Here's a blog post on the theme of 'Horses are expensive'.
Shocking I know.
When I was looking at properties with the aim of bringing Irish home my real estate agent asked me if I was looking to run a lesson or boarding barn. My answer was a resounding 'no'.
 |
| I still make the same expression, just not as cute |
Well, do you know how to make a million dollars with horses? I asked
'No' he said looking intrigued.
'Start with 2 million' I deadpanned.
He looked at me and then started to laugh. Ed looked worried though.
Fast forward and I have my horses at home. I love it. It likely saves me some money.
Spring is really hard on the bank account. There's vaccines, teeth floating, memberships etc.
 |
| this is how Ed deals with this time of year |
 |
| not fancy wheels, but mine |
All in all, there are a lot of costs that all happen in spring that can make it seem that the money is flying out faster then it is coming in.
I would consider that we fit pretty solidly in the middle class. Which means that I do have some discretionary income.
But I'm not a bottomless pit.
Sometimes that means I have to make choices. I don't weigh things based purely on price but, I can't do everything.
And I'm pretty much okay with it.
Although I wouldn't mind having more money, I'm pretty happy with the things I have. And what would I spend my money on anyway? Clothes? Travel? Fancy homes?
Spring gets pricey around here too. Teeth floating, vaccines, coggins. All adds up. I’m not sure having our own place is any less expensive than boarding was. My mortgage is double what it would be without the land for the horses and then there is hay, grain and all the odds and ends. I would t trade it to go back to boarding though unless it was a training situation somewhere
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't trade it either! I just wish that the costs could be spread out a bit.
DeleteI agree, I think it's a lot more expensive to own your own place than board. But I don't like boarding and being at the mercy of barn management. We prefer to do it ourselves and have turnout when we want it and feed and ride when we want etc. It's a lot more work for sure too. Spring is tough on the wallet. Rosie's doxy prescription was over $500 alone not to mention vaccinations for five horses and plus, plus, plus. Still I wouldn't trade it for boarding.
ReplyDeleteLove the picture of Guinness!
I like being in control :)
DeleteI shovel a lot of money into my horses, too. They have never made me one penny. The thought of making money on them just eludes me. They give me so much, though. Well, and I'd say this property has gone way up in value--so I suppose building a working equestrian mini-ranch will net someone some money when we die.
ReplyDeleteNot all things can be measured in money....
DeleteI just got my spring vet bill for vaccines! Yikes! Why does my horse need so much more vaccinations than I do?
ReplyDeleteAs for horses at home, this was a long-time dream of mine as it is for many horse owners who board. I gave up on that dream when I tallied up the costs, but also when I saw that some horsekeepers ride a lot less than horseboarders because there is just so much time that goes into the keeping. I made the decision to give up on my dream and just be happy with my boarding circumstances. That said, I have an absolutely amazing boarding situation with tons of friends, social events, and an amazing and caring crew.
Having your own truck and trailer, and trails in your backyard, in addition to a great riding arena, are critical elements to keep you in the saddle and socially active outside the home. Keep it up!
Boarding, in the right facility, can be so very rewarding. You are right that riding can suffer. I find I have to make the riding the priority and do that first. Then I do the chores. I do miss the social aspect of boarding though....
DeleteI try and stagger it - typically I do teeth in the fall. But something about spring just leeches the wallet - supplements, work on the truck, coggins, etc etc. It's the poor season for horse people.
ReplyDeleteRight now Carmen needs teeth done twice a year. I do the teeth at the same time as the vaccines so that cuts the costs. Here we don't have equine dentists- the vets do it. But definitely poor season.
DeleteMight be why I go wild with on line shopping in the winter! You know, balance. :D
oh man, i'm with you 100%. the sport is demanding in more ways than one, including financially haha. last year my personal cost of living expenses jumped by about 40% which obvi had a ripple effect through my horse habit, but after some dedicated adjustments to my spending habits and budget planning, things are mostly back on track now. like you say, tho, it still comes down to making good choices. and even tho those vaccinations are less sexy than some other alternatives.... it's just what we gotta do, bleh haha.
ReplyDeleteOn the upside, I always say that if it wasn't for horses I'd be fat (well fatter). I love to eat but I need to balance it with my love of riding. :D
DeleteTotally true. Spring is extra expensive with horses. In my area, you definitely do save money having horses at home, because the boarding barns all nickle and dime you. But I just like it better too. I like being in charge of their care, and knowing everything that goes on with them.
ReplyDeleteAnd to answer that question... you'd probably spend it on matching breeches and saddle pads... or maybe that's just me... lol
LOL, you might be right about my spending...
DeleteI love having an intimate knowledge of how much my horses ate, their poop, etc.
I try to pay for all of my memberships in January, and have the vet spring and fall. B's teeth get done in spring and S's in fall because it's $800 each time given our location. This way, I'm equally broke all year round ;)
ReplyDeleteOuch. That is far more expensive than ours. The vet call with vaccines, exam, teeth floating was 700 for both.
DeleteI can relate to this so much, haha.
ReplyDeleteAlthough, I may have just added to my overall horsey expenses indefinitely this week... lol.
What did you do this week? Is it the ladies camp, or did you get another member of the family? :D
DeleteI grapple with this from time to time too when I see money flying out the door to support my hobby, then I remember it is my own money and I enjoy it so much. I do like traveling but I can't imagine myself taking off for months at a time, and I don't stay at luxury resorts or anything, just cheap hostels - a couple weeks is nice enough.
ReplyDeleteI do need new clothes though, I've had most of these for 6 years or more and it's starting to show in threadbareness lol
I'd much rather horses then travel. :)
Delete