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 |