Horse Show Parenting

5.5 Tips to Make Money--To Spend on Your Kid's Horse!

Cleaning tack for other riders can be a great way to earn extra money

Happy New Year, horse show moms and dads! My resolution for this year is to update this column regularly, and January's column is intended to help you save money now that the holidays are over.

At whatever level you do it, riding, showing and keeping horses can be quite an expense for a family. Here are some ideas for making money off horses--money which, of course, you'll be spending on your own child's horses! Your young rider can certainly help on most of these. In fact, I often see kids advertising their braiding or tack cleaning services at our shows.

1. Be a Braider. Your horse needs his mane and tail braided for shows, and you've learned how to do it. How about doing it for others to earn money? Just be sure you know what you're doing, can work quickly (should take you about 45 minutes when you get proficient) and that your braiding is excellent. Braiding is a skill much in demand, and lots of folks finance their horse hobby this way.

2. Barn Buddy. Horsekeeping people like to take vacations too; offer to horse-sit for friends and neighbors, or at your show barn. Or do other chores around the barn for pay, clean tack or haul others' horses for a fee if you have a trailer.

3. Exercise Rider. If you're a competent rider, help your friends or trainer at the barn by riding horses that need to be worked. Teen riders can often make money giving lessons to younger riders. Be sure this doesn't jeopardize their amateur status at shows, however.

4. Say Cheese! Many show photographers will pay assistants at a show to help out in the ring or with viewing and ordering photos. You can wiggle the mirror and wave the little pompom around, and get paid for it.

5. Write About It. Equestrian magazines and newspapers are always looking for good freelance writers. Offer to cover an event, or write about horse topics. Be sure your writing skills and style fit the publication you're approaching.

5.5 Sell Something. Many parents I know have used their skills to sell horse-related merchandise. One started a consignment shop for tack and clothes; another makes show clothes; others have become sales reps for equestrian products.

A Penny Saved...

Saving money is as good as making it. There are lots of ways to save money at the horse show game, as well. Here are a few:

Sell your rider's outgrown show clothes or tack. You can often find a buyer at your own barn. Other options are to give them to a consignment shop or sell on an online auction site.

If you travel to shows and stay in hotels, join several hotel frequent guest programs, and use the points for free nights. Ditto for airlines. Many programs and credit cards now let you transfer points to other providers. Join several, in case your preferred hotel isn't available in every town.

Use the host hotel at a show when possible for discounted rates. It's usually listed in the premium book. If it's one of your frequent guest hotels, so much the better.

Sign up for mail or email from online and local tack stores so you'll get notified of sales and specials.