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Horses and Finances
Financial freedom is a hard battle. I can’t speak for others, but for myself, covering my bills AND getting out of debt is not a quick win. Then you add horses on top of that?
Luckily for everyone there are some amazing side hustles available to help.
I have a had a few non-horsey friends question my sanity in the past. They simply do not understand why I tie myself to these animals and spend hundreds of dollars on their board, care and presence in my life.
I took one friend out to meet my ponies.
She was SO EXCITED. As we approached their stalls they immediately turned and stuck their heads over the top rail as they watched us approach. We were only a few feet away when my big gray horse nickered- a soft buhuhuhuh sound and my friend squealed. I had two peppermint treats in my pocket, and gave her one. I showed her how to hold her hand out flat to offer the big gray his treat (so fingers won’t accidentally get in the mix, because hey, they DO look a little like carrots.)
Luckily, for such a large horse he is super gentle. At this point, my other horse, a small copper-colored Arabian is practically beside himself because he can see we have treats. A combination of squealing and jerky movements of her hand ensued, and with a swift and gentle motion, the treat was gone as more squeals bounced out of my adult friend, suddenly turned twelve again.
We brought them out and groomed them, and I showed her how to use the curry and then the brushes and pick through their manes and tails. (My other pony DID get his treat too.) Two hours later, we hopped in my car and headed towards her house. She was quiet for a moment as the grin that had been plastered on her face for the last stretch of time finally softened a bit.
You get to to this every day? She asked. I nodded. “Well, almost every day, but yeah, I’m out here a lot.” Smiling again, she said, “I get why you won’t give these guys up. I feel so HAPPY.”
It was my turn to smile.
A Permanent Fixture
Horses are a permanent part of my life. Share on XI don’t care if someday I go blind or can’t walk, I will draw them, paint them, teach lessons, write books, talk about them, etc – whatever it takes to keep them in my life.
I’m saying ALL THAT to say this- side hustles. I do work full-time, but as my debt battle continues, I need extra money to make sure my debt-hole doesn’t get any bigger, ESPECIALLY since I have not one, but two equines that I refuse to give up. It is a struggle, but there are things that can be done, and one of those is to have a side hustle.
Related Content:
Side Hustle: House and Horse-Sitting
Side Hustle: Horse Groomer aka Groom
Side hustles can be anything. Freelancing, teaching, writing, cleaning-stalls, running errands, baby-sitting, house-sitting, etc. I stumbled upon an awesome side hustle at one of my horse shows talking to one of the ladies that braids manes and tails.
The Mane Event
Braiding. Horses that compete (depending on what breed and what they do) often times need braided for a competition. Braids can be a running braid, button braids, tail-plaiting and more. Each breed has a different style they adhere to like with hunter-jumpers for example. Button braids are quite popular in this event, and it takes some practice to have really nice-looking braids.
I have heard of braiders who have paid off student loans, put money towards retirement and supplement their income by braiding at horse shows. Braiders that have excellent reputations can charge the highest rates- upwards of 100$ per horse. Beginners generally start lower – with rates anywhere from 20-40 dollars per horse or per mane or tail. (Getting BOTH mane and tail done would be a higher rate.)
Braiding can be done at the competition or the night before. Most braiders show up at the event, business cards in hand and their bag or apron of tools ready to go. Horse shows start early, so many braiders have a lot of clients early in the day, and by early, I mean like 4, 5, 6 am. Depending on your skills, a horse can be braided and ready to go in 15 minutes. 100 dollars for 15 minutes isn’t bad, but you have to be good at what you do!
The Equine Community
Good braiders and people that are pleasant to work with will earn the highest rates. Not only that, but the equine community is smaller than one may think, and once a good braider is discovered word will spread QUICKLY.
Having business cards is also a good idea. You can pass them out or post them on boards around the show grounds or give them to clients to help spread the word about your fantastic service.
Braiders have a lot of options. There are tons of different breeds and competitions that are listed on the internet. If one could master the braiding techniques for each breed/competition, there is some serious money to be made.
The great thing about being a braider is that you work your own hours. While mornings are typically the best times to get business, you can show up and work as much (or as little) as you want. Let the side hustling begin!
**The side hustle portion of this blog was created to help people look for ways to produce additional income. Some of these opportunities could be turned into full-time situations, depending on where you live, and how hard you want to hustle!