During difficult economic times, many horse owners are forced to make the heartbreaking decision to sell their horses while they try to meet their budget. However, there is hope for those who want to try to keep their horse during financial trouble. These guidelines are not meant to be everyday money saving tips, but instead, larger scale measures that you can use to preserve horse ownership.

Consider leasing or half-leasing your horse to someone during the recession. This is one of the simplest solutions to keeping a horse during hard times. The lessee pays for all or half of the horse's expenses such as board, feed, and farrier in exchange for use of your horse. If you decide to lease out your horse, make sure to have a contract that stipulates payments and how often the lessee can work with your horse.

Pasture boarding your horse is another option for retaining ownership during hard times. Pasture boarding often costs significantly less than stall boarding. While it is essential that your horse be fed and cared for properly while pasture boarded, you may have to make do without certain facilities such as an indoor arena or tack room. However, being able to work or ride your horse less will be worth it in the long run since he or she will remain in your hands.

Think about starting a horsey co-op. Get together with a few horse people that you know and trust and are in a similar financial situation, at least one of whom has pasture or stalls on their property. Move your horses in together and create a schedule so that the feeding, mucking, and maintenance work is split up by day and morning/evening. In this way, you can avoid having to pay outside help. You will also be able to divide up barn call fees from the farrier/vet and buy feed and hay in bulk.

Consider advertising in your local tack shop and on classified sites such as Craigslist that you are willing to barter for hay. Offer to help on someone's farm in exchange for a discount on hay or for the hay itself or offer up possessions less dear to you than your horse, such as a second TV.

You also might be able to trade services with a local horse related non-profit. Search on-line for non-profits such as equitherapy organizations which will be feeling the money crunch as well. Offer to provide a service that you have experience with such as legal advice, insurance advice, advertising, fundraising, or simple barn work etc in exchange for board or discounted board at their horse facility. Be polite, not harassing, and prepared to demonstrate how the situation will work to the benefit of both parties. Furthermore, go into the agreement with an understanding that they will be running therapy sessions and classes and that you will probably have limited space/hours in which you can work your horse. It is a small sacrifice for getting to keep your horse.

Extra Considerations

• If you start a co-op, keep a trailer or trailers with enough room for everyone's horses in case of an emergency. Sell off any extra trailers and put the money in the feed budget.
• If you decide to lease out your horse during the recession, make sure to have a contract that stipulates payments and how often the lessee can work with your horse.
• If you start a co-op, make sure to get everyone's time, money, and property commitments in writing and do not include anyone that seems less than serious about follow-through.