Horse Are Expensive: March

So here's the break down for March.  If you've been following this series, you might have noticed that each month has been more expensive than the one before.  Yikes!  April will be even higher since I'll pay my vet bill (dental work and vaccinations) as well as the replacement of my trailer's water pump.  

Several people have asked if the amounts listed are for both horses.  Yes and no.   What's listed for board and farrier work is the total spent for both horses.  Board is currently $200 a month per horse ($400 for both), but when RM is out of town, she gives me a discount if I clean all of the stalls.  My farrier bill is $110 for one full set of shoes ($220 for both), and my boys get done every 5- 6 weeks.  The beet pulp, rice bran, and pine pellets are for both horses.  The tack that I buy is usually specific to one horse, but other stuff, like shampoo, is for both of them.

The Santa Barbara show was the big expense this month.  I spent over $600 on entry fees, stabling, gas, and bedding.  My overnight cost was only $100 since I camped in my trailer.  Most everyone else at the show got a hotel room which can be pricey in Santa Barbara.

I also spent a bundle on pine pellets for bedding, $250, but those will last into the summer.  And again, I over spent on "gear" - bell boots, fly sheet, silent auction stuff.  I only needed the fly sheet and should have passed on the silent auction and bell boots.

I did save on lessons, although not intentionally, since I took a short break.  All of my other expenses just come with the territory.