G-dammit. I was just offered a very nice horse. For free. An aquaintance of mine from a previous barn is going tyo have her knee replaced and cant afford to keep her horse because she'll be missing out on months of work. She's also just getting older and the horse is becoming more of a burden than enjoyable.
So she's offered him up for sale. She privately messaged me and said she'll give him to me for free if I was interested. In a year or so she can take him back if I wanted to give him up.
She was hoping I qualified for free or reduced board at the barn I'm working for (I don't).
I like this guy. I haven't ridden him but seen him go several times and he just moves nice, has a pleasant personality, and lots of potential.
But even at a free price, horses are friggen expensive. I would need to purchase all the equipment for him (conservatively guessing about $2k) and then upkeep. My barn charges $800/month.
It's not an option to take him at this time. Sucks.
Free Horse
April 18th, 2014 at 02:24 pm
April 18th, 2014 at 03:11 pm 1397833915
April 18th, 2014 at 03:25 pm 1397834746
April 18th, 2014 at 03:32 pm 1397835155
I have/had horse(s). They are expensive. My horse is at my house, but back when I had to board him it was up to $140 a month and I thought that was ridiculous. I cant even imagine paying $800 a month.
I had 3 horses at one time. Even keeping them on my own farm they were eating me out of house and home. I sold 2 and kept my first horse. He is old, and I havent ridden him for probably 8 months. But I keep him because of sentimental value.
Honestly. Im not as horse crazy as I used to be. I got burnt out long ago, and they just arent worth it to keep, to me. Expensive and dangerous.
With horses I think horse lessons are the way to go. Less care, less expense, and if you need a break you can just stop and come back later. Owning a horse is a lot of responsibility. Just my 2 cents.
April 18th, 2014 at 03:36 pm 1397835411
Posted from the long time horse owner who has been bitten, kicked, bucked off, and had to spend thousands of dollars on upkeep, one too many times.
Ive only fallen off a couple of times in all my years of riding. But the last time I had a nasty concussion, and short term memory loss. I just got back on and didnt even realize I had fallen off because I blacked out. My student that was riding with me at the time, told me. That can scare you.
April 18th, 2014 at 04:01 pm 1397836897
With hay at record prices, feeding a horse here costs as much as what klarose used to pay for full board. Like boats, horses are a very expensive hobby.
April 18th, 2014 at 06:50 pm 1397847022
I am very lucky that I am able to do this; we are in a very good place financially. Even keeping a horse on the cheap isn't cheap, and it's irresponsible to take on the upkeep of a horse unless you're prepared for an emergency vet bill. I once thought about adding up what I spent on horses yearly - or heaven forbid what I've spent on them over the last 20+ years - but I am not an insane person and I have no desire to know what that number actually is!
April 18th, 2014 at 08:35 pm 1397853330
April 19th, 2014 at 01:29 pm 1397914196
April 24th, 2014 at 01:28 pm 1398346080
Anyways- I appreciate all the support. I didn't realize so many of you have been in the horse world. I'm used to people thinking its like getting a dog. "just get it! It'll be fun!" is what I hear from my non-horsey friends.