Credit crunch hits riders

The Horse and Hound magazine recently surveyed its readers to see how the credit crunch is affecting their equine activities. Their findings indicate that horse owners are feeling the pinch and cutting back their spending on their horses.

88 per cent of those that responded said they were concerned about the credit crunch. 65 per cent are booking fewer lessons and 43 per cent are entering cheaper shows and events.

The price of fuel was of particular concern – twenty five per cent of those that took part in the survey are no longer running their lorries. But although 42 per cent of respondents reported that livery costs had gone up in the last year, the survey showed that selling was a last resort. One respondent wrote: ‘I’m spending less on non-horsey things. My horses are my priority’.

Other reader comments included:
‘I'm buying less expensive feed, spending less on training, turning the horses out for longer and doing my own fencing and paddock maintenance. It's not so bad when you get going!’
‘Riders at my yard are grouping together when attending shows so that we can all share transportation and the fuel costs involved.’
‘I've had to move my horse on to DIY from part-livery. All of us at the yard on DIY are trying to collate our feed and bedding orders to take advantage of bulk-buying discounts.’

24/06/2008 15:06:26