Preparing for the Worst: COVID-19 Edition

As we all try to navigate these uncharted waters ahead of us, I wanted to offer some suggestions in preparing for a worst case scenario and helping your local horse communities. Horse show and events are canceled for the foreseeable future, but make sure you are out there exercising and riding when you can--this will be good for your mental, physical and emotional health as you are asked to change your normal lifestyle.

If your employment status hasn't changed (still getting paid, working from home, etc), you still want to prepare for a worst case situation. The most expensive part of your horse is usually the feed bill. Find out how much it actually costs to feed your horse. The tips below come from an article I found on The Horse: https://thehorse.com/186173/horse-owner-help-during-covid-19/

• Know exactly what it costs to feed your horses. If you don’t have a budget already, create one (find a form to use here and an article about tips and tricks here). Figure out how far your emergency fund will get you in the event of a financial crisis. If you don’t have an emergency fund, begin setting aside money now. Know where you can easily trim your horse budget so you can keep meeting your horse’s nutrient requirements (find some suggestions here). It will also help you know your specific needs if you end up seeking help later.
• Help other horse owners who might be struggling right now. Support funds like KHC’s Equine Safety Net or Maryland’s Fund for Horses. You can donate to The American Association of Equine Practitioners’ Foundation for The Horse—health disasters are included in its “Disaster Relief” description.
• Support local horse welfare organizations that might be having to take on more horses because of job losses. There are too many to name, but just check to be sure the organization is reputable and will use your donation responsibly (here are some best practices reputable rescues follow). Some organizations will also accept donations in kind—so, if you have extra hay and want to share.
• Connect with your local horse community virtually. Put your heads together—at a safe social distance on Facebook and other platforms—to help each other.