Adjusting to life without horses

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Morgan123

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A forum of people with horses may not be the place to ask this, but I'm not sure where would be. hey ho.
I lost both my horses in the last couple of years, one of them fairly recently, and am trying to adapt to life without them. Because of various things it’s not a good time to buy another horse (I know it’s never a good time, but it really wouldn’t be ideal for the next year or so at least). I’ve had horses pretty much my entire life, and my life has basically been shaped by them and built around them. So now I don’t know what to do with myself. Any tips?!
I share two horses with some lovely friends, but it’s nowhere near the same as having your own. Aside from obviously missing my horses themselves, there’s so much I didn’t realise I was taking for granted. I miss that peaceful feeling you get when you’ve struggled against the elements and you’re freezing and soaked but you know your horse is happy and fed, I miss spending time outdoors every day, I miss worrying about the weather, I miss mud, I miss my car being disgusting. All of it. My hands don’t even look like my hands anymore because they’re actually properly clean.
I’ve been trying to take up other sports and things to find something else to fill life up but it’s not really the same. Any advice from anyone who’s been in a similar situation, please let me know!
 
Lol yes that does help.

OP 18 months ago I sent my oldie back to my mums on advice of the vet for a semi retirement as he couldn't cope with the wiltshire hills. Around the same time I found out our company was likely to go bust and ended up moving to cambridge, the drive back is sometimes epic with traffic. I've managed to go back and see him about once a month or two but obviously not the same.

Nothing is the same, my back has been dire since I stopped riding every day and I have also found it hard not having that definite routine especially in the mornings. Daily contact was also very good for my mental health, as was just being on our small yard.

I have filled the time with other stuff, mostly gym stuff and have learned to weightlift which is definitely helpful in a lot of ways and I enjoy helping friends with their ponies as chief competition groom etc. I hope I can get another at some point but in some ways it is harder that the original is still here, just so far away! and I am in the midst of my first house purchase so easier not to right now.
 
Volunteer at a horse rescue if you're getting withdrawal symptoms. :)
I've tried "giving up" multiple times before and never succeeded so frankly I admire you for not caving in and getting another...but if you are struggling you may as well help some ponies in need whilst fulfilling your equine cravings. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
 
Sadly, done stuff at sanctuaries far too much and the places around me are a bit hoard-y and not what I want to be involved with.
horsey events doesn't really cut it, but thanks.
Guess it's a case of continuing the other sports as Ester says, but so far nothing comes close.
 
Morgan123 said:
Sadly, done stuff at sanctuaries far too much and the places around me are a bit hoard-y and not what I want to be involved with.
horsey events doesn't really cut it, but thanks.
Guess it's a case of continuing the other sports as Ester says, but so far nothing comes close.
Click to expand...

Ugh, sorry to hear that. Maybe sharing if you've got the time, or a bit of freelance grooming sort of thing. RDA volunteering? I don't know, I'm just chucking random horsey things at you...but ester is right, ownership is completely unique and nothing really comes close.
 
A friend is facing the same fate after a very sad morning this morning. She said she's almost as sad that this is the end of a huge part of her life as she is at losing her lovely old boy as she won't be getting another. He'd been retired a while and she still gave him as much love, care and attention as ever so it will be a huge gap in her life. Very sad.
 
Why not apply to be a trainee judge? Attend training, sit in with a judge, be involved. Sorry for your losses and your awfully difficult adjustment. Good luck for the future.
 
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