Are The Rescuers Surviving

[Elaine]

With the cost of everything going up, are you caring rescuers surviving?
I paid almost $600.00 for the last two tons of hay that I bought and it's so bad the horses are eating very little of it and I've had to go to feeding them alfalfa pellets and grain.
How are you all doing with the current conditions?

[LorsaDoon]

The cost of hay and grain and gas, has certainly taken a toll on everyone. Those of us with alot of horses are really feeling it. If someone had told me 5 years ago I would be paying $300 for a ton of hay and $4 for a gallon of gas, I would of said they were nuts. Last year at this time the local hay was about ready to be harvested. This year with all the rain, it is going to be very late. And with the cost of deisel even more than gas, the price of the local hay will be alot more than last year.

I am sorry you got bad hay, I always personally check the hay before I buy it. Even now when I am out of my local hay and having to buy it from a feed store.

I try to sock in as much local hay as possible and feed that during the summer. We built a hay shed last year just for storing hay. I supplement heavily with beet pulp and alfalfa/orchard grass hay cubes and grain and oats in the winter. All my horses looked great this year coming out of winter, even my one who is harder to keep weight on during the winter. I think I finally found the right combo to keep everyone fat and sassy. If you feed beet pulp and hay cubes, make sure to soak it until it expands before you feed it.

Now that more of my paycheck goes to horse feed, we just trim off unnecessary expenses. No cell phone for one. I got along for all these years without one, I am sure we will survive, much to my daughters dismay.

[busted]

I am so greatful I have found a full care barn that I trust with my horses and is one of the cheapest around in Kent. I only have to pay for the shoer to come out and trim my guys, the board pays for the rest. Whatever hay, grain, supplements I want and she gives them their shots and worms them for me at no extra cost. But I am already feeling the pinch on paying $460 in board for both my horses and all the extra in gas to go see them a few times a week. I have cut down my barn trips to maybe once a week so I can afford to pay bills. I have tossed around the idea of moving the horses closer to home and doing self care but then I see the cost of hay and grain at feed stores and I think twice. I am still looking around for a pasture to board until we move to a place with property and a barn for me and my ponies. I do miss taking care of my horses and having to go out there twice a day to feed and clean, but right now full care is the cheapest and easiest way to go for me. There are a few places around Auburn/Enumclaw area that sell hay for not so bad of a price but you have to make sure your not getting cow hay. I used to get my orchard grass from a dairy farm that sold both cow hay and horse hay, I paid $11 for orchard. It was nice and pretty, but I am sure his prices have gone up a bit. I am so happy I only have 2 horses to worry about, I dont know how the rest of you who have 3 or more do it and keep yourself fed. Time to buy myself a lotto ticket and win it big eh??