Considering getting a horse? They are expensive (don't I know it), but there are a few things you can do to save money in the rest of your life that can help you afford horses. Some of these things I actively do, some not so much, but all have been part of my horse affording strategy (and I have 3 horses so it is important to have SOME kind of strategy).
1. Take your lunch to work. If you work outside of your home, bring your lunch with you every day. I can bring an awesome, healthy, filling lunch for about $2.00, but eating out costs a minimum of $6.00 (unless you have fast food, that that is terrible for you). 20 workdays x $4.00. Saved $80.00
2. Avoid/change/modify the coffee habit. If you are buying coffee, make it at home. Starbucks is an expensive habit. You can buy the syrups, grind your own beans, even make an investment in an espresso machine and it won't take long to counter the cost of Starbucks. But if you can avoid it all together, just 3 coffee's a week at $2.00 each adds up. Saved $24.00
3. Buy in bulk, responsibly. Costco is a great saving place, but not when you buy stuff you don't need or won't use. Believe it or not, Costco is not always the least expensive place, but convenient when you need lots of something. For my family, the only thing we used to buy there was meat, but now I buy from a local butcher (who is less expensive for better quality). I have seen plenty of people buy (including myself), things they don't need at places like Costco. Dollars drained at Costco are ones not spent on horses. Saved LOTS, but let's say $50.
4. Sneak your snacks into the movie theatre. Ack. Ok, I said it. I have developed a bad habit of buying popcorn, but the movie theatre doesn't offer any soda that is affine and sugar free, so I bring by own soda and candy bar. 2 movies a month. Saved $10.00
So, now we have saved $164.00. For me that would pay a month of board plus a bag of grain. And that is no April Fools joke.
15 comments:
Not to sure where you board your horse, but where I board, it is $650 a month bording, $50 a month for stable work (mucking feeding ect) not to mention the $550 a month for lessons ect. in all, to own, train, and compete with your own horse (english riding) it costs me about $20k a year... and "that is no joke"
Where I Board In Greenwhich, CT board is $1250 a month. That Is What's Not A Joke.
The cost of board can vary tremendously, I definately know that. My board was at a small private self care facility, so I cleaned my own stall, provided my own feed and worked with a group to do turnout. High end boarding in this area can be $800 a month. If you want a trainer on site, full care boarding and the other advantages of high cost boarding than go for it. I, however, was not going to find a trainer I could work with who had a barn (Paso Finos are a speciality in this area), so I found something DELIGHTFUL that suited me perfectly 3 miles from my house. Can't beat it!
If boarding costs you guys so much, find a new stables! I only pay $140 a month for lessons, and my barn is really good.
I agree with that. I board at a not very high end barn barn, but the people are nice and the horses are treated well. To me that is more important than having a barn that looks great but isn't.
that is a insane price!!!
my stables that i go to costs 2,000 per month for full board... but everyplace out were i live is just as expensive.
Board is crazy. I am trying to buy a horse and the board costs are what are making my husband dig his heels in (and I can't say I entirely blame him). While I have not heard of $2000 board in my area, the barn I ride at now is $1000/month.
There are places less expensive, but they don't have the same facilities (i.e., no indoor which means I'm SOL from Thanksgiving through March unless I want to pay inflated winter board rates somewhere).
I also find, tho, that the discrepancy in price is often closely related to the state you're in. Put the same farm from my area (Boston) in, say, Ohio, and the board fees will be radically different.
How much can a quarter horse or pony cost up to? and the barn i take lessons at is 250 for the pastrue and you buy the stall once not rent.
£650 per month for board?!
HAHA!
My mate has a 6 year old gelding and she pays £50 a month for Full Livery, free use of hacking and riding facilities and free training. All she has to do is go up there and ride him when she wants.
NOW THATS A BARGIN :D
i know somewhere that boards horses for £87 a month
Add the cost of board to the cost of your rent or mortgage...then consider if you would be better off renting or buying a place where you can keep your horse. Then leave a few stalls to rent out as income for yourself.
I live over in washingtong.. boarding all varies on the type of facility, or who the trainers are. Right now I exchange work for my lessons, but the boarding fee is only 175 a month self care, you supply the feed, you supply the tack, you clean the stall twice a day everyday, you turn them out. Other than that it is about 750 a month full care!
we pay only £60 a month for a lesson at barrow
Where im going to buy a horse from is Angel Acres Horse Haven Rescue, and im going to board my horse at a place i can get my mom to drive me to every day. Its 10 minutes (by car) away from my house, and my neighborboards her horse there too. My board bill is $250 a month. Including feed, daily stall cleaning, and nighttime turnout. I groom him, and ride him. They do everything else for me, but i dont let them! I love doing things that because i love horses as much as i love my family members and dogys. I save my allowance ($3 every friday, which is really bad compared to what my freinds get) and i have about $12 right now. I just currently bought a halter, sweat scraper, hoof pick, and body brush. I dont have a horse yet, but im geting all the things i need first. I really ned to push my parents a little farther to let me get a horse. Im allmost to the breaking point!! Thanks for the saving information!! I really want a horse and i cant stop asking every day, and my parents are getting really mad.....
I don't have a horse- YET- and it's because everything together a month (boarding, food, farrier,lessons, etc.) costs about $1,000 at my barn!
Post a Comment