A little bit of helpful advice please?-horses and lifestyle

[Exro]

Why do you want to move out? It's very expensive and certainly not all it's cracked up to be!

I would stay at home, keep a cheaper horse or get a horse share to get the extra car money and start making real efforts to move the career along to make more money if I were you.

I think moving out would just add complications at this stage.

 

[BlackVelvet]

I would sort yourself out first, horses are a luxury that not everyone can afford, and there is not such thing as a 'cheap' horse, sorry

 

[SarahRicoh]

Im certainly not going to be moving out soonish but i want to eventually-who wants to live at home...

I think im going to have a good think about keeping my current pony but cheaper and change jobs

 

[cazrider]

Nice... I hope your parents won't mind reading that. Especially as they seem to be putting you up cheaply and paying your horse's vet's fees. You are an adult. You are responsible for your own life and your future. As you suggest, find yourself a better paying job. Cobmum has some really good ideas to start.

Perhaps temporarily give up on horse ownership until you can afford it for yourself. I assume you're a good rider, so I'd suggest find someone with a horse which needs riding or a share. I had someone just like you riding mine for me a year ago when work took over and I had less time. The livery yard I used to be on was full of horses whose owners would have killed for a good rider offering to ride them. You could try putting up a card at your local stables.

 

[SarahRicoh]

Its true.... Noone wants to live with their parents forever. My parents dont support me and they dont pay vets fees... I pay for them.. My grandparents loaned me money and i am paying them.back....i asked for friendly advice not people saying i shouldnt have a horse. My horse has a good life... If you think it would benefit me not to have one fine

 

[EllenJay]

i asked for friendly advice not people saying i shouldnt have a horse.

In your very first post on this topic you suggested yourself that you give back your loan horse.

The idea of getting a youngster or a "cobby" type because that would be cheaper just shows how naive you are. It appears that all you want is for us to say "Yes you can have it all - horse, car, house, social life, holidays etc..." on minimum wage. Well sorry - it's not possible. You can either carry on as you have always done and be in the same position next year or you can start to make some hard choices, and maybe next year you will be a lot happier.

 

[lisab]

If the owner would agree to it, put the pony somewhere cheaper.

Get a better paid job as soon as you can.

Stay at home until you find a rich man! Having your own place is very, very expensive these days even if you don't have a horse to pay for.

If the owner won't agree to it, I think you will have to give it back and go down the share route that some have suggested until you get yourself straight.

That would be very hard, I know. I never have any money but I would never, ever give up my horse. So I am back at home and over 30

 

[Mari]

Strikes me you want people to tell you what you want to hear & then you'll say 'oh thank you that's what I'll do'. You asked for helpful advice, you've got loads of it most of which you don't want to take. The phrase 'wants everything NOW' comes to mind. But hey! Why should you be different from loads of other 20 year olds out there. My philosophy on life is if you can't afford it don't have it.

 

[amage]

Ok breaking things down into each compartment....Horse first! You question whether you should give yup your loan and get something cheaper to be field kept etc. This shows that you are not overly fussed by riding right not rather want something to love. if this is the case I have two suggestions...are there any rescues near you where you could volunteer. This has three benefits...horses get your love, you get horse time and you have something to add to your CV. OR in your current yard given that it is DIY are there any parents/busy people for whom you could do jobs on an ongoing basis eg do their horse one weekend day a week or a full weekend a month and GET PAID for it. You get horse time, they get spare time and again it is something that can be added to your CV. You could expand this outside of your existing yard....get the word out!

House.....yes it is perfectly understandable to want to move out of home! It is expensive but can be done in time. I would suggest make it your 2012 project. Start by saving a little (and I mean very small amounts) call it your deposit fund. it doesn't matter how much or how often you add to it but more that it exists and inspires on the days when you feel like it's never goint to happen. also check out room-mate ads....you could get a nice room relatively cheaply and it is fun to live with room-mates (for a while anyway!!)

Car...Do a HUGE amount of research starting with do you actually need a car (would a moped suit you?)? Start watching car websites to see what cars are making what kind of money etc. Do your homework on Miles per gallon, tax rates etc. Find out if any garages run scrappage schemes which you could use your existing car against.

Finally Job: You accept that there is no opportunites in your current job. That is fine it has served you well up to now. Get out and searching....restaurants, bars, hotels, recruitment agencies etc....you name it ask them for a job! A restaurant while still may only be minimum wage you could also get tips which would help! Alot of people here have recommended feed sales....you really have to be able to sell!! The quickest way to show a company you can sell is sell yourself to them. It is not for everyone and there is nothing wrong with that.

Ultimately make 2012 about you and enjoy the planning and putting the plan into action. It is very exciting to have control of your own destiny and while there may be knock backs etc keep at it!

 

[SarahRicoh]

I am not spoilt and i dont want everything now and i dont think i. can have everything on min wage hence why im looking to change.

I dont mind people suggesting i give loan.horse back but saying i shouldnt have one cz i cant afford it is unfair!!

Of course a youngstr/native/cob would be cheaper.... A youngster would be turned away for a year whilst i was getting finances sorted so i still have a horse to work with then once my finances are sorted itl be old enough to break...

Thankyou amage i will defo be researching a car a lot as i know how important good mpg and cheap tax/ins are.... And moving out is for the future i was just stating i know i cant get there in my job!

I dont think.i can give my pony back because simply put noone elsewould

 

[SarahRicoh]

*would want him as hes not many peoples cup of tea and his owner has a new pony lol... So im sure i can arrange to move him somewhere cheaper.

 

[sleepykitten]

Hi,

I really feel for you because I was in a similar situation when I left University - no job, a clapped out old car and the need to have a four legged friend! I got a job working with horses on a hunting yard which, ok, didn't pay very well, but satisfied the need to be around horses for a time.

I also got experience at this hunting yard by helping the boss man out with other things around his business. This gave me some skills to take to my next job, and next job and so on and so forth. I had to give up my horse during this time as I just couldn't afford to run a car and pay vets bills etc.

ten years later (!) I have a great full-time job which pays reasonably well, and I enjoy it. I also have enough money to keep two horses.

I guess you need to look at the bigger picture, see where you want to be in five years' time - I'm guessing not still on minimum wage with no opportunities. Have a game plan, get the experience, get the job, get the money then get the horse!


Of course, the wonders of my job now mean that I have the horse, but have no time to ride it!

 

[teacups]

I'll butt in, too:
I'd add the perspective that it's quite a good idea to continue to enjoy horse ownership/riding right now, whilst you are in a position to do it (even if that's mainly because you live at home). You're young and in good health, no children, etcetc. So many people put things off until a later date, and when that time comes they are no longer in a position to be able to enjoy it.

I liked Amage's suggestions - bit by bit you'll move towards the next goal, whilst still enjoying your horse - and I like the way you've already decided to try to keep your horse in a different way so that finances might be less stretched. I, too, would concentrate on paying back loans.

When do you turn 21? At least your hourly wage will increase to £6, even in your current job

 

[SarahRicoh]

Thanks guys i think the best thing is to try and keep my pony in a cheaper state and get a new job... That way i should be earning more money and spending a lot less on horse

 

[JollyTall]

I do understand your feelings but you do need to take a step back from the situation and see things in a longer term perspective.

I moved out when I was 18, tried my hardest to get a position as a trainee veterinary nurse so I could have a horse, failed and ended up on my own with no money, still no horse and a lot of bills to pay. So I faced some tough thinking bout the mistakes I'd made and realizing everything wasn't just going to come to me. It is not just a case of walking out and getting a better paid job, it is just doesn't happen like that. I didn't want to move back home because I felt that I was old enought sort myself out so I am now training towards a proper career, it does make me sad that I don't have my own horse yet, but I know that at least I am giving myself a realistic shot at it in say 2 years or so once I am fully qualified.

You've just really got to think about the long term, it is important to make your own way in life and if you need to not have the extra responsibility of a horse for just a few years (when there are lots of other ways to be around them, as mentioned above lots of santcuries welcome volunteers and you would be really making a difference to some horses lives) in order to do this then surely it is worth it? Especially the pride you would feel knowing you've made it and everything you have achieved is your own, no one can ever take that feeling away from you

 

[leah_x]

Its not impossible, I live with my partner and have my own horse and car etc I get paid £200 a week and my livery alone costs £220 a month let alone feed rent etc etc! It IS possible you just need to sit and set yourself a budget for things

 

[SarahRicoh]

Thanks guys

 

[caramel]

I know exactly how you feel. I have a TB, mountains of vet bills, and I work term time at a pre-school for below the min wage. I struggle, and try so hard to budget, and pay everything myself. I'm struggling to be honest, but some months are better than others. I spend more some months than I earn. It's hard... but I'm getting there slowly. Once all vet bills are paid, then that's it! I'm looking for a 2nd job, or a new full time one to start in september.