The Value of a Dollar to a Rescue Horse

 

The expression “the value of a dollar” has been around for decades and is still used frequently in various contexts. Most often, when speaking about the value of a dollar, one is referring to the rising or falling value of our currency, or is throwing the words in a cautionary way towards a young person who hasn't yet learned that money doesn't in fact grow on trees. When we think about the value of a dollar in our current society, it really is limited these days. Times when a family could get their milk, bread or other necessary supplies for less than a dollar are long gone and realistically, it's unlikely to even find a location that offers a cup of coffee for a dollar anymore unless it's a special promotion or just plain terrible stuff! Think about it....lots of people will throw their change in a jar or a random donation can because it's simply too much hassle to have it jingling in their pockets and the value doesn't justify keeping it! Most people won't even think twice about giving someone a dollar or leaving a few sitting on the kitchen table because let's face it....you just can't get much for a dollar anymore!

 

While I understand the perceived limited worth of our loonie and know that to many people, one or two dollars really won't make a difference in their daily lives....I can't help but be frustrated with people (and even myself on many occasions) when I see these coins discarded or undervalued. Being in the horse business, and more recently on the rescue horse side of things, I believe that I really have learned the 'value of a dollar' in a way that I never had to or wanted to before. I track my costs obsessively and very rarely buy anything that isn't actually “a necessity”. I shop at places where I can get the most for my money because I know that every dollar wasted unnecessarily is a dollar I could have used to support my horses and future ones to come. Some people call me cheap....or frugal if they are a little nicer....I'm fairly certain some even think I'm crazy and can't understand why I do what I do. I operate this way for one reason....because though the value of a dollar might be limited in the eyes of most people, I have witnessed first hand what it can mean to a horse in need.

 

So what exactly is the value of a dollar to a rescue horse in my barn? Let's use Blue as an example. I can easily break down for you exactly what it costs me to support Blue's basic needs on a daily basis:

 

Because I currently rent a barn, the cost of a stall to keep him warm & cozy through the winter is $4.16 per day.

 

The cost of bedding that stall comfortably but not excessively is $1.16 per day.

 

Feeding flakes from good quality square bales a minimum of 4 times/day runs me approximately $3.78 per day.

 

To feed a combination of three different types of grain to ensure he has a balanced diet adds $2.18 per day.

 

And the cost for his daily supplements is about $0.83 per day.

That puts the daily cost of supporting Blue at just over $12.00 per day.

 

Now don't get me wrong. I am in no way overlooking the additional costs associated with owning a horse such as wormer, vet bills, farrier bills, labour, blankets, equipment, lessons or training (just to name a few!) and I am definitely NOT suggesting that you all run out tomorrow and rescue a horse from the nearest feedlot! Just because you like horses does not mean you should own one and I'll be the first one to bluntly tell you that horse ownership isn't for everyone. It's a commitment requiring adequate allowances in both the time and money departments and let's be honest, it's always a high risk endeavour. That being said, just because you don't want to live your life shopping in the $1.99 section of your nearest grocery store like I do, doesn't mean you can't make a difference to a horse in need. As a society, we may have forgotten the real value of a dollar in the hustle and bustle of pre- holiday chaos but I'd like to challenge you this.....

 

Next time you buy your second (or third or fourth) coffee of the day at Tim's or Starbucks....or go to discard that change from your pocket JUST BECAUSE it's jingling too much and you find it annoying, stop for a minute and think of what you could do with those coins instead. Whether it be a horse rescue, a charity supporting people in your community, or a larger organization reaching out to a far greater footprint of people in need, EVERY dollar counts and EVERY contribution makes a difference. Don't let yourself get hung up on the idea that you can't do anything because you can't make a big splash and end world hunger in one day. If I've learned anything from my horses, it's how to live in the moment and operate on a day to day, minute to minute and dollar to dollar basis. Blue doesn't care what happens tomorrow, as long as he is safe, comfortable and full of food today. He doesn't worry about his big picture the way I do...but I'll tell you....he will definitely notice if he misses a meal! Those in need, whether it be people or animals, don't care if you give them the world or give them a meal....they care that you took the time to notice and to give what you could. It doesn't matter what your cause is....as long as you have one and continue to support it in any way you can as much as you can. Don't let the 'grand scheme of things' discourage you from being the one who makes a difference in the life of one child, one person, or one animal and don't wait for someone else to do something tomorrow that you can do today. Those who don't need help may ignore your actions or contributions, but those in need will never forget them.

 

 

Blue- October 2013