Thrifty Horse Keeping

Blanket Repair Tips

2010-02-11T16:00:00Z

Because horse blankets aren’t cheap, knowing how to effectively repair them can save you hundreds of dollars. If you’re on the road or trail and need a quick, immediate fix for a blanket tear, try one of the following:
-      For small tears to Polyester blankets, use a cigarette lighter to melt small holes and frays. But be sure to use common sense and take the blanket OFF your horse before attempting.
-      Duct Tape! It will hold a torn blanket together until you are able to better repair it.
-      For larger tears and holes, use an iron-on or denim patch (available at discount department stores).

Some basic instructions for blanket repairs:
-      Clean the blanket first and make sure it’s completely dry before starting repairs.
-      Assess the damage to find out if the tear is superficial or if it involves the inner lining or filling.
-      Use an iron-on patch as the cheapest, easiest method for repair to the outer layer of a blanket or sheet. Trim it to fit, apply iron heat to the patch, and wait until it’s completely cool to move the blanket.
-      For larger tears or for ones that go through multiple layers of the blanket, sewing is your best bet. Use basic sewing strokes and sew from the underside of the blanket. Make it tight, but don’t allow the material to bunch up.
-      Your local tack or feed shop should be able to provide you with replacement buckles, hooks, or straps.
-      If the damage is severe, particularly with waterproof blankets, it may still be more cost-efficient to hire a professional seamstress than to spend another hundred dollars or so on a new blanket.

Below is an excerpt on blanket care and repair from Thrifty Horsekeeping's "Tack and Supplies" chapter:

“Clean your horse’s blankets and coolers each winter and at the end of the season before packing and storing them up for the rest of the year. This will prevent dirt and hair from getting ground into the material, and will prolong the blankets’ lifespan. If possible, save money by not sending them to the dry cleaners, but cleaning them yourself while following the manufacturers’ instructions. Cleaning blankets is often as simple as using a water hose, a stiff brush, inexpensive livestock shampoo, and, of course, some elbow grease. But depending on the material, many coolers and sheets can be machine washed. Polarfleece can easily be tossed in the washer and dryer, while cotton and wool goods should be washed in cold water and hung out to dry. If you put them in the dryer, they will quickly become pony-sized!
When possible, try to repair rather than replace torn blankets, as many can be hand-sewn. The moment a blanket gets a small tear, repair it before it gets bigger. If you’re not handy with a needle and thread, try easy and durable iron-on jean patches. They may not look as pretty, but they’re saving you money. Suitability Equestrian Patterns offers a wide variety of patterns for making (or repairing) your own sheets, blankets, pads, and even equestrian clothing, at www.Suitability.com.
Another thing to keep in mind are the surcingles on sheets and blankets that can become unbuckled after a good roll or romp in the pasture. If your horse steps on a dangling strap, not only will he tear the blanket but potentially injure himself. One cheap way to prevent surcingles from coming undone is to purchase rubber bands similar to donut farm animal castration bands. Stretch a band over the top of the “T” of the buckle and rest it around the neck so that the surcingle will not be able to jiggle loose.”

Winter Woes

2010-01-13T15:54:00Z

Horse owners around the country are getting hit hard by winter weather. Even the Alpha Mare is dealing with arctic temps and frozen pipes!

There are several freeze-proof water buckets available and various styles of stock tank heaters, but a ball waterer is often enough to break up any ice when the horse goes to drink. While cost-efficient, this method may not be equally as efficient at preventing frozen buckets and tanks. Your thoughts? Read more on Waterers that Work in Winter.

Heated buckets and automatic waterers will do little good, however, if your pipes burst and you’re having to haul water all day. Some tips for avoiding frozen and burst pipes:
-      Let faucets drip overnight and open cabinet doors to allow heat in around pipes.
-      Insulate pipes, particularly in vulnerable or exposed areas, with a pipe sleeve, heat tape, or heat cables.
-      Seal leaks that allow cold air in near wiring, vents, and pipes.
-      Disconnect garden hoses. If necessary, use an indoor valve to shut off and drain water from pipes leading to outside faucets.

Listed are a few more low-cost ways to get by in the winter. Share your own in the comments box below!
-      Use a large sled or toboggan for hauling hay and supplies across snow and ice
-      Keep an eye out for old carpets being thrown out or lining the roadside on trash day. They can make great bridges (if used with caution) for getting a horse across an icy area or can be cut up and used if your truck or trailer get stuck in mud or ice. If you live in an industrial area, find out if any industrial belting is available from companies.
-      If you need a quick solution for a horse without pads or traction on icy ground there are a number of things to try: Pam cooking oil, Vaseline, Crisco… See what you can find around the house.
-      Save money, let your horse go barefoot during winter months, and ask your farrier if trimming intervals can be extended slightly.
-      Don’t necessarily close horses up in the barn with poor ventilation when it’s cold. Horses do quite well turned out in a pasture with a roomy, three-sided shed. Plus this saves on maintenance and shavings.

Check out The Horse’s online winter care section for more advice.

Holiday Treats and Deals

2009-12-04T14:24:00Z

If you're like me you have plenty of holiday shopping left to do. In fact, the only "gift" I've purchased were some horse supplies for myself. I've made a few discoveries though - from coupons to recipes to reading material - and thought I'd share:

Tractor Supply Co.'s Web site is currently offering free online shipping and $5 coupons toward in-store purchases. Get 15% off entire online equine category through Dec. 23 by entering promo code HORSE15. And through Dec. 31, get 15% off online orders over $100 by entering promo code DECDEAL.
If you live near one of these recently opened locations you can get 10% off your first in-store purchase.

Through Dec. 27 Dover Saddlery is offering a “Cash for Clunkers” saddle trade-in credit. Read more about it here: Cash for Clunkers

Check out this ever-changing list of printable horse care coupons from Farnam.

The Chronicle of the Horse has a fun horse treat recipe with step-by-step photos on their Web site.

I just finished reading Tamsin Pickeral’s book Budget Horse & Pony Care (visit her Web site) and it has a lot of great recipes, ideas, and how-to’s for the horse owner.

Share with us what recipes, coupons, and deals you’ve discovered in the comment box below!

From Blog to Book

2009-11-16T15:22:00Z

As many of you may be aware, the “chapters” that have been offered monthly for download are part of a larger project to put together a cost-saving book for horse owners. There have been a ton of chapter downloads and great suggestions from readers, so it looks like there really will be a physical Thrifty Horsekeeping book coming out early spring 2010!

Feel free to continue downloading excerpts and offering your suggestions and advice while we work on perfecting the chapters. The final chapter of the book will be full of reader suggestions chosen from your comments on the blog pages over the past months. I should be in touch via email with the authors of the comments we decide to publish.

Thanks for making Thrifty Horsekeeping a success, and keep checking back from time to time as I post money-saving tips, coupons, and deals I come across.

Selling and Sharing

2009-11-04T15:51:00Z

A slow economy equates to a buyer’s market for those looking to purchase a horse. For the seller, however, trying to downsize your herd or reduce expenses is going to be tough. The bottom line is that now buyers and sellers are going to have to get a lot more creative and go some less-conventional routes to make ends meet.

Some advice for current horse owners either trying to sell or downsize:

- Post flyers or use free online advertising sites to increase your horse’s exposure at no cost. Make it easy for potential buyers to view your horse by posting photographs and video footage on Web sites such as YouTube.com.

- The most saleable horse is a rideable one - a horse is going to sell a lot faster and for more money if it's a proven riding horse and up-to-date on training, vaccinations, etc. Check out a "How To" video on selling your horse to a good home.

- Consider splitting labor and maintenance costs by offering a part-lease on your horse in exchange for riding privileges.

- Lease your horse out or loan him to a riding school to temporarily reduce the financial burden while still retaining ownership and having your horse in work.

- Consider purchasing or adopting a young horse or weaned foal to experience raising and training a foal rather than adding to the current overpopulation of horses by breeding your own.

How have you made ends meet without giving up your horse altogether? What are some strategies you use to get a horse sold? Although this is the final chapter download (check out the complete Buying and Owning a Horse chapter here) of Thrifty Horsekeeping, I will continue to collect reader suggestions on all topics as I revise the chapters, and as I come across more money-saving deals and advice I will post those here.