Pet Shop Haven

Surviving a recession is never easy, but when you have horses and ponies which completely rely on you for food, shelter and medical attention, every spare money left over helps.

It's tremendously sad that many horses and ponies are given up every single, as horse owners struggle to cope with the current economic climate, as a result there are currently many horses for sale.

Sara Tuppen founder of the Horse Refuge in Kent, knows all about looking after horses when money is scarce, having to rely purely on donations to keep more than 40 rescued horses in good condition. According to her there are many ways which could help make owning a horse on a tight budget a little easier:

1. Many horses can live quite happily outside for most of the year, providing there's nurishment, water and a place to shelter available. Providing this is a suitable option for your horse, it could reduce your stabling prices considerably.

2. Taking off shoes is an easy way to keep costs down. If only ridden occasionally, and not ridden on rough surfaces, a great deal of horses will be happy without shoes.

3. Loaning your horse is a fantastic way to severely reduce costs, and provides a cheaper introduction to horse riding for someone else.

4. In many cases it is possible to receive free stabling and occasionally hay and bedding in return for chores. Mucking out, grooming the horses, maintenance etc. are all jobs which could save you money for a little work!

5. Visits to the vets are an unknown factor but still have to be considered. If money's a little tight, you may sometimes discover a lot of Vets will allow you to pay in instalments.

6. Many people can make lifestyle adaptations! It's not all about finding ways to keep your horse for less, see if you can do it for yourself!

7. Wherever possible, horse owners can often club together to buy feed and bedding in bigger numbers, reducing the entire cost and passing on savings to all.

8. Finally, you can look into getting your horse a foster home, even as a family friend.

If you're in a position to loan, or even buy a horse or pony, there are still many horses for sale and ponies for sale available.

When looking for horses for sale, there are a few factors which are worth considering to make the buying process run smoothly, and to make sure you end up with your desired horse.

• No horse is perfect – just make sure that the one you buy has niggles that you can live with and that won’t affect your enjoyment.
• Bring an experienced rider along, someone who is aware of your capabilities and strengths. Ideally take someone experienced who is able to spot whether the horse is lame or any illnesses. Or even your instructor who can tell if the selected horse is suitable for your style of riding – your level of skill and confidence.
• Always check the horse’s papers and passport.  Remember the passport is not proof that the horse is owned by the seller so ask if there is a receipt to prove purchase. It is unlwful to buy or sell a horse that don't have a passport.
• Find out if all vaccinations are up to date. A new course of innoculations can cost a lot of money and can take months to come into effect if you wish to compete.  It will not go down well if you move a horse to another horse if it brings illness along as well.
• Once a decision is made, ask a qualified vet to carry out the highest inspection that you can buy. Don't rush or be pressured into purchasing if you feel you need the horse examined by your vet.
• Try to watch the horse or pony carrying out the trials you would like it to do. Retraining a horse adds considerably to the total cost if you are unable to do this on your own.
• Try to negotiate a trial period during which the horse can be sent back if it is not suitable.
• Always be realistic when looking to buy a young horse, do you have the necessary experience to bring it on. At the other end of the scale a more mature horse may just have the stability and experience to give you confidence and help you learn you the ropes.
• Don’t feel you have to buy the first one you see and don’t be pursuaded by the many other people just waiting to buy the horse if you don’t – more than likely this is just a ploy to rush you to make an impulse buy. Take your time when buying a horse.
• As soon as the sale is completed take out insurance on the horse before you consider transporting it.  The majority of injuries happen in transit or settling a new horse into a new yard with new companions.
• Trust your instinct – if you believe the seller is concealing something from you then they probably will be.
• Remember that your horse is a huge investment of both your time and your money – so make sure you have considered a budget for every future expense that you are likely to encounter.

Finally, have fun with your new horse and enjoy many hours horse riding together! Click here to find horses for sale online!