Trainers know that horse training requires many repetitions: once is luck, twice an accident and three is the beginning of something new.
No matter whether you are just starting out or already have an established horse, it is essential that you stay aware of expenses. Here are a few strategies to help reduce costs:
1. Take Lessons
If you want to learn to ride safely and well, taking lessons is one of the most essential expenses in horse training if possible.
Once you are ready to begin, seek an instructor with an outstanding reputation. Newcomers often struggle with learning the fundamentals; therefore, an effective teacher will tailor lessons according to individual students’ abilities.
An experienced instructor should make it a point to expose students to various disciplines, thus helping them avoid prejudicial assumptions about horses and become less dependent on any one technique or trainer. You’ll even gain some new tricks that make riding even more fun! For instance, learn some simple jumping exercises; give dressage movements a try; experience 2-point dressage moves until they become familiar; decide if these areas of riding interest you; pursue them further!
2. Buy a Used Saddle
Saddle purchases can be one of the more costly aspects of owning a horse. But with careful shopping and patience you may be able to purchase one for much less.
Prior to purchasing from any seller, verify their reputation. Do they accept payment through PayPal or another system which ensures confirmed payments and provides dispute resolution should there be any issues?
Next is to consider the size of the saddle tree (Figure 4). This internal frame supports and distributes weight across a horse’s back. Many sellers don’t understand how to accurately assess a saddle’s size, and will often estimate based on what looks good based on measurements like width between withers or across the gullet or by saying their horse has narrow withers or some similar factor.
Buyers should personally examine and understand how this measurement is made; it’s a complex process requiring experience.
3. Buy a Used Riding Helmet
Horse owners should prioritize reducing expenses that are non-essential to keeping their horse healthy and comfortable. To do this, identify needs from wants. In general, horses require access to ample feed, water, shelter and regular vet, farrier and dentist care – anything above this basic expense would be considered an extravagance.
As part of your horse training journey, setting yourself a specific end goal will keep you on the right path and can speed up and reduce costs associated with training your animal.
A clicker is an effective and cost-efficient tool for training your horse, or alternatively you could use your voice. By teaching your horse how to link its actions or behaviors with rewards – known as operant conditioning – this method saves both money and time by eliminating trainers altogether.
4. Get a Free Riding Lesson
Training horses is an enviable business if done in an efficient and marketable fashion. Start by prioritizing projects that can be quickly completed while having high marketability down the line – such as horses with low purchase prices and limited experience (or poor photos).
Attention must also be paid to how horses act during training sessions, since being stressed or not being able to exhibit normal behaviors could make learning harder for them and potentially create negative associations with it. Make sure all basic needs have been fulfilled and ample space has been made available before beginning your session.
Assess consumable products like hoof supplements and fly spray to make sure they are effective yet cost-effective. You can reduce veterinary and farrier expenses by participating in fewer lessons or competitions or purchasing hardy breeds that require minimal inputs for maintenance – helping you manage your budget without compromising the health and welfare of horses you train.
