Big horse cost problem! Help?

Question

In a previous question, http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AhN3wXHHov1zatZnFyiNdl7ty6IX?qid=20070603092501AAeKZVi
I asked about a horse that I wanted to lease for the summer.
The lease is only $100 a month, My parents are still complaining about the cost and saying they won't pay for it even though I have offered many options to get around it.
a) I would be cleaning stalls to get the lease down to only $80 a month
b) Only for the summer months
c) I offered to sell my american girl dolls which would round up a large portion of the cost.

They still come up with more and more excuses of how its too expensive, and they won't let me sell my dolls even though all they are going to do is sit in the bottom of my closet and get lost or damaged.

Please help!

Also, I am not old enough to get a job

I would not be responsible for they cost of feed, etc. The owner is.

I have been taking riding lessons since I was 9

I have done a little voulunterr work, my 4h club rescued a bunch of very abused horses and we took care of them. I cleaned a bunch of stalls. I'm pretty sure I've done other volounteer work but I can;t think of it off the top of my head.

Answer 1

They are probley talking about the cost of feed and up keep. Hay, shoeing, grain, worming and all the other cost that if you are leasing the animal you would be responsible for. On top of the 80.00 a month you could be looking at more like 150.00 per month

Answer 2

First the average cost of a horse. I live in Northern California and am always looking at Craig's List. There are quite a few free to good home horses that they say are great trail horses and easy to ride. A lot of good trail horses range from $800 to $1500. After that you get into reining horses and specialty horses and most of those go from $2500 to $4500. I did once see a dressage horse for $7000 but it was the only time I've seen a horse be that expensive. As for maintenance if you have a few good acres of pasture and only use your horse for trail riding a few times a week you don't even need to feed hay or supplements. If its good pasture grass it will supply all the nutrients your horse needs. Then you have the farrier out and if you are smart have a natural trimmer and not shoes. I pay $40 every 6 weeks. You have to worm several times a year less than $10 a time. The vet comes out once yearly and vaccinates and checks my horses teeth and looks her over and it costs me about $130 but if you have a horse trailer you can trailer your horse to the vet and save $68 for the outcall. Then of course theres all the little extras we buy like I couldn't live without showsheen $10 at Walmart for 32 oz. fly spray a big container at walmart for $18.99. Horse shampoos and all the little things you'll see and want to buy. But of course you don't have to buy those extras like horse cookies and such but you will because you love your baby and just can't help yourself.

Answer 3

If your parents say no, there's a reason. I know it's hard, but respect your parents' decision and spend the summer showing them that you are a hard worker and responsible. Perhaps there is a financial issue coming up that you don't know about with your family. Perhaps they're worried you'll be hurt and that you lack the skills needed to handle this horse, or have heard that someone involved in the lease situation is less than trustworthy. Perhaps they think you may need to work a little harder to get what you want-- lots of young people are full of promises, but when it comes right down to it, those promises come up empty.

They probably are also worried that you will fall in love with the horse, and at the end of the summer, it would crush you to give him up, or that there is no possible way they could afford to actually buy the horse if he proved ideal for you, and thus want to save you the heartache.

Your other post said you did not ride the horse-- no parent is going to agree to a lease for a horse their daughter has not ridden a few times, and proven safe. That may be part of the problem.

No parent deliberately crushes the dreams of a child without a valid reason. It's difficult, but respect their decision.

Answer 4

learn to braid manes.

you can get around $15 each (as a starting price) for pulling them, trimming them and braiding them before shows.

instead of leasing a horse for the summer spend the money you make on riding lessons, sure you won't have your own horse but it'll prepare you more for what to expect.

have you thought of part leasing? if you and another horsey kid go in together and lease the same horse then you save cash there assuming you are boarding at a stable and not at your own private farm.

i'm not sure how old you are (i'm assuming you're a tween or early teen) do some volunteer work it will prove to your parents that you are responsible. i suggest a theraputic riding organization or even the humane society.

hang around the barn and just watch and help out when you can you'll learn a lot and just remember there's always next summer.

Answer 5

I'm sorry hon, I know exactly how you feel.
I begged my parents for 15 years to let me have a horse.

Remind your parents that whatever sport of activity you choose to involve yourself in will cost some money.
Yes, horses are an expensive hobby but wouldn't they rather you be at the barn instead of hanging out at the mall or talking on the phone all the time?

I'm a riding instructor at a local barn and I always tell the parents of the kids I teach....

Someone can offer your kids drugs for free.... or you can spend the money and get them involved in something.

Good luck.
And don't give up!

Answer 6

That 100 is going to be one of the cheapist things that comes along with that horse, TRUST ME! I owned one for 2 years, til it got too expensive. Especially if somthing happens, such as an injury. You will be paying out of the wazoo. I loved the chance to be able to own my own horse, and woul do it again if I could. But not anytime soon! WAY to costly for somone who doesn't make that much a year, not saying your parents don't. I could alone if I wanted to. But I have gotten to the point where I am going to take my time so that way, when I am older I can get my own horse again, and have a blast doing everything that I did when I was younger again.

Answer 7

Are your parents only concrened with money or are they voicing other concerns as well?
Also does the lease included vet, farrier bills or will your parents have to pay for that as well? That can get pricey, so your parents do have a point.
Now as what to do about it,
First, good job in willing to clean the stalls. See if there are any other jobs at the barn that you could do as well such as feeding, or clean tack. Cleaning tack may only get you a deduction for one month.
Second, Are there any other activities that you are doing this summer that your parents are paying for, or time consumming such as dnace or soft ball. Let your parents know that you are willing to give up that activity for the horse. That way your parents will have the time and money for the horse.
Third, see if there are any additional chores you could do at home, to help make up the difference.

Finally present these options and any other ideas you have in a business like manner. Ask your parents to a meeting. And lay all the options out and the benefits and draw backs to each. Make sure you include the drawbacks, because it will prove to your parents that you thought it through.
Whatever answer they give try to take it in stride. They may just be short of money and not able to pend it on a lease. But going throuh all of this will help them see you as mature. and able to handle the responsiblity of a horse in the future.

Just make sure whatever agreement you come up with you stick with it. That way next summer it will be easy for you to lease that horse :)

Answer 8

If this $80-$100 includes feed and all that good stuff then you've got a pretty good deal! Before I have got horses we looked at places to board them and the cheapest we ever found was $375 per month.

Answer 9

Tell them it is cheaper then buying a horse, and that you gain responsibility, and all that jazz. Also you could mention that you could have a more expanse hobby. If that wont work talk to the person with the horse and see if there was a way to bring cost down or if there not rent the horse but just help around the barn. might or might not help but dont give up.

That is not a bad price then I spend more then that a month to feed my 2 horses.

Answer 10

Talk to your parents calmly. Ask them why can't you sell you dolls. Have you offered to help pay for the horse and how it will help you.
Good Luck