Horses Are Expensive: July

Things are NOT getting any less expensive.  As expected, the truck needed new tires which bumped my July bills over the two grand mark.  Funny to say, but my goal each month is to spend less than two thousand dollars. Something always comes up though: one of the horses gets sick, trailer needs repairs, big show somewhere far away, or tack needs fixing/replacing.  Sheesh ...

I already know that August is going to be an expensive month as well.  I have a schooling show the first weekend, a clinic the second weekend, and Regional Adult Amateur Competition (RAAC) the final weekend.  I got to "skip" the farrier bill in July, but that bill be due again in August.  It's not that shoes were free, but Jaime came at the end of June and will return the beginning of August which meant he didn't come in July.  It's a good thing as that bit of savings helped fund my new tires.

I will save something on my August board, yippee, as I was on barn duty for several weeks in July.  That savings is what's funding a part of the RAAC show; the show premium and stabling for RAAC came out to $413.  No small potatoes.

I don't mean to sound as though I am whining.  I could save myself a boat load of money if I stopped showing, but it's the showing that I like the most.  From October through February I probably won't show so my expenses should go back down.  

Maybe I need to start investing in an apple a day ...

Expenses for July (click to enlarge image)