Do you pay over the odds, just because it is seen as 'correct'?

[MizElz]

Reading some of the comments from my 'shoeing' thread yesterday, I am surprised by the fact that some people seem to think that you have to pay a certain price, or do certain things at a set time, regardless of the service you get and of the individual horse's needs. This may relate to shoeing; I will admit I know my horse is an unusual case, but a couple of others on here have already said that their horses can comfortably go longer than average, too. I cannot understand the carry-on-regardless attitude that states a horse must be shod every 5/6 weeks, regardless. Why?

Why pay over the odds for a service that you don't actually need so often? Us horsey folk are always complaining that we have no money, but why are so many unwilling to be flexible regarding their individual horse's requirements? If I had a TB, for instance, I would expect to have to have the farrier out every 6 weeks at least; with Ellie, this is not the case, and I'm gratefully making the most of it!
I don't believe in 'cutting corners' - my horses have always been vaccinated on time, and we have always wormed regularly. I do like to search for a bargain, but I would never buy anything simply because it was cheap; if it's not right for my horse, it goes straight back, and if I have to pay more to get it right, so be it.
Instruction is another area that I think is misunderstood. Granted, if you want to go to a top trainer, you have to pay a price for the service, and I'm not going to dispute this. But the lady I have lessons with at the moment is actually the same one who taught me to ride when I was a toddler, and she still charges the same! She's fully qualified, and a successful dressage rider in her own right, and she has already worked miracles with Ellie and I on the flatwork front. I could go elsewhere, and I'd have to pay double, to someone who would be unlikely to achieve any more than I am with the current instructor. When I was at a show the other day, the dressage judge complimented me on my riding, but then asked me who my instructor was. When I told her, she sneered and said 'oh, you need someone a bit more famous round here than that!' What a shallow attitude! If it was fame I was looking for, I would ring up Carl Hester! But this, to me, proved the point that sometimes, less is more. Why would said judge have complimented me first, if my instructor is so apparently useless?!?!

Ok, essay over......

 

[Stoxx]

I pay what I need to in order to keep my horse as happy and as healthy as possible. I would never scrimp and scrape when it comes to my horses. But I'm lucky to be in a position where I don't have to. I don't do things because that is what I am supposed to do, I do it because that is what works for the horse. My horse is shod every 5 weeks, if he isn't then in the 6th week his feet start to look rubbish and that is when there is a possibilty of him loosing shoes. Which is just hassle, I might have entered a comp, or he might rip off some wall. My pony on the other hand is trimmed every 5 - 15 weeks, depending on what she needs.
I have lessons with the person I do because I get on with her and she understands my horse and I.
At the end of the day it is down to the owner of each individual horse to ascertain what they think is necessary.

 

[MizElz]

[ QUOTE ]
I pay what I need to in order to keep my horse as happy and as healthy as possible. I would never scrimp and scrape when it comes to my horses. But I'm lucky to be in a position where I don't have to. I don't do things because that is what I am supposed to do, I do it because that is what works for the horse. My horse is shod every 5 weeks, if he isn't then in the 6th week his feet start to look rubbish and that is when there is a possibilty of him loosing shoes. Which is just hassle, I might have entered a comp, or he might rip off some wall. My pony on the other hand is trimmed every 5 - 15 weeks, depending on what she needs.
I have lessons with the person I do because I get on with her and she understands my horse and I.
At the end of the day it is down to the owner of each individual horse to ascertain what they think is necessary.

[/ QUOTE ]

Completely agree; I do exactly the same as you.

 

[the watcher]

Mine are shod every 8 weeks, that is the interval that seems to suit them best, I buy lots of stuff on ebay, I don't have lessons but if i did there are some perfectly competent local instructors. I spend money where I have to

I use rubber mats and chopped rape straw partly because i don't have time to deal with straw beds every day, but mostly because one of mine has had COPD and she is free of sniffles and coughs with this arrangement, I also bed my second horse like this as he is right next to her and it would be pointless to allow his dust to drift next door. For the same reason they are both on haylage. Their feed is basic, and mainly straights with the emphasis on fibre.

I do use Myler bits, they are more expensive but they suit my horses. My saddles are good, but bought second hand, as are some of my rugs.

So, to conclude, I don't waste money for the sake of it but am prepared to spend where I think it is necessary, and i don't mind trying new things.

 

[showjump2003]

My horses are shod as and when needed. I don't leave them on for 4 months or anything silly but both my horses have very good feet and will go 8 weeks easily.

I spend a complete fortune on riding lessons but in my defense I don't drink, smoke, have a social life! or spend hardly anything on clothes and make up so I can justify it! I have lessons with a local instructor who luckily is a clasical dressage rider and knows what she is doing!

Will admit to spending far too much on tack and rugs and I do like to buy branded stuff but not to show off but because I know I will be getting the quality.

 

[Cop-Pop]

I totally agree

I don't shoe mine yet as they don't need it. My TBx only has her feet trimmed three times a year as they don't grow very quickly, while the pony has hers done every 10 weeks.
As for lessons.... I have two excellent instructors - my YO who teaches me on my own horse and a seperate one who I'm doing my NVQ with. They are both relatively cheap and teach me everything I need to know - what's the point of learning flashy steps with a 'top' instructor when you can't do basic ground work and schooling first?

 

[Serephin]

my TB is barefoot - yes, barefoot, I said it. His feet are in very good condition compared to when i first got him and I call my farrier when I feel he needs a trim. My farrier is excellent and has encouraged me every step of the way. People question why my horse is barefoot as if I am some sort of hippy freak, but TBH its no ones business what I do with my horse.

I spend money when it has to be spent and can be frivilous at times but am not easily swayed by peer pressure.

 

[Christmas Crumpet]

I've found the above posts really interesting - I have my horse shod every 5 weeks at the moment despite there still being a bit of wear in them because I'd like his feet to stay good and not pull a shoe off and some hoof along with it!!

I also buy a lot of stuff off Ebay because its so cheap. But with things like saddles - I always go to a professional. I pay the vet to come out when I'm not sure about something because I know he will be able to find an answer.

And the funny thing I find is that I NEVER begrudge spending money on the horses but spending money on myself. FORGET IT!!!

 

[happihorse]

With me it varies considerably.

My horse does not need suppliments and if I took him off them there would probably be little or no change in the short term. However, I give him them as a preventative measure.

I have had lessons of some 'famous' people and whilst I found them very useful, I now have lessons will a much less well known trainer. I don't go to him because he is cheaper (although that is a bonus), but I just find that he is more interested in helping me and looks after my interests more. Also, my scores have gone through the roof since training with him!

I normally buy well known brands for all my horsey needs. However, I don't just wonder round the saddlers picking up everything that I fancy / need! I buy a lot of stuff on the internet now as I can save up to 40% on some things. (I have just bought 12 months supply of wormer and 6 months supply of suppliments and saved 40% on the cost, plus free postage)!

I think it is really easy to waste money on horses, but after all if it is your main hobby / interest what's wrong with that! I don't spend much money on clothes / socialising and never go on holiday so the money I save on that easily pays for my GGs!