What's the Cost
We always hear about how much it costs to have a horse. It is common knowledge that horses are perceived as being expensive, you have to consider such things as
- Boarding
- Lessons
- Tack
- Vet Bills
- Farrier Bills
- Emergency Vet Bills
- Helmets
- Boots
- Barn Clothes
- Show Clothes
- Show Tack
- Trailers
- Trucks
- Shavings (if not included in boarding)
- Fencing (if not included in boarding)
- Feed (if not included in boarding)
The list goes on and on and on.
All of those things cost money and time. When we talk about budgets and payments, it all sounds like burdens, and is the negative side of the equation.
What we don't discuss openly enough is the positive side. What are you getting for those dollars?
Horses give us everything. If you are a horse person, you immediately know what I mean.
The sense of peace, calm and rightness that comes with being around horses. The sense of partnership that comes from having your own mount to call your friend.
For those of you who are not horse people, here is a list of what a horse gives to us on a daily basis:
- Work out partner
- Personal trainer
- Physical therapist
- Emotional therapist
- Friend
- Athletic partner
- Confidant
- Confidence booster
- Zen safe space
- Escape from desk/day job
- Time away from worries
- And so much more
When I started this journey as an adult, I didn't know how much having a horse would mean to me emotionally and physically. I didn't know how much it would change me. I just knew without any iota of doubt that I wanted to be an owner.
Just like everyone else, buying my first horse scared the fiscal bajeebus out of me. I could not wrap my head around how anyone could afford to do it, to actually have a horse! In the beginning you think that the price tag on the gelding you're eyeing is the thing you need to worry about, it's not. You're getting what you pay for, as in you are paying for blood lines, potential, train-ability, already learned skills, life experience that horse has already accumulated. You are paying for the whole package. Buy a horse that is untested and then you have to pay to figure out what it can do, buy a horse that knows all the tricks and that is one less extra expense later on.
So you finally bite the bullet, or get put in a situation where you just HAVE TO HAVE that particular horse for whatever reason, and poof you're an owner, let the shopping begin! A newly purchased horse has to have newly purchased tack, right?! :)
There is possibly a little buyer's remorse when you realize that you're the proud owner of a pet that lives to be 30 or 40, gulp! There is a little self bargaining as you try to figure out ways to 'save money' on tack and tools, which then you discover you have to replace because you didn't know enough about what you bought in the first place. Then comes the phase of acceptance, where it no longer matters (within reason) what it costs, this is your life now, this is what you do, this is what it's all about. When you reach this place, you have come to the realization that there is no turning back, no calling it in, you're a horse person and with or without owning, you're never going to be the same again. Next you have to just suck it up and realize that you might always be slightly broke, but you'll be damned happy.
They say the average owner spends about $3,500 on their horse in a year (this is without tack, show or club expenses). Which is basically a yearly car payment for a very basic sedan.
I challenge you though to compare that to what you spend on therapy, going out for drinks to talk with friends, gym memberships, physical therapy appointments, and emotional shopping (don't lie, we all do it). I would be extremely surprised if you found that the horse still cost more than the things you are already doing.
So yes, horses are expensive, having an active life is expensive, having kids involved in a zillion activities is expensive, life is expensive....but wouldn't you rather spend money that ultimately brings you joy rather than spending money that just brings you more stress? If we are to have in our lives only that which sparks joy, then I say I am living right, because I have never found any other hobby or workout or time wasting activity that brings me as much fulfillment as being with my horse.
Comments
Post a Comment