Accepting being priced out of the hobby

[PamnReba]

I feel very, very fortunate that I have enough land to keep my horses at home. But I have gone from feeding/owning/taking care of five or six to just the two that are here now. And that is partly economic, partly energy. I am also older, approaching retirement age (thought I doubt I’ll actually retire) - I have the room for more, I just don’t want to pay for more. Feed, bedding, hay, care - it’s all expensive, and it’s all a lot of work.

The two I have here eat very little, for now, as we have been blessed with a mild winter and plenty of grazing. I can feed them their token meals and leave them, they don’t bother each other during mealtime, graze 24/7 and don’t need hay right now. I quit stalling them at night to keep from having to buy so much bedding and work so hard to keep the stalls clean. They come and go from the barn as they please and I only have to pick stalls maybe once a week? I don’t think I’d have that luxury if I started adding to the herd, and right now the simplicity of ownership is what appeals to me the most.

I am excited to be sending my three, almost four year old out for training in a couple of weeks, but even that monthly fee is scary right now. While she is out, I’ll be down to one to take care of myself, and I am considering doing some short term fostering for the rescue I work with, just to give him some company. But even that isn’t all that appealing, as rescue horses typically are a bit more work and expense than I have the funds and energy for right now.

It hasn’t been that long ago that I had two yearling mustangs that I worked for the first ever Extreme Mustang Makeover, along with three personal horse all in various stages of training. All while working full time. I look back at that time and think never again will I have the time, energy or finances for that degree of involvement - and it makes me sad.

[clanter]

today we hosted a dog event for a local dog club, we are in the middle of a the city so have to keep the pastures/paddocks clean otherwise the city will (or could) fine us.

This dog club was looking for a place to run a lure course and we have the space plus are fenced to keep dogs out so that also works to keep dogs in.

Pretty much ran the event like a small horse show with in and out gates, with a staging area at the in gate rather than a warm up ring, and had a very large holding area for those waiting that gave them plenty of room to keep their pups away from others if desired.

Twenty-four dog owners showed up in two equal flights that were separated by specific times so that there were not a lot of dogs here at once

They supplied all equipment, we gave them the large pasture to set up the course.

We made $250 for allowing them to run this trial, they were here for about four hours

Another way we are making some offsetting income is allowing a person to keep her goat here with my grand daughters goats… you thought horse boarding was expensive,. $150 a month for the goat

In the grand scheme not really much but does help along the way

[Tucker5]

I can only keep a horse due to free board through my job but the other expenses rapidly add up. If my employment changes she will immediately be sold. She is a young mare intended for pleasure riding so the best I can do is get some education on her. But yes, I’ve entered that stage where she is likely to be my last. Not so much age, rather, all of it - boarding, transport, vet, and feeling inadequate. The financial obligation is just so huge and that’s with stripping everything down to bare bones. Same with my dog, she will be the last for a long time.

[CHT]

I know this is a controversial stance.
Most “healthy older horses” can have a job of sort (lease horse, lesson horse), but if they can’t, and if they cause their owner financial strain, I am not sure why we hold this idea of retiring them as being something we owe them to the sacrifice of a person’s own financial security or pursuing their own riding goals. Horse’s live in the moment, they aren’t looking forward to retirement, they are just going with the flow. When we tell a person they may be looking at paying for 10 years retirement if they buy the older horse…well, it discourages them from ever giving that older horse a home/chance, and from learning from that older horse. Not everyone has land, or lives somewhere that offers affordable retirement board.

I am fortunate to live in an area where you can retire a horse reasonably well for $250 a month, but I recognize that isn’t available everywhere and I have compassion for people in that difficult spot.

[4horses]

The problem is by the time a horse is of retirement age/condition, the owners are hopelessly attached. If I was given a pasture pet that might be different but it’s hard emotionally to euthanize a pasture pet unless they are crippled/painful and even then many people are reluctant to do that.

[quietann]

Yes to this. After 14 years carrying me around and so forth, I’d find it very hard to just walk away from her.

[libgrrl]

And there is absolutely nothing wrong with that.

[beowulf]

Just popping in to say same here, I’m 30 minutes northeast of Boston, close to the Nashua border, and always happy to share a horse with someone who just needs a little ride time.

[rulex]

@Calhoun

Horses have been a part of my life since childhood and I can’t imagine not having them in my life. I always thought I would be like the queen, ride till you die. This is emotionally hard for me.

Same. I have literally designed my life around them. I chose and built my career with the intention of being able to work remotely so I could relocate to a low cost of living area while still making a decent salary. I saw the writing on the wall 20 years ago that I would not be able to do horses by staying in a high cost of living area which unfortunately is also where the high paying jobs are. I also continued to adjust my goals down from wanting to show hunters (laughable now), to dressage, and now maybe working equitation or trail riding.

Adequate boarding options are non existent in my area. We have been actively looking for property for the past year but it’s tough out there on a budget. But I also feel that getting property is the only way to try and hold on, otherwise it’s just not sustainable.

[sportyspicepony]

@CHT

Most “healthy older horses” can have a job of sort (lease horse, lesson horse), but if they can’t, and if they cause their owner financial strain, I am not sure why we hold this idea of retiring them as being something we owe them to the sacrifice of a person’s own financial security or pursuing their own riding goals.

Financial security is one thing; euthanizing a horse so you can pursue your riding goals is completely different and much grosser. I personally would judge the crap out of someone who did this, that’s so selfish. That animal gave you its entire life, the least you can do is let it rest peacefully to live out its days. Yes it’s a more emotional standpoint because horses are not machines. My horse had a chronic suspensory injury when she colicked and I had to euthanize her, and I had already accepted that I may not ever reach my “riding goals” with her, but I would give anything to have her back with me still today as a pasture puff. That’s actually crazy that some people don’t feel that way lol and I only had that horse for less than 2 years.

[sportyspicepony]

Not to mention it’s a slippery slope that some people would absolutely take too far. There are so many horse owners out there, probably not people who read stuff online like COTH forums, who ignore signs of lameness or ulcers or poor saddle fit and blame it on bad behavior. If you have an ulcery horse who won’t do what you need it to do in the riding ring, by that logic you should just euthanize it and go get another one that will help you reach your riding goals. People already don’t treat horses like living beings enough, I don’t think we need to normalize that even more. If you want a machine go take up dirt bikes.

[sportyspicepony]

@CHT

I think we need to make it more acceptable/reasonable to put a horse down that is no longer useful if it is making someone put their goals on hold or putting them in financial strain. This trend of owing a horse a retirement, or feeling special because you are sacrificing your goals for an old horse is fine for some, but I don’t think the horse cares/knows. Put them down. Feel sad for a bit, and then pursue your goals.

Im sorry I actually can’t believe 16 people liked this post. Do all of y’all feel that when you take on the responsibility of owning an animal that you aren’t actually responsible for it for life? Do you also euthanize your old dogs and cats when they’re no longer fun or serving whatever purpose you had them for? I’m disgusted by this lol sorry to be dramatic but that’s crazy.

And to be clear I do believe it’s the responsible thing to do to euthanize a horse that’s actually arrived at the end of its life rather than pawning it off on someone else. However this poster is clearly referring to euthanizing horses that won’t help you reach your riding goals, which could absolutely include horses that are healthy or even that are still able to be ridden, just maybe not enough to help their owner achieve their goals.

[FjordBCRF]

@sportyspicepony

Financial security is one thing; euthanizing a horse so you can pursue your riding goals is completely different and much grosser.

This is definitely gross. I’m all for euthanasia when it’s a quality of life decision, maybe moreso than some people I know. This though, nope.

I came back into horse ownership as an adult in 2020 after having a horse up to college. I was fortunate enough to continue riding through and after college to 2020 regularly helping a friend keep her horses in shape. I had gotten divorced in 2018 and had been in a marriage where I was the breadwinner so I essentially traded my ex for my beloved horse. I would have NEVER been able to afford a horse if I had stayed married though that wasn’t the reason I got divorced!

I went into ownership pretty well informed on the financial side of everything but even still, it’s a lot. And this was right before everything started jumping. I would have liked to get a second horse, but I just can’t justify it after moving barns a couple times, having board go from the $400-$650 range to $1200 and now $850. Not to mention that with more than one, you need to find more than one stall available at the same place at the same time. I can afford the upper board costs for one, not for two. I know a lot of people these days that are stuck at crappy barns because they have multiple horses and can’t afford to upgrade in current times.

It’s tough. According to the Pew income calculator, I fall in the upper income tier but it doesn’t feel like it. SO and I both max out our 401ks and HSAs; he has other retirement funds he contributes to as well. We both drive 10 year old vehicles, and live in a new, but smallish 1400 sq ft starter townhome with a mortgage that is just shy of that $1200 board. SO does have a paid off condo he rents as well, but it seems like we live much smaller than the average family. I have plenty of liquid cash from my paychecks for vet bills, lessons, and things like that, but it’s because we choose to live small. We know other with a rental property or two and it still seems like we’re aren’t in the upper income class.

Having my horse is totally worth the expense for me. Seeing what I spend annually on him is a little staggering, but the emotional/mental/physical health benefits and happiness and adventure all come with are worth it. I am beyond thankful that I just have the one and I’m with someone that doesn’t need the biggest, newest whatever house/vehicle/tech gadgets just to compete with the neighbors. Being able to split our household expenses make a huge difference too.

[Texarkana]

@sportyspicepony

@CHT

I think we need to make it more acceptable/reasonable to put a horse down that is no longer useful if it is making someone put their goals on hold or putting them in financial strain. This trend of owing a horse a retirement, or feeling special because you are sacrificing your goals for an old horse is fine for some, but I don’t think the horse cares/knows. Put them down. Feel sad for a bit, and then pursue your goals.

Im sorry I actually can’t believe 16 people liked this post. Do all of y’all feel that when you take on the responsibility of owning an animal that you aren’t actually responsible for it for life? Do you also euthanize your old dogs and cats when they’re no longer fun or serving whatever purpose you had them for? I’m disgusted by this lol sorry to be dramatic but that’s crazy.

And to be clear I do believe it’s the responsible thing to do to euthanize a horse that’s actually arrived at the end of its life rather than pawning it off on someone else. However this poster is clearly referring to euthanizing horses that won’t help you reach your riding goals, which could absolutely include horses that are healthy or even that are still able to be ridden, just maybe not enough to help their owner achieve their goals.

I liked the post. But you and I interpreted the post in very different ways.

I agree horses aren’t disposable and shame on anyone who euthanized for convenience.

But when I read the post, I thought of all the aged(or even young) horses out there with EXPENSIVE health issues that will bankrupt you.

For example, my retired broodmare suffered 2 lower limb fractures, a skull fracture, a torn hamstring, two major lacerations, a ruptured spleen, and whatever else I’m forgetting in the last 10 years of her life. I spent tens of thousands of dollars in medical bills because vets would say things like “once you euthanize her, you can’t take it back.” No kidding.

I’m not resentful. I gave her a good quality of life because I wanted to. But at the same time, I was gently pressured into treating her on a few occasions when euthanasia would have been the better decision. For example, when she ruptured her spleen, before we knew the diagnosis, her surgeon was very high pressure about doing an exploratory surgery. She was 27 and I knew she couldn’t mentally handle the stall rest, yet the surgeon kept telling me I was wrong to be concerned about that and surgery was the right call. Thankfully we found the spleen issue on u/s, which negated the need for surgery.

My example is extreme. But it’s easy to get in these situations where you have a no longer useful horse that is costing WAY too much money. Even just 50 years ago, these horses would have been left in the field to starve and succumb on their own (because it was accepted for old horses to be skinny and unthrifty when we didn’t have as many veterinary advances) or quietly dropped off at a slaughterhouse or auction to “disappear.” That wasn’t the right answer, either. There has to be a balance somewhere.

[sportyspicepony]

@Texarkana

But when I read the post, I thought of all the aged(or even young) horses out there with EXPENSIVE health issues that will bankrupt you.

Like I said, I think euthanizing for financial reasons is completely different than doing it so you can reach your riding goals. I absolutely think you did the right thing! But when Jealoushe asked for clarification on the original post, they confirmed that they also meant the more controversial interpretation which is what I’m responding to.

[Texarkana]

@sportyspicepony

@Texarkana

But when I read the post, I thought of all the aged(or even young) horses out there with EXPENSIVE health issues that will bankrupt you.

Like I said, I think euthanizing for financial reasons is completely different than doing it so you can reach your riding goals. I absolutely think you did the right thing! But when Jealoushe asked for clarification on the original post, they confirmed that they also meant the more controversial interpretation which is what I’m responding to.

Thanks for your validation but you think I did the right think racking up 5 figures in debt treating medical issues on a pasture sound horse with no purpose?

I don’t. I did it because I loved her. But it was financially stupid.

I lost her unexpectedly at 28 to an injury I didn’t think I could bring her back from- a spine injury that left her severely ataxaic.

[sportyspicepony]

Sorry I totally skimmed your post and didn’t actually comprehend it because my outrage brain had taken over. No I don’t think racking up 5 figures in debt is the right thing! Sorry for your loss and your debt

[SLW]

I’m priced out trying to buy another horse so I can retire my 22 year old horse here at our place. Horse prices are crazy.

[Scaramouch]

@sportyspicepony

euthanizing for financial reasons is completely different than doing it so you can reach your riding goals.

But they go hand in hand? My 23 y/o TB costs far more to feed than my young horse and just got diagnosed with Cushing’s so throw $400 every few months for Prascend into the mix.

My friend had a 19 y/o TB with KS and some nebulous hind end lameness, plus struggled to keep him happy in turnout because he got so attached to his buddies he would lose his mind when his friends left the field to be ridden. She couldn’t afford two so was getting nothing but stress out of horse ownership, finally put him down last year and bought a young OTTB a few months later. I would never judge her for any of it because all the options (including “affordable” retirement board for a horse you then never see because it’s in the middle of nowhere) sucked.

Fortunately I can afford two on self-care board as things stand. Quality pasture (so no hay expense May-September) is hugely helpful.

But if my old guy needed other-than-routine vet care over a few thousand, or my current board situation went away and I were looking at $850 per horse year-round … my choice will not be to sell the young horse to maintain the old one.

[sportyspicepony]

Sure, there’s grey areas with everything. Both of the situations you’ve described sound reasonable to me if not a little sad. But the reality is that any horse no matter how old or young can be rendered unusable at any moment. If you’re not at least a little bit prepared for that inevitability then I don’t think horse ownership is for you.