Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Crazy Horse People

I was reading Denali's blog today, and she talked about something I've been thinking about for the past several days: horse expenses.

Oh dear.

I do not even want to know what I've spent on Izzy in the last ten months. (I got her last February, so it hasn't even been a year yet.) I work off most of our board and lessons, so I don't really have to account for that, but bear in mind that I'm still a college student for another eight days. I work a part time job. I know I could get paid more elsewhere, but I really like my job and the hours are really flexible, which is awesome in the summer time because I can ride every morning.

If I started adding up tack, farrier visits, clinic expenses, show fees, and miscellaneous expenses (books, blankets, gas...) ugh. That would be a lot of money. If I decided to factor in my total income versus what I spent on Izzy, it would look even worse.

And then there are the ways that having Izzy effects my life. For example: pretend I have $80. Will I A) Buy some new practical shoes to replace the ones I have that are nearly falling apart B) Buy some clothes since I haven't bought any since I got Izzy C) Buy a heated water bucket and a pair of warm barn gloves?

Pretty sure we all picked C. It's a good thing that I bought a lot of clothes in the year before I got Izzy because I have no desire to divert money away from her now... weird, huh? No, you probably get it.

6 comments:

  1. Crazy horse people? Guilty as charged. My horse's tack alone cost as much as he did. I don't even bother trying to figure out how much I spend on him, I wouldn't change anything, anyway.

    I view it as my civic duty, I'm helping to stimulate the economy!

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  2. I went to law school based solely on an evaluation of what job I could get that would pay for Tucker's show career. And at least a third of my pay check goes to him every month. In hindsight, I don't regret one red cent. He's totally worth it.

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  3. Just think how it simplifies life - you don't need to worry about things like clothes and shoes (for you) - only horse and barn stuff!

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  4. I am dealing with the SAME thing!! very few (read:2) of my friends understand or support the craziness! I am working full time and because of Grantie, am living paycheck to paycheck and have, for the first time in my life, aquired some debt. It is really scary and lately I have been thinking that I may have to sell my boy. His rent is almost as much as mine and I can't find a place that will let me work it off... I often wonder if perhaps I don't deserve horses until I can make more money. If some accident were to happen I have no idea what I would do!

    And no, I haven't bought clothes in forever and my non-horsie friends are getting super frustrated when i consistantly turn them down for meals or drinks b/c I can't afford anything extra!
    UGHHH

    Good luck to you too! Maybe one day it will all make sense!

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  5. People who do not own horses will never understand. My Boys come first and everything else happens as it does.

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  6. I allow $3oo a month for Sam. That pays for everything, agistment, food, farrier, vet bills, worming, supplements. I don't always include tack as it is usually a 'treat' not a necessitiy. Mind you this monthly allowance does not include, fuel to see him twice a day, rego for the float or insurance for the float. Do I need to include those?

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