Comments on: The Frugal Horseman

By: A David Among Goliaths: Part 2 – America’s Horse Daily

A David Among Goliaths: Part 2 – America’s Horse Daily — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 22:00:29 +0000

[...] get something from knowing you did it all yourself,” she says. “I am definitely an overachiever. It’s a constant challenge to me, and I love [...]

By: Toby Hanahan

Toby Hanahan — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 16:41:01 +0000

There is a difference between frugal and cheap. There is also a difference between being an active participant and one who gets on at the rail. For my money I do not mind spending some cash at the show if I have saved some by working with my own horse and getting advise from trainers when I need it. Working from a trailer is fine but in many cases the horse will not relax. A decent stall allows the animal to forget the hectic activities and be ready for the next class.

By: Lisa Baker

Lisa Baker — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 00:31:26 +0000

Make a plan at the beginning of the season how you can show and haul up and down the road within 100 miles of home to get the points you want. Never get a stall or hotel. Haul home every night. Diesel is down to two dollars now, and if you’re that close to home your time is worth less than your money. Plus, your horse will relax better in his own stall. Take a bale of shavings with you and either bed the trailer so he/she can go in there to urinate and rest, or else sprinkle part of it on the ground where he/she is tied to the trailer all day. Take your lunch, buy nothing to eat or drink at the show. Pack your cooler and make your lunch and snacks the night before. Haul with a careful plan as to what shows will give you the most points for your buck. If you are thinking about a new trailer and you need to haul farther, get a large tackroom with the door on the street side so you have the long wall available. Hook it up with electric and a clothes rack and shelving, and plan to sleep in it. But don’t pay for an LQ, you can stay overnight at fairgrounds which have showers. You don’t need a hotel room, you can buy a coffee pot and a portable toilet at WalMart, and again, you can pack enough in your cooler to eat for at least two days. If you’re in a hot climate, get dry ice, it will last. It’s called “frugal.”