Over the past few weeks, I’ve been part of several conversations that reminded me of the inherent dangers of our sport. It’s not the physical danger; it’s the threat of complete financial ruin.

Admit it, you know what I’m talking about. Here’s a link to a recent COTH forum thread written by a woman who is currently hiding $9,000 in credit card debt from her spouse called “Can you truly afford horses?” The 188 responses range from sympathetic to downright scathing and rude. There’s even a spinoff thread that questions whether any horse expense should take precedence over debt repayment, which merited an additional 28 replies.

My favorite comment:

“Can I afford horses in a Suze Orman way of thinking? No. Do I afford them? Yes,” so says Giddy-up.

Recently, one horse show mom told me that she didn’t mind being divorced, because now no one can tell her she’s spending too much money on horses. In another recent conversation, a horse person told me that despite her six-figure salary, her board bill for three horses had caused her to miss a mortgage payment. OK, it’s funny except it’s not because both of these statements are true.

My books aren’t necessarily balanced in this regard.  I thank the heavens that horse shows in our area don’t accept credit cards. (Please don’t start VHJA.) Yes, I put the saddle on the credit card (“Honey, think of the miles!”) and umm, yeah, haven’t quite paid it off yet. I’m taking the boy and girl to Ocala on Tuesday, and yes, those expenses are (oh it is so painful to even write this) on…..the……credit…..card.

I posted a piece on the forums around the holidays asking “What do you give the child who already cost you $12,00 this year?” This tongue-in-check piece yielded 93 replies. IT WAS A JOKE, but many obviously thought otherwise and chastised me for raising a spoiled child. It’s not like I’m putting off important things to afford horses. The boy will get braces eventually.

How do you balance having horses in your life with financial responsibility? Do you look at your daughter’s upcoming junior years with as much dread as happy anticipation? There’s a happy medium, and it’s important for each of us to find it. Can we just wait until show season is over?