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Bonnie Anderson, author of Horse Tales & Tips
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Reader's Comments
"I have a notebook of the tips from your site and I love them... Bonnie Anderson has been wonderful. All the tips I tried of hers worked the first time. I am now in the riding stage and my horse is awesome. Thank you all very much and keep the training tips coming!!!!!!"
Karen Gossard
Fayetteville, NC
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Visit Bonnie's Website
About the Author
Bonnie Anderson has a two year degree in Horse Science, has worked at two
horse training/breeding facilities, and has had numerous articles
published while raising and training her own horses. She owned a saddle
shop for a few years and now has a book published called Horse Tales &
Tips. She is also a life time member of the Pony Express Riders of Iowa.
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Horse Tales & Tips
by Bonnie Anderson
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Lets face it, horses are expensive. Just check this list out:
- Pre-exam fee: $100
- Purchase price: $1000 to $5000 average horse
- Insurance: $400 per yr. average
- Tack: $500 plus
- Boarding fees: $100 to $400 average per month
- Feed, water, maintenance: $100 per month
- Yearly vet cost: $200 and up
All horse owners could use money saving tips, so here are a few that may help.
Shop around when it comes to insurance for the best rates. Ask other horse owners which company they use. When it comes to tack and equipment, buying used is sometimes a good idea. Look for well maintained items of good quality and be sure to barter for the best price.
Keep your horse healthy with preventative measures like a good vaccination and worming program. And when buying a new horse, have a pre-exam done to save possible heartaches later on. You will have to cover the cost of the exam, but it may turn up problems you cant possibly see with the naked eye.
If you don't want the cost of purchasing a horse, try putting up a notice at local stable/feed stores that you are willing to adopt an older riding horse in exchange for a good home. People who don't have a need for an older horse, but are afraid of selling it at auction in case it goes to slaughter, may be willing to give it away. An older horse may have years of good riding left.
You can also try leasing, or buying a horse on payments. Just make sure you have something in writing if you go this route. Once you have your own horse, you can cut boarding prices by trying to do as much of the feeding, exercising, and stall cleaning yourself if possible. Some stables may take your horse's board in on trade, if you agree to do other horse chores around the barn. For instance, the weekend feeding when the regular help is off, or stall cleaning and exercising other boarded horses. Ask around at the local stables to see what the other horse owners have worked out, if anything.
By making a good habit of keeping an eye out for horse related bargains, you can save yourself some money. Saving money may also get us that second or third horse we always wanted to buy!
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Pony Express Riders of Iowa:
Each spring the Pony Express Riders of Iowa saddle up for a special
occasion. From across Iowa they gather together the local donations from horseback. Then in an old fashioned Pony Express ride, they ride from all corners of the state to converge on Camp Sunnyside, a camp for the disabled near Des Moines. The donations are used to help run the camp. Watching the combined horsemen ride the final miles to the camp brings a lump to ones throat for the Pony Express Riders freely give their time and effort for such a worthy cause. For more information about them contact the Easter Seal Society of Iowa.
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