Dilemma; Money, time and horses.

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Boodle

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This could be a long one so either give up now or make yourself comfortable.

Basically, as most of you know, I have 4 invalid ponies. One shetland (lame atm), my first and elderly pony Trixie, my retired mare Shadow and semi retired mare Boo.
I part loan Sooty, a 12yr old 13.3hh gelding who I used to ride years ago and he was sold on. I traced him and his current owner was looking for a part loaner as she has a bad back and works alot.

I have been loaning just over a month and it has been wonderful. I get to ride him as much as I like, in the school or out on hacks and I contribute to his livery/shoes/feed etc half and half with his owner.

The problem is, the yard is 30 minute drive from me. Combine getting to and getting home from the yard it is an hour. To walk to his field, get him in and take him down to the yard it is half an hour due to the remote nature of the yard and it's hillside fields. Another half hour to take him back to the field and get back to the car. So 2hours before i've even groomed, tacked up or ridden. Say I manage to do all this in an hour, it's a minimum of 3 hours away from my ponies/work.

My ponies are quite high maintenance in that Trixie is fed 3 times a day, Joey is in at the moment, poulticed, needs cleaned out etc. Boo requires working atleast 4 times a week or else she becomes stiff in her ridden work and I do try and get Shadow out a few times a week to keep her mind occupied.

Due to the yard Sooty is at being a popular RS i barely ever get to use the arena, and due to unsympathetic riding in the past Sooty is barely school, goes around with his ears up your nostrils, doesen't understand bend and although will jump the moon, can be uncomfortable.

He needs alot of reschooling, though his (lovely) owner just likes him as a fun hack (which he is!) and doesent want to reschool. I can't enjoy schooling and jumping on a horse that goes like this and I as he has not mine, and as I do not have the time I can't put the work in to get him going well.
So basically i'm paying and using 3 hours of my day to do something I could do at home for free.

I love Sooty to pieces, love the yard, love his owner and love having the opportunity...

HOWEVER...

I have been considering getting another job with more hours and much better money and this would mean me working 9 - 3, 5 days a week (min). I feel this would not leave me enough time (especially in winter) to ride Sooty and that it would be best for me to take this job, save up some dosh, be more comfortable and contribute more to the ponies upkeep and decide what i'm going to do with my life with money for me to use as backing.

I don't really want to give up Sooty, I love him to pieces and missed being around him when he was sold. Also as I love having the freedom of blasting about the countryside (which I have to be careful with with Boo) the option, although unlikely, but still the option of competing, and the option of jumping/schooling when I can get in the school (as I can't jump at all or school much on Boo).

I do think that more hours and money would be better for me and make it easier to maintain and keep my ponies and maybe give me the option of getting my own fit and healthy horse eventually depending on what i'm going to do.

I just really need advice. I know this won't make much sense. But any thought or opinions would be appreciated.

x
 
I think in your second last paragraph you answered your own dilemma.

I know it's tough, but you obviously know deep down what needs to be done
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I would go for more work, save as much as you can and eventually you will be able to have your own fit and healthy horse - and concentrate on your gorgeous invalid ponies for the moment
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I know I have said this before - but the dedication you give to your old ponies is outstanding. But its such a shame you are so tied to them at such a young age.

What happened to going off to college/uni?

I agree with the above in that you should take the job even though this will mean only riding Sooty when the daylight hours allow.

Although its hard to believe - there is a life outside horses and as you are so young you mustn't let them stop you making the most of your future.
 
Thanks guys.

Should I take the job i'd have to give Sooty up, as if I cannot ride him during the week then it defies the point of the part loan agreement really, and I would not want to mess the owner around.

The job is looking promising.

Ravenwood; As college and Uni are so far away, unfortunately I cannot go this year due to my commitments to my ponies. Should they not be so reliant upon me, and should the health of Trixie especially not be so precarious I would love to go... but I think maybe this year is giving me the chance to decide what it is I really want which is probably good and a blessing in disguise.
I still have alot of my friends here, and my boyfriend and I have a wonderful time and another year is not the end of the world.. who knows what next year will bring.

Makes me want to sob to think of giving up my one opportunity to ride properly at the minute, needs must though I suppose!

x
 
Have you talked to your parents about this? From your posts I gather they are incredibly supportive of you - what's their view?
 
My Dad works 6 days a week, 7 till 5 or 6 as a building contractor.
My Mum works several different jobs and is the kindest, nicest person ever.

Both will go out of their way to make us (their 4 daughters happy). I have two older sister's one living in Belfast doing a media studies course after dropping out of Queen's Uni, and one at Nottingham doing Equine Science.
Although they would try, they can not afford to put me through college or Uni at the moment, and although my Mum would try, I would not ask her to take full responsibility of my ponies when she already works herself to the ground.

They supported whatever I wanted to do, but I told them that I wanted to work this year and not do Uni/College as I do not feel putting this pressure on them would do our family or our situation any good.

I think there was definite relief from them that I would be supporting myself and staying at home, not only because of the money, but my Mum would hate a house without any hustle or bustle and my little sister is barely at home.
Maybe next year.
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Boodle - I take my hat off to you! - You have a very mature head on young shoulders.

Alot of people your age would find your situation very unfair but because of your ethos and attitude, I truly hope that you will be fully rewarded in the future - in fact I know you will.
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