Bearing in mind the credit crunch - How do you all afford your horses?

[PeanutButterDragon]

Well I have no horses, currently live in a 2 bedroomed flat with the lovely BF. I'm a student - just finished my second year of degree and have been working 2 jobs in addition to my student loan to make ends meet with rent/cc/bills etc. My OD is maxed as is my credit card and 2 days after I get paid all the money is gone on my half of the rent and bills!! BF and I have enough to do one big (I say big - it's as much as we can get for £50) shop to last for a whole month and then have an emergency £20 each leftover just in case. Have been living on Tesco value range for everything. Luckily I booked a block of 20 lessons with some money my parents gave me a month ago or I wouldn't be able to afford to ride until October when student loan installment arrives (which then mostly goes on fees!).

 

[PeanutButterDragon]

Forgot to mention we have energy saving lightbulbs throughout whole flat, have stopped taking baths and started using broken shower instead, avoiding using oven to save on electricity - just using hob when necessary so eating lots of sandwiches/cold meats and salad etc at the min. Luckily we can both walk to work! On the upside I am super svelte at the minute as have lost 7lbs in the last month through eating less!!

 

[M_J]

I wouldn't worry, there's a saying 'doth protest too much' and lets face it, how many would come on a forum and say 'oh yes I work on the side to keep my horses and claim benefits you all pay for - haha you suckers'

am reckoning none at a guess, so take it with a pinch of salt...belieeeeeve me

I work (legitimately) to pay for mine, as does my OH, we're not high paid by any stretch but we don't pay livery as we keep the horses on his parent's farm, and they're low maintenence too which helps definately, the farrier cost has gone up but hey ho one of those things, the most expensive layout have is haylege for Scout who suffers COPD, pands has soaked hay, tho from what heard of prices this year may be paying double for bales, but she has to have hay for her lammy so again, needs it so gets it! lol

luckily I have all tack and rugs, I don't bother buying the new 'in' thing, they have last years cleaned, repaired and re-proofed, tis cheaper to hose down with brush, give a darn good scrubbing, rinse off, allow to dry and buy your own re-proofer I found, spesh when got more than a couple of rugs!

and am growing my own herbs for them, saves a fortune on buying them ready done