Anyone given up life with horses for changes in circumstances?

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welshies

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As the title really, looking for peoples experiences of having to or having to decide if they should give up on their lives with horses. Facing some very hard decisions at the moment after spending the majority of my life immersed in horses I have found myself in a situation where i'm having to make decisions I never thought I would have to. Any experience / advise much appreciated.
 
I gave up working with horses and owning one in my mid twenties due to changes in circumstances but at the time I found people didn't take my CV seriously as the last job was as a groom at a livery yard. At the time it was a hard decision but the right one. Now I have two horses, so it shows circumstances can change again and you can get back in to them. I would never work with horses again though as I didn't find it paid enough.
 
Hi. Yes me!
I'm now ill. Riding, poopicking etc up until end of June. Now pretty much bedridden. Irreversible so plenty of tears have been shed. Gave away my mare, beautiful, carefully selected, superbly bred Welsh D. Bought as a foal, had her til she was 5 and had lots of plans/hopes for our career. Devastated doesn't describe it. She was as near perfect in every way. I've ridden since I was 6, now 43, and have been lucky enough to have been 'owned' by 10 over the years. I'm still adjusting, can't say it's easy. If you're not prohibited by ill health/disability then my advice is find a way! Unless you really can't. Good luck OP. Life without horses sucks big style :(
 
longinthetooth sending you huge hugs, this story made me feel very sad, love to you and I agree with what you have said, I have tried to give up working with/owning horses for financial, personal reasons etc and every time I have gone back to it, if its in you its in you, nothing will compare whether it be working with, owning them or just riding if its there its there for good I'm afraid and I wouldn't want it any other way, (well until I check out my bank balance, calloused hands, knackered back, shoulder, knees and general smell of horse wee hahahaha) :)
 
jess31 said:
longinthetooth sending you huge hugs, this story made me feel very sad, love to you and I agree with what you have said, I have tried to give up working with/owning horses for financial, personal reasons etc and every time I have gone back to it, if its in you its in you, nothing will compare whether it be working with, owning them or just riding if its there its there for good I'm afraid and I wouldn't want it any other way, (well until I check out my bank balance, calloused hands, knackered back, shoulder, knees and general smell of horse wee hahahaha) :)
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Aw bless - that's so kind. I tried twice to live without them by choice, once because of having children and again due to financial reasons but went back both times. Now I don't have a choice. I am sustained only by the lovely lady who took my mare. She makes hospital/being bedridden bearable by sending me almost daily photo and video updates. Gets me through but I would give anything just to do something mundane like walking her out in hand, turn her out/bring in or muck out! You don't know what you got til it's gone. So true :)
 
Yes, after growing up knowing and living for nothing but horses circumstances have twice in my life ment I have had to give up all thought of riding and horse owning.

But things change and move on and suddenly after I retired I found I had the time and could afford to look after some rescued youngsters who just need handling for a few years, because the Blue Cross do provide support.

So in my case I look back and do not regret the different stages in my life, they were just different.

I am hope you can find as way though your current difficulties and that things work out for you.
 
LongInTheTooth said:
Hi. Yes me!
I'm now ill. Riding, poopicking etc up until end of June. Now pretty much bedridden. Irreversible so plenty of tears have been shed. Gave away my mare, beautiful, carefully selected, superbly bred Welsh D. Bought as a foal, had her til she was 5 and had lots of plans/hopes for our career. Devastated doesn't describe it. She was as near perfect in every way. I've ridden since I was 6, now 43, and have been lucky enough to have been 'owned' by 10 over the years. I'm still adjusting, can't say it's easy. If you're not prohibited by ill health/disability then my advice is find a way! Unless you really can't. Good luck OP. Life without horses sucks big style :(
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So sorry to read this, but hope you can still get some opportunities to feel involved with horses if from a distance. Sending hugs, life is certainly not easy at times .
 
Hi,

I have twice "sold up", the first time to establish a career, the second when I had a bad neck injury, when I was seriously incapacitated for 5 years. I would agree with the above posters, stopping does not mean forever. Although I also agree enjoy it while you can, although if there is too much stress and pressure in life the horses can add to that and not be a relief at all. It is meant to be fun.
No regrets for stopping, it meant I was refreshed and keen when I started again, I have now worked with horses almost 20 years and event my own. In the "down times" it would not have seemed possible, but by taking time out for myself meant I was whole to press on when circumstances changed.
Even now, if I feel pressured and stressed I take time out, turn my boy out and be kind to both of us. Then, when I feel refreshed and keen we are both good to go.
Good luck with your decisions!

Xx.
 
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