Fall is nearly gone, and winter is coming fast. November will be here before you know it. That means Thanksgiving and a time of reflection.
My reflections lately have been centered around family, work, the farm, the future. I'm sure if my Dad were still alive, he would have shaken his head at all of the economic problems this country has faced in the past year. He was a child of the Great Depression, World Wars, and Eastern Kentucky. He was one of the “don't buy it if you can't afford it" generation. I believe this past year has pushed more of us into that mindset; avoid debt—save until you can afford it.
But one thing that has come to mind is occasionally there are times in your life you have to take that big step into the darkness while holding on to faith that things will improve. That faith has me believing we are headed for more secure financial times, albeit perhaps with a little more reflection on practicality before spending. That faith had me horse shopping, and horse buying.
Horse Shopping Means Swapping
In order to have time for a new horse of my own, I'm going to have to “swap out" some of the money and time I'm spending elsewhere in order to keep my equestrian passion alive and well.
I think that's what a lot of people have done this past year. I was surprised when we did our recent magazine survey to see that while people's incomes and net worth had declined (as expected), the average number of horses owned held solid.
Our readers weren't willing to give up their horses despite a decline in their financial status. So, they had to find ways to swap out money and time.
The one thing everyone has in common is 24 hours in a day. But, how do we find time to devote to our horses?
We all know we spend 80-90% of our “horse" time on the ground doing things (mucking, grooming, mowing, cleaning) rather than riding. But for a horse person, that's part of the passion. (Okay, hauling buckets of water through freezing weather because the hydrant froze--again--isn't really a positive, but it certainly takes passion to do that!)
We find time by evaluating what we are doing and by learning to accept we can't do everything. Prioritizing is key.
For some people this past year has meant giving up some or all of their horses. But I hope as time and resources return that they, too, will return to the fold of horse owners.
In the meantime, keep your eyes open for a good horse that needs a home. I'll have mine soon, but perhaps you can find your next horse.
And have some fun swapping out your time and finances. It doesn't have to be a burden. I found that not dusting the furniture as often doesn't really cause the roof to collapse (contrary to what my mother believes).
Have a great fall, and share with us how you have made the "swap" to have money and time to spend with your horses.
