What luxuries have you given up to keep a horse?

Always had them so never made a decision to give stuff up, keeping a horse is just second nature. Depending on the different situations I've been in over the years depends what I've sacrificed. I've done everything from not having luxuries like holidays, haircuts, new clothes, nights out, to being in the situation that I've had no heating, & lived on value bread & potatoes, with dinner at someones house being a luxury. Young daughter obviously has an effect now on what I'd give up as it will effect her too. But taking her out of the equation, I couldn't imagine life without horses, so I'd give up anything not essential to survival. Before she was born or when she moves out as an adult, I would live in a tent rather than give up my 23yr old pony. And I think short of having loads of money, if I was in the position to buy sports cars, go on several expensive holidays a year, regularly dine in expensive restaurants etc, I would probably just buy more horses instead.
 
Holidays. Don't like leaving the horses for more than a week and the dogs get stressed in the kennels.
Would like a new car but one I've got I've had since new (9yrs) and there is no real reason to change it.
I'm not into clothes shopping or nights out but do have to shop now and again for work clothes as I have to look smart for work. I absolutely detest shopping unless it's horse related!
 
I was never much interested in luxury items/lifestyle anyway so I don't consider that I have given anything up. I don't do holidays, I get bored. I actually prefer to stay at home and mess about with horses and garden etc.

I'm a lucky soul I guess, I am very content.
 
Everything !
My horse has everything and more besides. I do try and dress nicely though, buy all my clothes on sale pretty much. I find taking care of your things makes them last a really long time. Just simple things like washing them inside out on low temp washes seems to keep the colour and shape in.

I also clean my shoes quite regularly so they always look kind of new.

I don't drive because I didn't have the money. I am only now thinking about taking driving lessons.

I find small things help tbh in being smart. ie : Plain clothes with some nice acessories, scarf, bracelet etc. and painted nails.

You don't have to spend a lot to look good I don't think.

I'm lucky my OH pays for any meals or anything like that. My social life is non existant though.

On the plus side, I don't need a car really atm because I'm in the middle of everything so that means no tax, fuel etc.
 
Reading this thread has made me feel so much better!
My horse gets the best of everything, me not so much!
I still go on holiday regularly but apart from that, I live a quiet life with few luxuries apart from her.

I do often worry how sustainable it is for me in the future with other commitments looming...
 
I keep seeing this word 'holiday'. Can someone please explain what it is??
I'm not too bad I guess. I have
Nice horsey clothes, not mega kingsland or anything but nice enough. However my normal wardrobe just doesn't exsit
I have a decent car and reasonable lorry.
But I'm really bad the main thing I do without is food. Although from my size you would never believe it!
 
If I didn't have my horses I could afford to move out of the family home and rent my own place, possibly even have saved up a good chunk of a deposit for a mortgage by now... but then what would I do once I'm in my own place without my horses to look after and ride, I'd be bored stiff! :confused: :D
 
Posh clothes and holidays.I always have clothes and shoes which will last fashion wise for work,and i really don't spend excessively on luxury stuff.I just wish the shopping was more reasonably priced as staple foods are going up all the time.
 
I think I must be unique!! I think I've actually saved money since having H!! I am a teacher and every half term or holiday I used to spend most of my time in the shopping centres spending money! I had new outfits every week (enough to keep me going for years - still not worn everything!) and 100s of pairs of shoes. Now, I spend all my school holidays at the yard wearing the same jodhs and t-shirt for days at a time - and I couldn't be happier :D
 
Holidays abroad, haven't been for over 20 years! Decent cars until recently, now have a nice little mini but that is 8 years old now and OH drives an 11 year old landrover. I do feel guilty that our son has missed out on holidays abroad but now he is in secondary school he has had the chance to go skiing and they are going Euro Disney for their end of year trip. We used to go to the local beach, how times have changed! Don't really miss the holidays as we do go in this country and spend time as a family away from the animals but that in itself is a nightmare just trying to get someone I trust to look after them. Horses have a lot to answer for and sometimes I do wish I had never started riding but saying that cannot imagine not having them now. My son and my OH have no interest in horses so I do feel guilty sometimes that the sacrifices are really because of my interest in horses. Shouldn't have read this thread feeling more and more guilty as I write!:(
 
If we didn't have the nags, I'd have trender clothes, clothes currently consist of stuff for work ( most of which is as old as the hills) and yard stuff as when I'm not at work, I'm usually at the yard.

We could prob have a bigger and nicer house . But then again I'm not a house worshipper and I'd have more rooms to clean and without the horses, I'd have no life and nothing to keep me sane!:D
 
rubysmum said:
Question - what luxuries have you given up to have a horse
Answer - what are luxuries and do Aldi sell them ?
Click to expand...

I love this /\ :D I do most of my shopping at aldi and in fact my jods and polo shirt are from there :D

I have had horses since I was 9years old so have not had luxuries since then really, before that in truth we were a wealthy family and had many luxuries. I loved having horses more when we moved to Wales, I was happy and still am not to have lots of nice things so as I can have the horse. My car is functional, its a 10yr old Mondeo which looks pretty hagged and on spaceship mileage at almost 186,000 miles!
I do not have to skimp quite as much as I did in truth which is nice, before my job now it was a worry if I could even afford the bus fare if the car broke!
Suppose the car is the main thing really, I do love cars and would love a really nice one, and without a horse I would be able to afford it, but the choice is simple :D
 
I have always put my horse before things for myself, hairdos, nights out, nice clothes etc. But I have just had a baby. Husband is happy for me to contribute less towards household bills but I have to pay for my horse myself. So back to work part time... I am a teacher but also a middle manager so I have a good job... I have to do an extra half day per week to pay for the horse. That may not sound much but it's seeming quite a lot in my little boy's life, when added to the time I am at the stables and riding. It's getting to the point where I'm feeling too guilty to go and ride!
So I am considering selling my horse so I get more time with my little man. This time it's a luxury I DON'T want to give up. They're only babies once.
 
New clothes and shoes,hairdressers,books,magazines and newspapers,holidays,house renovations,and savings.That is just to pays for the daughter's ponies,I can't afford a horse myself.

Both OH and I agree that it is worth it to see the grins on their faces when they ride though.
 
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