Living with horses on a budget (my first rant!)

Ouch $200 just for a call.......i'm one who has been relying on my vet all summer because of star....my vet use to work for cargil qiut because they didn't follow usda rules and now works for him self....in the last 3 years of living here I wasn't impressed with any of the vet's....treaded my animals like a number not a name....i found art my present vet just by chance, he's a great guy and very understanding, his charge is $40.00 yes $40.00 for a call, if there is more that needs to be done (surgury ect ) i'll give him a open check to get the stuff he needs.....a scalple sold to public is about $13.00 to a vet (12 dz) about $1.50, most of the time I take care of a lot of thing's my self. That's why I live by my vet!!

Sorry you are feeling badly northernmomma. I am on a limited budget too but it is different beacuse I lease. But I have always been on the have not end of the big money scale-sometimes I feel bad about it and sometimes I feel that since I have worked as hard as a person can work then I have done enough. I took care of all with one income and I care for my animals in the best way that I can as do you!!!! Not all of us can just spent thousands at a whack-i certianly can't.If we do the very best we can with what we have = for our families and our animals I don't think anyone can criticize.

I do agree with you. Again, for the most part. I am more on the Middle end of the spectrum. We aren't hurting for money, but in no way are we one of the "haves". I certainly have never called anyone any names. (at least I didn't post them) But what bothers me, is people who come on boards (this one and others) and say something like "help, my horse is sick/injured/whatever and I don't know what to do!" Then everyone on said board is saying "this is serious, call the vet!!!" and their excuse is "I don't have the money for a vet." Now, if it was something minor that could be handled at home, the poster wouldn't have to post asking for help. Yet, people are telling the poster that their horse could DIE if they don't call and they refuse. Well, I'm sorry if this offends someone, but, that is no excuse. If the owner can't afford to go to the vet over something serious then they should give up the horse. It is not fair to the horse. I'm not saying they should pay thousands of $$ for treatment, but come on! Most anyone can pay a bill of hundreds of $$ even if they must make payments to the vet for a year. Or at the very least, get a vet out and see if the horse should be put down and put out of it's pain/misery. THAT is what makes my blood boil.

There are LOTS of things I can't afford. I would LOVE to have a 4 horse gooseneck with livingquarters, but I am just out of luck. Unless I win the lottery, It isn't ever going to happen. I think that too many people think it's their RIGHT to have things, but then stretch themselves so far financially, that they can afford the important things. And vet care is an important thing IMO.

I actually don't really know any "rich horse people." Sure, sometimes they tend to take it for granted, but some don't at all and are great, down to earth people. I've known kids who take lessons twice or more a week and the ones who can't ride for months because their family can't afford it anymore. Just like how I know people who can afford to pay over a thousand dollars for board while I can't even pay half of my board. I don't even have a saddle because I can't afford it (I'm working on that).

So I know where you are. I was just talking to my mom today about how I wish horse stuff didn't cost so much. What I'm really worried about though is not having an emergency horse fund. But I work off my horse's board and don't get paid so I can't really do anything about it. Hm... I need to find a rich friend... xD

Priorities-it all comes down to that-a fancy 3,000 dollar saddle or a make do saddle and an emergency fund set aside. I think it also has something to do with maturity. A mature person will find the bucks to take care of their animals an extra job or hours, payments over time =like said above!!!!!I feel that animals are a blessing in my life, they keep me grounded to what is really important-not the fluff in life-another soul who depends on me and loves me in spite of me- I will do ANYTHING- to keep them safe, happy and healthy and I am sure 99% of you feel the same. I don't go out to dinner or to movies or out on the town so I can comfortably afford my darlings. I lease-i do not own a horse of my own for the above reasons-if I cannot afford the health care in an ER I am not buying.

Yeah, no way would I buy a new saddle. In fact my BO offered to sell me two of her saddles that fit my mare for only $400. And I would get a job, but I'm still in school so I can't do that.
I agree with you about the maturity thing. I don't buy anything for myself anymore. Everything goes to birthday gifts for my friends and the horse fund. ;) It may be hard at times, but if you make smart choices money-wise, things aren't so bad.

I understand your point northernmama. We couldn't and wouldn't spend thousands of dollars on horse surgery. There comes a point when you have to say enough as far as vet care. We do most of our care ourselves too. We also have a good relationship with our vet. If our bill gets out of hand (which it has) we can make monthly payments to him till its paid off. To me an emergency fund should be enough to put the animal down and have it disposed of.
I think when someone posts a topic on needing help with some health issue, people will say call the vet because they don't know what else to say. We aren't vets or clarivoyants that can see how bad an injury is and usually if its a person who doesn't have a clue what to do and the horse is in severe distress, they really should call the vet.

I've never needed or got a vet out, most things I can deal with myself. I'm a full time unemployed student living out of home so money can be very, very tight. If my horse needed surgery I don't know what I would do. I wouldn't have the money and I know my $1000 horse wouldn't be worth the money, but I don't think I could let my horse die if I knew I could save it, but I am a vegan so I am big on animal life thing. Depends on the horse though I guess.

Northern Mama, I'm totally with you. I'm on a budget as well. I don't work, I'm a stay at home mom, so I have to rely on my hubby. I don't think it's fair to him if I have the vet out all the time.

Since I've been living here (just over two year) I have had the vet out twice. I deal with most everything on my own, I know how and I am not incompetent in what I'm doing. I don't ultrasound my mares when they are in foal, unless a problem were to arise. I've always had healthy happy horses and foals. They are well taken care of I just don't spend alot of money on them. My mares graze most of the winter, and stay chubby. We trim our own feet, unless my hubby is away at work. I deworm my own horses, and take care of all other shots myself. My horses are not suffering because of the lack of money I put into them. They are all happy, very healthy horses that I LOVE. Noone could tell me that I can't love my babies because I don't have enough money.

The money is there if something were ever to arise and I'm not neglecting them in anyway. I don't have a vet, trainer, or farrier in speed dial. It's me and my horses and they don't seem any worse for wear. They all have all their needs met, worming, farrier, feed, warm water, shelter, and love.

TXHorseMom-Very well spoken. I'm totally with you there. You sound alot like us!

I think to own a horse you should be a realist, that's all you really need to do...

Well, thanks all. I guess I'm just reacting to posts I found critical and assuming. I'm glad I'm not alone.