by Kristin A. Hauch

Owning a horse is an incredibly rewarding experience, but it also means you'll be reaching into your wallet frequently... for boarding... tack... feed... veterinary care and so much more. While the rewards of horse ownership are well worth it, there are many creative ways you can make your dollars go further and reaching into your wallet will be a little less painful.

"Our brand new facility and covered arena makes this the ideal opportunity for any horse owner looking to save on their expenses without giving up the comforts of a five-star stable," explains Lissa Corcoran, owner of Fruition Farm.

For more information and availability, please visit www.fruitionfarm.com.

Stop scrounging the internet looking for the perfect new horse and start looking at your local horse rescue organization. Due to current economics, many families are cutting back on expenses and are forced to donate their quality, sound horses to non-profit rescue organizations for a tax-deduction. Flying Change Equine Therapy, located in Atlanta, Georgia, matches quality, donated horses with new owners for a sale price of just $1.00.

For more information, please visit www.flyingchange.org.

Regular health maintenance can really help keep costs down in the long run. By worming your horse and having their teeth checked regularly, you will be able to maintain a healthy weight with the appropriate amount of feed required. Horses that carry large parasite loads tend to require more feed and are more prone to colic. Likewise, horses with troublesome teeth tend to digest less - making it more expensive to keep them at a healthy weight.

Enroll in the Prevent-a-Care program with your vet. The program, offered by Pfizer Animal Health, requires you to follow a basic health routine including an annual physical exam, dental exam, and immunizations. In addition, you will need to administer a daily wormer and a bi-annual ivermectin paste. Should your horse colic and need surgery, Pfizer will reimburse the operating surgeon for surgical costs and three days of aftercare, to a maximum of $5,000.

For more information, visit www.equinepreventicare.com.

barn and surrounding stables. This will take some upfront legwork and organization, but bear in mind the goal - don't let any trailer pull out of the farm half-empty! In addition, you can work with your trainer, or nearby trainers, to trade your show entry fees in exchange for trailering their client's horses to horse shows.

If you are going out of town for vacation, why not send your horse to camp, too? Many stables are swamped with kids during the summer months and end up juggling the same horses for both lessons and camps. If there is a stable near you offering a summer camp, offer to lease your horse or pony to them for the week. That way, there will be less strain on their lesson horses and more cash in your pocket. Just be sure it is an establishment that you know and trust with the care of your horse.

Some low-cost horsey items can be found hidden in local grocery stores and tool shops. For example, instead of buying leather polish, use a drop of olive oil to shine your boots, saddle, and bridle. Instead of purchasing a costly measuring wheel, which will run about $100 at specialty event stores, look online at www.Freight Harbor.com to find a similar product that costs about $10.

For more cost-saving ideas, visit your local hardware store and look online for instructions to create your own cross-ties, rope halters, and more!

ideas you are sure to stretch your horse dollars and make them go further. Do they have you thinking about other great ways you can save money? If so, be sure to share them with your stable, fellow horse owners, and friends and you'll find owning a horse can be more rewarding than you ever thought.