i know many of you work to pay of course, or have parents who pay instead of you, but how do you do it - are there any 'tricks of the trade' that i'd like to know of? i'm aware that some people spend up to 350 epr month, per horse, and others £100 - ??? spill!
How Do You Afford Your Horses?
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I work to pay for Tahoe, mostly over the summer. With school I dont have as much time to work but I saved all summer to afford the years board (400$) I will also half lease him if I have too. And of course I dont get to go shopping or go out on weekends and unfortunatly my favorite singer is comming to town and I cant afford the tickets 
but Tahoe is worth it anyway.
but Tahoe is worth it anyway.
Alpi probably costs me near on £300 a month when you add up livery, hay, shavings, feed, farrier etc. then the ponies on top of that.
I have to admit I don't make huge sacrifices to keep them, I go out at weekends, I drink, I smoke etc. but I do miss out of things I had before them though, for instance I have half a wardrobe of 'pre-Alpi' designer clothes and half a wardobe of 'post-Alpi' cheap clothes.
I would also quite like a new car but can not see myself buying one in the near future, whereas if I didn't have the horses I could have a shiny new car in 6 months or less. Before I had the horses I would think nothing of spending £200 on a shopping spree ever month... now it's more like one or two items a month that I actually have to think "do I NEED this? I do have a black top very similar.." but I certainly wouldn't say I go without because of the horses and at least it has forced me to curb my Ebay habit! 
As for how I afford it all, I work, that's the only secret! I work full time and it just about covers the bills, I also work away from home some nights of the week as the fee-days I get paid for doing so pays for my livery bill
I have to admit I don't make huge sacrifices to keep them, I go out at weekends, I drink, I smoke etc. but I do miss out of things I had before them though, for instance I have half a wardrobe of 'pre-Alpi' designer clothes and half a wardobe of 'post-Alpi' cheap clothes.
I would also quite like a new car but can not see myself buying one in the near future, whereas if I didn't have the horses I could have a shiny new car in 6 months or less. Before I had the horses I would think nothing of spending £200 on a shopping spree ever month... now it's more like one or two items a month that I actually have to think "do I NEED this? I do have a black top very similar.." but I certainly wouldn't say I go without because of the horses and at least it has forced me to curb my Ebay habit! As for how I afford it all, I work, that's the only secret! I work full time and it just about covers the bills, I also work away from home some nights of the week as the fee-days I get paid for doing so pays for my livery bill
Just barely. 
Basically, at the moment we're toeing the red line when it comes to bills, so the horses are being kept pretty much at sacrifice to everything else. Instead of dinners out, we get bales of hay. Instead of movies on a Saturday night I get to watch hooves being trimmed. It's totally worth it to me, and really they don't cost too much. I pay less to keep two horses at home than I did to keep one on livery. It's just when you're poor everything seems expensive.
Basically, at the moment we're toeing the red line when it comes to bills, so the horses are being kept pretty much at sacrifice to everything else. Instead of dinners out, we get bales of hay. Instead of movies on a Saturday night I get to watch hooves being trimmed. It's totally worth it to me, and really they don't cost too much. I pay less to keep two horses at home than I did to keep one on livery. It's just when you're poor everything seems expensive.
I waited til I could afford them, and the land to keep them on. I worked very hard for a few years, so that I could take it easy later. The trick is to pick the right career.
ETA : oops - did that sound snotty ? It did didn't it ... I should probs add that I also spent many years in much lower paying jobs, never have had a car less than 10 years old etc etc. BUT, only by getting lucky and finding a very well paid job, could I ever have afforded horses.
ETA : oops - did that sound snotty ? It did didn't it ... I should probs add that I also spent many years in much lower paying jobs, never have had a car less than 10 years old etc etc. BUT, only by getting lucky and finding a very well paid job, could I ever have afforded horses.
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I work...yay.
Got a weekend job in a shop that i get £30 a day for. £60 a week covers Curly just fine and leaves a (small) amount of spare cash (saving for that jumping saddle...) my parents still giveme £25 a month pocket money and grandad gives me £2 a week (i dont see him for two months or so at a time sometimes so it adds up! especially since i put it in my money box and forget i have it, counted it today and theres just over £20 in there - after xmas sales at tack shops here i come)
Got a weekend job in a shop that i get £30 a day for. £60 a week covers Curly just fine and leaves a (small) amount of spare cash (saving for that jumping saddle...) my parents still giveme £25 a month pocket money and grandad gives me £2 a week (i dont see him for two months or so at a time sometimes so it adds up! especially since i put it in my money box and forget i have it, counted it today and theres just over £20 in there - after xmas sales at tack shops here i come
)
I think buying a house before the market went crazy made a big difference to me!! I still need to work full time unfortunately (obviously made the wrong career choice but I actually enjoy my job so perhaps not). I spend far more on horse clothing than my own, drive around in 16yo car, pretty much never go abroad (or on any holidays for that matter). Both me & OH are phobic of babies so no hard choices to make in that dept. I am very, very happy so none of this is a sacrifice, it's a choice & P is definitely worth it.
I have to make sacrifices. Only bought my horse 6 months ago. Had to sell my gas guzzler 4x4 to pay for her - now drive much smaller cheaper car that I run on a mixture of diesel and veg oil from supermarket! That saves me about £20 a week!!
Started shopping at Netto much to the disguist of my kids.
Cut back on hair do's / makeup etc.
I never thought I'd manage - my livery bill alone is over £200 a month but it is possible and it's worth it!
That saves me about £20 a week!!Started shopping at Netto much to the disguist of my kids.
Cut back on hair do's / makeup etc.
I never thought I'd manage - my livery bill alone is over £200 a month but it is possible and it's worth it!
With difficulty.
I just have to limit other things, or make use of my over draft for a week or so. Parents do help out a fair bit, but that might disappear next year as Dad's off work for a while.
I just have to limit other things, or make use of my over draft for a week or so. Parents do help out a fair bit, but that might disappear next year as Dad's off work for a while.
I make the horses affordable!
We keep M&M out 24/7.
No rugs and little hard feed. We are lucky we don't have livery to pay, but have worming and vet bills to pay. I learend to shoe a long time ago and am a saddler so make all my own gear.
We grow a lot of our own winter feed too, but it's not cheap by the time you cost out a big baler, tractor, cutter and wrapper.
We keep M&M out 24/7.
No rugs and little hard feed. We are lucky we don't have livery to pay, but have worming and vet bills to pay. I learend to shoe a long time ago and am a saddler so make all my own gear.
We grow a lot of our own winter feed too, but it's not cheap by the time you cost out a big baler, tractor, cutter and wrapper.
It is difficult.
I am a student so have to pay for her bills out of my loan. I work PT as an Avon representative but the money is pants so doesn't cover much bills wise. Mum doesn't pay for anything for my horse and she shouldn't have to either because I'm the one who decided to buy her so she is my responsibility.
I manage to afford her because:
I don't go out much, and when I do I don't waste loads of money on alcohol (only special ocassions), wear cheap makeup from Tesco and Rimmel, don't go out on major spending sprees (just a few odd bits on ebay), buy a lot of horsey stuff on ebay where it's cheaper, make rugs last as long as possible and not just buy a new one every year and also she is barefoot which saves a lot of pennies (it suits both of us better). I do still have some luxuries though.
She may not have the latest fashion rugs etc but she's happy and healthy and I look after her. She gets a more balanced diet then me!
I'd guess she costs me approx £145 a month on DIY livery (including straw and hay) so it's not that bad really.
You can (and have to) be a horse owner on a budget but as long as you're willing to make some sacrifices then you'll manage.
I am a student so have to pay for her bills out of my loan. I work PT as an Avon representative but the money is pants so doesn't cover much bills wise. Mum doesn't pay for anything for my horse and she shouldn't have to either because I'm the one who decided to buy her so she is my responsibility.
I manage to afford her because:
I don't go out much, and when I do I don't waste loads of money on alcohol (only special ocassions), wear cheap makeup from Tesco and Rimmel, don't go out on major spending sprees (just a few odd bits on ebay), buy a lot of horsey stuff on ebay where it's cheaper, make rugs last as long as possible and not just buy a new one every year and also she is barefoot which saves a lot of pennies (it suits both of us better). I do still have some luxuries though.
She may not have the latest fashion rugs etc but she's happy and healthy and I look after her. She gets a more balanced diet then me!
I'd guess she costs me approx £145 a month on DIY livery (including straw and hay) so it's not that bad really.
You can (and have to) be a horse owner on a budget but as long as you're willing to make some sacrifices then you'll manage.
I keep all my tack to a minimum. I dont have all the different kind of rugs and other items of tack. A saddle and a bridle is all I need. I work so I can pay for Captain. My OH's beer budget comes to the same amount as Captain's livery so that is my defence when my OH starts to moan about how much he costs.
I work so I can pay for Captain. My OH's beer budget comes to the same amount as Captain's livery so that is my defence when my OH starts to moan about how much he costs. 
I just try to keep things as simple as possible while still keeping the horses healthy and happy. I get my hay at a discount rate from a neighbour and I've found if I keep the hay up to them, I don't have to hardfeed at all which makes my life easier. I'm currently jobless which I hate, and I don't start one until January the 8th, so I'm hoping for no emergencies
On the other hand, I'm losing weight (only 'cause I can't afford to feed myself more than strictly necessary) which is nice!!
On the other hand, I'm losing weight (only 'cause I can't afford to feed myself more than strictly necessary) which is nice!!
hmm well right now i have only one horse and she stays at home but i can see a companion in the near future or really expensive board one of the two. and if i don't board i am going to make a riding arena which will cost about 300.00 maybe 400.00 not including rentals just the wood/posts i cleared and dug all the posts for my paddock myself with help from the parents, i pay for my phone bill and have about 30.00 left afterwards which i save up. i end up wearing cheap jeans but i ahve to say my parents are pretty wealthy and i am pretty spoiled but i do pay for the vet bills, the shots, deworming,farrier and try to help pay for feed. but horses are expensive and i enjoy ahving parenst that try an dhelp my very expensive habit.
well I work to pay for mine. I have 2. I keep them both as natural as possible. They probably cost me 200 pcm for both which isn't bad. Thats including everything.
They both live out, both are unshod, they are fed hardfeed and have hay but they ar also on 10 acres so both hay and hard feed are fed in small quantities.
Am selling Dakota and Paddy will then be kept on DIY livery but it should still be cheapis as he is only small and native
They both live out, both are unshod, they are fed hardfeed and have hay but they ar also on 10 acres so both hay and hard feed are fed in small quantities.
Am selling Dakota and Paddy will then be kept on DIY livery but it should still be cheapis as he is only small and native
I word my butt off in London 
and spend 4 days away (sometimes more .... couldn't get back this weekend because I had to do a very stupid basic life support and manual handling course 
). I also made the mistake of going into the 'wrong' job. Wrong from the money point of view, wrong from the stability point of view and wrong from the 'I hate my job' point of view.
For all that, though, I don't see it as a sacrifice. I love my neddifer and the only thing that I regret is that I can't spend more time with her. She costs me a small fortune because I have to be away to bring in the money to feed her but she's worth it
I also don't buy super expensive shoes or handbags anymore (couldn't afford them either ) and rarely buy new clothes (sob).
Wally - are the new FRC rules going to affect you or are you already a member? I saw it in the Nag & Dog and thought about you straight away.
and spend 4 days away (sometimes more .... couldn't get back this weekend because I had to do a very stupid basic life support and manual handling course ). I also made the mistake of going into the 'wrong' job. Wrong from the money point of view, wrong from the stability point of view and wrong from the 'I hate my job' point of view.For all that, though, I don't see it as a sacrifice. I love my neddifer and the only thing that I regret is that I can't spend more time with her. She costs me a small fortune because I have to be away to bring in the money to feed her but she's worth it
I also don't buy super expensive shoes or handbags anymore (couldn't afford them either
) and rarely buy new clothes (sob).Wally - are the new FRC rules going to affect you or are you already a member? I saw it in the Nag & Dog and thought about you straight away.
Atm .. I don't .. but when I Get missy under my name it will.
I already have tack that I've collected over the years - an old saddle from my old mare (RIP), a new wintec 2000 (suede) cost (mum ) $200! Bargin! Fully mounted.
Got enough gear to make 2 bridles at LEAST .. with various bits collected along the way.
Missy isn't rugged - brilliant! And if i get her, she has some old rugs if we need.
She isn't shod - brilliant! I would love to learn how to trim to be able to do it myself.
She only eats hay - which sucks as its gettin more pricey here
Might be able to get agistment FREE Brilliant!
I already have tack that I've collected over the years - an old saddle from my old mare (RIP), a new wintec 2000 (suede) cost (mum
) $200! Bargin! Fully mounted.Got enough gear to make 2 bridles at LEAST .. with various bits collected along the way.
Missy isn't rugged - brilliant! And if i get her, she has some old rugs if we need.
She isn't shod - brilliant! I would love to learn how to trim to be able to do it myself.
She only eats hay - which sucks as its gettin more pricey here
Might be able to get agistment FREE
Brilliant!
I've just started to get a horse on loan, whoch is going to cost me £30.00 a week, I was spending £20 a week on my lesson, so to cover the extra £10 I've given up smoking, which should help me get fitter too!
This is a bit of a sore point at the moment as OH is quite non-horsey and thinks it is alot of money for me to pay on top of car, half of rent etc etc, especially as we are saving for a house. He's also getting tetchy at all the added extra's, insurance, compitition entry fees (haven't even mentioned I'll need long boots etc etc) but to be honest I could never afford to buy a horse like the one I'm loaning, so I'm happy. (OH says that this proves that this is a hobby for rich people, I say that this proves he has no idea!)
But I know deep down that we can afford it, as between the two of us (ok mainly him) we earn quite good money, I am looking to change my job next year to one that is closer to my home and therefore closer to stables, and one that is better paid (I'm rather underpaid for the amount of experience I've got)
Anyway, I think I've got a great deal with my horse, and luckily a great OH who buys me nice designer things for christmas and birthday that last ages (I've bought him a digital camera so he can take pictures of me riding!)
x
This is a bit of a sore point at the moment as OH is quite non-horsey and thinks it is alot of money for me to pay on top of car, half of rent etc etc, especially as we are saving for a house. He's also getting tetchy at all the added extra's, insurance, compitition entry fees (haven't even mentioned I'll need long boots etc etc) but to be honest I could never afford to buy a horse like the one I'm loaning, so I'm happy. (OH says that this proves that this is a hobby for rich people, I say that this proves he has no idea!)
But I know deep down that we can afford it, as between the two of us (ok mainly him) we earn quite good money, I am looking to change my job next year to one that is closer to my home and therefore closer to stables, and one that is better paid (I'm rather underpaid for the amount of experience I've got)
Anyway, I think I've got a great deal with my horse, and luckily a great OH who buys me nice designer things for christmas and birthday that last ages (I've bought him a digital camera so he can take pictures of me riding!)
x
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