To think that having two horses at livery is actually a luxury.....?

[Marigoldfetish]

I know this is going to get me flamed etc. but I really don't care well I do a bit else I wouldn't have namechanged

I live near a large family of 8, the children range from 14 years to 18 months. The parents are lovely people, I often have a chat to them about the kids as they have some issues with their teenage girl pretty much the same as mine.

Recently the mum told me they have got two of their children horses, and my children could go and have a ride if they wanted, they are going to be kept at livery stables up the road.

The family's sole income is benefits - I know this as the mum is quite open about this, and that they don't want to work as a) they couldn't earn what the get in benefits and b) she wants her OH at home to help with the kids. Without being too specific so as not to out them or me, one of the parents gets a higher benefit allowance for depression (so the mum has told me). To be honest, fair play to them - if they have made that as a lifestyle choice and their kids are well looked after and happy, and they are only getting what they are entitled to.

I realise this will attract the usual suspects and talk of goats, plasma screens and the like, but..... somebody please tell me, in the name of my sanity, that I am not being unreasonable to think that benefits are not provided for somebody to keep two bloody horses at livery????

[pigletmania]

Exactly ken, the reasons stated by the op for them not working is a ) they earn more on benefits b she wants the oh at home to look after the kids. Something is seriously wrong there. What some on here fail to realise is that for them to make a choice like that somebody has to go to work, money does not come out of nowhere. In addition to this for them to b able to have 2 horses at livery is just . How come some people struggle to make ends meet on benefits and feed their family whist others like this family live it up

[pigletmania]

The programme the hidden hungry on tv not so long ago was vey sad

[catgirl1976]

I've got 2. It's not cheap. I reckon all in it's about £500 £600 per month when you add in vets, farriers, physio, insurance, new rugs, new boots, feed supplements etc

But again, what people spend their money on is up to them.

[catgirl1976]

Feck no, its more than that,,,,,,,,have been totting it up in my head

[ThatVikRinA22]

i find it soul destroying to be honest, i work full time, as does DH, last week i was posting for advice on how to make my £81 last another 2 weeks when i needed a full tank of petrol for my 11 year old car, and how to shop for less.

i started having riding lessons, and i take that money out of my wages, its the only thing i have for me and i love it.

i would dearly dearly love my own horse, but i cant afford holidays, or a newer car and this week i have not done a full food shop.

my dh works full time as a baker.
i work full time as a police officer.

i try not to think about the injustice of this too often, because i feel badly done to by this government, my job is hard because i do the workload of 2 people, its dangerous (one of my colleagues was attacked last week and ended up in hospital with head injuries) and i cannot afford the basics, let alone my own much longed for horse, yep. it pisses me off.

[Choufleur]

I would really really really love to have my own horse again. I had rented a lovely boys for years before I had DS but just didn't have the time and money to keep renting him.

The only way I could have a horse now is to have it in full livery as I work nearly full time and actually want to spend some time with DS too.

I'll get flamed for this too but if you can't afford to look after your children yourself stop having them - i resent people making a conscious decision to stay at home on benefits.

[pigletmania]

No catgirl they should not. Well to a certain rpextent yes, I don't think the beneft office give them money to spend on two keeping 2 horses. They give them money for food seltzer, care and to help with their disability if it's DLA. I think that the DWP would take a very dim view of this couple if they knew

[Choufleur]

Where on earth are people keeping their horses for £40 a week livery?

[catgirl1976]

Meh - lots of people smoke. That costs money. Are we saying people on benefits should be banned from using that money for anything that isn't an essential?

Maybe this family manage the money they get really well so they can have the horses.

[Stinkyminkymoo]

Umm catgirl1976 don't ever tot up how much your horse costs. It an make you feel ill!

[catgirl1976]

Yeah it is doing Stinky

I need a lie down :)

[pigletmania]

How the hell can you manage when you have 8 dependents, if they have savings this could effect their benefits. Smoking is one thing, keeping 2 horses at full livery is nother

[pigletmania]

Yes benefits shoud cover the essentials and if you cannot afford to smoke give up!

[pigletmania]

I can't see that they will have much money left after looking after 8 chikdren

[pigletmania]

If they have something is very wrong and they need reeassesing

[kenanddreary]

'Maybe this family manage the money they get really well so they can have the horses.'

Well they must be bloody brilliant with money then to have enough left over to keep two horses! Wow - wish they would come and help me manage my budget - then perhaps a holiday would be possible...

[catgirl1976]

But we don't know all the details other than its £35 a week. Not a fortune.

Although god knows how anyone can keep two horses on that - doesn't ring true but then a lot of these "I know someone on benefits and they have a yacht and 2 Monets" threads

[kenanddreary]

know what you mean catgirl. Lol at the thought of the Monets!

[catgirl1976]

[TiredBooyhoo]

am i the only one thinking piglet should read the OP properly?

piglet they have 6 children. not 8. 6. they are a family of 8.

[ItsAllGoingToBeFine]

Yes a few people abuse benefits, choose to live that lifestyle. But they are in the minority. You can't send the many into complete poverty, to stop the few.

[Dawndonna]

Unless of course, Itsall your name is Ian Duncan Smith!

[Scheherezade]

I have recently sold my two horses because it became unaffordable.

Livery per horse for just a stable and field- £30-120
Getting yard owner to turn out/bring in to save two trips a day £2-5 per day
Bedding £21 per week (3x sacks at £7 each)
Hay £3/4 per bale, roughly 2/3 a week more in winter
Feed £20 pm, although I got this very very cheap from a friend
Shoes £60-70 every 6-10 weeks
Insurance £500pm if I remember I didn't insure mine as it was cheaper to pay vets fees
Worming £12 every 3-6 months
Tack. £700-1000 for a saddle, £50-100 bridle. £20 for saddle pads, need 3 minimum. £20-50 horse boots. £20 bit. £20-70 girth. Riding gear - hat £80, jods £20-50, need a few pairs. Warm coat for winter, padded gloves £20. Body protector £100. Riding boots/short boots and chaps £100-300.
Horse rugs. Thin/thick indoor and outdoor £100 (x 4 obv). Fleece rug, exercise rug £30 each. Bandages for tail and legs £5 each (x 5). Headcollars £15. Haynets £10 each, need 3.
Groom kit, easy £70. Then first aid kit, £30-100.
Wheelbarrow £50
Shovel £20, fork £20, brush £20.
Long chaps for dry/warmth in winter £50


The above is for ONE horse. Keeping a horse is more than just £30pw.

[Scheherezade]

P.s. lots of stuff for sale if anyones interested