<p>I had no idea this question would generate so much interest. I’m not a regular on College Confidential and don’t know all of the culture and customs, but did get some useful help last year when I posted about a problem with my son. I especially appreciate the feedback from those who have experience with horses. </p>
<p>We’re not what I would consider to be a wealthy family, but still in a high income bracket, thanks to being a two professional earner household. Certainly we’re not in the private jet category. My children have advantages well beyond anything I had as a child. I grew up in a well-educated but relatively low income single parent (divorced) household. When I was a teenager, I would have probably reacted the same way many people here have to this issue, as being something from a completely different world, since I had absolutely no exposure to horses. I can’t remember any of my teenage classmates having their own cars or participating in any high-expense extra-curricular activities. My Mom sacrificed to send me and my siblings to the state U, even though the expenses were very low. I met my husband at the state U, whose widowed Mom sacrificed to send him there. </p>
<p>I think everyone with more income than what is needed to just get by makes choices as to how to spend their money. I’ve always prioritized education. I’ve exposed my kids to a wide variety of activities, some expensive and some not, and let them pick the ones that they wanted to continue in. I don’t care about cars, and buy inexpensive models that I drive until they die. I’m accustomed to co-workers or neighbors being surprised that I’m sending my kids to expensive private colleges, and find the concept of leasing a horse hilarious. Yet, some of them always have high end new cars and go on expensive vacations, or own a vacation home. And lots of kids have private music or voice lessons, or attend expensive special athletic camps, etc. </p>
<p>My daughter has always loved horses, from her first pony ride as a pre-schooler. Bit by bit over the years she dragged me along, step by step, outside of my comfort zone. Each extra step by itself wasn’t so big of a leap until it came to buying a horse. Could she go to horse camp in the summer? Could she take weekly lessons during the school year? Could she compete in horse shows? Could she lease a horse? Could she buy a horse? She gave up other activities (soccer, dance, music), in order to focus on riding. </p>
<p>At first I was very scared of her riding horses, and afraid that she would get hurt. I’m still not overly comfortable interacting with horses myself, but over time I really came to appreciate what a great experience it was for her, and what a wonderful group of peers to have. She was painfully shy as a young girl, and I think the experience with horses helped her to outgrow that. </p>
<p>From research in the last few days, we have learned that there is space at the barn near school, and that the horse’s owner is willing to let the horse move there, on the condition that only my daughter ride her, since he doesn’t want the horse overworked. So, there are no real blocking factors.</p>
<p>We haven’t made our final decision, but are leaning towards letting her take the horse. If we do, we’ll wait until the end of August, a week and a half after my daughter moves to campus to move the horse, since her board at the current barn is paid until then anyway, and she’ll have a little time to get settled on campus first. We’re still trying to figure out what the conditions should be to be able to continue to keep the horse there, in terms of keeping up her grades and if she should contribute financially, etc.</p>
<p>I’ll post again later once we’ve decided. I’m not offended by the negative comments, since I’m used to that in real life. I found the comment about the valet and lady-in-waiting funny, especially since it is so far away from the reality of being a horse owner, where far from being waited upon, we’re the ones shoveling the horse poop.</p>