Today, in honor of National Helmet Awareness Day, many retailers are offering special deals on riding helmets. Did you know that, according to Riders4Helmets, you should replace your helmet at least every five years, and always after a fall? If you're in need of a new riding helmet, check out these retailers who are offering special deals today.

SmartPak - Save up to 20% on select helmet brands, and get free shipping on all helmets with promo code Helmet14
HorseLoverZ.com - Get 20-65% off of helmets, plus get free shipping on your order when it contains a helmet item
Equestrian Collections - Get 20% off selected helmets
The Equestrian Corner - Take 10% off of KEP Italia, One K Helmets, Ovation Riding, International Riding Helmets (IRH), Troxel, and LAS helmets with promo code fbr4h
Horsetown Western Stores - Save 10% off of all helmets
Hitching Post Tack Shop - Take 20% off a helmet with promo code IHAD
Adams Horse and Pet Supplies - Take 20% off all helmets with promo code r4h2014
Tack of the Day - Offering Ussepa helmets for $37.90

Know of any other good deals happening? Let us know and we'll update this list throughout the day!

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With horseback riding gear so expensive, it can be tempting to save money any way you can. While buying tack and horse supplies used may be perfectly fine if done carefully, you should think again before you buy a used riding helmet.

The problem with buying a riding helmet used is that you don’t know its history. Helmets have to be cared for - throwing them into the back seat of a hot car can compromise their effectiveness. Riding helmets also have expiration dates, generally between four and five years. Assuming that a person buys a helmet and uses it for a few years, it will probably be near the end of its useful life by the time that you buy it. If you look at it this way, you’re not saving much money at all by buying a used helmet, so why not buy a new one and get the full value of its usefulness?

Even more importantly, when buying a used helmet you don’t know if that helmet has been in a fall. Many riders don’t realize that helmets need to be replaced even if they’re involved in a fall where the impact of the rider’s head may seem insignificant. Damage to a riding helmet doesn’t always show outwardly, and if you use a damaged helmet, you won’t be protected as well as you should be if you fall.

If you’re still not convinced, think about the wide range of prices that helmets are available for today. You don’t have to buy a $400 helmet - many quality helmets are available for under $100. Plus, trying on new helmets in tack stores is a great way to ensure that the helmet you by is comfortable, fits you well, and matches your style.

When it comes to your safety, buying a used riding helmet is not the way to save money. Your brain (and your life!) is worth more than what you'll save. So please, don't buy a used helmet - stay safe and buy one new.

Fly spray is a necessary but expensive part of owning a horse during the summer. So how can you make the most of your fly spray and save some money along the way?

1. Buy In Bulk
The cost of a bottle of concentrated fly spray may seem staggering at first. But take the time to calculate out what the concentrate equates to in terms of the cost per bottle and you'll likely find that you can save money - and a good deal of it, too - by buying your fly spray in concentrate form. Your savings may be even greater by buying a larger bottle of the concentrate, as long as you know that you'll put it to use. To mix up the concentrate, pick up a funnel, a measuring cup, and a plastic spray bottle from your local discount store.

2. Invest In Quality
When choosing what type of fly spray to buy, purchase a quality fly spray that is effective and long-lasting. When you're using a quality fly spray your horse will need fewer applications, meaning that you'll go through less product.

3. Wipe, Don't Spray
Have you ever sprayed your horse with fly spray, only to have the wind blow most of it back into your face? Fly sprays, while convenient, result in wasted product every time you apply them with a spray bottle. Instead, designate a rag as your "fly spray rag." Spray the fly spray right onto the rag, then wipe it onto your horse. You'll waste less of the spray and can even apply it to hard-to-reach areas of your horse, like his ears and jawline.

4. Check For Coupons
Before you buy fly spray, check for coupons to further reduce its cost. Look up the manufacturer's website and Facebook pages for special offers, and don't forget to check the pages of regional magazines for occasional offers and coupons from local tack stores.

What ways have you managed to save money on fly spray?

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Let’s face it: owning a horse is absurdly expensive. While there are certainly ways to save money while owning a horse (we’ll get to those in future posts), sometimes horse ownership is out of the question given your financial, time, or work situation. But that doesn’t mean that you can’t stay involved with horses. Here are a few things you might consider doing to get your equine fix.

Lease
While full ownership might not be a possibility, leasing a horse can give you an experience very similar to ownership with less of a financial burden. Consider looking for a horse to lease either partially or fully. Free leases are available as well – you’ll generally need to pay for the horse’s upkeep and standard costs like farrier visits. Whatever lease situation you look into, be sure that you thoroughly read and understand the lease contract and your responsibilities before beginning the agreement.

Share a Horse
Sharing ownership of a horse is another possibility. Be careful, though – sharing ownership can be tricky. You and the other owner will need to have excellent compromising abilities, and you will need to share the same approach to horse ownership and care. If you decide to share the ownership of a horse, then draw up a thorough contract that outlines the responsibilities – financial and otherwise – that both parties will have.

Volunteer
Volunteering is an excellent way to spend time around horses with no financial commitment. Therapeutic riding programs and equine rescues are often in need of experienced, reliable help. Local horse shows and events also sometimes need volunteers.

Incorporate Horses in Your Work
Offering other services like body clipping or mane braiding can help to keep you involved in horses – plus you’ll earn some money at the same time. Some barns will allow you to trade work for lessons or saddle time – if you don’t mind cleaning stalls or turning out horses, this might be a great way to stay involved. You can also offer farm-sitting and horse-sitting services to local horse owners when they travel.

Make Alternative Arrangements
Get creative – there are a number of other ways you can find time in the saddle. Many horse owners have difficulty always finding the time to ride their horses, and might welcome your help in exercising their horses a few days a week. If you are a skilled rider who trains at a stable with a lesson program, see if the lesson horses could use periodic “refresher” schooling rides.

There are many ways to stay involved with horses even if you don’t have one of your own. What are some of the solutions that you’ve come up with?

Tips and tricks for staying in the saddle while saving money are coming soon.