Episode 2: Goal: Buy a Horse

A gorgeous American Paint Horse

So I have a new goal: buy a horse. I've wanted a horse since I was young. But now the want has grown rather strong and here is my plan broken up into what I'd like to call . . . "Stages."

Stage 1: Take Riding Lessons

I've never rode a horse before. Ever. Okay, there were those ponies at the fair back when I was 8 but that doesn't count! I plan on starting lessons soon so I can get an idea of what riding and taking care of a horse is like. I can decide from here whether or not I want a horse or if I just want this to be something I do (riding, I mean) from time to time. I found a place nearby that offers the following:

• Beginners Package: $80.00 (4 half-hour sessions, once a week, that teach some of the basics.)
• 1 half-hour private lesson: $25.00
• 1 hour private lesson: $40.00

So I'll definitely start with the beginner's package and then go to probably half hour sessions or maybe do an hour one here and there. So, let me just say once I get a horse, there's $100 a month going toward lessons. So that's a note to self!

Stage 2: Boarding and Other Costs
Also located at the same place nearby (where the lessons are), they offer full board for $375.00 a month. But there are more costs to add; and I'm giving it a little wiggle room. So here's a list of what I see right now and about how much I'll leave money for:

• Board for a month: $375.00 (It seems the grain and feed is included in cost but I'd have to check.)
• Mineral supplements, salt blocks, and concentrate for a month: $50.00
• Feed in case it isn't included: $50.00
• Farrier, dewormers, dentistry, and vaccinations: $50.00

 So if you add that up for a month, you get $525.00 and once you add the $100.00 for lessons, that's about $625.00 per month. I should also put aside $125.00 a month into a separate savings account so I have it on hand just in case there is an emergency with the horse. Over time it will add up and will be worth it when bad things happen. Or, you know, I can use it for gas knowing that I'll be using so much to travel to the barn! So, for now, I'll say that $750.00 a month is what I can expect to put out.

A cute Palomino

Stage 3: Buy a Horse
 Well, yeah, the horse comes next. Once I know I want a horse, have lessons under my belt, and have found a place to board . . . it's time for the next step: a horsey. So I do have some guidlines for my first horse:

• Must be trained for riding. A new horse and new rider just isn't a good mix. It would also be great if the horse knew a couple other disciplines!
• Should be at least a couple years old but not too old. I want a horse that's old enough to know who's boss but not one that old enough that they'll be too old or tired to do the activities I want them to do within a few years. 
• Needs to be a healthy as a horse! I need to remember to get a vet check-up for the horse before I decide to purchase just to make sure my new horsey doesn't have loads of issues.
• $3,500 - $5,000 maximum for the horse depending on the age and experience of the horse.

Preparing
 So looking over all of this, I've decided that I should have at least $6,500 - $8,000 before buying a horse. That way I'll have enough for the horse, vet checks, and a month or two (or more) of board and other fees just in case. I also have to figure about $1,500 or so for starting tack stuff; hopefully I can find used saddles and the like, though.

I'm planning to hit up the bank soon to create a new savings account. From September on out I plan on banking at least $1,000 a month in that savings account. Now, currently I only do Tarot Readings. I do plan on finding another job so that my full-time Tarot Reading job will become part time. This way I can have a continuous pay coming in with some extra Reading money on the side. =]

So be sure to keep looking for how much I'm banking on a monthly basis. I hope that I can start riding lessons in September or October, as well!

Hoping to get a horsey,
Natasha 

Episode 1: It's 6:31AM and I am STILL Awake!

So I've spent the past couple of hours talking to a friend on Skype. Our early morning conversations tend to get . . . interesting if you know what I mean. For example, she found out there are more than 30 types of vaginas (I told you this was weird) and decided to share that news (and pictures) with me. It's very interesting! We then spent a good 15-20 minutes talking about how we couldn't tell which we had (go figure).

Then we started talking about horses. Lately I've been wanting a horse. I really need a hobby that takes me outside of the home. Right now Tarot keeps me at home (unless I go out to Read). Piano, singing, songwriting, writing novels, and pretty much all my other hobbies keep me at home. Hell . . . even French-related things keep me at home! I need something to get me away from home so I don't have to worry 24/7 about everything else going on in my life (and when I'm at home all I do is think about my life).

A Gypsy Vanner Horse

I have also wanted a horse for years but now the want is stronger than ever. Another friend of mine has a horse and is showing him soon so it made me interested in horses more and thus . . . my passion for horses was born. I think most of the breeds are gorgeous. But, I must admit that my dream horse is a Gypsy Vanner. How beautiful would this horse be pulling a gypsy caravan? I can just see it now: I'm sitting in it with a table just waiting to do Tarot Readings and see into people's futures; a nice atmosphere for fortune telling! But of course that is all fantasy stuff! I do believe this is my dream breed, though!

But, for a beginner, I began to wonder: what is the best breed to start with? Well according to online sources, there really isn't a set of breeds perfect for beginners. Most suggest finding a horse that's at least a couple years old (some even say 10-12 years) that is already broken and is capable of doing what you'd like to do whether it be just pleasure driving, poles, barrel racing, or trailing.

A beautiful Paint Horse

I definitely want an athletic horse that is capable of doing poles, barrel racing, trailing, and so on but also isn't temperamental. I want to be able to do dressage and other events with the horse. I also want the horse to know some of these things. A new rider and horse that's new to being rode . . . just isn't a good match.

Of course I'm just dreaming here, but I realy hope to be able to afford a horse some day. I'm thinking about starting riding lessons soon just to be sure that this is something I want to do before I jump in and buy a horse. So be prepared for many posts on this!

But, right now, this is just what I'm blabbering on about at . . . 6:45 in the morning! What else do I have to do? Oh, right . . . sleep. Hmm . . . I could but what fun would that be? I mean, my random blog posts when I'm running on no sleep are probably the best (but also the ones that make no sense).

A strawberry crepe

Do you know what I want right now? A crepe. Not just any crepe; oh, no. A strawberry crepe! Mmm mmm mmm mmm mmm! As a matter of fact, I was telling my friend just a few hours ago how I had 3 goals prsented to me today:

1. Eat a crepe.
2. Buy a horse.
3. Find out which type my vagina is.

Okay, okay, I understand this is a really weird post but so is my life. And I'm sure me being up at 6:52 in the morning with no sleep isn't exactly helping. Heck, I'll probably pass out soon and then wake up, not remembering a thing. Oh, trust me, it's happened. =P No, not in that kind of way!

So now I'm going to stop this post here and bid ye all a farewell. =] I hope my next post is a bit more sane . . . and classy (in other words no mention of vaginas). =]

Forever wanting a strawberry crepe,
Natasha <3