>>>>>>Can someone please tell me how they manage to
afford all of this? And what makes them want to go to, say, 10 rides a
year? Thank you for your insights! Kate PS I totally see myself doing
endurance the rest of my life, and hope I can afford it! Tips/advice
please???<<<<<
Kate, I have been
doing this sport since my early 20's- so almost your age. I was fortunate
to keep my horses at my family's farm, so it cut costs. I learned to shoe
my own horses, I traded labor for hay. When I was 23 my endurance horse
was kicked at a ride and broke his leg and I waitressed all winter, sending $25
a week to the vet who pinned his femur, until the $900. vet bill was
paid.
To this day, I
don't have a fancy LQ trailer- I get along fine with an ice chest and a sleeping
bag. I ride a cheap saddle that happens to fit (yippee!) and I groom dogs
on non ride weekends to have extra money to ride with.
When you want
something bad enough, you can do it. Instead of 10 rides a year, pick 4 or
5 that are really where you want to ride. You can do it. I
did.
