How do we afford our horse

madalicedj

madalicedj

Well-Known Member
Joined
20 May 2010
Messages
361
Location
Farnham, Surrey. But from Scotland
www.ciclaimsuk.com
How do you pay for horse and its keep.
I'm terrified my money will run out and I wont be able to get a work balance right.
I know costs vary across the country but unless your loaded or have a other half how is n who is willing to spend it on your passion how do you cope.
My bf went into shock at my monthly costs on horse I don't even know how I'm managing now. Its stressed me for a while. Where there's a will there's a way but what if there's no way. :(
 
I now have a job that pays well so I can afford my two, but a few years ago I was struggling after I split with my ex and had the whole cost of a house as well as the horse...so I took on a second job and took in a lodger.
 
Tr0uble said:
I now have a job that pays well so I can afford my two, but a few years ago I was struggling after I split with my ex and had the whole cost of a house as well as the horse...so I took on a second job and took in a lodger.
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Good for you Hope it all keeps going well for you. I hope I can find work that pays enough. But Im on a time limit and my son has effect as does where I live ie alone or with partner eek
 
I'm lucky enough to have my mum help me whilst im on a student status (no money apart from goverment funding and ema and such) she pays the stable, i pay bedding, feed, farrier, dentist and anything else she needs. I have no spending money but i'd rather have my horse :) I used to pay for her myself when i was at college, £30 a week ema and then I had a job that fitted around college to pay.
 
It seems to get more and more expensive, but then I don't smoke, drink or go out very much. Reckon my horse costs around about what I would spend on fags if I smoked 20 a day.
 
I can't that's why i have just sold him!!!

However, get yourself a spreadsheet listing all your outgoing household bills including everything, the smallest little amount even down to bank charges total it up and subtract it from your average wages That will give you how much spare money you have.
Then do the same for the horse and that the total from your spare money...that will give you whats left.

You then decide if what's left is doable to live on.

Your gas and electric companies give discounts for paying by monthly direct debits, and go online to make sure your on their cheapest tariff.
If you have a contract mobile can you get a cheaper contract or pay as you go?
Bundle your phone, internet and TV package in to one with one company. I was paying £75 a month to be with 3 companies but i went with SKY for £50 a month...that's a couple of bags of feed a month!!!
Give up smoking...i know it's hard but every £6 packet of 20 your buying could pay towards your livery bill.
I know some people slate having insurance but unless you have hundreds or even thousands of pounds lying around for vet bills spending £30 a month gives you piece of mind that you only have the excess to find!!!
Shop in one of the cheaper supermarkets - I used to shop in Sainsbugs and now i shop in Asda and it's halved my weekly shopping bill!!!!

Sorry if I'm teaching you to suck eggs but there might be little things that you haven't thought of doing?

However, life changes and sometime no matter how much "trimming of the fat" you do life throws a curve ball and you have to make that heartbreaking decision.
 
I currently have three different (4 total) part time jobs including on my yard which is what I use to pay the bills. Out of that I just about manage my horse and car funding, I dont go out, spend any money on myself at all really other than food occasionally (all my clothes are 2yrs old+!) but I just couldnt give up my horse so this is the way its going to have to be for now :).
 
im very lucky because my dad pays my horses livery. I pay for any extras.
the cost of keeping a horse just seems to have rocketed lately :( so plans for a second horse have gone down the drain for now.
 
Its scary isnt it?! i for one worry about the future all the time. My job pays ok i guess but i still have to live at home with my parents. I am about to put my horse on grass livery once he's finished box rest probably endof April so that will save a bit on livery bills hopefully he'll manage to winter out ok next winter. This wil also save on time so possibly may end up doing 2 jobs or something.. just dont know really ..xx
 
I live in a static caravan/mobile home so my rent is very cheap. I buy all my clothes from jumble sales, I don't go out very often, I do smoke but then I smoke roll-your-owns which costs me about £6 a week.
I also have native ponies which are very cheap to keep!
 
Sedgemoor Chaos said:
I can't that's why i have just sold him!!!

However, get yourself a spreadsheet listing all your outgoing household bills including everything, the smallest little amount even down to bank charges total it up and subtract it from your average wages That will give you how much spare money you have.
Then do the same for the horse and that the total from your spare money...that will give you whats left.

You then decide if what's left is doable to live on.

Your gas and electric companies give discounts for paying by monthly direct debits, and go online to make sure your on their cheapest tariff.
If you have a contract mobile can you get a cheaper contract or pay as you go?
Bundle your phone, internet and TV package in to one with one company. I was paying £75 a month to be with 3 companies but i went with SKY for £50 a month...that's a couple of bags of feed a month!!!
Give up smoking...i know it's hard but every £6 packet of 20 your buying could pay towards your livery bill.
I know some people slate having insurance but unless you have hundreds or even thousands of pounds lying around for vet bills spending £30 a month gives you piece of mind that you only have the excess to find!!!
Shop in one of the cheaper supermarkets - I used to shop in Sainsbugs and now i shop in Asda and it's halved my weekly shopping bill!!!!

Sorry if I'm teaching you to suck eggs but there might be little things that you haven't thought of doing?

However, life changes and sometime no matter how much "trimming of the fat" you do life throws a curve ball and you have to make that heartbreaking decision.
Click to expand...

So sorry you had to part company with your horse. Thanks for advice
 
Frube said:
Its scary isnt it?! i for one worry about the future all the time. My job pays ok i guess but i still have to live at home with my parents. I am about to put my horse on grass livery once he's finished box rest probably endof April so that will save a bit on livery bills hopefully he'll manage to winter out ok next winter. This wil also save on time so possibly may end up doing 2 jobs or something.. just dont know really ..xx
Click to expand...


Yes very scary My horse is as important to me as my child My partner cant ever understand as many partners cant but even if he did it doesn't change the money situation. I just need a plan to make money loads of them!
 
i found doing the "black book" exercise for a month very useful - basically, for 1 month you write down EVERY penny you spend - down to take away coffee/random packets of polos etc - then go through the book & analayse where money is leaking away - i realised that i was spending nearly a fiver a week on take away cofee & a croissant as a week end treat on the way to the yard - that 20 quid a month:eek:
i also now live in a cash world - i take out a set amount each week for fuel/groceries/day to day stuff - its much easier to control spending when you hand over crumpled fivers.....:)
decide whats really important to you - we decided that as we have the internet & a lap top we could live without a TV/TV license & cable package - huge monthly saving:)
explore things like freecycle/clothes swop parties/car sharing - environmentally far more friendly & it puts cash in you pocket too:)

on an income of less than 25k a year - i run a car/pay a mortgage/keep a horse on DIY livery & provide for my teenage daughter AND save £100 a month - its is possible but needs constant vigilance - miserliness is the new rock n roll:)
 
Like SC said, through serious budgeting, large Excel spreadsheet!...it amazed me when I was first made redundant a couple of years ago how much you can save by shopping around for things like car and house insurance and while as it's an annual payment you don't see the benefit straightaway things like that definitely help. I've had work since but not full time and I managed to survive on £10,000 less a year than my former salary which amazed me though I don't think that's sustainable for long as you worry about any large unexpected payments out that you can't pay for like major car bill, new boiler, something wrong with house etc.

Can't say it's always great as social life gets cut back seriously, and at the moment I'm being careful with what I pay for my food and car use due to the cost of food and diesel. I do my horse myself so only rarely any charges above my monthly livery cost but I'm lucky because he's just 7 mins away by car. And he's a good do-er so I don't have feed bills. I don't smoke, rarely drink, hair gets cut twice a year now and no colour, by this summer I won't have had a holiday for 2 years but it's OK, I still have my chap which I am eternally grateful for as he makes me smile every day. He's exercise and therapy for me rolled into one!

Could you consider a sharer to help with your costs a bit or is that not possible?
 
I go out cleaning and take ironing in to help pay for my livery, and this winter had a fantastic job mucking out for my YO; she put the money in a pot, locked it in the tack room, and I managed to save enough for a nice ( second hand ) saddle, and more recently, paid for my vet bills when my boy got laminitis.
(Thank you so much, you know who you are!!) Luckily my OH is into horses so he doesn't really mind me spending money on the horse, within reason, provided I buy stuff for his sheep when I go to the corn mill. Just realised it's 8.25 and I must get the child to school!!
 
I had a stupid moment last week where I added up feed and yard costs. That was £900 for Feb. Gulp. Added to that are the expenses for competing, schooling and registrations, shoes vets and back care. Double Gulp.
I'm lucky that both blokey and I live for the horses, and the kids all understand it's our way of life. We don't smoke or go out to the pub, and shopping is kept to a minimum with us going at reduction time. We do end up with some strange meals though...!
Without blokey's job, and our commitment it wouldn't be possible. But we accept that nothing is certain, and you never know what's round the corner. As long as the horses are what you need to keep you happy then it's all worth it.
Although without them i'd be having plenty of winter sun!!
 
rubysmum said:
i found doing the "black book" exercise for a month very useful - basically, for 1 month you write down EVERY penny you spend - down to take away coffee/random packets of polos etc - then go through the book & analayse where money is leaking away - i realised that i was spending nearly a fiver a week on take away cofee & a croissant as a week end treat on the way to the yard - that 20 quid a month:eek:
i also now live in a cash world - i take out a set amount each week for fuel/groceries/day to day stuff - its much easier to control spending when you hand over crumpled fivers.....:)
decide whats really important to you - we decided that as we have the internet & a lap top we could live without a TV/TV license & cable package - huge monthly saving:)
explore things like freecycle/clothes swop parties/car sharing - environmentally far more friendly & it puts cash in you pocket too:)

on an income of less than 25k a year - i run a car/pay a mortgage/keep a horse on DIY livery & provide for my teenage daughter AND save £100 a month - its is possible but needs constant vigilance - miserliness is the new rock n roll:)
Click to expand...

This is inspiring, thanks :) my (non-horsey) family friend friend has a secure job and his wife is a real high flyer but he keeps a little book in his front pocket and has recorded every penny he's ever spent for his whole adult life!
 
Luckily I have a good job that pays well as does my husband but I dont take our financial situation for granted as you never know whats round the corner. We save a big chunk of our salarys for such a time when our financial situation might change.

If I lost my job for some reason or couldnt work then my husband would pick up her costs but then I would move her from part livery onto DIY which would save at least 250 a month for starters. And there are others area's of my mares monthly costs I could back on if needs be.

Sadiemay
 
Nest egg. Wouldn't have bought the horse if I hadn't been saving and adding to my nest egg since the age of 15. I'm now 42.
 
I earn bugger all (less than a grand a month)! I have my horse on DIY at £150 pm; hay, feed, trims, other things cost me probably the same again so max £400 pm. I muck out 2 other boxes for another livery mon-fri for £150pm and have holiday covers in quite regularly so that makes (on average) £150 pm. I school horses and give occassional lessons to a friends children at £20ph too. I am lucky in that I dont have a mortgage (forces) and my husband pays the majority percentage of bills. But I run a LD discovery at about £250 pm in fuel alone!! Pay for all the food shopping, cats expenses (which are higher than the average having 2 with special diets) and insurance for animals and myself! I will be saving up for a while having just bought a new horse that doesnt take too kindly to travelling in a trailer!
 
I am finding it very hard. I have four horses, two oldies and two youngsters. I have four part time jobs which all slot nicely into each other. I work at a school for may main job so one of the jobs is in holiday time only which helps. I dont, smoke, drink or spend any money on myself. I love all my horse to bits and would never part with any of themi will just have to work harder!!!
 
I'm selling my house!! Lol! Not quiet as dramatic as it sounds but I live in a little village miles from anywhere and it's a 20 mile drive to work so as I'm putting £200 a month of diesel in the van I've decided to move house to a village nearer work and near to the livery so I can cut costs that way. I love my little house but due to work, horse and dogs I'm rarely in it so there really isn't much point having it there. I live in a beautiful area so no matter where I move to I'll still have beaches and stunning views so for the sake of fuel money I don't mind moving...if it means I keep the horses then it's no sacrifice. I'm very lucky the village the currently live in is very popular so should have no trouble selling.
 
I work a day at the yard to pay for my horse, he either lives out 24/7 with hay included or he lives in on diy with hay and straw included, i couldn't have him otherwise as i have two kids and im on benefits (was with kids dad when i bought Sisco back). My new partner is moving in with me and the kids this month and im a very lucky girl as he's taken on me and them plus Sisco aswell, with feeding, feet trims, insurance etc still to be paid for on top the livery. My getting a job at the moment wont work as my son gets very stressed being passed about between friends, family and childcare for getting too and from/after school and my daughter is only 2 so would need full time childcare, the amount we'd be paying out on childminders/nursery would probably be more than id be earning!
 
MochaDun said:
Like SC said, through serious budgeting, large Excel spreadsheet!...it amazed me when I was first made redundant a couple of years ago how much you can save by shopping around for things like car and house insurance and while as it's an annual payment you don't see the benefit straightaway things like that definitely help. I've had work since but not full time and I managed to survive on £10,000 less a year than my former salary which amazed me though I don't think that's sustainable for long as you worry about any large unexpected payments out that you can't pay for like major car bill, new boiler, something wrong with house etc.

Can't say it's always great as social life gets cut back seriously, and at the moment I'm being careful with what I pay for my food and car use due to the cost of food and diesel. I do my horse myself so only rarely any charges above my monthly livery cost but I'm lucky because he's just 7 mins away by car. And he's a good do-er so I don't have feed bills. I don't smoke, rarely drink, hair gets cut twice a year now and no colour, by this summer I won't have had a holiday for 2 years but it's OK, I still have my chap which I am eternally grateful for as he makes me smile every day. He's exercise and therapy for me rolled into one!

Could you consider a sharer to help with your costs a bit or is that not possible?
Click to expand...


Yes i am thinking of a share also. I know what you mean about wasting money without knowing it. I am lucky I dont drink, smoke or even drink ta or coffee. Save on the elec bill there warming the kettle lol. Amazed at what we spend. Yrs back i kept my head above water (just) on less than £80 a wk with my son and a car. Its all slightly relative I suppose
 
Winklepoker said:
I earn bugger all (less than a grand a month)! I have my horse on DIY at £150 pm; hay, feed, trims, other things cost me probably the same again so max £400 pm. I muck out 2 other boxes for another livery mon-fri for £150pm and have holiday covers in quite regularly so that makes (on average) £150 pm. I school horses and give occassional lessons to a friends children at £20ph too. I am lucky in that I dont have a mortgage (forces) and my husband pays the majority percentage of bills. But I run a LD discovery at about £250 pm in fuel alone!! Pay for all the food shopping, cats expenses (which are higher than the average having 2 with special diets) and insurance for animals and myself! I will be saving up for a while having just bought a new horse that doesnt take too kindly to travelling in a trailer!
Click to expand...


GOOD FOR YOU!!! Hope things go your way but easier sounds like your really working hard at it
 
tinaub said:
I go out cleaning and take ironing in to help pay for my livery, and this winter had a fantastic job mucking out for my YO; she put the money in a pot, locked it in the tack room, and I managed to save enough for a nice ( second hand ) saddle, and more recently, paid for my vet bills when my boy got laminitis.
(Thank you so much, you know who you are!!) Luckily my OH is into horses so he doesn't really mind me spending money on the horse, within reason, provided I buy stuff for his sheep when I go to the corn mill. Just realised it's 8.25 and I must get the child to school!!
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I clean and iron too Useful stuff people will always need huh. But im still about a grand short. Dont fall off your seats folks. I know its a lot but it all adds up :(
 
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