>  JP> If you have to ask you can't afford it  We've owned horses for 10 years..but only in a boarding
 > situation.  I am
 > painfully aware of the costs. :-)  When I think of the
 > other things I could
 > have done with that amount of money and time...
    I know ..... I know -- but where else could you get that much enjoyment 
from a horse that nickers when they see you coming because they are happy to 
see you ...... the joyful look in their eyes ...... melts me everytime 

 >  JP> ..... that was just an estimate.  NOW, this is all the costs IF your
 >  JP> horse doesn't get sick -- last time Mr X got sick with the flu I had
 >  JP> almost a $300 vet bill.  Wanna' talk about tack now 
 > We had one of those on Christmas Eve a few years ago.
    OUCH ...... even as careful as I am, somebody is bound to get sick from 
time to time.  I lost my favorite horse to colic last year ...... it took a 
terrible toll on me .  I'm just now able to talk about it and I 
just recently purchased a new horse that I'm already totally in love with!!
 > I think I can match almost anyone's tack purchases over 10
 > years' time.  I
 > just found almost all of our tack shop receipts while
 > moving things into a
 > new filing cabinet last month.
    Sure can add up, can't it ;-)
 > Still, adding up the expenses that you quoted, a board bill
 > of $300/month
 > where we still cover farrier, vet and supplement expenses
 > over and above the
 > board costs...we're helping to pay their mortgage. :-)
    Yes, but the person owning the barn can't do it for just costs -- they 
need to make a few $$$ to cover the time it takes them to clean stalls, feed, 
move the horses from place to place - pick up the feed ..... put away the hay 
.... all kinds of things that they sould be compensated for.
    Besides .... what about the electricity and water bills the barn owner 
has??
 > Thanks for your reply!
    Anytime ..... I really don't think you've being ripped off.
---
---------------