revenue. It's meant to be for items over £18 I think. If you request these to be sent in as gift you will not have to pay duty taxes shhhhhhh I have been using a wait for it ....... nappy as a poultice with vet wrap (works a treat) expensive chalks use baby powder instead (also gets up grey horses lovley) I have also had rubber matting put down last year and what a difference that has made in the cost of bedding for example 1 12 x 12 cost £200 to mat it out usually take 4-5 bales to bed down i now get through 1 bag of shavings in 2 weeks as just use it to stop splashes as he wont pee otherwise (bless him) all the others are on straw and again need very little bed and my time is now more with the horse and not mucking out. instead of showing and paying increasing entry fees why not arrange for all the horsey people to meet at one of the yards one day and have a pleasure hack together or a fun gymkana type day or clear round days (prize could be a choccy bar for you and apple for gee gee) and to be even cheaper try nipping to the local greengrocer or farm shop see if they have any rejects that they can give you. (hint go in joddys stinking of horse muck they will soon get rid of you witha crate ) go to tack auctions for tack (i picked up a brand new leather saddle - english for £70 ) or hold a swap party bring the tack you dont want with your friends also doing the same and negotiate. you never know that unused rope thingy that didnt work for you might be golden find for your friend.
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