I think it would be lack of money, or realisation that i really dont have the talent to do it. Even if i did give up i would try to keep 1 to have fun on!!
Following an accident (not horse related) I can't look after a horse right now and can't work so no money for a horse either so had to sell my two. Luckily both daughters still have their horses and as one still lives at home (daughter, horse at livery) I get to clean some tack, wash sweaty numnahs (after inhaling aroma deeply
) and now I'm getting a bit more mobile I even get trusted to go and feed occasionally!!
I had to give up my mare 20 years ago to move away from home for a job (as a groom). the woman wouldn't let me bring her with and when I phoned to tell her I'd sold the mare she told me she'd given my job to some lad who'd come into the yard that morning looking for a job - claimed I'd "dithered" about whether I wanted the job or not ...
She'd the bare faced cheek to phone me a month later pretending she'd no idea who I was asking if I was interested in a job as a groom ...
Yup same for me, lack of money or physically unable to care for them. Mind you, given the cr*p weather this winter, the thought of giving up has occasionally gone through my mind.........very fleetingly though
same as hellspells, only physical problems, or serious lack of money, would make me get rid of my horses. i love competing though and if i didn't have that to aim for, i wouldn't ride at all, i think.