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HI Spy: What sacrifices have you made in order to have horses in your life?

Participating in equestrian activities can be very rewarding. Horse ownership, with all its ups and downs, is an experience that can’t be matched by anything else. Still, most horse people will admit that they’ve had to give up or go without certain things in order to maintain their equestrian lifestyle.



The most obvious sacrifice is financial. Horses are expensive, but the majority of horse owners aren’t rich! You probably don’t often dine at fancy restaurants and your idea of updating your wardrobe might consist of finding new barn jeans at the local thrift shop. While your friends are enjoying $4 lattes and shopping for the latest fashions, you’re working out your farrier and supplement budget for the next six months.



Horses are time-consuming. Plenty of horse owners sacrifice lazy Saturday mornings to head out in all kinds of weather to toss hay, scoop grain and muck stalls. If you compete, you’ve undoubtedly had to pass up barbeques and camping trips in order to spend a summer weekend at a show. Even meeting up with friends for an afternoon can be a logistical challenge when you need to fit in a riding lesson or training session with your horse.

On the other hand, maybe your equestrian life has taught you to sacrifice evenings wasted in front of the TV or your previous concerns about going out in public with dirt under your nails (and in your hair, and on your clothes) and you’re better for it.

Whatever sacrifices you’ve made, when you gallop down the trail, achieve a show-ring goal, or hear a friendly nicker when you walk into the barn in the morning, you know you’ve made the right choice.

Tell us what you’ve given up to have horses in your life–and why it’s worth it–by clicking “Submit a Comment” below. Some of the responses may appear in a future issue of Horse Illustrated.

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  • I've had to give up more time w/ friends. During the summer I make sure I ride before I go hang out w/ friends if I'm showing in a few weeks. Sleep is the biggest thing, but on Sundays I can ususally make up for it. New clothes too, instead of new clothes I save for a new bridle or clippers.

  • I’ve had to give up some things but my mom has gave up more then me so I can take lessons and see my horse. She gave up her job and her friends just for my lessons. Even though im not taking lessons because my horse is injured she still helps pay for his board and makes sure I see him everyday. So even though I gave up some things. My mom has got me beat by so much.

  • I got my horse when I wasn't planning to and was really not ready for a horse. She was a rescue and needed someone to love and take care of her. I was unemployed at the time so I did chores at my barn to help pay for her board. I budgeted and only bought discount items and borrowed tack until I was able to buy my own. Its been a tough road but she is so worth it!

  • I have had to sacrifice many things for horses; money, friends,sleep and more. At age 16 and 17 when most are procrastinating their work and just hanging out with friends. I worked as much as I could to be able to buy my first horse and continue to financially support him.Time has been a big sacrifice, my horse is 45min away and I go there 5-6 times a week. You can only imagine how many times I say "cant, have to go to the barn."

  • I've sacrificed a lot for my horse. I have a job to help support my horse. I got my job at 14 to help so i could keep her. I don't hang with my friends like most 14 and 15 year olds do. I spend as much time as i can with my horse. But, i'm not the only who had to sacrifice time and money. My parents had too, and my grandparents, who bring me out to see her in the summer. These are sacrifices i'm willing to take, if it means i get to see my horse.

  • I am willing to go all out! I don't go out at night with friends, instead I am mucking poop! Oh, well, we do the darnest things to keep our big hunk of love! It is totally worth it though, to hear the soft nicker when he spies you come, or rub his muzzle on your cheek, or when he has a big cut you have to doctor! Horses are so FUN!

  • Horses have become my life, so I have had to give up many things in order to keep my babies. Unlike most 16 and 17 year old girls, I don't throw big parties for birthdays or hang out with friends at the mall all day. Instead, I gave up the chance of getting a car in order to get a horse. Free time is a rare luxury especially with school. But they've given me so much joy that I don't regret anything and would gladly do it all over again if I had to!

  • Like a lot of people these days,keeping horses is expensive.I would have to say I've given up being able to by all the cool horsey stuff from catalogs.My horses feed bill always come before my groceries too.

  • I am 17 and have been working min. wage jobs ever since i was 14 strictly to pay for hay for my horses.
    I work hard so my horses can have a better life.
    All of my money is put into the horses.
    I rarely have time to myself or spending money.
    But it's all worth it because a horse is the best friend you'll ever have!

  • I am only 15 and I have two awesome horses of my own. I had to give up playing sports or school, but I would do anything to be able to spend time with my horses.

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