All horse owners, look here!?

by wallyg

Posted for a friend, all answers will be read by her and all will be considered for “best answer”:
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I’m only wanting the answers from those who own horse/horses.
So I’ve been riding for roughly 8 years, maybe a little more. I’m already starting to get into eventing, however, the school pony my coach has me riding right now is 23 years old… he’s very strong, muscular, and powerful, so going over jumps and galloping for 10 minutes plus isn’t the concern. However, she made it clear I won’t be able to compete on him because she doesn’t want him to tire out. And being so old, she already has him semi-retired.
Anyway, that’s not my question. My family doesn’t have extra money on hand all the time… however, I volunteer at the barn so much, (every saturday morning, working all day.. this includes turning out all 26 horses which means sometimes having to blanket them, mucking out all 26 stalls, putting in bedding to those that need it, putting in fresh hay and water, bringing in all the horses, unblanketing them, riding other people’s horses, brushing down the horses, sweeping the whole barn, cleaning all tack and sometimes having time for a ride.)
This work takes all day, from 8:00 in the morning to 7:00 at night. I’d say that for a month’s period, it should pay off well the $ 500 board fee, if not more.
Then besides the Saturdays that I do this work, I come regularly to ride, help out when I can, and overall just have fun.
There’s this horse, he’s so amazing, so suitable for what I need as a first horse.. he’s only $ 3900 coming with EVERYTHING, a show saddle, show bridle, girth, halter, brushes, blankets.. he’s worth so much more, but his owner is leaving for University this year and needs him gone ASAP.
I think he’s straight out perfect for me, even my parents think so, but how could I make the money to help buy him? I could easily work for his board, but buying him is the problem.. his current owner said she wouldn’t mind us paying sums of money per month until he’s paid for, as long as it doesn’t take over 5 years until he’s paid for. (Sarcasm).
Is it worth investing in a horse now, or should I wait another year until I can apply for a good-paying job? It wouldn’t be a problem to buy him now, I’d have loads of time, but I need a horse before December if I want to go anywhere with my eventing career. I want to be a strong competitor, and without a horse, I’m at the bottom of the pyramid.
Please, suggestions and opinions?
Any extra ways to make money?
I’m only 14, my friend’s mom, (Holly) agreed to let me post this in Yahoo Answers because she’s already helped me so much with riding tips so we’re basically friends.
PS:
This horse is a strong eventer that can really take care of any level of rider. He’s a perfect first horse, without getting into details. The things I want to do with him are things he’s been doing his whole life, no questions asked, he’s amazing. My coach highly recommends we buy him.
Thanks everyone!!!!
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Hi everyone…
As for expenses, I can work off the monthly board easily. We will have some extra money put aside for the farrier, however, the vet comes only as needed so it’s not really routined for us. This horse is worth way more than this lady is asking. Coming with brand new show tack, blankets, brushes, and everything from the top to bottom of this million meter-long list, he is worth about $ 15,000. But because its urgent she needs him gone because she’s leaving for university, she’s willing to sell him to me for only $ 3900. That’s a HUGE steal! All she really cares about is a proper home for him, though… and she knows how me and her horse already have a bond after only 4 visits. We had a vetting and he’s 100% healthy, the vet said he was actually very fit and active for most horses he’s seen, so I’m not suspicious anymore why the price is so low. She just really needs him gone soon. Thanks.
Another reason she’s selling him is because she’s outgrown him, and couldn’t possibly pay for her school as well as boarding him. So the low price says it all: desperation.

Answer by bree
it sounds like u really like this horse. i think u know instantly when a horse is right 4 u and it sounds like u really think this is the right horse to have. if this is the case and you can come to the arrangements to pay for him and keep him then i think you should go for it because if you wait a year you might not find a horse you want as much as him then you would regret not buying him. but only do it if you really can afford him.

Answer by Katie Rose
I would only purchase this horse if you have enough money to do so. Remember that there is more expenses then just the horse and board. Will you have enough money to cover the farrier, vet, unexpected expenses? Have you talked to your instructor whether she would be interested in trading your work for board? Though this may be the perfect horse, horses are expensive and at fourteen it may be difficult to cover the expenses without your parents help.

Answer by jo d
Hi,

I think its great your asking the horse community our opinion. I would take everyone’s opinion and use them to form an opinion…do not listen to us and choose one to follow. Get as much advice as you can and then listen to your heart, yet think clearly with your mind…and you will make the right decision!

OK…my opinion, for what its worth!

I rescue horses and this situation is one we come across all the time, people wanting to make payments on horses.

This is NEVER an option for us…if you cannot afford to purchase the horse all at once, you should not purchase the horse. If you have to work off your board, you should not purchase the horse.

Who is going to cover any huge vet bills, should they arrive? Board for work deals almost never work out…you could be asked to work way more than really necessary, your board could be ended on a moments notice and you will have no where to go. You can think it won’t happen…it does every single day.

I cannot even begin to tell you the amount of calls and emails we receive in regards to people not being able to afford their horses and needing us to take them due to reasons such as: lame horse, no money to feed, barn is closing (most recent lady needs help placing 4 horses because her friend decided to close the barn) and on and on and on.

Also, why not visit a rescue in your area? You can get a horse much less expensively with fabulous potential.

I just see all these questions and what if’s with this situation. The most important thing is the well-being of the horse, he cannot speak for himself, you must be the one to make the decisions. Are you prepared to make the right ones for him?

If this were my son or daughter, I would advise them to wait (I have 4 kids). As for supplies, we have tons of supplies we send along with our horses. I think you should sleep on it and then decide.

Best of luck to you!

Jo

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I bought a car recently that already had a audio system set up. It has two audiobahn subwoofers in a box and this amp.
http://www.amazon.com/Pyramid-PB717X-1000-Watt-2-Channel-Amplifier/dp/B000E432TI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1239380603&sr=1-1

I know nothing about audio systems, and have a few questions

1. What bass,treble, and subwoofer setting(dB) would sound the best?

2. Also, I would like to replace the amp with a higher quality one, how do i know what kind of amp I can buy?
This is the subwoofers
http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_2648_Audiobahn+AW1251SE.html
and the dash cd reciever
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-YqF9KI5UxB1/p_133C3333/Panasonic-CQ-C3333U.html

Answer by Jui©ebox.
The amp you have now only does 50wx2 RMS, so yes you are right about getting a new amp. Those subs are 400w RMS each so get an amp at least 800w RMS. Now the tricky part is, what ohm load are they? If you have two DVC 4 ohm subs then you CANT run 2 ohm, only 4 or 1 so find an amp that does 800w-1000w RMS @ 4 ohm. If you have DVC 2 ohm subs then you can or if they are single voice coil. Make sure you know how your subs are wired (series/parallel) so you know what ohm load they present the amp. You could even get an amp that does 1000w RMS and it would hit hard.
Good budget amps are Power Acoustic, Hifonics, MA audio, Kenwood. Don’t buy an off brand.
For settings people reduce the bass so they don’t get distortion at high volume. I run my stereo at like -2 bass but dropping it will also make you lose mid-range.

Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!
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