Barrelracer of Gardiner, ME You are very lucky hay hasn't gone up for you, Caitlyn. I really do envy you. Though we don't use hay as much as some people (our pastures are like yours), we do bring it to the shows. And with about six horses per show, that is about eight bales (too much is better than not enough). Grain prices keep increasing, and we need grain for our show horses for supplements. I do agree that most owners WILL make it work in keeping their animals, but for most its still gonna cost them. Still, I pity the ones who CAN'Treport abuse

caitlin allen of Starks, ME As for hay, prices don't seem to have gone up here this year. We have good pasture for the warm months and never feed grain (most horses in good condition don't require grain- just plenty of good hay- which some horse owners may not realize.) We deworm our horses quarterly- an inexpensive way to avoid health problems and loss of condition. To get around the ridiculous price of shavings, we invested in stall mats. We can hose them down to clean and just keep a thin layer of shavings. Years ago I learned to trim my own horse's feet. There are ways to get around inflation if one REALLY wants to keep their horses and keep them well. Our horses are an important part of our little family. We'll do what we have to do make sure they're healthy and happy.report abuse

caitlin allen of Starks, ME Bob and others who think like Bob- People are as likely to shoot their dog or fry up their goldfish as eat their pet horse. It's a repulsive thought to most. You just need to accept it, whether you agree or not.

I agree with Fritz. Prices on private sales horses have gone through the roof the past year. It seems to me many people are trying to tap into the slim margin of the market that's flush by raising the prices on their so-so - even poorly bred- horses with not enough training, in order to make a buck. All I have to say is good luck with that.report abuse

DONTASK DONTTELL of VASSALBORO, ME I have 6 horses here on my farm...Up till now we had no problem caring for them, all of a sudden grain & hay has skyrocketed...I use to put a little corn oil in my grain for the horses, thats gone from $4.56 a gal, to over $12.00 a gal.....There are only so many people out there that can afford to buy all these horses that people can't afford to keep, what will happen? They will get sent to the slaughter houses. I bet the slaughter houses are raking in tons right now.....These horses are like family, I cannot imagine parting with them...It will break my heart if it comes down to that...BOB SMITH of Eliot, THATS THE KIND OF ANSWER I WOULD EXPECT FROM A HEARTLESS PERSON LIKE YOURSELF.report abuse