Thank you all SO much for your insights! I’ve definitely learned a lot, and it’s good to hear what worked for people and how they made it work.
I’m lucky enough to already own some pretty nice tack (Passier dressage bridle that I’ve taken super good care of, and a Smith Worthington (the Stellar) cc saddle that hopefully I can trade in for a dressage saddle at some point). I’m hoping to keep driving my volvo hatchback for another ten years, lol! I’ve already admitted to myself that I’ll need to give up some things in order to make the horse thing work but I’m SO committed to that vision because I know that I don’t function at my best without horses, specifically a horse that I know and love and have a bond with. Cross your fingers for me! It was soooo good to hear from those of you who are making do on a really tight budget-makes me feel like maybe I can do this.
