Am I too old for all this?

I'm 40 and this time last year I used to get up at 6.15 every morning to muck out, feed and turn out my cob.
I now have him on part livery 12 miles further away than the old yard and do you know what? I'd give anything to have him closer and do it all myself again.
Am sat here feeling like crying I miss him so much - as he's now 15 miles from home I only see him once a day
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Don't get me wrong, there were days I'd wish I could stay in bed but I just miss my "alone" time with him
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I wonder how i ever found time to go to work. Im now 58 look after two in stable and three who live out. Decided after 40 years of having hardy cobs that I now wanted/needed a thorobred, not realising how delicate they can be. Up until this year uses to trundle hay and feed down to field in wheelbarrow now to lazy and do it in my car/mobile dustbin. Now never go out as always too nackered.But saying that I cant imagine a life without horses. Now trying to train 2 year old granddaughter to be Nannys little helper.
 
jnb, feeling sorry for you now! Dont be sad, at least you see him once a day. I used to have my mare in livery for the first three years I had her. I have had her home for nearly five years and although it is bloody hard work, I wouldn't take her back to livery for all the tea in China

Couldn't you reverse your decision?
 
I've just turned 54 - feel - on a good day -34 - on a bad day 104! today, apart from mud skiing, grime splattered and a nifty shock off the fence I forgot to turn off! I unloaded 100 bales of hay and then stacked about half of them, I can't imagine doing anything else to be honest but am so so grateful to all our volunteer staff for the hard work they put in outside in all weather and one of those is now 61 years young! puts me to shame!
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I hate winter, I hate this howling gale that seems to have been blowing for weeks (was last winter this windy ?) and the driving rain..................but the thought of not having horses is much much worse !
 
I'm 49 1/3! My horse went out on loan 5 weeks ago, and I'm looking for another. I keep asking myself why I'm looking in December, and trying to persuade myself that it would be far more sensible to leave it until the spring. But, you know what, I really miss it! It seems great to come straight home from work, make a cup of tea, have a bath, watch TV (do housework, clean car, ironing, wrap Xmas presents!!!) but I'm getting quite bored. Also, putting on weight rapidly and not feeling particularly healthy. It's nearly the shortest day - won't be long before things start looking better!
 
Yep, you're not alone. I was thinking along similar lines when I brought home by 18hander from dressage (after being in the pouring rain and gale all day!), plus my older cob - and I'd stupidly left their waterproof rugs on over their thermatex in a closed trailer. Doh! Had 2 miserable, dripping wet horses to deal with. We've no hot water tap at the yard or luxury of a wash box or solarium, so had to boil 2 kettles 4 times to get 3 buckets of warm water to wash them down, rub down with wadges of towels before rugging up....

....plus feed, hay up etc....then washing the two sweaty rugs and drying them!
 
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jnb, feeling sorry for you now! Dont be sad, at least you see him once a day. I used to have my mare in livery for the first three years I had her. I have had her home for nearly five years and although it is bloody hard work, I wouldn't take her back to livery for all the tea in China

Couldn't you reverse your decision?

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Had to leave as they refused to let my cob have individual turnout - he'd already been kicked very badly once. Also when I left they had 18 horses on 10 acres and mud up to your knees! Just wasn't safe.
As quite a few of you have said - work gets in the way of your life with your horse. Roll on retirement (or winning the lottery!)
 
Really hitting a chord with this post! I agree at this time of year it's a pain and I spend more time looking at the weather forecast than an RAF pilot but I think I would become even older in my habits and joints (at 46) if I didn't HAVE to go out and do the horses....and my day is much easier than quite a few here (which makes me feel better, so thanks!) 6am is not so bad 2 days a week, compared to 4.50am EVERY DAY!!!
 
I blame the weather, not my 50 years. I'm feeling run down and cranky with lack of sunshine and any sort of summer this year. I was in the supermarket yesterday and got a craving for orange juice. Then I passed a travel agents and got a craving for orange juice in Florida!

I was thinking dark thoughts today as I battled in the wind putting up electric tape around the arena (kept getting it wrapped around me). I have to take the boys off my waterlogged field and there's an apocalyptic forecast for tomorrow. The field is on a slope for heavens sake and its still squealching! But then I thought of the fine days that will come again and I will be riding out feeling like the luckiest woman in the world and it will be worth the slog. Meanwhile for December I'm going to enjoy the fire, hot chocolate and the electric blanket (can't afford Florida - I have horses!).
 
I am 48 and sister is 52and 11/12ths and we have been saying how hard it is this year (mind you she broke her leg at sping bank!) We often quote Thelwells bit about " just think some children don't have ponies to look after and care for, still they must have problems of their own" Also the mantra, repeated constantly, This is my hobby I do it for pleasure, helps a bit.
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