In addition to putting its agistment prices up 30 per cent, Ruby Hill Equine Centre is being forced to sell a number of horses to pay for drought-related expenses.

Owner Donna Ind said as well as offering a number of horses at a fraction of what they’re worth, she’s had to give away horses she couldn’t afford to properly care for.

“Definitely sad to see our long term favourite horses go, but we have to so higher-cost feed can be purchased,” she said.

Ms Ind is selling horses ranging from four to 12 years old, priced between $3000 and $10,000.

She said they’ll use the money to buy hay to see them through winter and a shed to store the hay they’ll be forced to purchase in bulk.

“Our locally sourced hay supplies have run out, affecting their incomes too,” said Ms Ind.

Ms Ind said they’re not the only ones feeling the pinch, with drought the main topic of conversation between breeders, farmers and trainers at the moment.

“Morale is greatly affected,” said Ms Ind.

“Many breeders are selling all stock and will have to completely start again, cutting their losses rather than letting animals suffer.”

The NSW Government announced today that it is helping farmers through the drought with a $20,000 low interest loan.

Minister of Primary Industries, Niall Blair said the fund would help farmers pay freight costs for fodder, water, or to move stock to agistment.

“We know that more than a third of the state is struggling with drought or condition approaching drought,” he said.

Mr Blair said Central West is among the areas of particular concern.

Orange Land Services officer Phil Cranney said if producers need independent advice on anything pasture or livestock related they should get in touch.

“With the hit and mostly miss nature of rainfall events over the past few months, a lot of producers across the Central Tablelands are desperately in need of some soil moisture before winter starts,” he said.

Ms Ind said to turn things around her property required regular rainfall long before April.

“As it cools the grass doesn’t grow so it is nearly too late to get any growth,” she said. “But rain now will still fill dams.”