Money/Horses?

Question

This winter I'm having a really hard time trying to pay for my horse. I get 40 dollars a month for allowance, and that still doesn't seem to be anough for hay, grain, wormer etc. My mom pays for one bag of grain- i the other- and the cost of trimming his feet. I'm just a kid that has to pay for about everything for my horse. I was saving my $110, then I had to spent it all on 4 small, crusty-edge round bales that lasts the horse about a week. I always ask my parents for horse stuff on Christmas, Birthday, etc. But a horse is alot of money for me. Maybe when I get older and get a job It'll be easier but for now, It's a struggle. what should I do? Any side-jobs that I can do? ( I live way out in the middle of nowhere though! ) Any suggestions.......??

Answer 1

Not sure about side jobs but you should be congratulated for trying to do this on your own on such a small amount. I would suggest though just as a tip looking at Country Supply online because you can get a year's worth of wormers for about $22 - rotational too. I would also shop around for grain because you can get sweet feed for as low as $6 per bag and a farrier to trim for about $15. There are ways to make your money stretch further so try to call around and find prices.

Answer 2

Does your horse really need grain? If he is an easy keeper you can feed only forage.

Do you have access to grazing? That would be another way to cut down on hay. Also if your horse has a shelter you don't have to worry about buying shavings/bedding.

How are your horse's feet? Can he go without shoes and just a trim? How fast do they grow.

My horse's feet grow pretty slowly so we can get away with a trim every 8 wks barring any problems.

You can buy a year's supply of wormer from horse.com for about 30$

You can sell off items you don't need on eBay for a little extra cash. Or you could start making and selling horse crafts. I know painted horse signs for Halloween and Christmas/Winter were popular. Ornaments are an option too.

Failing all of that, is there a way to part-lease your horse out? Check the insurance and liability issues with this, but it would help reduce some costs.

You don't need to spend 50 grand on your horse.

Best of luck to you and your horse!

Answer 3

I think a part time job might help. Most jobs are never advertised but what people do is make up a generic resume and then fine tune it for the business they are leaving their resume. One secret is to place whatever experience you have had that might relate at the very top of the resume -- it doesn't matter when you had that experience. Employers just want to know if you have any type of experience that they could use. Most young people discount themselves, but unpaid experience like helping your Dad do carpentry or helping your Mom plant the garden counts as experience.

But another consideration is school. If your parents want you to get good grades perhaps you could get them to pay more for your horse's expenses by making a deal that you will maintain a B+ average.

Good luck, I have a feeling everything will work out and you and your horse will be friends for a long time yet. Having a horse teaches you responsibility, caring for an animal that needs a lot of attention is a good experience for a young person. Perhaps you could mention that to your parents.

Answer 4

Depends on what you do or don't have for your horse. If just starting out, buying a brush box and filling it with a hard and a soft brush, hoof pick, mane and tail comb plus some furisone for cuts, abraisions, trush X and fly spray all would be a good start. Then of course there's ALWAYS tack! Bridles, halters, leadropes. New saddle pads are nice too!

Answer 5

I see everyone else has replied with odd jobs you could try and find and I agree, BUT Hon, if there is any tack you are needing just let me know. I have four horses and enough tack to outfit 20 all at the same time. I seriously need to cut back on what I have and you are more than welcome to have some of it for FREE! just let me know what you may need and I'll see if I can help. I know this doesn't help with the feed situation , but maybe I can help else where. I take really good care of my stuff so no worrys on getting junk or anything broken or ugly. Like I said let me know if you need ANY kind of tack:) Pads, halters, bridles , boots...etc lAlso I am glad you are stepping up and helping to pay for this horse:) You sound like a WONDERFUL caring horse owner:) Not many younger girls and guys would take the responsibility that you are:) Keep your chin up and just keep saving what you can

Answer 6

I know tylerr is trying to help with this suggestion:

you could ive people rides at fairs and stuff, good money to be made out of that, or you could jsut put up a sign in front of your house, that says: horse rides- $10 (or whatever you want to charge

But please, do not consider this as an option. If someone were to be on your horse and fall off you can be held responsible. This is something you should not do unless you have liability insurance.

There were lots of other good suggestions here but this one can end up costing you and your parents (if you are under 18) lots of headaches!!

Answer 7

you should deffenitaly look for better deals on hay. The hay you bought sounds like it could be unhealthy for your horse. bad hay can kill a horse. also you are paying too much for it. our hay is 14.50 a bale for alpha hay and one bale weighs about 110 pounds. our horses eat about one bale a week. they do cost a lot but you should be getting a lot better deals, and anywhere you buy it you can take it back if it has mold or black stuff or discolered at all. if you are big enough and you sound like you may be another way to save money is to have their feet trimmed and then you can get what is called a rasp and just file the edges down that will save you a lot of $$$ have your farrier show you. if he or she wont then look it up on the interner. the key to doing that is to make darn sure you dont take off too much toe nail. good luck and keep on horsin around. its all worth it.

Answer 8

Hi, this is something you might have thought of before you got the horse. But, let's move forward. Taking care of a large animal costs quite alot of money and alot of responsibilty. On Christmas and birthdays, and other present recieving days, ask for money and explain why. According to where you live, a horse's upkeep will cost $100 to $125 per month. This needs to be set up in a budget. On top of feed and supplements as needed, shoeing every 6 weeks costs approximately $65/ 6 weeks, yearly vaccinations $30/ year, and floating teeth $50/year. Then you have supplies such as fly spray, etc. This all should be in your budget and kept track of. When I was young, I gave lessons, cleaned stalls and fed for others, took care of small animals when neighbors were away, mowed lawns, babysat, watered plants, anything that I could do. Put up an ad at your feed store, explaining your situation, and you might be surprised at what your neighbors will come up with, for you. Keep up the good work and good luck. Carol

Answer 9

I understand about the horses being expensive,I have a full time job and so does my husband(a good paying one) and it sems like it can be a struggle to get everything you need to care for your horse responsibley . but you get it done.
The good thing is your willing to pay and care for your horses needs,to many kids expect mom and dad to take the whole burden. Like others have suggested, try babysitting,cleaning stalls,tacking up lesson horses,raking leaves,winter time-shoveling sidewalks,walking dogs,pet sitting....there are all kinds of options you can explore.Good luck!

Answer 10

As you know horses are very expensive. I've had one for 13 years and I have paid more than $50,000 between board, farrier, vet, dentist, supplements, emergency's, etc. You can either sell him (which I'm sure you don't want to do) or get creative and make more money. How about working on the weekends at your local stable? Babysitting? Ask your parents if they would be willing to pay you to do odd jobs around your house. Offer to do add jobs for your neighbors such as pulling weeds, raking leaves, shoveling snow, etc. Good luck!