Really makes sense in a few ways to not go around carrying money. By going with goods you can go into a town, get the currency that works in that area, get what you need and then move onto the next place. Plus not a very tempting target for robbers since I doubt trading is their skill.
Horo really was protective of her apples
. While she took human form, maybe as a reflection of her enjoying food her stomach is a bit larger than a normal persons. Since anyone else would be ill after eating all that.