Well, as the month of May wraps up, so does our first full chapter of Thrifty Horsekeeping. We’re moving off of cost-saving health care advice into the world of horse shows and training– but that doesn’t mean the health chapter is complete. Leave some comments of your own thrifty practices for our reader suggestion chapter.

I think if I’ve learned anything from my equine health care research it’s that a lot of what we’re paying for is the luxury of someone else doing the work. It’s something I’ve always relied on, and life is certainly easier because of it, but my budget is shrinking. One of the thriftiest steps to take is to get your hands dirty doing more of the care and taking the time to educate yourself to do things properly. Review basic first aid and emergency care tips, and do yourself treatments such as wound care and deworming.

Stocking and utilizing your own first aid kit, particularly if you get several friends and boarders to pitch in a few items, is a suggestion I’ve heard over and over. If you think of all the things you may need in case of an equine injury or emergency, however, that “kit” can quickly evolve into a closet — a pricey one at that, especially if you opt for a prepackaged one available for purchase. What would you consider to be “musts” in a make-it-yourself first aid kit? A thermometer, sterile gauze, bandages, antibiotic ointment, rubbing alcohol, and a pair of household scissors, tweezers, and tape are certainly a good basic start. And a lot of essentials such as disposable gloves or air-tight containers can be picked up at a dollar store. Read the Health Care chapter of Thrifty Horsekeeping for more first aid tips. And if you missed out on the introductory chapter on managing equine expenses.

The first installment of the horse showing chapter will cover training and lesson costs, with advice from professionals and experts from several different riding disciplines