Gas Prices Force Locals Onto Horses

[Lady Effingbroke]

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Gas prices continue to stay high, and now a lot of people are turning to different options to get around.

In Rexburg, a few cowboys explored the possibilities on Saturday.

The signs suggest burning hay, not fuel, and these cowboys are all for it! Horsemen and women joined forces, hopped on their horses, and showed off their alternative modes of getting around.

"A lot cheaper than gas. They burn hay, they don't burn gas," responds Dean Jacobson.
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LINK

[JackintheGreen]

1. A cost breakdown would be interesting

Hay may be cheaper, but what about daily food costs? Anyone?

[Coyote_Bandit]

2. They can get by just fine

with pond water and grass from pasturland. It is not necessary to grain feed horses.

[CottonBear]

4. Coastal bermuda hay is about $2.75 a bale. My horse eats four flakes daily

which is 1/3 of a bale. She also eats two quarts of oats and 2 cups of Grow'n'Win daily. The grain and feed is about $2/day.

Easy keepers (those who keep weight on easily) can get by on water, salt, GOOD pasture and hay (some of us feed hay all year 'round and others only feed in winter.)

Thoroughbreds and Warmbloods are not usually easy keepers.

Draft horses and quarter horses and paints tend to be easier keepers. Every horse, however, is unique.

Trimming and shoeing (about $45 every 4-6 weeks is required for horses who walk on pavement or rough surfaces.) Trimming alone is about $20-$25.

Worming is about $5 every 8 weeks.

Vaccinations and other routine preventative care and a yearly checkup/vet visit could run about $200-$300 per year.

Of course, board and hauling costs are extra. Any emergencies are extra (tubing for colic or suturing cuts or chiropractic and physical therapy for musculo-skeletal injuries. Equine mortality and major medical insurance is an extra cost which is advisable for those with expensive horses or those whp could not afford a major medical emergency. (Colic surgery is a t least $5,000.)

[LiberalFighter]

7. Would love to see the tubing for colic demonstrated on bush

[NashVegas]

6. Don't Forget the Time Factor

Of getting the goods to market.

[izzie]

3. I read once that the cars of to day go as fast as horses of yesterday

in mid-town NYC.

[Harper_is_Bush]

5. I would sympathize....if we weren't paying $4+/g in Canada. n/t