As someone who has to be a basic player because life just doesn't allow for extra spending on upgrades - and as a person that isn't actually talented in graphic making or layout coding.......excuse me but how tf are you supposed to even fathom being successful at this point based training clicky browser game?

It's super nostalgic from HL days.......but as a new player coming in, this is just not appealing to me to stick around - I can't exactly log in every single day....so I can't always train.....it's very cumbersome to individually click train every pixel, and I get that that's the perk to having an upgrade....but....idk. It's just frustrating to want to be part of this game but I feel like as a new player I have no way to actually assimilate and compete.....so....am I just supposed to have like 4 horses and go from there? That's not enticing....

Like Skell said many of us have been playing for years.  but unlike most of them, i only recently came back last year and i struggle to get my horses on the rankings list.  i understand where you are coming from and the desire to do it yourself.  But i would take advantage of the player that have upgrade accounts that you can use, even for now until you get your feet under you many players, like Blitz have 30 Gen foals for sale, can start your herd that way as well.  there are alot of backups for sale.  The EMbassy https://horsephenomena.com/embassy.php

usually has low cost or free breeds to get player to breed and train them so you can look in that tab.  Um i don't make graphics either. but i do think the game is still worth your time. trust me on that.  

Please don't feel annoyed with the game.  there is some adjustment period i now, but please stick with us.  We don't bite we promise. 

I know you want to start your own, but no shame is buying an animal that is already trained and has the pedigree,  Trust me that is how i get on the leader board.

https://horsephenomena.com/dogs.php?id=189077

alot of players will sell animals for cheap or free like this one above. 

I used to think the worst thing in life was to end up all alone. It's not. The worst thing in life is to end up with people who make you feel all alone. Robin Williams

I've only been playing properly for just over a year but I played under a basic account for almost 6 months before treating myself to an upgrade when there was a discount on. It was hard work training a bunch of animals by hand, but even as an upgraded account I still train a group of horses this way and all my dogs (they're not my breed specialty). I've only recently started a line where I'm using the 'enter all' button properly for the first time. It's hard work to get in the rankings but not impossible, although I'll admit the all time rankings are well out of my reach but they're not my main goal on here. 

Like others have said, taking part in all the activities and club stuff is a great starting point and how I managed to save funds for a layout and help with training. Also having some other basic accounts that I just set shows on and collect weekly bank funds - the money really adds up over a few weeks! Another thing that helps is setting shows for 10-14days time to get more entrants which means more money.

We love seeing new players here and want you to stick around. It can take a few months to find your feet but worth persevering! If there's anything you aren't sure on or need help with please reach out to one of us. We will all do our best to help :)

If you want any personalised pictures for your animals please send me a message and I would be happy to make some FOC to help you out. P.s. sorry if I've rambled I've typed this whilst trying to do other things!

I've messaged you, I'm happy for you to use one of my spares as long as you want (upgraded), and I can put a mass feeder on it so your animals can get 365 feed for free :) it's hard starting back up, I came back in February and struggled so I feel you!

I am at loss of trying to convey accurately what I mean to. 

I cannot have the upgrade perks. I do not want money hand outs. I do not want to borrow an upgraded account. I do not want to buy someone else's lined animals. 

I want to do it myself.

My complaint is that with all of above in mind that a basic account is wildy disparaged from upgrades. Lots of time and money spent aside on long term players - there is no way to even begin to compete as a basic player - which is now evidence based by all of the responses and messages and gifts I received.

I am not meaning to attack this game at all I am sorry ... it's just for someone like me who is competitive but also skill-less and penny-less this game will not bring me joy. There is not much to do with just one account and handful of animals. 

I appreciate everyone but I think what must happen is I must put my competitive heart aside and just click. Thank you everyone < 3 

there are definitley ways around making money as a basic account- you can offer training, make graphics, layouts. offer account sitting when someone is away, etc. 

there are lots of competitions in the forums that are free to enter, and you can either choose to win game money or points for your animal. 

the biggest perks for upgrades really are tickets, private shows and the 'enter all' train button, i still train the 'normal' way though.

my offer still stands, just let me know if you want to take it on :)

I'm not an expert as I'm just coming back, but you can always use in-game money to buy an upgrade. There are I believe four six months upgrades up for auction right now and I threw up a one month. 

Just a thought, if the upgraded perks are important to you, you can always pretty inexpensively get one under the upgrades from a player auctioning one. From there sell your tix and host shows and you might be able to sustain that way