If you don't have a spare £100 you shouldn'town a horse?

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LauraWheeler

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I hear this statement on here quite alot and I have to say it upsets me.
I can sort of understand why people say this. But it upsets me as I don't have a spare £100 lying around the place for anything.
When Lucy was diagnosed my whole world fell appart I knew it would cost a small fortune to keep her stable and give me some extra time with her (It cost £2000 to diagnose her in the first place). She was un insured as she was atleast 20 years old but was prob more like 23 so she would not be covered for illness anyway.
I have taken out an overdraft which I am now permanantly in and set up a payment plan with the vets so I pay them in monthly installments. I lost Lucy nearly 2 months ago :(:(:( and I still have atleast 6 months to pay off on the bill.
My parents (who don't have much money) have said they will help me out if I realy need it.
I now live with my wonderful OH who pays all the rent and buys all the food so all my money is spent on My other animals and Lucys vet bill.
I would go without inorder to provide for my animals as they ALWAYS come first. Years ago when I worked in an awful place who only paid me £75 a week. Then charged me £95 a week for rent or livery I faced the awful desition to get rid of Lucy. I could never do that so I ended up working with horses 7 days a week and then working 7 nights a week in a pub just to pay for Lucys keep and I lived off 9p a can bakebeans on toast till I could find a better situation for Lucy and I.
I guess what i'm trying to say is where theres a will theres a way. In the ideal world I would have lots of spare cash lieing around for every situation that arises and I would be able to buy myself New cloths and stuff.
Sorry for the rant but I just feel like some people obviously think I shouldn't own a horse because I don't have any money. My horses are well cared for and although they don't have expencive new rugs they are happy and healthy and will always be provided for if they needed anything even if it means i have to take on more work and go without things.
 
I don't think many of us have a spare £100 lying around tbh! Would be nice.... but if I had it, I think I'd have already spent it - on my horse ;)
I know very few people who actually have that much money on hand, and although it's not ideal that I don't, I'm not sure what I'd do without my horse, and he certainly isn't neglected in any way, so I'm happy with that and I think he is too! :p
 
Laura, love, don't take it to heart. Honestly! there's so much **** flying around this forum sometimes that I do think you ought to pick and choose what you hear/read.

If the worst came to the worst, you'd be able to find a way to deal with not having much ££, and you obviously have done before!!

Saying that, I don't think it would be wise to enter into horse ownership already scraping the financial barrel as that's just asking for trouble IMO.
 
i think it depends on your situation and the type of animal you wish to keep.

but i think its also a fair statement to make.
before getting a horse an owner should look at all the cons, and situations that could happen and result in hefty expenditure, like injury or illness, on top of the general upkeep costs.

if you find you couldnt cope with a large vets bill then you should definitely look at other ways of being with horses, rather than digging yourself into financial ruin.

but all this is very easily said and rarely put into practise. finance was one of the reasons ive never owned a horse, because i wouldnt be able to fund a huge bill or long term rehabiliatation. i always think its so sad to see horses put up for sale because their owner couldnt afford them, but circumstances change and thats a part of having any financial tie to anything.
 
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It would be very nice to have money lying around, however MOST of us don't have.

BUT most of us can find it somewhere too - so try not to take it as black and white! I don't have £100 lying round, but if my horse needed it, I'd find it ;)
 
You obviously care a great deal about your animals and put them first. Really it is not anyone elses business how you chose to spend your money however little or much you have. If I were you I would try to ignore any comments and just get on with caring for your animals which you are obviously doing to the best of your ability.
 
I had this conversation with my husband the other day, it's all very well living like that when you are single, or don't have any children. But if I had to feed my child **** food and 9p tins of beans because I had a horse then there is something wrong.
 
I don't have a spare £5, let alone £100, but if my horses need something I will find the money no matter what. It would be lovely to have money put aside for horse emergencies, but its unlikely many people do at the moment, and if they do, lucky them!
 
Totally agree with you Laura, me and my mum go without daily so the horses are paid for.

Have also been told this today on one of my posts :( I had a big vets bill that im still paying off now! I happily go without so the horses are ok. Would sleep in the stable if it came to it!
 
I don't know Lucy's story as I'm pretty new here but I do agree with you to a large extent. For one thing, a person can be in a very comfortable position when they get their horse but things can go wrong and they can be out of a job or otherwise brought down.

I think what most people mean when they say things like that is that people shouldn't buy a horse initially if they don't have the ability to come up with the money for emergencies. I waited until I felt sure I could pay for my girl's needs before I bought her - that doesn't mean I was rich but I was secure in my job and had a decent income.

But I've known people who weren't even working who took on a horse because it was "free" and I think that's terribly irresponsible and unfair to the horse. You've found a way because you're willing to work, you're able to take out an overdraft, your OH and your parents are willing to help you so while you may not have a lot of solid money, you do have options for care. Some people don't have those options but take on animals anyway and even the best will in the world won't take care of things when it goes south in those circumstances.

Just my thoughts on it. I'm like you - I've never been rich (not even close) but have always managed to take care of my animals.
 
LOL Sol thats very true if I had the spare money it would probably be spent on the pony or the dog. :p

Non of these comments on the forum have been directed at me. Although I was told by a suposid friend that I should have just had Lucy out down when she was diagnosed as the vet bill was so big and I would still be paying it off after she had gone. I think all the money was worth it for the extra 8 months I got with her and if it had just been a case of throwing more money at it to keep her alive and still have her with me today I would have done it.
 
Laura, you know the cost of owning a horse - in every way:( I think what people mean is that novice owners need to be advised that a "slush" fund will be needed at some point. Most people are not like you and do not want to sacrifice everything for their horses, only dedicated owners will do this. Whilst experienced people can and do manage without emergency funds, they also are the ones who know where they can safely cut corners and where, like you they need to take out overdrafts etc.

I had a friend who was given pony for her 3 girls. She was a single parent living on benefits, and had neither the time nor money nor knowledge to care for it properly. She did not realise that saving money on stabling meant it was out 24/7 and got laminitis:( she then had the vet out once but couldnt afford another visit:mad: Unfortunately she (correctly) fed and clothed her daughters first, there was no money and no one else to pay for this ponys care. The pony was shod every 12 weeks as she could not afford to do it more often. Its tack did not fit properly as she could not afford to get fitters etc. Fortunately the kids lost interest and the pony was moved on after 2 years. At the beginning when I gently suggested she could not really afford a pony, she was offended and stated her kids had as much "right" to a pony as mine did. Sadly the ponys "rights" were not considered.

I know, Laura, that people like you are well aware of the potential costs and will move heaven and earth to look after your horse:) Sadly many others are not like this, or have kids and their priorities have to be different.:(
 
and its not always about money either. the same can be said for time, resources, equipment, knowledge.

some people are lucky enough to have all the help in the world and even if things did go t*ts, they would still have ways and means.
 
Well i dont have £100 in my purse right now but my horse has everything he needs, he is fully stocked iwth rugs, food, hay, bedding, first aid equipment - he is also insured with a very reputable company who my vets are quite happy to wait for payment with - i have checked.
 
misst said:
Laura, you know the cost of owning a horse - in every way:( I think what people mean is that novice owners need to be advised that a "slush" fund will be needed at some point. Most people are not like you and do not want to sacrifice everything for their horses, only dedicated owners will do this. Whilst experienced people can and do manage without emergency funds, they also are the ones who know where they can safely cut corners and where, like you they need to take out overdrafts etc.
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This.

I have always been lucky in that I come from an affluent family, and from buying my first horse (though my parents bought me ponies when I lived at home, this was my first time 'on my own') I was able to have a separate bank account, that I wouldn't touch other than in emergencies. This worked for me; it meant that when my lorry died I could repair it asap, and when my mare needed an emergency cesarean I could get her the care she needed.

However, if I hadn't had this fund tucked away, I would (as you did) have found a way to manage. This is what makes a horse owner, not having £100 to spare; having the ability to adapt in order to make sure your horse is happy and well cared for.

Just because you didn't have the money upfront to look after Lucy, and you've had to rely on family and an overdraft doesn't make you a bad owner. It makes you a good owner because you found a way around the problem to do the best for your horse.
 
Dear Laura, for most people I would say that they shouldn't own a horse if they hadn't the spare cash lying around to pay for it. You are an exception to that rule because you have shown and continue to show that you will move heaven and earth to do the best for your horses. You will work your backside off to cope. Far too many people think they will but when push comes to shove they can't and won't do without the occasional treat, girlie night out, new clothes etc.

You are obviously completely dotty, especially about your horses, and more power to your elbow.:)
 
I always planned to have some money put aside for H. But when you have mortgage and your washing machine breaks and the hoover in the same day you have to find the money to replace them. SO unfortuntely my little nest egg has gone now and I doubt I will be able to get it back..

But that said if he needed something that was part of his basic care and health I would sacrafice something in order for him to have it. I am in no way rich, dont follow fashion, dont buy new clothes, dont drink, my only weakness is smoking and chocolate.

I work full time by the way

So should I not won a horse ?
 
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You are obviously a very dedicated owner and have enjoyed the highs and understand the lows that come with owning horses/ponies...ie. illness, worry, big bills, etc !! There are lots of people like you who give their all to keep their animals in the best possible health and miss out on things for themselves (and would have it now other way!) as they get so much enjoment out of their relationships with their animals...Good for you Laura..she was a very lucky girl to have you as her owner !!!
 
its a dangerous situation when you love something that much, we very nearly spent £3000 on amputation for our beloved springer pup who broke her elbow but, even if i could afford it (which we would have, somehow), i wouldnt keep any animal alive if it was causing them any pain or distress, and a working springer puppy with only 1 foreleg and a 80% percent chance of arthritis due to the strain on the other foreleg by the age of two even with retirement, isnt fair by any stretch of the imagination. you do need to weigh up the options, and wether you are hard enough to make the decision when it comes to you. i really feel for you laura. xxx
 
Most of us find a way when we have a horse, but if you sat down and worked out how much a horse does cost and the potential cost of things if it goes wrong then nobody would ever buy one unless they are a lottery winner!
I hear of people going without things all the time because their horse needs something, driving around in old bangers because they can't afford a decent car because of their horse, living on cheap food when their horse gets the best etc but once you have a horse and you love them you will do anything for them, that's what horses do to you!

I've gone through all that and more just to have a horse and wouldn't change it for the world, but there has to be a point when you think enough is enough and I can't go on like this forever?
It just struck me the other day that now I'm a bit older and have a family that they have to come first, that my husband and child are missing out on things because of me and my horse, it's not a good feeling :(

I'm not working at the moment because of illness, so I have loaned my horse out. Luckily I have found him a lovely new mummy and daddy that love him.
 
Unfortunately my circumstances have changed dramtically in the last 7 years and I can no longer put away weekly/monthly installments into a seperate account...But if Spock needs something I wil try my upmost best to provide if he needs it desperately. My bf is wonderful and always trys where he can to chip in and I am very grateful.
 
This is the main reason I dont have a horse - at the moment I love buying lovely clothes, having my highlights done, going out, buying nice stuff for the house.

At some point in my life these things will become less important and I will really want a horse but without them I am not amazingly happy and like looking and feeling good so I would never get a horse and comprimise the spend on them. Yes I could afford keep and livery etc but I couldnt afford to live the life I do now and have a horse.
 
I agree with th OP and feel frustrated when people make sweeping statements.
Both my OH an I were made redundant at the same time last Christmas and went from a household income of over 60k to zero. It took both of us 3 months to find new jobs and even now only bring home between us just over 35k...that's a huge chunk to loose.
Lifestyles have to change OH is no longer a member of an expensive golf club, SKY, mobile phones etc had to go to the cheapest options to save money. We sold our cars and bought cheaper ones and discussed selling our horse.
OH wouldn't let me and even took the laptop off me so i couldn't place ads on line!!!
He said he would rather eat beans on toast and drink water than sell part of the family.
I'm very lucky to have a very understanding OH but it annoys me when people make stupid comments without knowing peoples circumstances and until those people are put into that position they will never understand what your prepare to sacrifice to keep your horse.
I know that we would somehow find the money to pay for our horse or any other large bill that came in.
I appreciate that horses are a luxury and we would have a couple of hundred pounds spare every month but if your willing to go without many things to have one thing you love then you do it.
Money is very tight but we have a roof over our heads, bills are paid, horse is fed and has a roof over his head. Rugs & tack are bought off Ebay, we phone around for the best bedding price etc.
So no i don't have a spare £100 and no i don't have new clothes, shoes or go out every weekend but we are surviving.

I would say however, our horse is insured and that's one thing that we wouldn't cut back on and if the OP can afford to get insurance for then when things go wrong it's worth paying for. We know we only have to find the excess and it's easier to find £150 then £1500?!!?

If your happy living the lifestyle you have so you can have a horse then go for it.
 
I do understand that some people shouldn't own horses. But I have known rich people who shouldn't own them to. They refuse to pay out for them and cut corners where they shouldn't just to save money.:mad: I just didn't like the sweeping statments that where being posted that implyed I shouldn't have a horse just because I don't have much money. :(

newtothis you can rest assured Lucy was not alowed to suffer. All the time I kept her going she was happy and not in any pain. I knew when the time had come to let her go (even though I was on holiday :() My vet said she could probably have waited till I got home but I wanted her to go happy. If I had asked her to wait she may have started to suffer and I wanted Lucy to have the dignified end she deserved. Like I said if it had been a case of throwing more money at the problem I would have but all the money in the world would not have stopped her suffering so I let her go before she started to suffer. :(:(:( A horrable desition but I love her so so much I would never have forgiven myself if I had alowed her to suffer.
 
Well, I guess I'm young and don't have a family to support etc, and don't actually have my own horse at the moment, but I would definitely put almost anything after the horse on the list of prioritise - horse comes top apart from food and shelter! literally, same as you, live off value beans on toast, never have any new random stuff, to put the horse first. But I think it depends on your attitude - ahaa, and whether you see horses as a necessity and way of life, almost as important, if not dare i say, more important than a family member/OH/bestfriend, or if you see them as a hobby and luxury!
Examples of 2 friends of mine, both who put horses totally at the bottom of the priorities list:

1) Very well off, financially stable upper middle class family. Both parents work full time, ones in business so earns £££. They have 2 kids (who actually aren't remotely interested in horses anyway). BUT - they think that horses are expensive luxuries, and that if their kids wanted one, they probably wouldn't get one, as the parents would say they cost too much, and are a waste of money. Even though they have much more than £100s lying around!

2) Friend of a friend, her horse came very low down her scale of priorities. Sure she had enough money to look after him well etc, but would much rather spend it on new clothes or nights out that good quality feed/hay for him or new rugs when the older ones were a mess! She spent as little time with him as possible, and if anything had threatened her comfortable financial situation, horse would have been first to go.

I do understand that horses are extremely costly, even when they're healthy and everythings going smoothly, but I think they're totally worth it, and for us die hard horse lovers, when theres a will theres a way - ok may not have spare cash sitting in the bank, but when needs must, there is a way to get emergency funds.
 
ditto what Binky01 said.... i dont have a spare £100 BECAUSE of my horse... id probably some months have an extra £250 - £300 spare if i didnt have him but wouldnt be horseless before i were homeless :D
 
you guys are very lucky to have such understanding other halves!
If it came to us having to drink water and eat baked beans than sell my horse then my husband would not be willing to make that sacrifice and I would have to sell my horse :(
I'm sure it's to do with having children, as before we had our daughter he would have happily lived on cheap food just so I could have a horse.
 
I am in two minds about this and I agree you shouldnt have to have spare cash lying around -BUT I dont agree with living on credit to support a luxury. Your lucky to have such a supportive OH and family but imagine if you didnt? what would your options be?

I dont have 'spare' money- it always seems to get eaten up by something but I know that I earn more than a HAVE to spend per month and I would never live beyond my means- I agree that if you want luxuries you should work for them- so if that means you need to work extra shifts then so be it- I do extra work in the summer months so I can afford a holiday/my old VW Camper. BUT I cant get my head around the idea that people will literally starve themselves and live on credit to support a luxury. Just my opinion though so dont take it to heart.
 
I guess, I'm slightly older maybe and see things differently ... whilst I agree that caring for your horses is very important etc etc what would happen if you live totally hand to mouth and became unwell and, with no cash to spare, had to unload your horse/s quickly... or your horse got colic? I'm in the lucky position that I do have cash to spare, and tbh wouldn't own horses if I couldn't afford them, I'd find it too stressful

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