Do What You Can Afford to Do

EC blog by: Julia Adams

While helping a friend scroll through ads looking for her next horse, I was struck by the prices in the horse market at the moment. She told me exactly what she was looking for, and she has a great understanding of her needs and goals for the near future. I’m excited for her!

In reflecting on this topic and scouring the Internet, I came to this conclusion. Horse sales are hot, and people are hungry to get back to showing life. I know of two friends who recently sold horses for under $10,000 that went within days.

I understand the economy is at its apex. Prices are inflated, and the cost of feed, fuel, and hay is expected to continue to rise well into 2022. I predict we will see quite a few horses posted for sale this spring and summer as people weigh their options to keep or sell based on the outlook heading into the winter of 2022-2023. I found myself repeating the same mantra in my head as I looked at horse after horse and breeder after breeder. Do what you can afford to do.

Horses are the most expensive sport in the world, and, let’s be honest, it’s not just a sport. It’s a lifestyle. It’s a choice. It’s not for the faint of heart, nor the weak of wallet. However, those of us who grew up in the industry know that it wasn’t always like this, as it exists in 2022.

If there’s a will there’s a way, but sometimes there’s a limit that gets crossed. If you buy into this industry, it’s an investment. The horse is most often the cheapest part of the equation. It leads to a barn or board, a truck, a trailer, a property, and a lot of life choices to make it work in between- especially having family and friends who support your personal goals. Again, in realizing this, I reiterate. Do what you can afford to do.

Most people who own horses have full-time jobs, and horses are their passion and fun in their free time. They do it because they love the animal, and they want to enjoy them and learn with them. Some people go ‘whole hog’ and can afford to buy many horses. They dive right into a life of showing and traveling, but for 95% of blue collar America, we do it when we can, where we can. Do what you can afford to do.

Those who show or compete are dealing with even more pressures, concerning the financial burden and choice. Breed shows are hands down the fastest way to watch your cash disappear. People who love to show pack up their whole barn and closet for a weekend, travel states away, pay hundreds in gas, hundreds in entry fees, and chase points for titles. The clothing runs into the thousands, the tack too, and the horse’s health and maintenance costs to get there are beyond thousands each season. I see people showing weekend after weekend and think to myself, “Man, what’s their secret income?” But then, I come back to the same sentiment. Do what you can afford to do.

In the world we live in, it’s easy to see horses posted for $25K, $35K, $50K and to see saddles running $5K, $10K, and $15K, and people are paying it. Show clothing is listed, and you see beautiful designs that start at $1,000 and up, for a shirt. It’s easy to look at what you have and think that you can never compete. It’s easy to lust after things you can’t have and compare your reality to other people. But remember, doing what you can afford isn’t settling. It’s living.

Horses aren’t made to make you go broke. Horses are made to be enjoyed and nurtured and loved. At the end of the day, they don’t care if they live in a run-in, shed row barn or a top notch facility. They don’t know that they wear a $500 saddle or a $5,000 one. They only know the kindness and support you show them. So, do what you can afford to do, and love what you have.

I’m grateful for:

• My “family and friend” built three stall, run-in barn
• A husband who supports living with horses
• My home trained gelding
• My 1997 hand me down show saddle
• My homemade show clothing
• My one big show a year where I get to see my friends from around the country

And a firm understanding that if you can’t afford it; you don’t do it. This doesn’t mean you’re forever limited. This means you set goals to make that marker move. That you work harder, hustle more, and maybe save so that you can enjoy more.

But don’t let the industry blind you to your own reality. Do what you can afford to do. Trust me, you’ll be happier for it.

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