My mother often said, “Watch the pennies and the dollars will take care of themselves.” While this is a good axiom for everyday life, it’s especially true when vacationing. A little extra spent here and there can quickly add up. And nothing can bring a vacation to a screeching halt quicker than returning home to find the bills have beat you there.

So if the economy has you thinking that a riding vacation in not affordable this year, think again! With some careful planning, an equestrian vacation doesn’t have to send you into debt.

The Green Zone

While it may not seem like a lot of fun, developing a budget at the start of the vacation planning process will keep the focus on affordability. After all, expenses incurred for a vacation often include more than the cost of travel, food and lodging. A well-thought-out budget will incorporate expenses for riding clothes, phone calls and Internet service, passports, inoculations for both horse and rider, activity fees and admissions, and of course, souvenirs. These extras can really add up!

Naturally, the type of vacation will affect the price. A week long stay at a plush equestrian resort in Europe is going to take more green from the wallet than a weekend camping trip and trail ride with friends at a neighboring state park. Staying closer to home is one way to cut expenses in order to keep a vacation within the target budget. Not only will it cost less to reach one’s destination, but fewer days will be earmarked for travel. This gives equestrians the option of either shortening the vacation without sacrificing the fun or spending more days relaxing without the added cost of a longer vacation.

Traveling with a group of friends is another way to save money. Filling each stall in the horse trailer and sharing hotel rooms can drastically cut travel and lodging costs per person. Or consider sharing a trailer with living quarters to eliminate the need for pricey hotel rooms. If the vacation destination is a horse show, clinic or trade exposition, invite other equestrian club members or fellow boarders. Traveling with a larger group can entitle vacationers to discounted group rates on attractions and hotels. But if this much coziness isn’t desired, there are others ways to plan a budget-friendly vacation.

1. Check on-line for specials on equine vacation packages or for discount tickets to equine events. Booking a vacation package early or purchasing tickets in advance can yield a savings. Ask if auto club or senior citizen discounts are available.

2. When comparing prices on vacation packages, attractions and accommodations, check for service charges or hidden fees such as tax and gratuities. Find out if discounts are offered when paying with cash or booking on-line.

3. Understand the fees and finance charges for using ATMs, credit and debit cards, especially when traveling outside of the United States. Determine which payment option will be best for lodging, food and attractions. Many horse hotels, feed mills and hay farmers aren’t set up to take credit or debit cards. Be sure to carry enough cash or travelers checks to cover these costs and avoid paying ATM fees. 

4. Plan a day of down time and take advantage of the amenities offered by the hotel, campgrounds or resort. If the overnight stable has access to local trails, use the day to take a relaxing ride. Or turn the horses out to pasture and spend the day lounging around the pool.

5. Research the travel route and the destination before leaving on vacation. The Internet and local guidebooks can help vacationers locate free or inexpensive attractions or sightseeing opportunities. Check for parks that have bridle trails.

6. Avoid the temptation of impulse buying. If leaving a tack shop empty-handed is a problem, don’t plot a travel route that goes by every horse emporium in the state. If the trip’s destination is a trade show or equine expo, set a limit for spending and stick to it.

Budget-Friendly Choices

Food and lodging often constitute a large portion of the vacation budget, but this is one area where savvy equestrians can really save money. When setting the budget, plan how many meals will be eaten out. Instead of dining three times a day in restaurants, consider packing a cooler and taking along snacks. It might be fun to stop midday for a trail ride and picnic lunch at a park that has bridle trails.

Another way to save on the price of food is by shopping around for accommodations that can cut down on meal costs. The all-in-one price of a bed and breakfast that includes meals and has accommodations for the horses might be less than paying for everything separately. A hotel that offers a complementary continental breakfast may be well worth the extra cost. The small kitchenette inside a trailer with living quarters is ideal for preparing light meals. Shop at the local grocery store for heat-and-eat meals at half the cost of eating out. Don’t have this luxury? Consider borrowing or renting a motorhome as a tow vehicle for a bumper pull trailer.

Dick Beck, owner of Horse Motel International and webmaster for www.horsemotel.com, an on-line horse motel directory, explains that many overnight horse facilities have camping privileges. These vary according to the facility and can range from RV hookups and a dump station to a grassy knoll to pitch a tent. If neither option is available, equestrians can still save on lodging and meals by staying at a nearby public campground.

Beck notes that the location of an overnight stable is usually the determining factor when booking horse accommodations, so he doesn’t have his website set up for comparison shopping. In fact, Beck recommends horse facilities not list their prices on his site as this information is subject to change. To find out pricing, Beck suggests calling or e-mailing the overnight stable, or looking on their website.

When shopping for a horse hotel or motel, Briana Ferguson, owner of Homestead Sport Horses (www.homesteadsporthorses.com), an overnight horse stable located in Waynesboro, Virginia, says, “You want to make sure you are in a good facility.” She suggests looking for a clean, safe stable and asking what they do about disease control. Although Ferguson has a veterinarian within one mile of her facility and, if needed, can have the vet waiting when clients arrive, she notes that unexpected veterinarian bills can unravel the best vacation budget. “You may save a buck someplace,” she says. “But are you really saving a buck if they have barbed wire or if they don’t disinfect properly?”

Ferguson also recommends checking out the horse hotel’s amenities. “Every place is different and has different perks and pluses,” says Ferguson, who is willing to wake up in the wee hours of the morning to help travelers load horses. Ferguson doesn’t charge extra for this service or for hay and bedding. “It’s all part of it,” she says, but notes that some overnight facilities may not include bedding, blanketing and turnout in their base price. Paying for extras at every stop along the way can also eat away at the budget.

Beck advocates that horse motel owners accurately portray their facilities and services on his website. At the bottom of each listing, Beck has included a comment section for equestrians to evaluate the motel. Ferguson reminds travelers that not all horse hotels will accept stallions or have accommodations for mares with foals. She suggests asking other equestrians who travel frequently for recommendations for overnight stables.

Most horse hotels are private farms. It’s best to make reservations in advance, as most operators have other jobs and might not be available to take same-day reservations or drop-in customers. Likewise, if plans change it’s common courtesy to call the motel and cancel the reservation. Most overnight stables don’t charge a cancellation fee. Some other ways to save money while on the road include:

1. Ask the overnight stable operator if local hotels give discounts to the stable’s customers. The horse hotel manager can also be an excellent source for finding good restaurants, the lowest fuel prices or a trustworthy farrier.

2. Check out accommodations for other pets. Some horse hotels offer boarding for smaller animals. Bringing the family dog can cut out the expense of an extended kennel stay and the dog will be happier.

3. Preventative maintenance to both the trailer and tow vehicle prior to departure can deter costly breakdowns on the road. Likewise, ask the overnight stable operator what size rigs they can accommodate. Getting stuck in their field can result in unexpected towing charges.

4. Plan for the unexpected. Carry spare tires for both the tow vehicle and trailer. Bring basic tools, tape, rope and other fix-it essentials. Make a list of equine veterinarians, and horse hotels along the route. Bring along extra lead ropes, reins, girths and stirrup leathers.

An equine vacation can be a great time to explore other disciplines and meet fellow equestrians. Whether you’re cantering on the beach, learning a new skill or exploring the mountainous trails, you will enjoy yourself more if you’re not worrying about spending money you don’t have. And remember, great memories are priceless!

Photo: Carien Schippers

Photo courtesy Briana Ferguson, Homestead Sport Horses

When shopping for a horse hotel or motel you want to make sure you are in a good facility. Although one stable may be less money it could cost you in veterinarian bills if there are hidden dangers, such as barbed wire fence.

Photo: Helen Peppe

Whether you’re cantering on the beach, learning a new skill or exploring the mountainous trails, you will enjoy yourself more if you’re not worrying about spending money you don’t have.