Horseback riding lessons are so expensive....

Question

I started horseback riding lessons a couple of months ago and fell completely in love with every aspect of it. I have wanted to ride since i was three and finally got the chance to. However, my parents cant afford to pay for lessons anymore. I really want to keep on riding but i don't know how i can raise the money to.

I don't get allowance and my parents are against me getting a job (they want me to focus on school work). I want to ask the trainer at the barn if i can work to earn a free lesson or cut the cost in half but she isn't the type of person who gives freebies. I really want to ride but i'm not sure how i can make it work.

I feel extremely selfish for wanting this but it is something i am really passionate about. How can i make this work?

Answer 1

Perhaps you could get a job that works together with your school work? Baby-sitting is pretty good and your parents may say that it's OK.

Open a savings account. It's what I do I make a deal with my parents, I pay half, they pay half. It works out and isn't so expensive on either of you!  

Hope these suggestions help!

Answer 2

THe only advice I can give you is to talk to your parents about getting a job. Explain all the good thing that come from working, like resposibility and stuff. Show them you can work and have time fro your school work. Tell them if you grades start to slip then you will quit your job. Tell them how much you love horseback riding and if they can't pay for it then they should at least let you earn the money to do what you love. You might not be able to take lessons regularly, but you will still be doing what you love and evenually you will get to one day if you are patient

Answer 3

Joining 4-H is a simple solution

OR

You could switch barns to a trainer that is mor understanding of your situation.

Answer 4

You could volunteer to help handicaped kids ride horses, and afterwards im sure theyd let you ride as well.

Answer 5

Why should you feel selfish?

If you take english lessons they are more expensive then western so i suggest taking western lessons

Answer 6

I do not think this is selfish in anyway! In fact, I think it is GREAT!

Call around and ask at any barns/stables if they need any volunteers to help out in exchange for riding lessons. What is the worst that can happen? They say no? Who cares... at least you tried.

Also look around for teen day camps, and even horse riding clubs. You would be surprised what is out there. You can always ask a school counselor about such things. I know, it is summer. School is just around the corner though.

Explain to your parents how much you really want his. I would negotiate a deal with them. If your grades slip, no more horses for you.  Just like a DWI contract some teens sign with their parents. You get caught drinking, no car for you!

I think this could be a wonderful experience for you. This could lead to a numerous amount of careers for you as well. Veterinarian, equestrian, horse trainer, horse farm, racing horse owner.. etc. etc. etc.

Not to mention all the wonderful responsibility and experience you will have.  That in itself, is worth anything!

If your parents see how much you could learn, they will want you to be part of it.  

Good Luck!

Answer 7

I clean stalls and get free riding lessons try that

Answer 8

it's not selfish at all. if you're really passionate about it and are willing to work for it to happen then you'll find a way. i would talk to your trainer. usually theres a working student job around the barn where you can do jobs around the barn in return for free lessons.

Answer 9

if anyone lives here in Australia, Melbourne i would highly recommended checking out the riding school i go to, Blinkbonnie equestrian centre, it's cheaper then some other places, you only pay per ride not termly, and yeah it's small but the instructors are fantastic and the community supportive.  

Answer 10

Don't feel selfish, I am in the same situation. Is there another barn that will allow you to work in exchange for a lesson? If not, talk to your parents, and explain how important this is to you. Talk about job options, like a part time job only for a few hours on weekends. If you worked 10 hours a week (which is not a lot) at minimum wage ($8 an hour) you would get $80 a week, which should be more that enough for 2 lessons a week.  

Answer 11

If i were you i would get into a 4-h club.

in 4-H you can enter a "horse-less horse" project. in other words, you want to learn more about horses and love horses, but don't have one right now.

you will meet a lot of other people who HAVE horses and would love to take you riding with them.

4-H teaches you a lot about horses and is a lot of fun, i highly recommend it.

Go to google, and i am assuming you live in the USA, search "_________ county 4-H"  _____ being the name of your county

or another search could be

"________ state 4-h clubs"  _____ being your state

when you get to the web site for your county find where it says "horse" or "equine" and look for the number for the director of the horse projects. they will be able to direct you to a group!

Good Luck!