Horses Are Expensive: May

5/31/2012

Even with a CDS/USDF/USEF show, I managed to cut my expenses way back for the month of May. Whew! And since the show was local, I didn't need to put any gas in my truck. Last month I spent more than $175 just in gas for the guzzler. I also worked hard not to buy any tack or gear this month. I wasn't completely successful, but at least I kept that spending under a hundred bucks.

One last comment - my coworkers brought up the Romney thing. They know I ride and asked if I wasn't shocked at what Mrs. Romney spends. My answer was this: I expect to spend $25,000 this year. Does that make me a bad person?

Some hobbies are more expensive than others. Some people make more money than others. I don't think it's appropriate to pick on people just because they have more money than I do.

Fantastyk Voyage link

5/31/2012 12:36:12 am

I agree, horses are VERY expensive. I try to rationalize that I could be smoking two packs of cigarettes a day, eating out at restaurants a couple of times a week, and going to a gym with a personal trainer. And then, I could be traveling and buying jewelry and clothes and going to a fancy hair stylist and...but I choose to have my horses.

lytha

5/31/2012 05:04:58 am

Fantastyk, I have heard there is something called a pedicure for humans that is like a hoof trim but somehow ...enjoyable.

I cannot believe in this so I will not research its viability.

My husband cuts my hair every few months. He does a fine job and I don't see why I should pay a professional. (OK but perhaps people who have to look at me all day would?)

Travelling - I wish. How sad that I'm in Europe and I should travel to all these itsybitsy countries nearby, but I just want to hang out in my backyard paddock.

Jewelery - I have some on order for Baasha from Mrs. Mom!

Karen

5/31/2012 07:24:25 am

EXACTLY! ALL of my "extra" money is spent on horses. I don't buy fancy clothes (just the basics), I bring my lunch to work every single day, and I drive an economy car. If I ditched the horses, I could travel more often, buy a luxury car, and spend a lot of time at the spa. I like my current choice!

lytha

5/31/2012 05:00:30 am

I asked my man to read your blog tonight. You know we have an endurance/dressage connection, you and me, so I wanted him to understand that, as well as realize the horsekeeping costs around the world.

My man knew that I'd been calculating as well, and he asked me to compare. We had spent 1700Euro in the last 4 months on equines, and that includes the price of the donkey (800). I was hoping it would be less with no competition fees, no trailer, no board, but unfortunately fencing needed to be improved and that was rough. This does not include the vet bills last month that have not arrived yet for Baasha's eye issues, nor the farrier work that will happen Saturday for the donkey's first trim here. When I have it conclusively recorded for those months, I promise I'll do a blog entry on it called "horses are expensive" (hoping this trend will catch on!) but it won't be as organized and pretty as yours.

Karen

5/31/2012 07:22:24 am

Lytha,

I would love to read your expense report. I would love to read ANYONE'S expense report. i am quite certain that we all spend a lot, but I bet it varies depending on where you live. Farrier bills for example - what does four shoes cost in Florida or New Zealand?

€1,700 is about $2100. That seems cheap for two animals (including purchase price) especially since it's spread out over 4 months. In the last four months I've spent $7,400 (€6,000)! Please share your actual costs when you get a chance. I would really like to see what Germans spend on their equines.

Sarah link

5/31/2012 05:07:48 am

I agree with FV - horses are part hobby, part lifestyle choice. BUT, its worth remembering that there is a whole spectrum of horse costs as well - from the backyard to the full-service box stalls. In college I had my horse at a co-op stables and was able to support my horse by working 2 to 3 part-time jobs. Now, I did have to clean his stall every day and feed the horses a few times a week, but if a "starving student" can do it, anyone can do it (albeit passion is required!).

Karen

5/31/2012 07:27:25 am

Sarah - that's one reason i am writing this series. Some people think that horses are too expensive. If the Romneys listed their costs, we would all be overwhelmed at the price. I just want to show that a "regular' person with a "regular" salary (I am a teacher) CAN train and show their horses. I spend a lot more than some people, but I also spend a a whole lot less than others.

If you really want something to happen, you just have to work hard to make it so. And maybe you scale back a bit, but it can be done!

hammerhorses

6/1/2012 05:37:54 am

Well, all things considered (aka: not riding, just maintaining), we spent a measley $320 on our ponies this past month and that included teeth floating, annual vaccinations, hoof trims and feed. All of our fencing is correct and they are mostly eating pasture at this point (gotta love the pacific northwest rainey green spring! plus their daily grain and supplements)

$200 to get the teeth floated/vaccines/health checks
$60 for both horses to get their feet trimmed ($30/each)
$60 on hay and grain

No truck, trailer, show or training fees...

So yeah, my normal monthly spending on my horses is probably right around $100 for the pair...

Karen

6/1/2012 05:43:12 am

Having your horses on your own pasture cuts down the cost of owning for sure! I spend $750 on just board and my trailer. That was 50% of last month's bill!

When my trailer is finally paid off (less than year to go!), I'll no doubt need to replace my 12 year old truck. I'm hoping it holds up and that instead of replacing it, the $350 a month can go in the bank. We'll see how "strong" I can be when that first month of no payment comes along!

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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.

Photo by Lori Ovanessian

Email Karen

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.

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.