How do you afford your horse(s) ?

Johnny Depp

  • Total voters
    0
It was a struggle at first and it took nearly all my wages. I worked purely to support my pony. Marriage and two incomes eased it a lot. Now, my OH has a very good job and he supported my (very simple) horse habit whilst I had the children - at that time I only had the one, original, pony. When child 2 (and then 3) started riding (not my idea) so did equine numbers increase! I now work every day (term time) to 'help' with the upkeep. They are all at home, so no livery charges to find. However, it's now Pony Club, BSJA, dressage, entry fees and weekly lessons, the lorry, and all the extra tack and gear you don't need for hacking out. OH moans a lot as they are a total drain, and he hates them because of the time they take up!!!
blush.gif
grin.gif
 
Can just about afford as my blokey pays more towards mortgage and bills etc.. To him it's worth it as I think he believes if I have to give up horses I might start getting for broody for babies!!
 
Wish I'd read the earlier posts. I don't drink, or smoke or ever go away on holiday and try to justify all my purchases even though I don't really need to. It's force of habit from when I had to count every penny. I also really look after all my stuff!
 
I'm a singer and music teacher. The teaching allows me to teach at flexible times privately. I charge £25 per lesson and teach two other instruments. Concerts are great cos I can earn up to 300 pounds odd. oh and wedding too as I play the harp and that brings in the money.
smile.gif
But now am at college as well so have had to lose some students
frown.gif
. luckily doing it part time though. I manage. I don't find I'm short. All my horses get what they need and want
smile.gif
 
We have 3 horses for my daughter to compete affiliated SJ. I work all the hours and sacrifice many things to keep this lot going. My daughter in turn doesnt go out much, doesn't expect clothes, or fancy stuff. I also have a mortage a son and retired OH so it is down to me. I wouldnt miss it for the world I enjoy the thrill of competition the hard work going in paying off, the people, everything bar the heartbreak of illness in horses and we have had out fair share of that.
 
I am a student on a scholarship so I have no idea how I do it but they always get what they need. I don't go out, dont buy clothes dont drink really (twice a year or something like that!). hire fields for them and do the work myself. it works out cheaper than livery. Hair cuts, massages, manicures etc are a distant memory. OH not horsie but thinks its worth putting up with me smelling of horse and scruffy to see how happy they make me. I cleaned up for my wedding day but other than that can't remember the last time I scrubbed up for something!

Worth it though!!!!
 
hmm, just about 'afford' it, but when I bought my horse I had very few bills to pay and could still go out and buy new clothes, everything she needed and go out for nice meals.

NOW, I have bought a house and I have all the bills, mortgage etc on top of that and money is very tight. Could never part with her though, so I don't really mind. At least I have something to show for it all!
 
Audrey: not all horse work is poor paid! Lol, ive got a fab horse job which pays very well and has great extras.

It took me a while (8 months of searching) to find it though! lol.
 
My husband has a fairly well paid job and I work part time as we have a 3 year old daughter. But once the rent, council tax and nursery fees etc are paid we don't have an awful lot left at the end of the month.
I've been trying to save up for a lorry for ages now but I never have any spare cash! Having to sell my pony to buy a lorry, but hopefully Hubby's getting a nice big bonus in june and we will be a bit better off.
 
My 1 is easy, we could probably afford 2 although I don't think they'd get as much as my boy does now - any more than 2 and we'd have to start sacrificing other things to manage at the moment.
 
Work work work, having 1 wasn't too bad ( he was a pony and unshod) , 2 was much tighter ( 1pony 1 horse), now its 3 (1 pony 2 horses) it is tough. I rent a field and stables so no livery fees to pay thank God. I actually have 3 jobs at the present time just to keep things afloat. Having said that, I wouldn't have it any other way!
 
i am luck enough to have a wonderful husband who works long hours so we can afford them all, i dont work as it would work out i would be paying all my wages to childcare
frown.gif
 
Work evenings and weekends as I go to college. Mum pays for the insurance and my phone contract but I pay for everything else. I ticked the pot noodles box!
 
Didnt have a choice for me. I afford it but it's my only luxury. I don't go out and rarely have new clothes. I don't spend friviously (sp?), if horse NEEDS it, they get it, but otherwise wait till the sales or I can find it second hand etc. ATM we havent a horse, so money is being saved towards the next one.
 
I go without many other things to not only afford my horses, but my children as well!!!!! lol

I rarely shop for myself and never go the the salon...etc.
every dime I spend goes to care for the animlas and make my kids happy

the way I see it though is that the horses and ponies are a luxury for not only me, but my kids. The best indulgence I can think of really. A living thing to love and enjoy for us all that we can learn so much from at the same time. WAYYYYYYY better than Designer shoes and fabulous hair!
smirk.gif
 
with the mortgage, cat, and husband, god only knows. In short we all work, yes including the animals. I and hubby work full time, Cat works as live in house sitter and snob, horse works Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays doing Riding for the disabled. They pay for everything all I have to do is leave them too it when he is working so I get to own him and gallop the but off him at weekends which he loves. Work for pony is not hard by far, 9/10 is only 1 hour a day and only walk !!!!!!! Talk about right place right time right horse. And he lives out
 
I work flipping hard - 10 hours per day - live in a much smaller house than my friends, don't buy myself any clothes (the horses have beautiful rugs !!!) and don't go out clubbing or for meals... usually have friends round to ours instead and have a very understanding hubby who contributes a higher percentage towards the mortgage.

Have always had horses so they always come first and whatevers left equates to how much my mortgage is - as opposed to the other way round.

Pre-hubby days - have been known to live on pot noodles so my horses can live a life of riley !

Wouldn't change a thing though !!!!!!!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top