Economics

I read a commentary recently which expressed the view that owning a horse is not that expensive. Because I had recently been mulling over how costly it is to own an equine, this really caught my attention.

Reading more closely, it became apparent that the commentator was saying that horse owners do not need to spend as much money as advertising and various published instructions would indicate.

The commentator did assume an owner could afford a large pasture with suitable grass, health care, and thoughtful training. Beyond this, most supplements and many accoutrements would be unnecessary.

It was an incredible assumption and it demonstrates the income gap within the horse world. It almost made me cry, thinking of all the backyard horses that vanished during the recession, of the horses I knew who had to journey onward, of the horse-related businesses that I have seen fail, and of the stories we have all heard of horses abandoned at boarding facilities or in fields or along the roadside. An owner first postpones this farrier visit or that fee, and after that, unpaid bills can mount faster than it seems possible.

I will never forget how I once remarked that one reason I didn't own a horse was that I didn't have time to muck out and feed twice a day. An acquaintance responded with an eye roll and a laugh, "Well that is why you board them!" I could never decide if they were speaking from ignorance or arrogance.

Molly in September 2014

I learned what it cost to own an equine, and only purchased Molly when I was in a position to support her. Good fortune was largely responsible for that position. If my fortunes changed, would I be able to accept that in time to find her another home? How long would I wait, telling myself that things could improve in just a few days or weeks?

Owning a horse is a luxury, but the companionship of a beloved animal is not. My heart goes out to all who struggle to reconcile one with the other.

New Year's Day Ride

We had a lot of snow a few weeks ago, followed by a thaw and now more cold. I've been working Molly a little at a time so that we can get used to these conditions together.

As soon as we could get around at all, I just hand-walked her around the tack room building. As the snow packed down we walked farther afield, and last weekend we resumed riding in the upper field.

Some of the farm equipment has been moved around for winter. The rows of crops are sheltered with lots of straw and some snow over that. There's still a lot of snow cover elsewhere. So the landscape looks a lot different and I give her plenty of time to look around. There are lots of new tarps covering this and that so we make sure to check those out beforehand.

She has taken just about everything in stride but I still give her lots of time. She snorts a lot and I can feel that she is different. I suppose it could be the cold, or the footing, or the wind, or the way sights  and sounds are different in the snow. I try really hard to sit her well so that she gains confidence in herself and in me. She frequently starts trotting on her own, so I know she is not at all relaxed! Recalling my teachers, I stop her often and back up a few steps, then go forward, so that she has something else to think about.

She spooked at a parked truck and also at one of her reins. She rarely spooks and I'm not scared when she does it but it seemed this time to be a sign that she's not herself. So I dismounted right away and then she walked along just fine. Next time I think I'll stay mounted and walk her back and forth a short distance. If we are able to stay in tune now, then come spring, we can progress!