Horses Are Expensive II: August 2016

9/1/2016

This month has been so busy (school starting back up, making a major life change, two shows), that until I actually created August's financial report, I had no idea what my monthly spending looked like. As it turns out, between showing at least a small amount of restraint and my husband's generosity, my bills were fairly manageable for August.

For around $1,200, I was able to take a lesson from Chemaine Hurtado, owner and trainer of Symphony Dressage Stables, and take Izzy to two shows. Three out of town trips created a bit of a fuel bill, but with the current price of gas, even my gas guzzler couldn't get that bill too high.

My board bill is now a little higher, and since I moved in a week early, I did have to pay for an extra week. It was worth it though as Izzy really needed the bigger space. And now that both boys are on Platinum Performance, I am not spending nearly so much on supplemental feed. Of course, beginning in September I'll be paying $113 a month for that.

I was saved a lot of money this month by my super generous husband. First, he paid for my trailer's running board to be repaired. While not a huge expense, it was more than the entries to both shows.

He also paid to have my truck's air conditioner recharged. For years it has slowly been on the decline, but I just thought its poor performance was due to age. I could kick myself for waiting this long to get it checked out. The last straw was when Best Friend and I were coming home from a show that was almost three hours from home while it was ... wait for it ... 108 ℉. It was an insane drive. Again, that bill was less than $300, but it's more than half my board bill.

September's bill will probably run a bit higher again as I am planning on Taking Izzy to a clinic and that Platinum needs to be paid for. All in all, 2016 is looking like it might actually be cheaper than 2014, when I first started tracking my expenses. I am just as busy, but the economy seems kinder, at least for this dressage rider.

How about you? Do things seem financially easier in 2016, or is it always a struggle?

Tracy link

9/1/2016 06:18:51 am

My horse budget is always tighter this time of year, as show season starts to wrap up. I've spent a lot on shows, so there isn't as much leeway now... but it's been so worth it!!

Bakersfield Dressage link

9/3/2016 04:16:34 pm

Aways! :0)

lytha

9/1/2016 08:31:05 am

One of our vet bills came to 580E: ( The other one hasn't come yet: ( Saturday I thought my horse was going to have to be put to sleep due to the level of pain he was in. Trimmer came immediately and helped, but the prognosis is 6-9 months. I can't even blog about it. I mean, I will, when I can. Happy for you that your husband helped!

9/3/2016 04:19:10 pm

I am sorry to hear about Mag - he looked great in your trot out video. I know about vet bills, believe me. I've had my share this year and last. :0)

Hillary link

9/1/2016 08:38:19 am

I think this year has been easier but it's also my first full year of marriage and Kyle picks up the brunt of a lot of our basic expenses.

9/3/2016 04:20:28 pm

I am grateful my husband doesn't resent what I spend, because it's a lot. He's pretty generous about paying for the big house stuff and then helping me out on top of that. :0)

SarahO link

9/1/2016 09:02:15 am

Those look like pretty reasonable expenses for the month. Your schooling shows seem to have very reasonable entry fees! Also, jealous of your comparatively low gas prices. But then again, I pay a lot less for farrier services for my one barefoot horse.

I haven't tabulated August yet (which was a very expensive month since I bought a saddle!), but comparing Jan-July of 2015 to 2016, I'm pretty similar between the two years. I've spent less on lessons, shows and equipment this year, but my board went up by $50/month last fall due to hay prices, so that eats into everything else I saved.

9/3/2016 04:22:49 pm

In some ways, it shocks me to see how much this hobby costs, but on the other hand, the price I pay for stuff is quite reasonable. I live in a very moderately priced part of California. If I lived where my trainer does, all of my bills would be more than double.

jenj

9/1/2016 10:48:08 am

Ugh, I wish this was my expenses for this month, but Brego's vet bills are over the top. Pout.

9/3/2016 04:23:27 pm

Sorry ... :0/

Leah link

9/1/2016 11:37:28 am

I have about half as many horses now as I had a few years ago, so it has felt cheaper to me the entire year! haha. Keeping my horses at home creates different sorts of bills -- I really should spend some time tracking it and see what I'm actually spending! However, I'm terrified my husband would come across it, lol.

9/3/2016 04:25:03 pm

It is definitely harder to differentiate what is a horse cost and what is a house cost when they live at home. In some ways it's cheaper, but then you just tend to have more of them! I know, I've been down that road before. :0)

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Not-So-Speedy Dressage