tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8603946585821420123.post7775485050209144825..comments2023-05-27T11:53:06.487-04:00Comments on Memoirs of a Horse Girl: Saving Money With HorsesValhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07335385366138424092noreply@blogger.comBlogger44125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8603946585821420123.post-68342555421361333782013-03-29T08:39:06.320-04:002013-03-29T08:39:06.320-04:00insert *not required* in the first partinsert *not required* in the first partValhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07335385366138424092noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8603946585821420123.post-89543353477049437962013-03-29T08:38:26.683-04:002013-03-29T08:38:26.683-04:00That is a great way to participate in horse activi...That is a great way to participate in horse activities. Transportation and stall rental are required and your horse is probably relaxed at his home base so you can get a lot from the experience.<br /><br />I have some favorite videos and books that I return to again and again. Having fun is what it is all about. Sometimes I think that intense training or lessons conflicts with this. For this reason, I don't miss weekly lessons.Valhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07335385366138424092noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8603946585821420123.post-78025943683436529312013-03-28T23:14:42.272-04:002013-03-28T23:14:42.272-04:00We attended our first open show (at our barn!) and...We attended our first open show (at our barn!) and it was fun, but not a priority. We will participate with what our barn offers this year. I prefer one - on - one lessons as well and space them out. I watch a lot of videos and well, we have fun. Great post<br /><br />Margarethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00007201357693227614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8603946585821420123.post-40130294597100295442013-03-24T09:19:32.043-04:002013-03-24T09:19:32.043-04:00Your article on how to save money owning a horse w...Your article on how to save money owning a horse was of great interest to me as I have wondered about all that is involved in horse ownership. Horses rely on their humans to keep them fit, provide medical treatments, vaccinations, care of hooves/feet, when its hot out--a cleansing soapy shower, a good brushing down, care of the mane & tails (braids anyone). Of course, proper type of food, hay, vit supplements, a horse blanket in the winter cold, its adds up. I think you have educated yourself about horsecare - for example, trimming Harley's hooves, you give Harley allergy shots, provide him with special feed so he can keep weight (Harley really looks nice & round), and using sound judgement when the Vet needs to be called to the barn----to name a few things you to for Harley. He is a large animal with a big heart. I have a better pictue of how much this all must cost. Glowbughttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16244855026278664405noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8603946585821420123.post-62792696098114002232013-03-23T14:03:34.265-04:002013-03-23T14:03:34.265-04:00Harley truly is priceless to me, but, unfortunatel...Harley truly is priceless to me, but, unfortunately, he is not without literal costs. A supportive husband is a must as I could not keep Harley living up to my standards without him. :)Valhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07335385366138424092noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8603946585821420123.post-84185697210627818702013-03-23T11:59:34.062-04:002013-03-23T11:59:34.062-04:00Harley is so fortunate to have such great stewards...Harley is so fortunate to have such great stewardship from his owners - I include Valerie's husband because he is very much a part of Harley-World---Harley does win the hearts of people he meets and people he knows each day ---Priceless!Glowbughttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16244855026278664405noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8603946585821420123.post-63147634933709545072013-03-15T17:52:42.345-04:002013-03-15T17:52:42.345-04:00Your welcome! And I agree taking a break is needed...Your welcome! And I agree taking a break is needed for the brain from all and too many tasks. My SO's dad is a Math teacher and I always forget that you teacher's have some crazy work cut out for you with the grading/lesson planning before you actually get down to the teaching portion. <br />L.Williamshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05052638724440787772noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8603946585821420123.post-55163058973155890462013-03-15T14:51:31.461-04:002013-03-15T14:51:31.461-04:00Yes, I am a science teacher!
I had several tutori...Yes, I am a science teacher!<br /><br />I had several tutoring gigs in college, but my schedule can no longer accommodate several hours of work after my already long work day (which often includes more grading later in the evening). Plus I teach all day. My brain needs a break from teaching if I am to remain on top of my game. I believe in this very strongly.<br /><br />Thanks for the suggestion, though. Valhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07335385366138424092noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8603946585821420123.post-67853569230926257632013-03-15T14:43:34.561-04:002013-03-15T14:43:34.561-04:00Yeah, the weathering of the hay worries me. My ba...Yeah, the weathering of the hay worries me. My barn stacks about 500 bales at a time, which is good and bad. I *think* there is a discount involved, but by the time we get to the end of the batch, I am wishing it was just discarded.Valhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07335385366138424092noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8603946585821420123.post-70071505367166786782013-03-15T14:40:57.236-04:002013-03-15T14:40:57.236-04:00I will have to check out the Rock Star jeans once ...I will have to check out the Rock Star jeans once I can wear normal clothes again. I think that is great!<br /><br />Horses are definitely worth sacrificing some luxuries. My horse is my greatest luxury in life.Valhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07335385366138424092noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8603946585821420123.post-44480359115567107972013-03-15T14:39:24.360-04:002013-03-15T14:39:24.360-04:00That was a very brave series you authored! It'...That was a very brave series you authored! It's a good thing horses make us so happy. :)Valhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07335385366138424092noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8603946585821420123.post-73789147328180647082013-03-15T13:43:14.389-04:002013-03-15T13:43:14.389-04:00I actually found round bales MORE expensive to fee...I actually found round bales MORE expensive to feed, because my boys wasted about 1/3 of each bale by peeing and sleeping on it, or because the outside of the bale was weather-damaged. Because we don't have a tractor, they are also really hard to move and store. With squares, there's never any wastage and I can throw them around easily. I can also store a whole lot of them if we do a good job stacking. BUT... there are times when I really REALLY wish I had a round bale out there, usually when I'm out throwing hay in the dark and it's freezing and raining!jenjhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01737679332792618499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8603946585821420123.post-48324165862107980552013-03-15T09:08:33.359-04:002013-03-15T09:08:33.359-04:00I don't think there is really a lot you can do...I don't think there is really a lot you can do to save money with horses. We always buy a winter's worth of hay and pay cash so we can get a discount. You really need to haggle a bit for it but the dealers are usually willing to come down in price for cash. We do use SmartPak for the supplements, it just seems easier and more organized. As for tack, we have lots of it from many years and many horses so something from the past is usable for a horse when we need it. Shows and clinics are a thing of the past as are lessons so there's a big saving there. If you're looking for a nice pair of stretch jeans to ride in I buy mine from Old Navy (now don't laugh) they are called Rock Star Jeans. So I'm rocking out in those, very comfy and about $20. <br /><br />I know horses are a huge expense but I don't mind giving up fancy dinners,jewelry and vacations etc. I did the same things when my kids were small. The horses are worth it for the peace and happiness they bring and if I have to do without some things so be it. Grey Horse Mattershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05837575441967937196noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8603946585821420123.post-46473736173766482612013-03-15T01:22:32.686-04:002013-03-15T01:22:32.686-04:00You know I don't save ANY money with my horses...You know I don't save ANY money with my horses and we all know EXACTLY how much I spend. Sorry, wish I could offer some advice, but I can't. :0)Bakersfield Dressagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05571487914424695283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8603946585821420123.post-44240003716947077162013-03-15T00:54:58.103-04:002013-03-15T00:54:58.103-04:00When I was in school I made a lot of money tutorin...When I was in school I made a lot of money tutoring high school students, you are a teacher right? That could be an option for you, I tutored english two or three times a week for 2-3 hours and made about $25/$30 hr, I helped the kids raise their grades substantially so the parents found it worth the money. I'd keep tutoring but I make more consulting/freelancing, but if I didn't have that I would totally tutor.L.Williamshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05052638724440787772noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8603946585821420123.post-82244549316106228972013-03-14T16:37:11.306-04:002013-03-14T16:37:11.306-04:00Glad you enjoyed the discussion. I am enjoying th...Glad you enjoyed the discussion. I am enjoying the comments thoroughly. I think that building a facility to make your passion into a potential money-making venture is great!<br /><br />The stalls have soft mats as you described, which definitely reduces bedding and is more comfortable if your horse sleeps in his stall.<br /><br />I asked my vet one time about round bales and she said that she tells clients they can "supplement" with round bales. What she means is that your horse should not be getting the majority of his nutrition from the round bale. There is a risk of botulism (she has seen some pretty awful situations) when the horses are too hungry and eat from the bale indiscriminately (wet, soiled hay). She recommends a botulism vaccination if horses are on round bales. I was considering it when I wanted to try and get more hay in front of my horse. I changed my mind.Valhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07335385366138424092noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8603946585821420123.post-3059216899884863652013-03-14T16:24:41.739-04:002013-03-14T16:24:41.739-04:00Yeah, that "saving thing" was totally to...Yeah, that "saving thing" was totally tongue-in-cheek as far as horses go!<br /><br />So that is why you bought the land? That is great for you now, but must have been a flooring experience at the time. Sheesh. Glad you got your farmette out of it.Valhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07335385366138424092noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8603946585821420123.post-25635591699331325832013-03-14T16:22:20.229-04:002013-03-14T16:22:20.229-04:00That is very good advice. That is why I choose to...That is very good advice. That is why I choose to let certain things slide and keep the important stuff in the foreground. It is nice that you can supplement your income with freelance/consulting work. That sounds ideal, actually.Valhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07335385366138424092noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8603946585821420123.post-49454914505988258042013-03-14T01:05:56.325-04:002013-03-14T01:05:56.325-04:00I still ride 3-4 days a week and the part times ar...I still ride 3-4 days a week and the part times are freelance/consulting work, I only pick up what my riding /full time schedule allows. Mainly to maximize income and during slow riding months I pick up extra work from clients I worked with before. I am lucky that my boyfriend is as passionate about his sport as I am at mine, he also loves his job and works a lot but somehow it all fits in. Housework is a minimum when you clean as you go and have no other pets. I read somewhere that its not about adding more to your life but taking a good hard look at the things you don't need and cutting it out because our lives are too full already. I kinda took it to heart and cut out lounge time for the freelance work.L.Williamshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05052638724440787772noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8603946585821420123.post-35392746783251908992013-03-14T00:12:29.525-04:002013-03-14T00:12:29.525-04:00Great discussion. I won't even do the math on ...Great discussion. I won't even do the math on wha we spend on horses - I don't want to know. I DO know we're building our horse facility in hopes of financing my addiction :)<br />One way we save money is using soft mats in the stalls (approximaatelt 2 to 3 in. thickness of granular rubber, under a rubber sheet). We got them to increase the horses' comfort, but it really decreases the amount of beding needed and they never get pressure sores as I've seen in some boarding barns. The initial cost is high - around $500/stall - but they pay for themselves in reduced bedding and also reduced labour if you pay someone to clean stalls.<br />Round bales instead of sqaure bales also saves money.<br />Sorry - all my ideas are for horse keeping at home.<br />Carolhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17207626703988850059noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8603946585821420123.post-78175085649687479352013-03-13T22:21:40.072-04:002013-03-13T22:21:40.072-04:00Hmmmm - not much saving happening since I became a...Hmmmm - not much saving happening since I became a horse owner. However, if I hadn't been boarding Val on what is now my property, I would <i>never ever</i> have had the opportunity or gumption to purchase it. (Former owner signed a years boarding lease with me and then put the land up for sale 3 months later)<br /><br />I do think that horse ownership puts you in the frame of mind of doing more with less... and not spending is like saving - sort of. ;DCalm, Forward, Straighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08360276614916635500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8603946585821420123.post-23694269865575635182013-03-13T21:10:59.256-04:002013-03-13T21:10:59.256-04:00*laughing*
So true about the million.
"Anyt...*laughing*<br /><br />So true about the million.<br /><br />"Anything that feeds your soul is not a waste."<br />I think you said it perfectly. :)Valhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07335385366138424092noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8603946585821420123.post-89595054117236621352013-03-13T20:22:45.102-04:002013-03-13T20:22:45.102-04:00Do you how you make a million dollars with horses?...Do you how you make a million dollars with horses? <br /><br />Start with 2 million! <br /><br />I have over the years received some unasked for input about how much money I "waste" on horses. Anything that feeds your soul is not a waste. My view is that you take your income and figure out what's important.for me it's horses. Now that I have a spot it's cheaper in some ways. But the pay off is so much better. <br /><br />I am careful with my money- I pay for vet and farriers. I give some vaccines myself. I buy on e-bay or kijiji. I won't buy a second hand saddle unless it's been fitter. I do find it a bit ridiculous that a bridle is $300 or more. or that only $200 breeches will do. TeresaAhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05311118900077951863noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8603946585821420123.post-30526028627549290982013-03-13T17:11:01.365-04:002013-03-13T17:11:01.365-04:00Funny title, right?
I should try to make money a...Funny title, right? <br />I should try to make money as a comedian. ;)<br /><br />I agree. There is nothing left to cut out, but at least we have our horses. I am always grateful for that.<br /><br />People didn't believe me when I told them that we didn't have TV. We still watched DVD's and some shows online. It really wasn't a bad way to save!Valhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07335385366138424092noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8603946585821420123.post-1467925071711301012013-03-13T17:07:13.423-04:002013-03-13T17:07:13.423-04:00Cutting your boarding costs in half is amazing! T...Cutting your boarding costs in half is amazing! That is definitely the area that hurts the most. I am just not willing to spend much beyond that, which is disappointing.<br /><br />I cannot place a value on my horse, but unfortunately he does show up in the checkbook and bank account, which cannot be ignored.Valhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07335385366138424092noreply@blogger.com