The Horse Problem

I am terrible at math, so if I get the answer to these sort of questions correct it is because I guessed right. Deb Russel, About Guide to Mathematics challenges us with The Horse Problem. In this particular mathematical problem a man sells a horse for a certain price, sells it, buys it back and sells it again. The question is: did he make money, break even, or lose money? I won't tell you the answer, just try it for yourself. However, I could argue that the final answer may be wrong. What the problem doesn't mention is that the horse, during the time the man owned it, need its hooves trimmed, its teeth floated, all of its shots, it got colic twice requiring veterinarian treatment, its saddle needed re-stuffing and no bit in the barn fit it. The second time the man sold it, his truck broke down, forcing him to pay a horse transport company to deliver the horse, since he had agreed to deliver it in the sales contract. Now, did the man make money, break even, or lose money?