Is owning a horse realsitic for 'ordinary' folk?

Shivvy said:
Lovely story Adorable Alice can we pls see that stunning horse muddy from the field just so we know he is real:D
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I promise he is not stuffed !! but very sadly he severely injured himself in 2011 just days after he was retired from the competition scene. He has done lengthy box rest and is now resting in a small paddock (paddling pool) and field shelter with his girlfriend who is 28 years old and 11h. He is 17.2h but he likes the older petite ladies. She looked after him when he was very poorly and spent a lot of time down. She never left his side.
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It does not matter how ordinary we are, horses can give us all immense pleasure regardless of what we do with them and it is something very special to be able to have a horse.
 
I earn £55k and am on my own and tbh keeping one horse and competing at RS level is difficult enough along with mortgage, bills, diesel etc. I go out rarely and don't buy a lot of new clothes!
 
I'm self employed and on a lot less than 20k! Might just hit 10k... I'm a single mum and run a battered little old micra. I can JUST about manage to pay my half for Mac, who my friend and I co-own - he's a 16.3/17hh eating machine, on a private DIY yard, and needs a full set of shoes every 8 weeks.

There is no way I could afford him on my own, and no way my friend and I could afford to compete - even if the 3 of us were up to it! We are hoping to take him hunting once or twice next year, but will need to save up for subs and box hire. May hack him over to local RC shows next summer for a couple of classes.

Friend and I have very few luxuries in life - apart from the giant donkey - but he lives like a king! :D
 
AdorableAlice said:
Thank you - here is the end result of blood, sweat, tears, empty bank account, very very early mornings and from my wonderful friend and rider's point of view, a lot of nerves and self doubt.....

The coat was borrowed as was the saddle and boot tops. The horse was got fit on the local lanes and bridleways. The schooling was done in a kind neighbours school. I shopped in Aldi and put cardigans on instead of the heating !!!

We had 3 amazing years 2007 to 2009 but I couldn't do it again that is for sure.
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Awesome horse - not surprising he has done so well.

It is a neat feeling when you place or beat some of the top showies. In 1976 I rode a lovely Small Show Hunter successfully at some County Shows beating some of the top riders at the time. Made all the work worth while. Horse was called Blue Miracle
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It all depends how badly you want it. For example if they wanted to compete and keep up a two nights out a week social life, three holidays a year, new car every other year. Then no, probably not. However I find if you prioritise things then yes it is completely do-able...
 
Im on 19k a year in a full time job with emergency standby duties (like flooding!), have a second job for 10hrs a week which brings in a little extra. I do get a company car so that helps avoid costly garage bills. I can't afford to buy a house so pay rent. I rent a farmers field and stables/hay for £20 pw, my friend has an arena over the road she let's me use. I get up at 5am to ride as I work 8am til 10pm a few nights a week. The keeping and low level competition is more than doable. Entry fees would be a struggle at high level. I think if Mr and Mrs average were willing to give up fancy car, big tv, holidays, social life, central heating (and hot water half the time!) then they could do it.
 
Also, having just read that you want to compete at a high level I very much doubt this would be accesible as to compete at the level we're talking about you would need a string of horse, most which would be provided by Owners (if youre lucky) but to get Owners you must build up a good competition history... It's all swings and roundabouts. I compete at good amateur level BS and pretty much bankrupt myself every Summer attending Scope, Arena UK, Hickstead etc. But.... it is do-able. And i'm earning over 20k and fortunate enough that my Parents pay the insurance on the Horsebox.
 
I earn between 50 and 55k a year (depending on how hard I wanna work!) I have 2 horses. One living out and one on 7 day livery. I did have a lorry too but have replaced it with a trailer and a new 4x4. Tbh although I am rubbish with money and waste a lot, I don't have much left after bills, food etc. If I was more careful with my money I imagine I could go out and about anytime I wanted. I can afford to hunt once a week when my shifts allow.

I am lucky that my OH earns the same and can help me out financially if I need it.

We don't have children either which is a big saving :)
 
I'd classify my self as ordinary, earning only £14k a year as an admin assistant. 2 months ago I got my first pony, by that I mean owned by me. I've been very lucky in the past that my parents have bought my ponies/horses as I grew up, but Arthur is actually mine!
Things can be tight money wise, especially as I have other expensive hobbies (classic Mini's and Indoor Skydiving) I do manage to compete most weekends, only at local level and do regular training with the riding club.
I'm thankful that I still live at home and although I pay for everything for Arthur, my mum is very horsey too (we have 2 haflingers!) and she helps with all the little tasks while I'm working. If it wasn't for my parents over the years, I wouldn't be where I am with horses.
 
nagz - indoor skydiving - I used to jump outdoors at RAF Weston on the Green. Have you or are you planning to go and jump from a plane? It's awesome fun - I was on 20 second delays when I moved to NZ.
 
Faro said:
Keeping a horse can be done -but competing to a high standard has limitations.

I earn a little over 20K, OH is self-employed and only able to work part-time so brings in maybe £7k/year. The mortgage is in my name. So is the car (old K Reg), which we share. OH is basically a useless spare part (who I happen to love), so all financial responsibilities are mine. We live in a studio flat - i.e. no separate bedroom (bedroom is living room). I also have 2 ad-hoc part-time jobs.

The Positive: I have 5 horses, 3 of which are in ridden work and 2 of which I compete in Endurance at Advanced level. I am able to keep my horses because I rent land privately, they live out 24/7/365 and I have no facilities apart from storage!

The Negative: One of my two endurance horses is ready to qualify for 1* FEI rides, but I have decided that competing at FEI level is simply beyond me. I can happily carry on doing a selection of rides at Advanced level, but I would be unable to bear the additional costs of competing FEI. There's the additional registration, the additional entry fee, the extra distance to travel to FEI rodes, the extra overnight stabling fees ... the list goes on. It's not something I could even seriously contemplate.

So, we make very sacrifice possible - and I do compete regulary throughout the season and with considerable success, but being financially strapped does definitely mean that there are limits beyond which it would be impossible to go in a competitive career.
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What an inspirational post!

Thanks!
 
Tnavas said:
nagz - indoor skydiving - I used to jump outdoors at RAF Weston on the Green. Have you or are you planning to go and jump from a plane? It's awesome fun - I was on 20 second delays when I moved to NZ.
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I started to jump, there was a drop zone 2 miles down the road from where I worked and lived. I got as far as my AFF level 4. I ended up moving home again, putting the dropzone over an hours drive away. I still go and watch occasionally, but am now enjoying being a pony owner again.
I'd love to complete my AFF and jump but there is only so far my money will stretch. Maybe when I win the lotto!
Do you jump in NZ? Lovely part of the world!
 
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