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  Twin Sister to Queen Boobie
Posts: 13315
   
Location: East Tennessee but who knows?! | What are things that you won't skimp on?
For instance, do you think there's that big of a difference between lower priced splint boots and more expensive ones? |
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 Shelter Dog Lover
Posts: 10277
| I don't skimp on anything when it comes to the safety of my horse. I don't know for sure if less expensive leg boots make that much of a difference but I am not going to chance it. I have always thought if my horses got hurt during a run it is not going to be because I didn't do everything I could to prevent it, from proper conditioning to protective gear, to prepping their legs. Accidents are going to happen and if and when they do I don't want to think that I contributed. |
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 Midget Lover
Location: Kentucky | I have found, in almost every aspect in life, that buying anything cheap will cost you a fortune in the end. |
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Hungarian Midget Woman
Location: Midwest | Joint Care
Saddles
Farriers
Quality of the stable I choose to board at (I don't have property)
Things I can skimp: My tack set was not one of the fancier brands, but the leather is safe and decent quality.
I save my fancier tack for shows, so it lasts longer.
For the time being, I have an older trailer that is still in great condition.
I don't buy electric at shows, as I don't have a kitchenette. I would probably save money cooking if I hauled with a family, but since it is just me, I pack a cooler and buy any hot food I want.
So basically, I will live in a cardboard box so my horse will have the best possible life. |
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Rad Dork
Posts: 5218
Location: Oklahoma | I don't skimp on leg protection (iconoclast) or saddle pads (5 star). My cheapest items are my Oxbow headstall and Billy Cook breast collar, but there is nothing wrong with them. |
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Meanest Teacher!!!
Posts: 8555
Location: sunny california | my problem is I hate to skimp. it is getting hard to find a place to go out to eat. I like quality ingredients and that costs a bundle these days. I have noticed a decline on the quality of the food eating out so we have to stay home all the time. |
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Hungarian Midget Woman
Location: Midwest | Longneck - 2015-01-30 7:38 AM I don't skimp on leg protection (iconoclast) or saddle pads (5 star). My cheapest items are my Oxbow headstall and Billy Cook breast collar, but there is nothing wrong with them.
All of my pads are 5 star, ed wright (which IME are equal to the 5 stars), and saddleright. I forgot to include that.
A good fitting saddle and pad makes a HUGE difference. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 617
Location: London Ontario | I am horseless as of yet but when I did have them I for sure didn't skimp out on where they lived(I don't own property) and what they ate. I also made sure I had a GOOD vet and farrier. I also made sure I had well fitting tack so that my horses were comfortable. I also make sure they are taken care of health wise. |
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 Owner of a ratting catting machine
Posts: 2258
| I don't skimp on saddle pads (my new CSI came yesterday yay!), saddles, bell boots, boots in general, bits, etc. All my headstalls and breastcollars are English bridle or Hermann oak leather. I don't ride much bling, I prefer nice silver buckle sets and conchos. I have a beaded set that lives in my house because it's too pretty to use, kind of sad, but it is what it is.
I also don't skimp on insurance. Everyone has major medical. It's really saved me some big dollars along the way.
I don't skimp on truck and trailer maintenance and keeping good tires on.
If it needs done, it gets it, no matter how inconvenient or expensive. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 550
| Hay & vet. I don't have a problem using a cheaper vet for routine shots, coggins, etc, but for any lameness/soreness issue, I'll spend the $. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1028
| Never ever skimp on the quality of hay they have in front of them, as well as a good fitting saddle and pad for each of them and vet care/farrier work. My horses all see a certified equine podiatrist for their feet, and he happens to be a wonderful lameness vet, but definitely not the cheapest, but I like to know they're in the best hands that they can be in.
Like another poster said, I'd probably live in a cardboard box if it meant the horses were happy. I don't have the fanciest, most expensive tack set, but it is functional and I think it's pretty. |
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 Veteran
Posts: 232
Location: Winging It in KY | barrelracr131 - 2015-01-30 8:38 AM Joint Care
Saddles
Farriers
Quality of the stable I choose to board at (I don't have property)
Things I can skimp: My tack set was not one of the fancier brands, but the leather is safe and decent quality.
I save my fancier tack for shows, so it lasts longer.
For the time being, I have an older trailer that is still in great condition.
I don't buy electric at shows, as I don't have a kitchenette. I would probably save money cooking if I hauled with a family, but since it is just me, I pack a cooler and buy any hot food I want.
So basically, I will live in a cardboard box so my horse will have the best possible life.
THIS^^^^^^
Also the reason that I eat Ramen Noodles and yogurt everyday for lunch. Less than $1.50 so I can buy stuff for the horses and horse show!!! LOL! My father thinks I'm pathetic. Go figure. He's not a horse person either! |
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The Advice Guru
Posts: 6419
| I don't skimp on things for my horses,
But I do shop around for the best deal
I have found a used csi for 90.00
Where I ordered my crown c was 500 cheaper then any other place
Suppliments, I wait till the place has a sale ie exceed/Lubrysin, dewormer at horseloverz when they have their 20% off day.
Back on track the place I buy has a sale 4 times/yr where they are 15-20% off. The same place I will buy my first aid supplies, vet wrap, cotton batting, syringes, needles, magic cushin, some suppliments on this sale day ( everything min 15% off)
I am finding that certain things are substantially cheaper on amazon.
For leg protection, I found the best deals at the NFR, (ie iconoclast 75/pr) but when shopping there you must know the regular prices back home as some things are more money.
Point, if you are willing to shop around you don't have to skimp |
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I Need a Xanax!
Posts: 2774
| Murphy - 2015-01-30 6:46 AM
I have found, in almost every aspect in life, that buying anything cheap will cost you a fortune in the end.
I totally agree. You can pay $100 for some nice boots and have them to last several years or you can pay $50 for some cheap ones and have them last 6 months. You can pay $8 for some cheap grain, feed 10 lbs per day and still have your horses look terrible or you can pay $18 per bag for some good grain, only have to feed 4 lbs per day and have your horses looking fabulous. Same goes for cheap hay versus good hay. I feel like you will almost always spend MUCH more on the cheaper lower quality items than if you had just forked over the $$'s to buy the good stuff in the first place so it works out to be more cost efficient in the long run to buy the more expensive things. |
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 I Chore in Chucks
Posts: 2882
Location: MD | I skimp on things like brushes, soaps(unless they have a medical need for special shampoos), buckets, hay bags, blankets and know i have to replace them quickly. Things that are going to take some wear and tear anyways and they wont have a negative impact on my horses if they break or something.
I do also semi "skimp" on round bales... They get extremely good quality hay in their stalls so when they are outside on that round bale I will buy the meadow grass hay vs alfalfa/orchard grass(fancy pants round bales for double or triple the price.) The quality is still great, but I'm not spending an arm and a leg for a bale that will be exposed to the elements.
Things i wouldn't dream of skimping on..
Stall hay & feed
tack
Truck/trailer combo
ETA: anything I have to hire a professional to do.
All of these things are subject to price point. I could have afforded an older weekender trailer that was bigger with better features but less mechanically safe (bed, rear tack, etc) , or an older truck but bigger and cooler maybe with some mechanical issues. I decided to buy a new trailer that's a 2 horse BP with a small tack. but I KNEW my horses would be safe and cozy in this trailer. My truck? bought basically next to new. but it's basic on the inside, crank windows, manual locks, just a radio, no cd player/ipod hookup but it hauls my trailer perfectly with the right amount of power. I will spend less on something and look a little less "cool" but everything I buy my horses are subject to is always functioning and for their benefit. I would suffer so I can give them the best...
Edited by Crowned Image 2015-01-30 9:45 AM
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 Am I really the Weirdo?
Posts: 11181
Location: Kansas | Things I skimp on - Winter blankets
- Tack (must be functional and safe but I don't have any $500 tack sets)
- Grooming stuff
- Treat jar (currently using an old Maxum HA jar that has a broken lid - my brother rebuilt it by duck taping the pieces back together)
- My comfort on the road (drive a 1995 half ton gas pickup and pull a 1995 stock combo trailer)
- My food (hello DOLLAR MENU!!!! I also pack an ice chest all summer and redeem my credit card rewards for gift cards to nicer restaurants like Applebees & Olive Garden)
- I make my own polo wraps & buy bell boots only when they're on sale.
Things I don't skimp on: - Vet care
- Farrier work
- Supplements
- Feed (though I do buy it in bulk from the local co-op at a price of about $10-11 per bag for my low starch mix)
- Hay (I help Dad put our horse hay up every summer and then I pick through the barn every time I load any for the weekend, making sure I take the best bales I can find and leave the stemmier stuff for the sheep & goats)
- Feel good stuff for the horses - PHT Magnetics, Back on Track, Soft Rides
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I just read the headlines
Posts: 4483
| rodeowithjoker - 2015-01-30 9:29 AM
Things I skimp on - Winter blankets
- Tack (must be functional and safe but I don't have any $500 tack sets)
- Grooming stuff
- Treat jar (currently using an old Maxum HA jar that has a broken lid - my brother rebuilt it by duck taping the pieces back together)
- My comfort on the road (drive a 1995 half ton gas pickup and pull a 1995 stock combo trailer)
- My food (hello DOLLAR MENU!!!! I also pack an ice chest all summer and redeem my credit card rewards for gift cards to nicer restaurants like Applebees & Olive Garden)
- I make my own polo wraps & buy bell boots only when they're on sale.
Things I don't skimp on: - Vet care
- Farrier work
- Supplements
- Feed (though I do buy it in bulk from the local co-op at a price of about $10-11 per bag for my low starch mix)
- Hay (I help Dad put our horse hay up every summer and then I pick through the barn every time I load any for the weekend, making sure I take the best bales I can find and leave the stemmier stuff for the sheep & goats)
- Feel good stuff for the horses - PHT Magnetics, Back on Track, Soft Rides
^^This^^ |
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Expert
Posts: 2531
Location: WI | lol, this was a hard one. I think the only thing I skimp on when it comes to my horse (prly the reason I only have 1!) is giving my own vaccines. Oh, and I once ordered L&W knock off's instead of EW originals....
All my stuff lasts forever though! That's the nice thing about buying quality. |
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 Expert
Posts: 5293
| For me, HAY.....
I'm paying 28.00 a Square bale for quality alf/Orchard trucked in from Oregon. I figure a vet bill is way more expensive than quality hay. Bell boots are Bell boots. LOL Im not into Bling so I could care less about plain tack etc. Oh, the biggest thing. HORSES. If I buy horses I will pay more for quality. Dinks eat just as much as a good horse. |
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 Expert
Posts: 2128
| I do not have to have the super flashy tack or the latest greatest saddle. Sure, I would LOVE to own a fully decked out double J but I just dont "need" something like that. I have two saddles, both of which were gifts from family (one for my 12th birthday, 1 for my highschool graduation). I do think saddle fit is important and would purchase a used nicer brand saddle if I needed one to fit a certain horse. I dont pull a large LQ trailer. We have a 2 horse aluminim with front tack. It gets me where I need to go safely. I do however like to ensure my horse has good leg protection, a good supportive pad, good feet (farrier), and good nutrition (feed, hay, any suppliments needed) |
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Twin Sister to Queen Boobie
Posts: 13315
Location: East Tennessee but who knows?! | Interesting input!
Has anyone's spending habits changed with the number of horses you have? Do you feel like how many you own impacts how picky you are on certain things? |
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Expert
Posts: 1695
Location: Willows, CA | I always buy the best hay I can find, and as much of it as I can store when I do. This is number one for me since roughage should be the base of all equine nutrition. I never scrimp on management things like teeth floating, or vaccine. I don't cut corners on tack because I am 6' 7" and my saddles have always been custom made (Pedro Pedrini). Bill Black bosals and Blind Bob mecates. When it comes to horses, it costs just a much to start and train a dink as it does a great one. I try to be a savvy buyer when it comes to colts. |
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Red Bull Agressive
Posts: 5981
Location: North Dakota | I don't skimp on anything for my horse's safety and well being. Of course, I am a college student on a major budget, but I do the absolute best I can for him. I don't get my hair/nails done, I don't buy clothes often and when I do I they're from the clearance rack at Old Navy. He's going to get the best saddle and pad I can afford. Cinches, headstalls, etc. I don't worry about quite so much as long as they're safe.
I give him the best diet, vet, and farrier care I can afford. I also will invest in preventitives like wraps, therapy products, etc. I do try and find deals, sometimes buying used. |
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Location: Midwest | To me, less is more.
Instead of having 20 so-so saddle pads I have 6 5-stars
I buy quality. I could go on and on about what I skimp on and such. You get what you pay for. |
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I Chore in Chucks
Posts: 2882
Location: MD | Fairweather - 2015-01-30 1:50 PM
Interesting input!
Has anyone's spending habits changed with the number of horses you have? Do you feel like how many you own impacts how picky you are on certain things?
Totally impacts me! I start turning into a penny pincher. That's why I only have two horses! |
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The Resident Destroyer of Liberal Logic
Location: PNW | Fairweather - 2015-01-30 12:50 PM
Interesting input!
Has anyone's spending habits changed with the number of horses you have? Do you feel like how many you own impacts how picky you are on certain things?
I've sure changed my spending since adding children to the mix. I didn't use to skimp on anything for the horses OR myself... Now I don't skimp on the horses, but I skimp on myself. My kids have what they need, but I do NOT plan on spoiling them (much to my mother-in-law's irritation). Kid necessities are expensive though; so my checkbook goes: kids, horses, myself. And my husband is on his own. Lol |
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The Resident Destroyer of Liberal Logic
Location: PNW | Wanted to add: I 100% believe in quality over quantity. I have fewer, nicer things for the horses. A few nice pads, not 15. A Caldwell, instead of 5 cheap saddles. I look at horses and their accessories as investments and would rather get 10-15 years out of an expensive piece rather than replace $100 pieces every year or two. |
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 Oh excuse me!
Posts: 2473
Location: S. California Beach | I budget where I can - and need to. I dont have excessive equipment (well when I slowly filter it in and realize I am stock piling it I sell it), one or two pads/boots/etc. I do all the vet work that I can (shots/etc), my horses are very easy keepers so they just get simple pellets with god alfalfa/grass hay. I buy meds (pentosan, etc) on sale. |
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 Reaching for the stars....
Posts: 12708
| I won't skimp on almost anything. Quality costs. It also does its job, no matter what that particular job is.
I DO shop for price, and have gotten downright thrifty when it comes to bang-for-buck over the past two years. A year of unemployment made me relearn how to research for the best deals.
I also won't pay for just a name. Sometimes a big name product isn't any better than a lesser known name. Marketing costs a ton, and any products with slick adds in magazines passes those costs on to their products. Research your products!
Skimping to me means I'll do without until I can afford the right thing. I sold 9 horses in the past two years to make sure I could provide the best for the rest.
My latest change was swapping out the $800/ton Montana alfalfa supplemental hay (each horse was getting 5-6 lbs per day instead of grain) for a very nice 50/50 organic alfalfa/orchard mix at $325/ton (delivered). If this swap out works, I will save $200 per month on feed bill. I will know in another month or so if it works. If I have to increase their feed rate over 25# per day each, then it would be a wash. Hoping to stay around the 20# rate.
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 Veteran
Posts: 288
| I things I skimp on:
Generic wormer
Tack (not saddle)
I buy used name brand leg boots. Usually like new but people don't like the color or something
Winter blankets. If they are gonna shred them anyways, they don't need to shred a $150 one
I do not skimp on:
HAY!! I feed awesome barley hay and do not even have to grain my 22 yr old ottb! They all look amazing :) |
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 Total Germophobe
Posts: 6443
Location: Montana | For me, I don't skimp on the hay, as bad hay can cause way more problems and money spent than anything, IMO. I don't like to skimp on training, but I also realize there is a lot I can do myself, so I do it instead of hiring someone else to. If I can't do it myself, I hire someone.
I buy used when I can and you can buy a lot of good stuff used. That is one way where I save. I have one "fancy" tack set and the rest is plain. I may eventually buy another since I have 2 horses now, but I have enough tack for 2 so I probably won't for a while. With the exception of saddles, I don't ride brand name tack. The reason I ride brand name saddles is because they are better than cheap ones. I don't spend a lot of money on frivolous stuff and I don't have every color boot out there, and I won't buy a certain color if another color is on sale (unless it is purple, I don't care for purple). I save where and when I can, and keep a list of my expenditures to see what I can cut, and where I need to improve. It is terrible having to budget, but that is life...at least until I win the lottery, LOL.
Edited by mtcanchazer 2015-01-31 11:18 AM
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 Expert
Posts: 1482
Location: on my horse | Things I skimp on:
winter blankets on sale
make my own polos
buy bedding in bulk
wear my shoes until they hurt my arthritic joints or have holes that I can't tape up
household items
clothing (thrift store!)
I craigslist or bargain shop for ALL of my tack. I have been able to find barely used or clearance marked high end saddle pads including 5 star for less 100 bucks. They are usually ugly (think red and blue stars on a white background air ride pad) but nothing a navajo blanket won't cover.
Things I refuse to skimp on:
my own food (i do coupon though)
bits
horse boots
place I board at
amount of shavings
hay and other feed products
gas to and from the barn caring for my horse
*funny you should ask about splint boots... I experimented and bought a pair of the tough 1 splints last spring and they have held up surprisingly well, I would buy them again because I think the quality difference is fairly minimal. while they aren't as thick as professionals choice I don't get much dirt down them and I feel like i can get them on a little bit more snug.
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 331
Location: Loma Linda, CA | I think skimping can mean a lot of different things to some people.
I have a more inexpensive saddle - $500 corriente brand new and also my 'colt' saddle which is super comfy, broken in, that I bought for $100 on CL from someone getting out of horses.
My boots vary - I have a pair I got for $20 that still hold up well to my horses that I got when I was 13 or 14 with my allowance money. But I also have Classic Equine and Tough 1 boots.
My pad is a southwestern. I can't afford a 5 star, but I think SW go for the same price and I've never had any problems.
Vet care I do myself, but Im a tech so vaccines and drawing blood and stuff are things I do on a daily basis. I will have a real vet do X-rays and I do my yearly exam, coggins etc with them. And of course my babies get X-rays before I start them to make sure their knees are closed.
Bits vary from buying from various people over the internet, to statelinetack or other websites, same thing with tack sets. Most of my tack sets are $100. And I interchange them often. And I also have my plain tack sets for lessons, training etc that I don't care about if they get ruined.
I can't afford $2000 saddles, $300 pads or $500 tack sets.
My truck I bought used, but its dependable and has trailer brakes, my trailer is older, but completely redone with LED lights, new floor etc.
I'm a bargain shopper. I have much for little.
However, I don't skimp out on the food or grains or joint stuff or anything. I spend way too much on horse feed and supplements :P
Quality hay, yucca powder/devils claw, plus joint fluid with chondroitin, MSM, glucosamine & HA, grain is either senior feed for the old man or triple crown complete for my others, electrolytes, psyllium, F1 noni, etc.
Edited by Phxbarrel 2015-01-31 2:02 PM
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Spending the extra $$$