glideriders - 2014-01-28 11:57 AM

You don't say how old you are or How Many Horses you have. I REGRET not selling my two horses 35 years ago when I had a chance to ride with an Olympic trainer. No I could not bring them to his barn.. I was so young and stupid those horses are long gone dead and I never got to fulfill my dream. Horses are a money pit hobby for most people, if you have a chance to earn a living at it, sell, sell, or try and lease them out = you will be surprised at how much gratification you can get out of working other peoples horses at the same time learning, and you will make connections - meet people - better job prospects open up for workers without Baggage! Owning a horse if you don't have the money is just an anchor around your neck. 10 years from now you will be able to buy a big time winner!

Nateracer - 2014-01-28 9:21 AM You said we went to college.  In what area?  There is nothing wrong with taking a job to pay the bills for a few years that isn't in your degree area.  Desk jobs pay the bills, plain and simple.  The other option is to lease out your horses for a little bit to make a little money while you build up a savings plan while loping horses.   

little_bug - 2014-01-28 12:30 PM I went to Tarleton for 2 years, now in Northern Cali online right now. My degree is in Business Administrations so it isn't horse related at all. I do not care if I have a desk job, I currently work at a small animal vet clinic, it just has to pay the bills. I work full time at the vet clinic at above minimum wage and still cannot afford rent and bills. I commute an hour and a half each way too, which doesn't help financially but it is what I could find at the time.

I'm just wondering how people can work a full-time job that pays the bills? I don't need a ton extra, I eat cheap, I am financially aware of what I spend and on what, and my bills aren't super expensive... There has to be something out there that can support it?

Longneck - 2014-01-28 9:40 AM  Could you possibly sell your horses (or lease them) to someone and buy them back in the future?  Think about what you want in your life ten years from now.  I know your horses are important to you, but if you think this job opportunity is a once in a lifetime thing I'd take it.  There will always be project horses you can pick up later when you're more financially stable.



Could you take on a different job?  Maybe waitressing or something that could come with some extra money?  You could probably get some better hours if you're an online student (but don't let your courses fall behind).  My best friend in had to work some crazy hours, but she made some pretty big tips and could deal with the negatives since it wasn't something she was planning on doing long-term.



 

aggiejudger - 2014-01-28 9:51 AM I'll be the bearer of bad news. Most of us either have a college degree, years of experience, or a combination thereof to afford horses. The strikes against you are your age, occupation, and current position. You are working an entry level job and are hoping to get another entry level job in another field. Add in that you are living in a state with one of the highest costs of living, and it shouldn't surprise you too much that you are struggling to make it all work.



I'm not saying you shouldn't pursue your dreams. Unfortunately, you are hoping for a trainer to make an exception (i.e. bring your horses) for someone who will be doing entry level work. Yes, it needs to be done. But as one of the lowest on the food chain, they will not likely make an exception for you to bring your horses. From a trainer's perspective, the stalls your horses take up is money out of their pocket and a place where a paying customer's horse could be housed.



The harsh reality is that most of us have jobs that support our horse habit instead of a horse habit the pays the bills. If being a trainer is what you want to do, you're going to have to make the sacrifices to get the experience you need to get to that level. That probably includes selling the horses your currently own or reducing them to only one. It also probably means moving back to Texas. There are a lot more cutters here than there are in California.



I'm not trying to be a huge Debbie Downer, but you are beating your head into a wall right now with your current situation and what you want to do. Given where you are at, what you are doing, and what you want to do will not enable you to make ends meet. You are at a place where you need to make some difficult decisions to get to where you want to be and to pursue what you want to do.  

TrailGirl - 2014-01-28 2:48 PM

I have to agree with the previous post that gave you the hard truth.  Horses are a luxury. As a college student...luxuries aren't generally going to be doable.  But if you can work a job during college that keeps you on and around horses...that's a really good thing.  If they are not your horses...well...it beats the alternative.

I put myself through college working any and every job I could to get by and not starve.  I worked as a vet tech, tutored writing/reading, and french horn, worked retail etc....and I camped out at the financial aid office applying for every grant and scholarship I could.  I desperately wanted a horse but knew I couldn't afford it.  I made the sacrifices necessary so that I could have the careeer/income later that would allow me to have horses, care for them properly, and enjoy them.  I have never regretted making the tough decisions/sacrifices to get where I am (with Horses!) now.

Keep in mind that not all good jobs require a degree...but for mine (working in research/academia), that degree has opened a lot of doors to higher paying positions.