Spandale
Active Member
I am a 14 year old University (college) student and I work 3 jobs to afford my horse. I pay for everything except the food on the table, if I can do it, so can you! I'm sure you will find a way, just have faith 
How do you afford your horses?
- Thread starter SWE
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Carrots&Mints
Well-Known Member
I work damn hard!
Farma
Well-Known Member
I have had horses whilst being a student and whilst earning well and now I have a child and work a bit less.
I think you do just make it work whatever your situation, I am pretty good at budgeting my money and have always gone without any luxuries to make sure bills were paid first and horses were ok. As you get older you generally accumulate wealth so things normally get easier minus any real issues that might throw a spanner in the works!
I do some teaching and judging on the side of my job that pays the bills which I generally use to pay for any extra bits for the horses ie tack / physio / lessons and what not but I could probably cut all that back if I ever needed to.
I think you do just make it work whatever your situation, I am pretty good at budgeting my money and have always gone without any luxuries to make sure bills were paid first and horses were ok. As you get older you generally accumulate wealth so things normally get easier minus any real issues that might throw a spanner in the works!
I do some teaching and judging on the side of my job that pays the bills which I generally use to pay for any extra bits for the horses ie tack / physio / lessons and what not but I could probably cut all that back if I ever needed to.
Dulcie
Active Member
I am a 14 year old University (college) student and I work 3 jobs to afford my horse. I pay for everything except the food on the table, if I can do it, so can you! I'm sure you will find a way, just have faith
Just wondering is 14 a typo? I can't see how you can be in Uni aha! (Literally just being nosey sorry x)
spotty_pony
...
I have 2 of my own and also work with horses so income isn't amazing. I am really tight on what I buy for myself - the horses get everything they need, I'll literally wear my riding boots until they have holes in and are falling off my feet before I buy more! One of my horses lives out all year round, is retired and barefoot so she doesn't cost a lot to keep. The other is on DIY Livery at a small private yard. My mum is horsey and keeps her horse there so we share a bit of the care and yard work between us. I live mostly with my dad, rent free so am luck in that respect.
pixie27
Well-Known Member
I have an above-average salary but work bloody hard for it - usually first in and one of the last out, often clock 13 hour days and always need to be contacted by email. But it means I can keep my horse on part livery, and have a loan to pay for a 4x4 and trailer. When horse is in work, we usually have one lesson a week, plus either an external clinic or competition. However now horse is off, I'll be spending all saved lesson/competing money on getting him better. I do a lot of freelance work on the side too, which I try to reserve for just savings/horse emergencies. It means I'm working constantly, but it funds what I want to do with my horse. We never had enough money when I was growing up to have more than 2 riding lessons a month, so I've climbed the career ladder quickly to be able to live out all my childhood dreams.
With all horse/loan payments (plus running a very thirsty 4x4 on a v long commute), I don't have loads left over. We rent in an extortionate part of the country and I'm v lucky that my OH earns about 3x what I do, so he pays for the majority of our rent, most of our bills/food, and usually all of our holidays. We go away 2-3 times a year, but to his mum's house in Spain, so all we pay for is food and flights. We don't go out drinking that much, and if we do, it's usually to someone's house, so we can take our own alcohol/food.
I do worry about lack of savings etc. and not owning a house, but - again - we're lucky that OH's mum owns a few houses in the south west, and once we're ready to live down there, we should be able to live rent/mortgage free.
With all horse/loan payments (plus running a very thirsty 4x4 on a v long commute), I don't have loads left over. We rent in an extortionate part of the country and I'm v lucky that my OH earns about 3x what I do, so he pays for the majority of our rent, most of our bills/food, and usually all of our holidays. We go away 2-3 times a year, but to his mum's house in Spain, so all we pay for is food and flights. We don't go out drinking that much, and if we do, it's usually to someone's house, so we can take our own alcohol/food.
I do worry about lack of savings etc. and not owning a house, but - again - we're lucky that OH's mum owns a few houses in the south west, and once we're ready to live down there, we should be able to live rent/mortgage free.
laura_nash
Well-Known Member
The only reason I can afford to have two is because we relocated (to rural Ireland) and bought a "project" with land (cash). Three years later we do now have a kitchen and a bathroom, but my daughter is still sharing our bedroom (fingers crossed we'll get hers finished this year).
I was doing ok with one on assisted DIY in the UK when both myself and OH worked full-time, but once I had my daughter and OH stopped working to raise her and go back to uni we were really struggling. This despite the fact that we were mortgage free having always bought dumps and renovated them. I would probably have had to get rid of my horse, and certainly never have been able to get my daughter a pony. without making the pretty scary and life-changing move.
I also haven't had a foreign holiday for years and generally buy cheap cars at auction etc.
I was doing ok with one on assisted DIY in the UK when both myself and OH worked full-time, but once I had my daughter and OH stopped working to raise her and go back to uni we were really struggling. This despite the fact that we were mortgage free having always bought dumps and renovated them. I would probably have had to get rid of my horse, and certainly never have been able to get my daughter a pony. without making the pretty scary and life-changing move.
I also haven't had a foreign holiday for years and generally buy cheap cars at auction etc.
Nasicus
Well-Known Member
I am a 14 year old University (college) student and I work 3 jobs to afford my horse. I pay for everything except the food on the table, if I can do it, so can you! I'm sure you will find a way, just have faith
24 maybe, at 14 you'd probably be breaking several child labour laws as well as being a child prodigy
PaddyMonty
Well-Known Member
Now - both of us have fairly well paid jobs, house paid for, kids grown up and earning their own money etc so not a problem.
Back 20 years and we lived on cheap food, no holidays, old cars etc. I also maintained the cars and built the horsebox so no garage bills. Worked close to home so not real commuting expense.
Also used my experience to get comp rides on owners horses which meant I didn't need my own so just had to fund 3 for wife and daughter.
Always DIY. It's about priorities and spending only what you can afford and accepting that other stuff has to be forgone.
Back 20 years and we lived on cheap food, no holidays, old cars etc. I also maintained the cars and built the horsebox so no garage bills. Worked close to home so not real commuting expense.
Also used my experience to get comp rides on owners horses which meant I didn't need my own so just had to fund 3 for wife and daughter.
Always DIY. It's about priorities and spending only what you can afford and accepting that other stuff has to be forgone.
alexomahony
Well-Known Member
I am the most spoiled and incredibly lucky 15 year old girl on the planet. My parents pay for pretty much everything feed, bedding, water - and we have the horses at home (only a small plot but it's the most amazing thing). My Dad is the youngest of his siblings by 10 years and comes from Northern Ireland, my Grandparent's send me £20 every 2 weeks (I don't know how to ask for less but they don't mind). Me and my Grandparents are really close - although I don't see them much we send letters often and when we do see them it's often the nicest couple of weeks I have. I mainly use this money on rugs, headcollars, numnahs etc for the horses!
I often try to pay for things myself as much as possible but my parents insist I spend it on better things than feed, bedding etc. I help out with maintenance jobs as often as possible - I look after and ride my Dad's horse a lot due to an injury he's had. I'm forever grateful for my life, as I know many aren't as fortunate as me. I do all the work with my pony myself, although my Dad's nice enough to be my towing taxi service!
Your parents should be so proud of you - you sound lovely! I know many 15 years olds who would take this for granted and it's truly refreshing to hear someone in such a fortunate position to be grateful at a young age.
Good luck with your ponies!
FinkleyAlex
Well-Known Member
This is such an interesting thread! Im in my late 20s, and earn a (objectively speaking) pretty good salary, albeit I spent many years at university and on a much lower salary while training. That said, I live in London, so although Im still living at home (rent free, bills free though I pay for breakfast and lunch but Im fed for dinner which is fab) with my parents, my money is often swallowed up by commuting costs to work, eating out and socialising is more expensive etc.
I spent about a third of my salary on my horse - hes on full livery as my working hours can be long and unpredictable, and Im in a long distance relationship so often travel. He wants for nothing, but isnt spoiled - Im not one for buying several saddle cloths or multiple bridles. He has good quality kit but one of everything, and only 3 saddlecloths in all. We dont compete, nor do I have lessons as I cant really afford to after how much I spend on his livery and other ongoing costs.
I have enough to save each month for a house (which will take a small miracle if i want to buy in London). I dont go on fancy holidays but do have a couple long weekends abroad each year, often on a budget in hostels etc. I rarely spend money on myself - hair or clothes etc though I do get my nails and eyebrows done just to stay groomed. I drive an oldish car but I do have a very expensive gym membership which I make good use of. I do eat out once or twice a week or go for drinks.
I dont think I could afford a horse if I had to pay rent or a large mortgage, so Im working enjoying my lifestyle while I can, though i do look forward to the day when I dont feel panic when asked if I want a bottle of wine rather than a glass. I often fantasise about relegating said horse to grass livery and having a luxurious life myself, but then I know hed have to live further away and Id see him even less...
I spent about a third of my salary on my horse - hes on full livery as my working hours can be long and unpredictable, and Im in a long distance relationship so often travel. He wants for nothing, but isnt spoiled - Im not one for buying several saddle cloths or multiple bridles. He has good quality kit but one of everything, and only 3 saddlecloths in all. We dont compete, nor do I have lessons as I cant really afford to after how much I spend on his livery and other ongoing costs.
I have enough to save each month for a house (which will take a small miracle if i want to buy in London). I dont go on fancy holidays but do have a couple long weekends abroad each year, often on a budget in hostels etc. I rarely spend money on myself - hair or clothes etc though I do get my nails and eyebrows done just to stay groomed. I drive an oldish car but I do have a very expensive gym membership which I make good use of. I do eat out once or twice a week or go for drinks.
I dont think I could afford a horse if I had to pay rent or a large mortgage, so Im working enjoying my lifestyle while I can, though i do look forward to the day when I dont feel panic when asked if I want a bottle of wine rather than a glass. I often fantasise about relegating said horse to grass livery and having a luxurious life myself, but then I know hed have to live further away and Id see him even less...
rachk89
Well-Known Member
Well if insurance doesn't pay for his surgeries soon, I may need to start selling body parts.. But kidneys go for a fair amount..
Really I just try to save what I can and spend as little as possible. Doesn't work or happen, but I try, that counts right?
Really I just try to save what I can and spend as little as possible. Doesn't work or happen, but I try, that counts right?
AussieClumper
Member
I think it depends on how you keep your horses as well. You can go very cheap/low maintenance or very posh with all the whistles and bells and the money difference is huge!
Here in Australia you can keep a horse very cheaply. A basic paddock with no facilities can be rented for as little as $20 (£11) a week. There is more available land here and horses can be obtained very cheaply or for free. We have a racing industry that churns out unwanted TBs for a dime a dozen, plus there are various stock sales where you can pick up a cross-bred for a few hundred dollars. Also horses don't tend to be kept indoors much here unless they are high end, so that reduces the costs too.
Unfortunately with this comes welfare issues where horses get neglected because they're out in a paddock somewhere and forgotten or the owner loses interest.
I bought my first horse when I was 14 for $400 and paid for his upkeep myself with a part-time supermarket job. He was an awfully badly behaved Arabian with a sway back and a tendency to rear. I kept him at a friend's place on the outskirts of town for free.
Fast forward to now (MANY) years later, where I have my own land and 4 horses. I have a medium-high income, plus my OH's income is medium and together a lot of our money goes towards the mortgage and property improvements. My horses are well-bred, well-trained (mostly) and worth considerable money (with the exception of the Clumpenstein yearling but that's another story!) I also compete and get regular lessons. The expenses for the horses are endless as well and we haven't had a proper holiday since buying the property 7 years ago.
Here in Australia you can keep a horse very cheaply. A basic paddock with no facilities can be rented for as little as $20 (£11) a week. There is more available land here and horses can be obtained very cheaply or for free. We have a racing industry that churns out unwanted TBs for a dime a dozen, plus there are various stock sales where you can pick up a cross-bred for a few hundred dollars. Also horses don't tend to be kept indoors much here unless they are high end, so that reduces the costs too.
Unfortunately with this comes welfare issues where horses get neglected because they're out in a paddock somewhere and forgotten or the owner loses interest.
I bought my first horse when I was 14 for $400 and paid for his upkeep myself with a part-time supermarket job. He was an awfully badly behaved Arabian with a sway back and a tendency to rear.
I kept him at a friend's place on the outskirts of town for free.Fast forward to now (MANY) years later, where I have my own land and 4 horses. I have a medium-high income, plus my OH's income is medium and together a lot of our money goes towards the mortgage and property improvements. My horses are well-bred, well-trained (mostly
) and worth considerable money (with the exception of the Clumpenstein yearling but that's another story!) I also compete and get regular lessons. The expenses for the horses are endless as well and we haven't had a proper holiday since buying the property 7 years ago.
HollyWoozle
Well-Known Member
We are very fortunate to have a family field so no livery charges. Horses live out 24/7, don't have expensive feeds or supplements, no gadgets or fancy gear. The main expenses in our case are hay and farrier fees, although only one has front shoes and the rest are just trims every 7 weeks and the ponies often only need doing every other time. We do feed quite a bit of hay as our grazing isn't great but I consider that a bonus as they don't get fat on it but can still go in the whole field.