Working Ammies: How Many Horses Can You Keep Up With?

[puzzle]

This might sound a little odd, but here goes. I’m about to start a fairly lucrative job. Through college I was a full-time working student (went to college close to home) and managed to ride 2-3-4 a day. I bought my hunter and jumper last year and they’re just starting to show now (bought young, quality, green animals). Riding two has proved to be pretty doable for me thus far, and I currently keep them in a full care situation with my trainer so I don’t need to worry too much about their wellbeing (before this spring, I was boarding and doing all of the farrier/vet/grain adjustments/did Dobbin get turned out today stuff myself and found it much more time consuming).
For those of you that are young, like myself (early 20s), without family commitments of a serious nature - do you find you can keep up with riding 3 a day while not letting your riding or career slip? I’m thinking of adding a third critter in the next few years while also trying to make a run for shows like Vermont Summer Festival and WEF that I wasn’t able to attend for financial reasons as a kid or college student (didn’t have the horse nor the funding).
I don’t want to buy a third “just because” and likely will not for at least a year until I get my first major raise and see how I like the job, but I’m contemplating it - advice? I will only add a third if I’m going to consistently have time to ride them (5 days a week). It’s a strange new world I’m entering. I have been much less exhausted this last six weeks after over a year of being mysteriously chronically tired, and all of a sudden a third looks interesting.

ETA: For reference, the job I’m taking has an exceptional reputation in terms of work/life balance (people are in at 8 and out at 4), and I rode that much while attending a top engineering institution… I totally get that YMMV, I’m just trying to get a grasp on what reasonable aspirations might be.

[skipollo]

I leave work at about 4 every day (M-F) and the barn is 10 minutes from work. I could squeeze two in if I HAD to, but three no way. Two would be a squeeze as it is, even if budget wasn’t a concern. I’d feel rushed through both of them to get home instead of just focusing on one, enjoying my time, and then going home.

[endlessclimb]

I have a young mare that needs ridden 5-6x a week, and an older horse who needs to just stay fit.

I have trouble making time for the old guy. It was a little easier in the winter when (even if this looks bad on my husbandry…) I didn’t have to brush them as extensively due to blanketing. But now that the blankets are off and they come in scuzzy, grooming is a must-happen. I simply do not have enough time some nights to condition the older one.

I wouldn’t add a third for a while. Really get a grasp of what your job wants from you, especially since you’re young - you’re going to have to put in extra hours to get to speed, and “earn your stripes”.

Be careful with “lucrative” as well. I was making 6 figures straight out of college. You want to be able to save to buy a house and do other adult things. Max your 401k, get some liquid $, then invest the rest.

[PrincessPonies]

I won’t for at least a couple of years. My thing is if you want to show you will end up needing sometime off to do it. Even for a small Saturday show I’ve known people who’ve taken off the Friday before to get the horses ready because there just wasn’t enough time after work. Then the week after the show they’d end up working overtime. I’d suggest just taking some time and figuring just how much time you really have once you start showing.

[Samantha37]

Last summer I was riding 2-3 per day after leaving work at 5pm. It was ROUGH. I’m doing 2 now and it is much more manageable

[Training_Cupid]

I have fun with my one - I think I could do two but it would feel more like work, like I “have to do it” instead of just want to. My one is at a barn that does all the feeding (of hay - I do grain and supplements), cleaning, and turn out, but I manage his day to day care. I ride him 5x/ week, and we show in dressage. I usually go to the barn every morning before work. I’m an attorney, so pretty busy but have some flexibility. And I still have time to work out 5-6x week, relax, and spend time with family & friends, which is important to me.

[Jealoushe]

I have 3 and can ride them all every night, and I work 9-5 and also own a farm and do all my own care. Honestly it’s not even that hard, just takes planning and dedication. I always say after work is my “second job” with the horses, but its the life I want so I don’t mind staying in the barn until 9:30-10 every night. I still have time to spend with my boyfriend, dogs, and do upgrades to my house etc. The horses only need 30-45 minutes of work I find. I get everything else done I need to on the weekends so my weeks can run smoothly!

I also show pretty much every weekend in the summer. It’s really not hard to do it all but you have to want it!

[emipou]

I wish I could do 2! I live in Los Angeles on the east side, work on the west side, and the horses are about midway and a little north of my commute. So on a non-horse day, I’m spending about 2-3 hours in traffic. On a horse day, it’s probably a solid 3 hours of time in traffic, plus work, plus husband at home.
If it weren’t for the times on the road, I could ride two. I’m just proud of myself for staying on top of riding one most days.

[retiredhorse]

@emipou

I wish I could do 2! I live in Los Angeles on the east side, work on the west side, and the horses are about midway and a little north of my commute. So on a non-horse day, I’m spending about 2-3 hours in traffic. On a horse day, it’s probably a solid 3 hours of time in traffic, plus work, plus husband at home.
If it weren’t for the times on the road, I could ride two. I’m just proud of myself for staying on top of riding one most days.

Was going to comment on the same thing. My second biggest issue was traffic/commuting (first being cost, of course), so 1 horse was 4 hours minimum and half of that was driving to get to/from barn. Barns closer to me were too expensive (by like double or triple) or full with long wait list (nearly impossible unless you were with a resident trainer) or cheaper, but not full board (necessary as I can’t get out there every day). If I were to get another horse, I’d definitely look for some place closer, but I’d probably need to make much more money to afford it as well.

[hunter51]

I’m in my 20s (married, no children yet) and I work an 8-5 office job. Previously, I have worked 7-4 but I never have had enough time or energy for two horses. My guy who is at a full-care facility and needs to be ridden five days a week - I used to do six days but now I do three rides on weekdays and two on the weekend if we’re not showing. I can’t imagine having enough time or energy for two, let alone three, when I account for rush hour traffic, the occasional late night at the office, appointments, and misc. commitments. I also like having time to groom, hang out, and dote on him.

While I suppose three horses doable, I know I’d be exhausted and I would enjoy the barn a whole lot less if it started feeling more like a job after my main job than a hobby. This is just me personally though - I really like my downtime at night and going to sleep early! I know some people who seem to be able to do it all, and them some. Best of luck to you.

[tabula_rashah]

I am out of your age group and married but no kids and a more than full time job (work 6 days a week, 9-10 hours a day). . I have 2 in serious work and 2 in light work. I don’t see why you wouldn’t be able to fit 3 in. I usually can find about 2-3 hours of ride time an evening, although for me that usually only one horse but different discipline

[Scribbler]

I would wait and do a couple of show seasons with two before making any decisions.

First, salary never goes as far as you think it will. Second, even if you stay at this company for a decade will you stay in this job description? What if you get a flattering and well paid promotion that requires more responsibility? Third, in your first year at a new job, you need to have some flexibility to show up for meetings, retreats, training courses, whatever, to prove that your job means more to you than anything else. Even if it doesn’t. Especially if it doesnt, is when you need to act like it does!

Finally you need to calculate your living and horse expenses so that you are coming in well under your after tax salary. That way you have margins for extras, emergencies and savings.

Honestly I cannot imagine anyone who is living on a salary (ie no husband paying mortgage, no trust fund) who could afford to full board three horses, have lessons and training as needed, and show those horses regularly at rated shows, plus also be responsible about car, house, savings. Even if you are making over $100,000 pre tax it will be tight. And for a salary like that you need total commitment to the job.

Of course a lot depends on cost of living and commute times. If you have lucked into a high salary in a more rural area with low housing costs and little traffic that’s different than if you are in a major metro area.

Also if you have three horses that are all young and in a focussed training program that’s different than if you have one yearling, one retiree, and one saddle horse. You might end up having to pay for training rides or lease one out.

Whatever you do it needs to be long term sustainable. That means you aren’t spending 100 % of your free time or 100 % of your disposable income or 100% of your emotional focus on your horses. Cut yourself a large amount of slack. Working at 85% capacity is more sustainable than giving it all you’ve got every day of the week. Because you need something in reserve for the unforeseen at work as well as the barn.

[LilyandBaron]

I’m older than you but married and no kids, have 3 horses at home and wanted to keep 3 in work, but 2 is my ideal. I also workout and value time to do other things - I don’t want to be at work at 7, home at 4, and doing barn stuff till after 9. I didn’t want that in my 20s, either. If you truly only want to work and do horses, with some social time on weekends, and don’t need time to workout or unwind on weekdays, it could work. I do think you can do 3 if they are at different levels of work - green bean, horse in prime, retiree, etc. But with new job just starting, I’d wait and see how your schedule works with two.

[Jealoushe]

@Scribbler

I
Honestly I cannot imagine anyone who is living on a salary (ie no husband paying mortgage, no trust fund) who could afford to full board three horses, have lessons and training as needed, and show those horses regularly at rated shows, plus also be responsible about car, house, savings. Even if you are making over $100,000 pre tax it will be tight. And for a salary like that you need total commitment to the job.

I do not make a high salary, and do all this but own a farm and do not board. It is totally doable!

[pluvinel]

In my book paying yourself first to save for retirement is a superior use of disposable income than burning it on a horse activities.

Eg., see thread on people who can’t afford $400 emergency expense.

This is coming from someone who has had horse(s) all my working life and continues to have now multiple horses…but the “multiples” came much later in my career…like 30 years after I started in the workforce.

Actually buying a horse was the first thing I did after getting full time employment, but I lived (and worked) in a very low cost of living area where horse boarding was not the equivalent of a mortgage payment.

When I started work I did a spreadsheet of costs, (pre-Excel) of what I could afford and still save a large chunk of my paycheck. Since I had no responsibilities, I had lots of disposable income…and I saved most of it.

Now being in my dotage, and with 20/20 hindsight, I would never have been able to afford the lifestyle I have now had I burnt moneys on horses early in my career.

There is this miracle of finance called “time value of money” and “compound interest.” You will never be able to make up saving for retirement later without the advantage of the passage of time. Saving now will pay off dividends later.

This is not to rain on your parade, but to inject a bit of “reality bites” into your plans.

If you want to ride multiple horses, my suggestion is to find a way to do that without cash outlays on your part.

[bluepece2]

When I first finished school I was working as a teacher. I was riding 2 a day and the occasional 3rd but it was pushing it to ride a 3rd, eat dinner and be in bed at a decent time.
now I’m a stay at home mum, I ride 2 twice a week. I have a friend with 4 riding horses, it’s a job for her!

[Scribbler]

@Jealoushe

I do not make a high salary, and do all this but own a farm and do not board. It is totally doable!

Having the horses on your own property totally changes things. Where I live it costs about $175 a month to max out on feeding a horse, and $800 minimum to full board somewhere that can support show aspirations.

If your horses live with you you have no hiur long rush hour commute to the barn after work, and can also ride early in the morning.

If you can buy and store hay by the tractor trailer load and have some summer pasture you can cut those feed costs quite a bit. Each additional horse does not cost that much more.

However a 5 acre farmette is $2 million so for most of us, not an option.

[Wonders12]

By full care, does that include grooming? Can you show up with your first horse ready to ride and then swap out your finished (tacked) horse for your next (tacked) horse? That makes a big difference.

[Scribbler]

@Wonders12

By full care, does that include grooming? Can you show up with your first horse ready to ride and then swap out your finished (tacked) horse for your next (tacked) horse? That makes a big difference.

And will probably double the cost of board!

[RileysMom]

I either want your job or cost of living! I make about 180K and live near a major city. One horse costs me about 3K a month on board, training/lessons, shoes, and supplements. That’s not counting his health insurance, vet, equipment, a few shows here and there. I can’t imagine spending three times that at 9-10K a month in just basic costs. I wouldn’t be able to eat!