We are doing the same things. I know I'm looking for multi-judge runs, multi day shows to get more bang for my travel dollar. I have also started doing more fun playday stuff close to home. Just started doing some ranch sorting etc and I am having a ball! More fun that loping around the rail in a WP pen! I am feeding some of last years hay that is still pretty good, stretching my horses shoes out a little longer than I used to (farriers have went up 1/3rd on a set of shoes due to their increased costs) My farrier gives me a deal if I haul my horse to one of the barns he does. I'm taking better care of my tack as well. Not giving in to fads etc.

Costs are fairly low here in AR.

Set of steel shoes, nothing fancy $65-90

Hay 4.00/bale in the field for grass or bermuda mix.

Gas still under $4.00/gall

Grain has only went up a couple of bucks in the last couple of years.

If you need more land or hay . Talk to your local realastate companies . See if they need field mowed . Cut it for hay . It cost them nothing and you get extra hay w/out having to lease more land .