Cost Inflation in the Industry

[RandomThoughts]

Had an eye opening week in the business:

First, the owner of the farm where I board told me that the farrier who comes monthly announced a price increase to $35/trim. That is up from $30 that was put in about a year and a half ago, up from $25. I told the owner I would get another farrier.

Second, last week I shipped, with a local independent, two mares to another state to be bred. The same trip two years ago was $600 for one mare, shared load. Received a bill for $1000 each. Had a talk with the shipper and we settled on $750 each.

Finally, I vaccinated several of my horses with purchased vaccines that cost about $62 for each horse, but decided to leave my pregnant mare for my repro vet. The vet lives 4 miles from the farm and made two stops to complete the same series as above. Received the bill today for $201.

We all have probably noticed an increase in prices that are commodity based, like hay, feed, and gasoline over the last few years. However, I find it stunning that these suppliers of services think they can get away with these whopping increases, particularly in a soft economy and equine market.

[dublino]

The foal crop has been reduced from 35,000 to 25,000 there is less money to be made and people still want to make what they made before, they still have the same bills, and maybe more, to pay hence price rises.

[zinn21]

I had my best year in 2012 and still lost money. Sold all but one horse. Unless the economics change I am out. There is no way with the current business model that this game will survive at it's present level. We're headed for 8-10 thousand head, a few racetracks and the very rich playing the game..

[winds]

I am out totally. Just can't afford it anymore. It's a shame, horses have been a part of my life since I can remember.......................

winds

[karenkarenn]

I can't even get a farrier out to our house. I have had 9 - yes nine, no call no shows. And each wanted 45 - 50 for a trim.
K

[starlitlaughter]

I've been pretty lucky. I've been using the same farrier for about 10 years and I wouldn't trade him for the world. He charges $35 for trim and $70 for front shoes.

Hay can be a bit of a problem - I'm lucky I have mine sourced at a fantastic rate below average pricing, but I've been dealing with them for years. I really don't know how people pay $5+ per bale...

Grain is what kills me sometimes. I love the Pennfields feeds, but those are running about $23/bag now. My easy keepers are on a locally milled feed that runs $21/100lbs and seem to do well.

[ageecee]

what chaps my ass is a vet who charges a farm call wtf? your going to charge me to work on my horse and on top of that charge me a $25 farm call. Are u freakin kidding me?

[Jean]

It's 150 for a farm call here!

[madelyn]

The cost of fuel drives the cost of just about everything, though. Especially horse transport and services where the provider has to drive to and from your location. With diesel at $4 a gallon, it costs more to produce hay and grain. And more to transport it. Wages in other businesses rise.

My vet charges $25 farm call and I think that is CHEAP. I've paid a lot more ($45, $55, etc.) For farrier, I pay $30 for a trim for less than 5 head, $25 per trim for 5 head or more on the same day.

But with the cost of everything, I am cutting way back on horses. I do all of my own vaccinations, recently got a microscope so can do my worm fecal testing myself. Have always had a centrifuge to spin blood and can ship to a lab for blood tests, and I stock most meds, tranqs, etc.

Starting midweek, I am headed to the little local training center when it opens; I am going to work for a trainer and bringing one colt with me.. I will be able to "train" my own horse with an old buddy I trust and get him going for 1/4 what a trainer would charge plus my sweat equity...

[ageecee]

vets are 10 miles from me plus they stop at other farms on the way its not like im the only farm they are visiting.

When vets go to the tracks they dont charge a farm call correct? And tracks take time to get to with diesel costs correct? But yet they go to a farm and charge a farm call but dont charge it when they go to the track.

[ageecee]

[quote="Jean"]It's 150 for a farm call here![/quote]




He would never touch a horse of mine.

[karenkarenn]

75 to 90 here depends on the price of gas

[madelyn]

vets are 10 miles from me plus they stop at other farms on the way its not like im the only farm they are visiting.

When vets go to the tracks they dont charge a farm call correct? And tracks take time to get to with diesel costs correct? But yet they go to a farm and charge a farm call but dont charge it when they go to the track.

Vets at the track are walking shedrows and between barns. What I suggest you do, since the vet is SO close, is trailer in - that way you won't have a farm call!

[ageecee]

Madelyn thats not the point. I can pay the farm call its just another charge that they nickle and dime you with.

I got 3 mares at a farm so i have to have the vet come out and do work. Theres also 20 other horses at the farm that the vet tends to also. You would think with that many horses that the vet works on they would waive a farm call charge.

[ageecee]

When a vet stops the farm call charge he/she will get more work than they know what to do with and in the process put a hurt on other vets.

Im waiting for the 1st vet to do this.