Talk about an expensive month, I definitely don’t want to do that again. We started out this month with not only one but two vet visits. Now the second one was a virtual follow up, but it still resulted in a second bill. Our first visit bill included a reevaluation of Stinger’s lameness, sedation, another round of shockwave, an ultrasound, and coffin injections. He had a lot done in one appointment, totaling about twelve hundred dollars. The second bill had a virtual consultation charge and his new medicine (plus shipping). The good thing is I was able to submit my receipt for a rebate on the medicine and get back $26 on a gift card.
After we came back from the vet, we were planning to build a small dry lot to allow Stinger to have more movement during the day, without a large area to run. I wasn’t quite ready to buy the supplies yet, but when the corral panels went on sale at Tractor Supply and then they priced matched another store for even more of a discount, I had to jump on the savings. We just needed seven of them, so now we have them for when we are ready to start working on the lot.
Our vet appointment also showed that Stinger was more sore in his front feet than his back leg with the suspensory injury. Along with the new medicine, we invested in some redlight bell boots from XLR8. (We as in my Aunt Sue and I. In order to split the cost, I bought the boots, and she is paying for gas to the shows until we are equal).
I also had some routine costs this month. Both horses had their shoes reset, I bought two bags of feed and more gastric supplement, and dewormer. Plus, I had a gift card from Christmas to spend for Chrome Girl. So, I ordered a custom breast collar to be made to match my saddle and just had to pay the price over the amount of credit I had. I can’t wait to see what it looks like when it’s finished.
We finally made it to our first show of the year at the end of March. I ran two exhibitions and entered the open barrels class. There was also a grounds fee, office fee, and processing fee from entering online for a total of $57.95. It took us about 2.5 hours and 122 miles each way to get there. Plus, this month we had our vet trip for another 1.5 hours and 62 miles each way. This month it was also time for the renewal of my APRA membership. We are now able to enter the APRA rodeos for points this season. Then, I ended the month with another loan payment.
The Barrel Racer's Journal 