Who else can't quite afford a horse?!

[Penguin_Toes]

I'm just posting this because I feel like the only horsey person in the world without one sometimes!

I come to the end of every single month with about £90 left over, and I just know that will never stretch to a horse of my own. I've resigned myself to getting my head down at work, passing as many exams as possible, and continuing to be a 25 year old jealous of 13 year old girls with ponies!

To be fair I've just got a mortgage, I have a private lesson each week and I'm saving the spare money at the end of each month for my upcoming wedding, but it still gets me down. I also sometime feel that, as a girl/woman, I've got a limited amount of time before I have to give me whole life over to children! Argh!!

It just sucks that my parents could never stretch to a pony of my own, and I'm still begging rides off teenagers and only having lessons at my age!

Is anyone else in a similar position to me?

Thanks for reading

 

[TuscanBunnyGirl]

don't feel alone! There are PLENTY of people out there that can't afford a horse
I'm only lucky enough to have mine thanks to my parents.

Hope your lessons are going well

Have you thought about a share or something?

 

[Firefly*]

I own my own horse now but when I was in your position I found other people with horses that they wanted ridden.
I didn't have to pay to ride them or contribute to their keep - the owners were just grateful that they were getting exercised. I had my own set of keys and whenever I had a few spare hours I could just go and get them for a ride.
Perfect set up and also nice rides!

I bought my own mare because it was my dream to own one again but sometimes when I see my bank balance I think I'm mad

Have a look around - there is always someone that wants their horse ridden.

 

[tallyho!]

What??? ONLY £90 left over a month??? ROFLMAO!!!!

You are soooo lucky!!! You have a house, getting married, a JOB and you are angry at your mum n dad for NOT getting you a pony??

Seriously?

I say, take stock my dear, of what you DO have in this life. Your pony will one day come but you can't belittle the riches that you have achieved in order to moan about not having a blinking HORSE!!

I don't want to be the one to remind you that millions have nothing.... nevermind a horse. Yet, there are people with nothing because of the horses. Which would you rather be???

Keep begging for those lessons and experiences with horses because you never know, WHEN (I assume you will) you have your own, all of it will be invaluable.

Lots of love,

The Grinch.

 

[rockysmum]

I agree, there are always ones on our yard need exercising.

Be careful what you wish for, I've ended up with three

Where are you, there might be someone on here willing to share


PS Not agreeing with The Grinch

 

[Emilieu]

When I felt that way I went for a share since it worked out about the same price as a private lesson and was much closer to the 'real thing'. Have a look for adverts on the net and in feed shops etc.

 

[FoxTrotx]

Its good that you're responsible enough to admit you can't afford a horse just now.

So many just go ahead and buy and hope for the best, sometimes giving their horse quite a poor quality of life when they can't afford farrier, food or vet (even when an injury is in clear need of attention ).

Your time will come, I've had my mare nearly 5 months now after an 18 year wait, sharing/begging rides/having lessons/doing BHS exams etc. The wait seems to make "the moment" more satisfying imo, you know you've earned it all yourself.
You'll make a great owner

 

[Burnttoast]

This sounds awfully familiar! Hello! I'm not completely impecunious but I'm freelance, doing the only thing I'm any good at, and not brilliantly paid. Cashflow is incredibly variable and I never know if work will dry up, so I just can't take the risk - I hate seeing horses run on a shoestring that don't get the things they need. I've got 12 years on you and I can't see myself still sharing in ten years' time, so I may stop riding soon (even though I'm still obsessed with trying to improve... ). I'm fed up not being able to make decisions about the horses I ride despite having ridden for thirty years, passed exams, competed. Because I'm not an owner I have no validity, although 'my' owner is very good at involving me (sometimes that makes it more frustrating tbh). It's depressing me atm, which is ridiculous, I know - things could be much worse! Might move in with parents and rent my house out just to have a horse, once in my life... Tho they think that really would be an irresponsible use of my money.

 

[Penguin_Toes]

What??? ONLY £90 left over a month??? ROFLMAO!!!!

You are soooo lucky!!! You have a house, getting married, a JOB and you are angry at your mum n dad for NOT getting you a pony??

Seriously?

I say, take stock my dear, of what you DO have in this life. Your pony will one day come but you can't belittle the riches that you have achieved in order to moan about not having a blinking HORSE!!

I don't want to be the one to remind you that millions have nothing.... nevermind a horse. Yet, there are people with nothing because of the horses. Which would you rather be???

Keep begging for those lessons and experiences with horses because you never know, WHEN (I assume you will) you have your own, all of it will be invaluable.

Lots of love,

The Grinch.

Thats a bit mean, I have a mortgage because I moved in with my parents straight after uni, my partner moved in with his, and we saved £500 a month, which was £12k after two years.

I am definitely NOT angry with my parents, and I did not imply that in any way. My parents are amazing. I'm just having a bit of a rant at the world, and feeling a bit left out!

But I do understand where you are coming from, if this is my biggest problem in life Im not doing badly. Its just the only thing that I've ever been good at, but I never quite make it!

 

[Penguin_Toes]

Thanks for your lovely replies! I will think about a share, I've done this before quite successfully. I just felt a bit ranty really!

And your right - the day I can afford one, and I get the stable ready and buy a headcollar and some bickets etc. will be SO sweet!

Merry Christmas everyone! x

 

[Borderreiver]

Your day will come. I always loved horses but was a riding school rider/helper when young, then had to wait until my thirties before achieving my dream. These days I have five natives, including a rescue and two home bred youngsters.
Just hang on in there.

 

[McNally]

Where are you op? Long shot but i soooo need help!

 

[Penguin_Toes]

This sounds awfully familiar! Hello! I'm not completely impecunious but I'm freelance, doing the only thing I'm any good at, and not brilliantly paid. Cashflow is incredibly variable and I never know if work will dry up, so I just can't take the risk - I hate seeing horses run on a shoestring that don't get the things they need. I've got 12 years on you and I can't see myself still sharing in ten years' time, so I may stop riding soon (even though I'm still obsessed with trying to improve... ). I'm fed up not being able to make decisions about the horses I ride despite having ridden for thirty years, passed exams, competed. Because I'm not an owner I have no validity, although 'my' owner is very good at involving me (sometimes that makes it more frustrating tbh). It's depressing me atm, which is ridiculous, I know - things could be much worse! Might move in with parents and rent my house out just to have a horse, once in my life... Tho they think that really would be an irresponsible use of my money.

Oh, if I knew you I would be so jealous, a career in a field that you love, all the knowledge that you have, working for yourself, while I trudge to the office everyday. It makes you think doesn't it, we all put on a front.

Please don't stop riding, it sounds like it would be such a waste!

And of you're covering your mortgage with the rental payments its not that irresponsible if they are happy to have you!

 

[tallyho!]

Thats a bit mean, I have a mortgage because I moved in with my parents straight after uni, my partner moved in with his, and we saved £500 a month, which was £12k after two years.

I am definitely NOT angry with my parents, and I did not imply that in any way. My parents are amazing. I'm just having a bit of a rant at the world, and feeling a bit left out!

But I do understand where you are coming from, if this is my biggest problem in life Im not doing badly. Its just the only thing that I've ever been good at, but I never quite make it!

The Grinch??? Mean???

No!!!!!

 

[angel7]

You are not alone!!!!
Me and my best friend are the same. We have had horses for 20 years and managed them well on a shoe string (£5 grass livery, £25 farrier, £10 big bale hay ect). We competed every weekend and had a great time. Now everything is so expensive, after household bills I'm lucky if I have £70 at the end of the month. I couldn't even keep a pony on grass livery for that now.
Running a car is now more expensive than a mortguage, and I despair of ever having a horse again.
Another friend still has her old retired horse and she is literally scrapping the coppers up every month to make sure he is kept well....
I find it all incredibly depressing as I can see no improvements in the future.

 

[Kellys Heroes]

Don't worry - I'm 22, don't own a horse and never have! I doubt I'll be able to afford one of my own for at least another ten years!
However I am lucky enough to have a lovely lady who lets me share her horses and has done for the past 9 years - this enables me to get my experience, both stable management, riding, horse health etc and still go away to uni knowing that she will be there when I get back
AND I've become really attached to Kelly too!
K x

 

[Shilasdair]

I have three, and I can't afford them.
Count your blessings and never buy one!
S

 

[tallyho!]

I have three, and I can't afford them.
Count your blessings and never buy one!
S

Don't be stupid. Cobs don't cost anything.

 

[Marley&Me]

Where abouts are you? I need a sharer!

 

[Lu1]

You will be able to afford a horse very soon-sounds like you are very responsible with your finances-it's no fun for the person or the horse when they cant afford to keep it, yet cant bear to sell them-i too have seen ill/injured/skinny horses left untreated because the owner cant afford to call the vet...

Im sure you once thought that you would never be in a position to buy a house...now you are! Good luck with it, and i'd ask for money instead of presents at christmas/birthdays etc and save this for your new horse x

 

[Lu1]

Forgot to add, i have a lovely lady who comes to ride my horse whenever she likes (i have 2 very small children) i dont take any money from her, im just happy that she rides him and enjoys him and keeps him fit while im busy x

 

[minkymoo]

I had to wait 27 years for my own horse and now 32 years later I have another! It can happen but sharing or loaning certainly is a good start!

I asked my mum for a pony every year from 3 until 17 until I gave up and got my own at 30!

 

[whisp&willow]

not going to repeat whats been said a thousand times- what will be will be!

im jealous that you have a mortgage! i'll swap you a horse for one...!

just a wee point though... when you have children you don't need to give up your life to them... !! im getting married in october, and fully intend to have kids... but i wont be giving up my horses, and i will have a youngster to break in in a couple of years! thank god for grannies!

xx

 

[Devonshire dumpling]

Tally are you in a mood today? not sure how old some of the posts are I am reading, but twice now, thought ohhhhhhh
Tally's in a mood!

 

[hula]

My OH (not so much me the cripple) rides for free at a yard, riding nutty hunters for the YO. I help with the ground work when I can, groom, muck out and very occasionally get to exercise a couple of calm liveries. In exchange we can have free livery for a youngster on YO other yard and a discount on livery at the main yard if we get down twice a week. We don't own anything as yet, OH always up for a challenge and is always getting offered projects whilst I stand in the middle of the field freezing yelling instructions. Your time will come and maybe before you know it.

 

[Ideal]

Hi ya

I have wanted a horse of my own since I was 5 , I am now 35 and my dream finally came true last week. I don't have my own place and live with my parents since changing jobs ( lucliky we all get on brilliantly )
I had a lovely rewarding loan for the last year too , that was not that expensive . As he needed exercising for my friend who has 2 horses.

All I can say is be patient and it will hopefully happen one day . Money will be tighter for me of course. But if I am sensible and stick to my budget things should be good.

Dreams do come true

 

[Burnttoast]

Don't be stupid. Cobs don't cost anything.

Surely the three cobs of the apocalypse come with running costs? Fire? Brimstone?

 

[Shantara]

I know exactly how you feel

I have to learn to drive before I can even think about getting one and even then I'm not sure if I could afford one.
Still, we're both lucky we get to have lessons The horse in my signature is my favourite at the stables and I get to look after him like he's mine when I go up
I wish I could buy him, but his owner isn't selling he's the love of my life!

I'm sure we'll both get there one day

 

[tallyho!]

Tally are you in a mood today? not sure how old some of the posts are I am reading, but twice now, thought ohhhhhhh
Tally's in a mood!

I am not tally! I'm The Grinch.

(Last minute xmas shopping taking toll... I will apologise for grinchiness in advance... ... I'll go now before I upset anyone else)

Hapy Xmas DD xx

 

[Burnttoast]

Oh, if I knew you I would be so jealous, a career in a field that you love, all the knowledge that you have, working for yourself, while I trudge to the office everyday. It makes you think doesn't it, we all put on a front.

Please don't stop riding, it sounds like it would be such a waste!

And of you're covering your mortgage with the rental payments its not that irresponsible if they are happy to have you!

I do like my work but there is no career progression - but it sounds like there is for you, so keep at it! It will be so satisfying when you have your own horse off the back of your own efforts. Agree about the front...

I did give up once ... that went well

Not sure if parents will be happy to have me but I'll make myself useful and perhaps they'll get used to it...!