Bakersfield Dressage
  • Home
  • About
  • My Horses
    • Horses
    • Imperioso
    • G Ima Starr FA
    • Sunshine
    • Nakota and Gideon
    • Corky
    • Sassy
    • Montoya DSA
    • Mickey Dee
    • Sydney
  • Show Results
    • 2022
    • 2021
    • 2020
    • 2019
    • 2018
    • 2017
    • 2016
    • 2015
    • 2014
    • 2013
    • 2012
    • 2011
    • 2010
  • Dressage Organizations
    • Dressage Organizations
    • Memberships
    • 2019 Dressage Tests
  • Local
    • Shopping List
  • Home

Not-So-Speedy Dressage

From Endurance to Dressage

Horses are Expensive: February

3/1/2012

 
February turned out to be slightly more expensive than January which is scary since I've already racked up quite a bill for March.  And it only just started.  It's the Tack and Gear category that I need to control.  I always allow myself the luxury of spending a few hundred bucks at Horse Expo.  What I spent at Horse Expo was fine. The problem was that after that, there was still a bit of this and that.  

There was a $45 saddle repair that I hadn't planned on spending.  February also had 5 Wednesdays which meant I had five lessons instead of the usual four.  There went another $35.  And of course I went to a show which was cheap, but still another $75.  And because I went to a show, I had to add $116 for gas.  

I don't want to leave the wrong impression, all of this is cash, not credit card debt.  While I use my credit card to keep track of the spending and earn Dover Saddlery points, the whole $1,649.12 has been paid for.  March will be tough as that's the month for vaccinations, dental work, and fecal counts.  Plus, I've already spent over $400 on feed, bedding, and Smartpak "stuff."  Again ... darn that Smartpak!
Picture
lytha
3/1/2012 12:26:20 am

did you fill up your truck for 60$? since it's two days in a row maybe 120 to fill it up?

*cry* our gas converts to 8.41$/gallon. filling my prius cost me 64 euros today. (85$) even germans are complaining about gas prices at the moment. (i looked at a gas price map of america and california was the worst.)

i was surprised to see what you spent for farrier work. i assume that's two horses, shod all around? my that has gone up since i lived in the states!

i think your monthly board is reasonable, and your lessons too. those are really good deals!

i really like your horsey budgeting posts and i wish i could do something similar when i talk to my husband about the cost of our horse, it comes out to about 200E a month overall, but we should include the cost of our land (we rent some land and own some land). and the fact that we live out in the sticks because of the horse and both commute from there might add to that 200E. it's amazing to me that we spend 200 a month and we get hay for free, and i do my own hoofcare. so that's just vet bills, other feed, and bedding. geez!

anyway i'll be sure to show this to my man: )

p.s. i miss albertsons.

Karen
3/1/2012 10:11:16 am

Lytha - I guess I need to be a bit more clear and realize that you're all not mind readers.

I got gas two days in a row because I trailered out of town for a show. My tank was half full, which was why it was so "cheap" to "fill it up." It's a 28 gallon tank and gas is currently at around $4.20 a gallon. I think I put 10 or 12 gallons in it each day that I filled up.

We were in Scotland over the summer and rented a car. Fortunately it's a small country and the car got excellent fuel mileage, but I remember it being in the $8.00 range then as well. I can't imagine filling my gas guzzling truck over there!

My farrier does both boys, four shoes each. His prices are slightly high for my area, but he's very good. If you bring in a shoer from LA, which some people do, the price will be similar, or even slightly higher. A knock 'em on cowboy shoer with little schooling will be much cheaper, especially in California's central valley. Over on the coast, prices will be higher - people are more in the "know" over there.

My lessons are fairly cheap. Lessons from a "dressage" trainer are more like 75 - 100 bucks a lesson. i have three of those planned over the next month. It will certainly add to spending, but a few times a year is okay. I couldn't afford $100 a week. My board is high for here, but I get a lot for the price. RM offers me money off my board if she needs to go out of town and can't clean. My rate is $200 per horse, but it's been slightly cheaper because I've cleaned stalls a few times each month.

I am very curious to see what my total is for the end of the year. As the show season gets into full swing, my spending will go up. I also have a big vet bill coming in March.

I would love to see a detailed list of your equine spending. you should try to do at least one month so we can all see what prices are like in Germany compared to those in the US. I guarantee that your American readers would love to know!

lytha
3/1/2012 05:53:55 pm

i should do an expenditure blog post, you're right.

but prices without context have little meaning - do americans know about the economy in germany?

for that matter i don't know much about the economy in america at the moment. last time i was home (2010), i noticed all the prices at restaurants were way up.

i'll just add that we may get a ton of vacation days, but the salary is HORRIBLE and no one seems to complain because that's the way it is. personally i'd rather have my american salary and "only" 2 weeks vacation per year.

Karen
3/1/2012 09:47:56 pm

Lytha - maybe you could do a two part post. The first could be cultural, which I absolutely love, explaining the German economy in a simple way. In your second post you could then explain what it costs to keep a horse there. I think you'd find that your readers would enjoy it!

martina peterson
3/1/2012 01:15:49 am

bill paying is scarry!!

Karen
3/1/2012 09:48:21 pm

It sure can be, Mom!


Comments are closed.

    About the Writer and Rider

    ​I am a lifelong rider. 
    I began endurance riding in 1996 where I ultimately completed five, one-day 100 mile races, the 200-mile Death Valley Encounter, and numerous other 50, 65, and 75 mile races. I began showing dressage in 2010.
    ​Welcome to my dressage journey.
    Picture
    Photo by Lori Ovanessian

    About Speedy G

    ​Speedy went from endurance horse to dressage horse. After helping me earn a USDF Bronze medal in the summer of 2020, he is now semi-retired. Speedy is a 2004, 15'1 hand, purebred Arabian gelding. His Arabian Horse Registry name is G Ima Starr FA.
    Picture
    July 2020 (PC AJSK Photography)

    About Izzy

    Izzy was started as a four-year old and then spent the next 18 months in pasture growing up. I bought him as a six-year old, and together, we are showing at the lower levels. He is a 2008, 16'3 hand warmblood gelding. His Rheinland Pfalz-saar International (RPSI) name is Imperioso.
    Picture
    March 2021 (PC Tess Michelle Photography)

    Picture
    Bakersfield Dressage approved!
    Picture
    My favorite breeches!
    Picture
    FOR THE SMALLER EQUINE ATHLETE
    Picture
    I love her stuff!
    Picture
    Watercolor Artist and Friend

    National Rider Awards

    Picture
    USDF Bronze Medal - 2020
    Picture
    USDF Second Level Rider Performance Award - 2018
    Picture
    USDF First Level Rider Performance Award - 2015
    Picture
    USDF Training Level Rider Performance Award - 2013

    State Rider Awards
    Picture
    CDS Ruby Rider Award - 2018

    State Horse Awards
    Picture
    Speedy G - 3rd Level Horse Performance Award - 2020
    Picture
    Speedy G - 2nd Level Horse Performance Award - 2018

    Working Towards:

    CDS Sapphire Rider Award
    Third Level: 63.514%
    Third Level: 62.105%
    Fourth Level:
    Fourth Level:

    2023 Show Season

    Show Rating
    (***) CDS/USDF/USEF 
    (*) CDS
    (s) Schooling
    (c) Clinic
    (r) Ride-a-Test Clinic
    2023 Show Schedule
    TBD

    ​2023 Completed …
    Pending

    2023 Qualifying Scores 

    Regional Adult Amateur Competition (RAAC)  
    Qualifying Training Level
    3 Scores/2 Judges/60%:
    Score 1:
    Score 2:
    Score 3:

    Archives
    ​By Topic

    All
    Abscess
    Art
    Arthritis
    Awards
    Books
    Cabin
    California Barn Life
    Captain Awesome
    CDL Class A License
    Centerlinescores
    Championships
    Chiropractor
    Clinics
    Clothing
    Cushing's Disease
    Defeating The Demon
    DIY
    Dogs
    Double Bridle
    Dressage On The Trail
    EHV-1
    Endurance Photos
    Farrier
    Find Your Joy
    First Level
    Fluphenazine
    Flying Changes
    Fourth Level
    Fox Hunting
    Freedom Feeder
    Frustration
    Gizmos
    Grooming
    Half Pass
    Headshaking
    Horse Maintenance
    Horses Are Expensive
    Horses Are Expensive 3.0
    Horses Are Expensive II
    Hunter/jumper Stuff
    Imperioso
    Introductory Level
    Izzys Leg
    Just For Fun
    Lessons With Chemaine
    Lessons With Lois
    Lessons With STC Dressage
    Local Stuff
    M.A.R.E.
    Memberships
    Micklem Bridle
    Mt. Self Doubt
    Musings
    My 5 Things
    My Horses
    Nesting
    On The Levels
    Photos
    Pivo Pod
    Platinum Performance
    Poles
    Polls
    Pulley Rein
    Raac
    Retirement?
    Rider Fitness
    Riding Figures
    Right Lead Canter
    Road ID
    Saddle Fitting
    Schooling
    Score Sheets
    Second Level
    Shopping
    Show Costs
    Showing
    Sitting Trot
    Sliding Side Reins
    Soldier
    Speedy's Leg
    Tack
    The Elephants
    The Jar
    The Warm Up Ring
    Third
    Third Level
    Tips From A Pro
    Toys
    Trailering
    Training
    Travel
    Ulcers
    Vet Care
    Video
    Videos
    Weird But True
    Year In Review


    Archives
    ​By Date

    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011


Site Designed and Managed by: Karen Sweaney

Among other things, Karen is a Wife, Friend, Reader, Writer, Rider, Traveler, and Dog Lover
Contact her at bakersfielddressage@gmail.com
  • Home
  • About
  • My Horses
    • Horses
    • Imperioso
    • G Ima Starr FA
    • Sunshine
    • Nakota and Gideon
    • Corky
    • Sassy
    • Montoya DSA
    • Mickey Dee
    • Sydney
  • Show Results
    • 2022
    • 2021
    • 2020
    • 2019
    • 2018
    • 2017
    • 2016
    • 2015
    • 2014
    • 2013
    • 2012
    • 2011
    • 2010
  • Dressage Organizations
    • Dressage Organizations
    • Memberships
    • 2019 Dressage Tests
  • Local
    • Shopping List
  • Home