"Horse Poor"? Not any more!
Setting yourself up for success this year is no easy task but with some quick thinking and great planning you're bound to get it done. Consider the hardest part over with - budgeting. Now let's focus to what to do now. Don't just throw that hard work out the window this year. Instead engage your mind into a new way of thinking.
A budget is seen by many as a roadblock to their horsey dreams. The constant reminder that the money tree isn't real shades any thoughts of grand performances or luxury trail rides for many. Fear not because you are empowered to overcome that mindset. You have a number to meet this year that allows you a starting point to reach your goals. Now it's about how you create the path to get there.
Grab a piece of paper and jot down those goals on one side. On the other side add your budget number on the top. It feels a little overwhelming to see this on paper and that's ok. Now take a look at those goals and pick the 2 that you are closest to achieving. Make sure that these two goals make sense in your current daily horse life - choosing the Olympics to be the goal this year when you're a beginner rider might not be the best option. Start with the little steps to get you to the end result. Once you've narrowed it to 2 take a look again; I promise it won't be as painful this time!
So now you've got a pretty solid idea of the task at hand and the figures to make it happen. The next step is to guesstimate the cost of getting to that goal. Does it take lesson time? Show fees? Camping fees? New tack? What will it take?? Be accurate on cost when you jot this one down. No worries if the list looks horrid again because we are about to make it better. Take each cost and decide if it's something that can be decreased by a different approach. Need some ideas of economic horse keeping? Check out our page on ways to become the savvy economic equine. You'll be amazed at the savings! Once you've figured out the savings figure out how much budget you've gained back towards your goal. Give some thought as to how you will use those savings and see you back here tomorrow for the next step.
