My friend:
It may be too late already. Just check out the various costs associated with horses before you allow her to proceed.
Saddle(s): $500 for a cheap POS that you child will hate. $1-$2k for one you will be upset about because you fear the child will stop riding. Don't use guilt here, over-saddling the child and having them drop riding is a cheap expensive mistake.
Tack: You think they only need a bridle? Ha. This is a sink hole with huge financial commitment potential.
Board: Local market - first rule where ever you start is where you are stuck until your family is ready to break with the trainer(s) there. Expect deep emotional ties to develop; you will be on the A list for weddings, birthdays, clinics, etc.
Lessons: Local market - Usually there is a three tiered structure. The kid trainer is cheap $20 - $50 per lesson, but you will need at least one to two per week. The big wig strainer is of course multiples more expensive - $50 - $250 per lesson - but we have monthly packages. Clinician - covered later.
Lesson horse: Locate market rates - You have to ride between lessons to benefit. Horses are never free. NEVER.
Showing: Cheap barn shows at first.
Clothing: Sky is the limit.
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Stage two:
Horse: Escalating price based on your historical ability to pay. Call it $5k for the first and double that each time the child's talent grows beyond the ability of the mount.
Daddy's too cheap to buy you a horse?
Leased horse: From take over costs to unlimited - Board, Ferrier and Veterinary care can get expensive. You cannot take the leased horse out of the most expensive boarding stable in town because that is where you found it.
Showing: We need to go to out of town and maybe out of state shows. You just don't get as good of competition around here. Hotel rooms, meals out, show fees, tack stalls, shavings, and of course the purchase at the roving tack store merchant. (We need a t-shirt that says "life without horses - I don't think so.")
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Stage three:
Trailer: A nice Brenderup can set you back $15k, but you can pull it with a small vehicle.
Truck: That trailer just pulls better with a Suburban or Expedition. Truck? cheapskate!
Clinicians: National or international touring trainers. Private and semi private lessons available.
National shows: etc.
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It can only multiply. It is a rich man's sport, and most rich men who support horse habits don't live rich lifestyles. |
