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Aztec Arabians
Gold Member
United Kingdom
1468 Posts |
 Posted - 29 Nov 2003 : 7:34:26 PM
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Work full time as a printer & do quite a lot of overtime, I keep getting asked to train horses for people but sadly have to turn them down as I don`t have enough time and quite honestly can earn a lot more putting the hours in at work.
Also am doing an evening college course on computers and graphic design / digital imaging, so not really enough hours in the day.
I wouldn`t be able to fit all this in if it wasn`t for the sterling help I get with the horses from my girlfreind Annie.
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sub
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
1919 Posts |
Posted - 29 Nov 2003 : 9:47:17 PM
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I only have two horses now, an Anglo and a Newforest.
I work full time and have a 5mth old baby to care for too . In the winter it's really hard as the mornings are dark and the nights too, my poor boys spend most of their time in stables as I have no grazing from November! I try to ride at the weekends - if my son lets me!
I keep them both on DIY and pay £50 a week for their stables, but then you need to add on the hay £26 for a large bale, bedding £5.50 a bale, feed £15 for 6 weeks worth for the pony but alot more for the Anglo. Not to mention farrier, wormers, vet (god forbid ). I dread to think how much I end up paying out, but at the end of the day they are my babies! (I know I have a real one now, but it's not quite the same!)and what the other half doesn't know, won't hurt him
Susan
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barbara.gregory
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
4531 Posts |
Posted - 30 Nov 2003 : 10:45:17 AM
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I get up at 4.15am every morning in the winter to feed the horses, muck out and turn them out for the day. I then go back in the house at 6.30am, have breakfast, shower and tart up for work. Leave home at 7.20ish and do the fifty mile drive to work. Then home by between six and seven (depending on when I finish work), bring horses in, feed, do hay nets, do "carrot" round and make sure everyone is tucking into their hay and happy and then in to have my dinner and fall into bed (if I don't fall asleep in the chair before then).
I have a non horsey husband who is away a lot so no help there even when he is at home except for helping to lug bales of hay from time to time. Fortunately I have my own land and stables so I don't have to pay livery but despite two reasonable salaries we are always overdrawn every month; remortaged the house last year to buy more land opposite which is great. I just have too many horses as I rarely part with anything in case it goes to a bad home. Look out for my two year old filly being shown by Andre next year, named Desert Flower, Fleur to her friends; in fact we will probably do a deal as I don't have time to do much showing so she may not be mine much longer as I know Andre is very taken with her!
In the past I have worked evenings and weekends as well as full time to keep the horses but not having livery bills does make a big difference. I really ought to borrow some money and put up some stables so that I can get some money from DIYs to keep my horses.
Regards
Barbara |
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heatherr
Platinum Member
England
1882 Posts |
Posted - 30 Nov 2003 : 8:07:07 PM
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Full time employment thankfully pays the bills, but does mean an early start to muck out and turn out, followed by late home once I've put them to bed. I can only afford DIY, around my neck of the woods livery is upwards of £500 per month per horse. Lots of driving though, as stables are 14 miles from home and work so don't get chance to come home and change, plus puts 400 miles a week onto my car!I have often considdered moving my bed into my tack room ~ would make it a lot easier, but don't think OH would be impressed
Heather 
 
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georgiauk
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
2605 Posts |
Posted - 30 Nov 2003 : 9:00:00 PM
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I feel quite lucky, been at the same DIY yard for 17 years and still paying the same rent. Although 17 years ago it was relatively expensive!!! I work full time, unfortunately!!!]
Just moved house so I'm now closer by 3 miles to the stables which is a blessing in disguise especially to those of you who know Newcastle Bridge?!
My 3 are still out in a field so I'm enjoying the extended rest and praying for fine weather, when winter really gets here it'll be 6am alarm call, I need at least an hour to pull myself together before driving 7 miles to the stables to turn out, muck out, moved over to shavings beds last year (a gods send) and do whatever else I can before going to work for 8.30 and hopefully leaving just a few jobs to do when I finish in the evening.
No riding during the week for me apart from my 1/2 day once every 3 weeks so weekends are tresured!
I'm lucky that my OH tolerates the neddies very well and will help out so long as it doesn't clash with his rugby or quiz night!!!
  
georgiauk@onetel.net.uk
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Edited by - georgiauk on 30 Nov 2003 9:02:42 PM |
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paul_exe
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
2022 Posts |
Posted - 30 Nov 2003 : 9:54:42 PM
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My two horses, Coloured I/D X Stallion, and P/B Arab mare are on part DIY..... Costs me £42.00 per week for livery, £18 per week for haylage. Round bale of straw £15.00 and £15.00 per week for paper bedding, Shoeing is £40.00 each. They are wormed every 2 months... Insurance is £60 per month.... Damn I am frightening myself now at how much they are costing me!!!! Do I regret spending this money on them....... NO NO NO..... Love them both to bits, and they love me....
Nights out for me are few and far between, but I have no regrets what so ever... My horses are fed before me... I would rather starve than see them go without.
They also have more rugs than I have coats... We are on an equal par for shoes though..... Confession from me: I have at least 30 pairs - LOL.... well we all have to have some luxury
Paul - Broke, but Happy |
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dee
Silver Member
United Kingdom
401 Posts |
Posted - 01 Dec 2003 : 12:06:08 PM
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Hi all, I think the word is sacrifice, we sold our lovely bungalow which I loved to buy an old 100year plus terraced property because it had a small amount of land directly behind it. My hubby converted the garage into 2 stables and then got planning permission for another stable, a shelter within a small sand area, and large feed and hay storage could easily fit 3 more stables into this. We also have a small alottment just down the road were we used to stable the horse and has a small turnout here too. The house inside is still under construction five years later. But having the horses at home is fabulous, this is a large town I am five minutes away from town centre, but 1 minute from country park which is ideal for riding. I work part-time only because I found I could not keep three horses especially in winter and train them for endurance, money is tight but I try and get other small jobs i.e delivering BT books on occasions.
We have not had a holiday since 1990 our choice but have stayed over at say Sherwood for endurance weekends.
Our horses are our pleasure and we have to make the best and sacrifice wherever and whenever we can. I could not imagine having to pay livery but I know many people have to.
Its just interesting at house prices as I bought my little terraced house with small piece of land no acreage, for just £32,000 just over five years ago, worth the investment to have your horses at home.
Dee of Kearsley, Bolton, Lancs X |
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Sally Etchells
Gold Member
United Kingdom
738 Posts |
Posted - 01 Dec 2003 : 4:37:00 PM
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At least this thread makes you realise you're not alone in being insane 
It's up at 5.30 am for me, then off to the farm which is luckily only 5 minutes away - D.I.Y. livery so mucking out here I come - thankfully only got 5 at home at the moment - Vody and my new filly will be home just before christmas so full house then  Mucking out, feeding etc etc takes about an hour or so , then its off home for shower and take the dog out - quick shower and in work for 8 Finish 5 - back to the farm - more mucking out - feeding - working 2 or 3 if possible - then finally home just in time to miss all the good telly and crawl into bed  (Bit of a lie really - always have time for a glass a wine with my best mate and her husband who own the farm before going home - we like to be civilised
I'm lucky that I have a well paid job that's only about 15 mins from home or else I wouldn't be able to do what I do - flexi hols too are great for fitting shows around 
I'm also lucky in that I have a great friend in Kimberley, she helps me out a lot with exercising and training the horses - I would struggle desperately in winter if it wasn't for her. She'll be producing and showing our new filly next year.
Why do we all do it  coz basically we love it and wouldn't be without them as I said - insane.
By the way - Deano - that pedigree chart you did for me was absolutely gorgeous - are you gonna do any more ?
Sal |
Edited by - Sally Etchells on 01 Dec 2003 4:45:37 PM |
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Aztec Arabians
Gold Member
United Kingdom
1468 Posts |
Posted - 01 Dec 2003 : 7:39:29 PM
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Cheers Sal,
Originally did it as a big thank you 2U for your help this year with transport etc.
But then I thought maybe I could earn a few extra squid doin em as a sideline, so any of your mates want one let me know.
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Aztec Arabians
Gold Member
United Kingdom
1468 Posts |
Posted - 01 Dec 2003 : 7:45:06 PM
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Forgot to say, a HUGE GOOD LUCK to the best moving horse on the planet (Annee sez Me Man) for his entry at Paris. I know he will WOWW!!!! the crowd like he always does. Hope he travels well and returns home safe and happy and victorious. Just av a good time you and Kimberchick.
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Wyllow
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
2885 Posts |
Posted - 01 Dec 2003 : 9:15:23 PM
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I'm lucky beyond my dreams.
I have a wonderful man in my husband who, until he met me, had never had anything to do with horses but to whom they have become an important part of life.We have two daughters to whom I'm a mainly stay~at~home Mum...at some cost to the budget, but I promised myself, with my husband's support that if we could, I would do this until they were older.
In the meantime, I've capitalised on my talents as an artist and I work part time(although nearly ALL THE TIME at this point in the year) painting mainly equestrian portraits.I've done this now for nearly thirteen years.It seems to have taken over from the intention to go back to work in the bank!! This work at least does manage to support the horse faction of the family. We have two Shetlands, one Welsh mare and a little horse of uncertain origin on loan.
We manage this lot because the land around the house is just large enough for the Shetlands, so they don't cost more than the hay and bedding in the winter. I file their feet myself. The other two live mainly out in paddocks in a little valley I rent from a farmer at a very reasonable rate. I do my own land and building maintenance along with my husband who is a builder and so thinks little of throwing up the odd stable and tack room! Thank Heaven for him ~ he's an angel! The only extras are hedge trimming, some hay and bedding occasionally, the farrier and vet...and all those little extras horses seem to incur.
At least there are no massive livery bills!
I also have (weather permitting), four little girls who are learning to ride in "shifts" on my mare at the weekends...and although I don't charge the riding school rate, the "donations" make a real difference to Milly's farriery bill!
We have to watch the purse carefully as most horse owners do...but we'd be lost without "The Herd"!
~Wyllow~ |
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Esther
Gold Member
United Kingdom
866 Posts |
Posted - 02 Dec 2003 : 07:46:21 AM
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I am very very lucky in that a few years ago I picked up 2 acres of land 1 mile down the road from my house reasonably cheaply (probably worth more than my house now!!!). I'm still paying a loan for the field but it's less than DIY box rent would be and in a few years it will be paid for. I work full time, although I do shifts which means I have a bit more neddy time in the light.
My neds live out full time and I wouldn't have the time to have it any other way.
paranoid horsemother
     
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Tab
Silver Member
United Kingdom
255 Posts |
Posted - 02 Dec 2003 : 10:47:59 PM
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This thread has made very interesting reading. It's amazing the dedication and sacrifices people will make for their love of horses. It also shows how wrong the media's portrayal of 'horsey types' is. Of course there are many horse owners out there who lead very comfortable lives - and good luck to them, but this thread has illustrated that horse owners come from all walks of life. I do wish people in the media would accept this. Then, maybe, we would get more equestrian sports on television and more accurate portrayals of horse owners.
This thread has also prompted me to buy a cashbook to try and work out exactly what the horses do cost - scary stuff. We're down to three ponies on DIY livery at the moment. We're lucky in that our little herd have their own field. I haven't had good experiences with them in with others. The only thing is that one of my mares seem lonely now, it was her bond pair that we lost. So.... off to Tattersalls on Thursday . Maybe I wont start that cashbook quite yet after all
Michelle
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Serin
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
1792 Posts |
Posted - 03 Dec 2003 : 07:44:05 AM
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| Brave you buying a cash book to work it all out !! i should do that too but somethings i just dont want to know !!!!! I have had Haylage , feed and bedding delivery this week ....... meant to be going crimbo shopping tomorrow ..... int going to get much with a fiver !! |
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pat ww
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
3459 Posts |
Posted - 03 Dec 2003 : 09:16:54 AM
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The odd thing is, we could be spending mega bucks on the horses, enough to support a small or not so small mortgage, but have any of you ever tried to get a loan to buy your own land?
On paper, it is quite likely that despite the fact we make the livery payments, we would not be credit worthy to buy land, which is a capital investment!
I tried in my area once getting a group together to buy 15 acres that came up for sale, to be split into paddocks, but so many who were interested were not 'credit worthy'. Yet it would have halved their livery costs at a stroke! Strange how finacial lemders think. |
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Serin
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
1792 Posts |
Posted - 03 Dec 2003 : 9:25:52 PM
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Got to say i tried to get a mortgage for a peice of land but couldnt .......so brought a run down local Authority house which when gutted will be my deposit for bigger better things !! Its mad that i for one pay more for my stables than i do my house !!
Pat thats put a cracking idea in my head now ........... |
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Lisa
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
2611 Posts |
Posted - 03 Dec 2003 : 10:26:00 PM
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Hmm... I think I must have the worlds most economic gg's... my gelding Tom if stabled at night will, after the initial bed, need a couple of clats of straw and one clat of hay per night (thats all he will eat), out during the day, wormed regularly and shod every six weeks in summer and shoes taken off for two or three months while the ground is soft during winter. He looks after his rugs and does well on 1 1/2 lb of high fibre herbal mix daily as an added extra during winter. He is however out 24/7 unless the weather is horrid so no hay or straw. Rain does eat more hay and is really messy in the stable so she needs more hay & straw but is not shod and does equally well if not better on the same routine. They are both on DIY livery and I would say my main expenses are
Livery, Vaccinations, Insurance, Farrier and Worming.
Secondary expenses are Feed, Hay & Straw, Rugs and Other Tack.
Probably missed something!
On the other hand when you compare these expenses to that of running a car for example....
Insurance, Tax, M.O.T, PETROL, Repairs, Servicing, Tyres and of course depreciation.........
Need I say more!
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honey
Platinum Member
N. Ireland
2634 Posts |
Posted - 04 Dec 2003 : 12:55:32 PM
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Hi
actually where quite lucky one is that their is two of us so work is shared, plus roy does not work and would feed, muck out and water in the morning and soak hay ect for evening, though we now have the big bales of haylage. really helps cause it then takes 5 minutes to skip out beds and put them down, and waters just need toped up with nice full water barrels and one of us usually does that while the other is riding, them we swop the other one tacks up a horse while the other one sorts out haylage, veg and hard feed. we get sundays off, and wednesdays and tuesdays, and plenty of holidays and we can get two exercised at a time Though home at around 10 everynight as we have seven to do and 4 to exercise. It also helps as 3 of our horses are on rubber matting and three are trained to dung in one area which we usually leave clear of bedding so not much dung searching required. unfortunatly the others won't learn. also cuts down on shavings costs alot as at the moment between the six of ours we are using less than two bales of shavings a week.
helen
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