Cost of Horses

[pony_grandma]

Our AG exemption mysteriously disappeared off our RE taxes. I did a protest. This year’s went down $200 vs everyone else’s going UP. I don’t think Gramps fully appreciates my attention to business matters. He’s never paid a bill in 40+ yrs.

I couldn’t do horses now at the level we used to. We don’t have any choice in equine vets anymore, there’s only one left in the area. Used to be 4-5. Our farrier will age out. The truck, the trailer are old and need work. We’re old and need work

We’re down to one + a mini donk.

[beowulf]

@pony_grandma

Our AG exemption mysteriously disappeared off our RE taxes.

I don’t know what state you are in but in MA you need to reapply every year. If you don’t, you are pulled from the exemption program.

I hear you on the limited constraints in all other areas, though. I’m limited on vets too. I was mourning my former vet yesterday - he used to be very cost conscious and would often leave shots/medications for me to administer. My new practice doesn’t want to do that, for reasons I understand, but dang does it cut into my cost[s] when I have multiple horses that need vaccines/boosters spread out over 3 visits.

[pony_grandma]

Exactly - love my former farm vet guy! Here - you treat! Medicate, wrap.

One vet when I had a baby birth and mare needed some milk aid meds put them in his mailbox in front of his house and went back to sleep!

[cayuse]

As of this year, I guess I’m done with getting more horses. My DH retired 10 months ago and our plan was to take in a couple of older minis over the years from one of the local rescues as we really enjoy the old-timers. But the oldies are $$$ to maintain and 2 of mine are up there already. The way the economy is, there is no way we can do that now. Our property taxes nearly doubled last year. And I was hit with 3 massive vet bills in 2 years (2 surgical procedures). So after these guys jump the Rainbow Bridge I guess it’s over.

[beowulf]

@cayuse

As of this year, I guess I’m done with getting more horses. My DH retired 10 months ago and our plan was to take in a couple of older minis over the years from one of the local rescues as we really enjoy the old-timers. But the oldies are $$$ to maintain and 2 of mine are up there already. The way the economy is, there is no way we can do that now. Our property taxes nearly doubled last year. And I was hit with 3 massive vet bills in 2 years (2 surgical procedures). So after these guys jump the Rainbow Bridge I guess it’s over.

I’m sorry. You have all my sympathy, and I hope you and DH can find some way to keep horses in your life while not going bankrupt over it. It’s awful.

[cayuse]

Thanks beowulf . I was looking forward to finding the right mini/pony to bring home. I absolutely love caring for/fixing up the older ones and finding them some little job to do in life if they are able. A job around here amounts to doing an agility class and then eating a cookie, so it’s not too strenuous lol. But the vet bills are killing me with Cappy. He just had a CT scan and another sinus surgery last week, and as soon as he heals, 2 teeth need to come out. And he’s the young one!

[skip99]

Your question was “what is the answer for the masses to retain some level of access to horses” I think gone are the days when a middle class family can afford a weekly lesson and maybe an in barn half lease at a local barn - and it will only continue to get worse from here.

Those very rural areas there may be horse keeping - just not to the standard we (general we) expect.

[Pico_Banana]

@beowulf Are you available to offer advice on the MA exemption to a fellow COTHer? I’ve looked into it a few times but keep giving up. Would be great though if I could reduce my horrendous tax bill.

[clanter]

@beowulf

I’m limited on vets too.

we have plenty of access to vets, wife before becoming a real nurse was a vet tech (certificate number 36 in Kentucky’s first issuance of vet tech certifications, only missed one question which when protested had to say she was correct about when can a dog be left unattended on an exam table, she wrote when it was dead, they were expecting Never) Daughter who has two horses here is also a vet tech (among several other professions) And when/if needed we have access to the local racetrack vets through a neighbor who is a trainer at that track.

Most vaccinations we are able to administer

[beowulf]

Of course. Feel free to drop me a line or ask here - Chapterland is confusing, don’t blame you for giving up.

[WNT]

I know a lot of the popular, more affordable boarding barns in our part of Virginia are in the crescent that IT companies are eyeing for all their data centers. One lovely, active farm sold as the owner was ready to get out of it and Amazon offered waaaaay more than anyone who wanted to renovate and keep the stable going.

I’m sure it’s going to happen a lot and faster in the coming years. There’s just too much money involved for the counties to listen to regular citizens that want to keep some open space for their horses.

[SMF11]

Can you foster for a rescue? They should pay all vet bills, and you would get a small tax deduction as an in kind donation to the not for profit.

[SMF11]

I would tell a horse crazy middle class kid to join pony club. Lots of unmounted stuff, including competitions. The pony clubs near me try very hard to make it affordable, one even had pony club owned horses for the kids to lease.

[cayuse]

Thanks, that’s a good idea!

[candyappy]

@Texarkana

But I don’t know how you can feed more cheaply. I don’t know how you can reduce veterinary costs. I don’t know what you can do about rising land costs. I don’t know what you can do about rising cost of materials.

There are many parts of our lives that are headed this way. The cost of housing ( rent or buy) is getting way out of hand. The cost of new and used vehicles, food, gas and utilities and most recently the skyrocketing insurance increases then the extras like tv providers etc…

I can’t help but think other hobbies and recreation is going the same way.

People are eventually going to have to choose what is most important and go with what they need to survive. If you are a horse person then you may just have to decide that drastically cutting costs on both your end and the costs associated with having a horse is the only way.

Eventually the specialty feeds, supplements and all the high cost products may be thrown by the wayside when we rediscover many a horse can still be sound, healthy and happy on hay, salt blocks and a few pounds of oats.