Horse ownership in a recession/depression

[aBayDay]

PLEASE no politics—just a practical thought exercise.

I hope this doesn’t come across as overly paranoid or doomsday-ish, but I’ve been thinking lately about how I might prepare for a significant economic downturn—and how that might impact my horses. I’m curious if anyone else has considered this kind of scenario and what steps, if any, you’re taking to prepare.

A few things I’ve been wondering about:

• Would it be wise to stock up on prescriptions or commonly used meds for my horses while they’re still affordable and accessible?
• In a situation where hay becomes unaffordable or unavailable, are there ways to prepare in advance? I’m fortunate to have an easy keeper and access to decent grazing, but would it make sense to stockpile hay pellets, grain, or vitamin/mineral supplements?
• What if my current boarding facility became unaffordable or had to shut down—do any of you have a backup plan, or thought about alternative arrangements?

I know this is a bit of a “what if” scenario, but I think it’s worth discussing from a preparedness perspective. Again, please keep this non-political—just sharing ideas and learning from one another.

[ClassyJumper]

I think hoarding meds/feed is prepper behavior and unnecessary. I would however put a little more money in your rainy day fund for any increase in expenses or employment interruptions.

[Ajierene]

• Would it be wise to stock up on prescriptions or commonly used meds for my horses while they’re still affordable and accessible? - Are you worried about these things becoming unaffordable or unavailable? What is their shelf life?

• In a situation where hay becomes unaffordable or unavailable, are there ways to prepare in advance? I’m fortunate to have an easy keeper and access to decent grazing, but would it make sense to stockpile hay pellets, grain, or vitamin/mineral supplements? - How much storage do you have? What’s the shelf life of the product?

• What if my current boarding facility became unaffordable or had to shut down—do any of you have a backup plan, or thought about alternative arrangements? - A back up plan is always a good idea. I keep my horse with a friend at no monetary cost so I am not worried about this but I before I first moved her there, it was a concern.

Personally, in part due to how and where I keep my horse I am not worried about any of the above. As far as medications go, if you want to stock pile for any reason (economic, natural disaster, etc), just make sure you keep track of and rotate your stock so you aren’t using expired medications.

For hay, not sure…I don’t foresee hay becoming unaffordable, maybe unavailable if local farmers end up selling out and moving. But then, I don’t think the price of commercial products will skyrocket unless something like the price of gas does and even after Katrina, when there was a huge surge, it didn’t make hay and feed prices go out of bounds.

We all have our own level of risk, though, I feel like I am more willing to take on risk than many others so do with this as you want.

[Simkie]

What’s tough about stock piling is all those things you mention go bad.

If you’re talking about buying a few months of grain, instead of a few weeks, or asking your vet for a whole bottle of SMZs instead of just a single treatment course…maybe that’s reasonable and enables some ability to withstand a little market volatility.

But doing something like laying in a whole year of grain, or a few years of meds could be really tough to find value in. Especially boarding, since appropriate storage space would be important.

A healthy rainy day fund and wiggle room in the budget in general to absorb cost increase could be smart.

[NaturallyHappy]

@Simkie

What’s tough about stock piling is all those things you mention go bad.

Agreed. I do appreciate OP’s concerns and have those, as well.

[sherian]

like others say meds and hard feeds will expire so they are not something I would stock up massively on. I keep my horses at home and am eyeing the possibility of a serious recession too. I do in general try to review my horse management regularly for cost savings ie I did cut my hay budget about 40% a few years ago when we had a severe hay shortage with changing a few things, always good to do some price comparison for things like bedding and grain - brand, buying by the skid etc. I do try to plan ahead for items like blankets and buy in the off season when they are on sale. More specifically with the uncertainly now I haven’t bought a new horse to fill my empty stall and I have held off on buying any memberships until I decide whether or not I will be competing (gas prices are horrible here to add insult to injury)

[moonlitoaksranch]

Honestly, if the Prescend supply is cut off a lot of us will be putting our Cushings horses down. Our rescue mare is kept laminitis free on peroglide. If I can’t get it, I won’t let her deteriorate. It’s that simple.

[GraceLikeRain]

I see a lot of logic in general to staying about a month ahead of any ongoing prescription needed for maintaining quality of life and a good stock of basic medical supplies and a back up care plan. For my companion animals I try to keep an extra bag of food on hand always.

Downturned economy concerns me less than potential disruption in supply chains which wouldn’t be permanent but could create delays.

If the country hit a point where there was a long term complete disruption of basic resources needed to care for any of my animals I’d choose euthanasia. A shortage of euthanasia medication probably scares me more than anything if life totally hit the fan.

[ReSomething]

I dont have a horse anymore, but when I did yes,euth was an option for the old guy, and I actually rehomed the ones I had as I was at the time newly disabled and living on my leave until my early SS kicked in. If they’d had more skills, a show record they’d have been sold.
I think it depends on just how much you have banked, how your employment is going and whether you can live within those parameters.

Another thing to do is sell the late model car and get a beater and if you have property rent out the primary residence and live low key in a camper in the back (I knew someone that did that, built a non conforming structure using scrounged items, worked ok)

[NaturallyHappy]

@GraceLikeRain

I see a lot of logic in general to staying about a month ahead of any ongoing prescription needed for maintaining quality of life and a good stock of basic medical supplies and a back up care plan

I started doing this during Covid.

[B_and_B]

Your best stockpile for horses is the rainy day fund in your bank account. Your best back up for where your horse lives is being aware of other possible locations. For a long time I was building a healthy rainy day fund than I had to take a nasty paycut, had some unexpected non-horse bills, and had to use some of that fund. None of that was planned. I am still digging back out of that hole. But, the hole didn’t put me in debt to anyone but myself. I do also try to have a month of supplements and feed on hand, but I’ve tried to have that for years. Life can get in the way, supply chains can be weird, getting to the store can be difficult for whatever reason. Not having to get feed Today or even This Week is a lot more relaxing.

[Texarkana]

Quite frankly, if prices of meds like prascend became so high that it becomes a hardship, my horses will do without. I’m not talking gross neglect of skipping things like core vaccines or life-saving antibiotics… but something like prascend or adequan? There are lifestyle/management options you can employ to maintain a decent quality of life without the medication for most horses. And if they truly cannot be maintained without, euthanasia seems like the kindest option.

Things got dicey for some horse owners in 2008-2009. Allegedly feral horses became a problem in some parts of the country because people in financial duress were just turning them loose. I was able to maintain my horses (barely making more than minimum wage at the time). Hopefully I will be able to do so again if it gets that bad.

[ThreeWishes]

Trying to keep this thread open. As gingerly as I can…. I sincerely think you can’t stock things like feed stuffs. BUT There has been some noise about pharma tariffs. So I did stock up on banamine and bute and Uniprim.

[aBayDay]

Thanks for the thoughtful responses so far.

I’m not saying it’s practical or necessary, but I wonder if certain grains could be preserved in the large mylar bags that preppers use to store rice, beans, flour, etc… for years. I could see hard dry pellets doing well for a couple of years at least in those. Of course that is a lot of time, money and space for feed bags, but I think it could be possible.

Yes, the pharma tarrifs are what made me start thinking about getting some extra banamine, ace, equioxx and the like, but I’m not sure my vet would even prescribe enough to make it worthwhile.

My area has a very HCOL, and I do wonder how long my current board situation will stay viable. With a couple of acres at home (but in a very unhorsey neighborhood), I’ve contemplated the practicality of setting up some electric fence to house my horse if SHTF.

[Scribbler]

There are multiple aspects to economic turmoil

One is, you yourself lose income whether that’s salary cuts or job loss or investment income declines or government benefits cut or eliminated. That’s what many Americans experienced in 2008.

Another possibility is supply chain disruption which we all experienced in COVID.

Another possibility is inflation, which can go along with recession in stagflation like in the 1970s, or be connected to tariffs or actual war. But usually inflation is connected to a growing and prosperous economy.

I would say that if the general situation deteriorates enough that you can’t get Peroglide, there are also going to be a lot of drugs for humans that you can’t get and general panic about that. If you can’t buy a bag of horse oats, there are going to also be massive food shortages in human pantry staples, the bag of things called “groceries.”

[oldernewbie]

I am making sure that all routine vet visits (immunizations, Coggins, teeth) are done soon.

I already got in touch with the good old boy that makes hay for me to make sure we are on his list to make hay this summer.

I board my horses most of the year but if things get bad (social security gets the axe OMG!) I can move the horses back to the family farm. I’ve already figured out how I would set up their turnout to spare my hay field. I had them at the farm over the winter initially to save money but as the political situation developed I considered it as rehearsing my backup plan.

I have dialed down my showing expectations considerably for 2025.

I think if I were buying any tack or equipment, I’d get it now to avoid tariffs. But that ship may have sailed for many horse items.

Have a good amount of savings.

Stay alert to current developments so you can brainstorm plans. Obviously we can’t predict everything, but being informed helps you make decisions outside of crisis mode.

It’s majorly crappy that we even have to have this discussion.

[chestnutmarebeware]

I agree with those recommending increasing the rainy-day fund and possibly buying nonperishable items like blankets that you would be buying in a few months anyway. And thinking a month ahead on crucial meds is a good idea (although you can’t do that with any controlled substance like gagapentin).

But prices (except gas and a few grocery items) almost never go back down after consumers have shown they’ll pay the higher amounts, so stockpiling just decreases your current cash on hand and slightly delays the pain of paying what will be the new normal pricing for items going forward.

[2DogsFarm]

@Simkie

What’s tough about stock piling is all those things you mention go bad.

With the exception of hay.
I realize for a boarded horse that might mean an increase in board if supply is impacted.
But I routinely buy a year’s worth of my hay from first cutting.
I’d do the same if I wanted to feed 2nd, or even 3rd.
I have room to store the 300+ bales (small squares) I need, but most suppliers will store hay at their barn if you don’t.
You pay for the whole lot & pick up or have delivered as needed, usually for a minimal additional cost. Around here, storing may be free, delivery ~$1/bale.
If you can do this you avoid the increase in prices after cutting season is over, Winter sets in & hay goes up in price < Supply & Demand.

I’m fortunate to need only a single inexpensive med for my mini (Thyro-L) & use generic Zyrtec for Summer allergies for mini & horse.

My grain is whole oats & prices already fluctuate a bit. I’m hoping local growers can keep that in line. If not, I can cut rations, I’m pretty certain none of mine will lose weight if they get as much as 1/3 less.

Bedding could be a problem.
Right now I’m using a wood shavings product from TSC, sourced from nearby WI.
I have an alternate source that saves considerable money, but requires a 2h Roadtrip to fill my trailer with a couple 40-bag pallets.

I just got through a very rough patch financially & horses’ (& cats & chickens) needs took priority over mine.
To my mind, they didn’t choose their lifestyle, I did that for them. So the cost-cutting is on me.
Hoping recent events don’t send me back onto that ledge, but at least I got some practice

[Simkie]

@2DogsFarm

With the exception of hay.
I realize for a boarded horse that might mean an increase in board if supply is impacted.
But I routinely buy a year’s worth of my hay from first cutting.

I also buy a year’s worth of hay, but there are definitely climates where hay cannot be stored that long and not go bad, even in conditions that work great elsewhere.

@2DogsFarm

Bedding could be a problem.
Right now I’m using a wood shavings product from TSC, sourced from nearby WI. I have an alternate source that saves considerable money, but requires a 2h Roadtrip to fill my trailer with a couple 40-bag pallets.

This is one of the things I really love about bedding pellets–storage. A pallet of pellets lasts me 3 months & stores in a 3’x4’ space. It would be feasible to store a year’s worth, but no way to do that with shavings due to space constraints.

[Obsidian_Fire]

I think about this a lot, not just lately but things are tight in general. One, I “free feed” in that my mare always has hay in front of her, and I don’t worry overmuch about waste. Now I do. I’m trying to figure out, for her, the best way to accomplish both goals - much less waste and still plenty of hay.
I’ve quit all supplements except a good VM.
I don’t feed as much “bucket feed” - she gets TC Sr & Haystack Special Blend, soaked into a mash, which she loves, but I’ve cut it back. I also take advantage of sales & my senior discount.
I am fortunate in one way, in that altho she’s OTTB, she isn’t what I’d call a hard keeper.
Lessons, for now staying the same. I don’t show, so that’s not a consideration.
She’s very tidy with her stall, and I’m a frugal picker, so I can still bed deep and not have a lot of wasted bedding.
Boarding, my situation is unique so if something were to happen, I have no idea what I’d do.

I have first aid supplies, plenty of those, but medications not so much. They expire, and I use them so infrequently that I’m not sure what to do about it.