Cowparsley
Member
The huge expense, the early (cold,wet, muddy, icy) starts, the stress and worry, the fact everything else in your life comes second third or fourth...generally do you feel it's worth it?
Do horses ruin your life
- Thread starter Cowparsley
- Start date
Peglo
Well-Known Member
You can’t take your money with you, might as well spend it on something you love. Everything in life can cause you stress. Fresh air is good for you. It’s good for me to have someone to put first before me and keep me grounded. Absolutely worth it.
But I’m happy to just have field ornaments if that’s how life pans out so I don’t have competition stresses.
But I’m happy to just have field ornaments if that’s how life pans out so I don’t have competition stresses.
poiuytrewq
Well-Known Member
Yes! Although some days I question myself ?
I can’t honestly imagine a horse free life though, I’m not sure what on earth I’d do.
I can’t honestly imagine a horse free life though, I’m not sure what on earth I’d do.Polos Mum
Well-Known Member
I went 'cold turkey' when I sold one in September in 2005, I thought I would have a wonderful 5-6 months off, save money , spend time on other things. I was bored witless and lasted about 4 weeks until I bought something else! (unsuitable but lovely in his own right)
I'm hopelessly addicted.
I'm hopelessly addicted.
holeymoley
Well-Known Member
Absolutely.
eta- that is to answer your question in the first post, not the title of the thread.
eta- that is to answer your question in the first post, not the title of the thread.
Spotherisk
Well-Known Member
Yes it is very much worth it to me, even though my bay is retired and given the economy I guess I am too.
Barton Bounty
Just simply loving life with Orbi 🥰
Nope even through the heartache of losing three over the last 30 years, I cant imagine my life without a horse. Its my relaxation, BB helped me so much when my dad died, I couldnt breathe, went riding and just breathed for a bit.
my husband on the other hand would say they are a bankruptcy starter kit ???
my answer was to the thread title lol
my husband on the other hand would say they are a bankruptcy starter kit ???
my answer was to the thread title lol
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Goldenstar
Well-Known Member
Yes, I would not do it otherwise . It’s not compulsory.
LadyGascoyne
Well-Known Member
I can’t ever imagine feeling that way about them.
I’d rather spend my spare time and money on my horses than anything else. They give me a break from a stressful job, they keep me active, they make me laugh. They provide ten times more stress relief than stress.
My mornings would still be early, icy and cold without them - and without the joy of having Mimosa shouting her head off with the excitement of seeing me, Miri’s polite little whickering noises, and Barbie burying her nose in my hair.
They are the reason I see beautiful sunrises, and they force me to spend at least 15 minutes every evening after work just disconnecting from everything and taking in the evening light. Sometimes, if I’m late, I get that wonderful hay munching in the dark moment, which is the best noise ever. I couldn’t choose a better way to spend an evening.
But I will say that my horses don’t come first, second and third in everything and there are compromises that I have to make on horse things, and arrangements that I make to accommodate horses in my life.
They are here to bring joy, and I’m not prepared to get myself into a situation where I am stressed by them. Sometimes that means that me getting over the fact that my 6yo has done less than I’d like her to, sometimes thats about buying nice, hardy hacks rather than highly bred competition horses. Sometimes that means everyone getting used to supper can be anywhere between 4pm and midnight. My horses don’t run my life, they contribute to it.
I’d rather spend my spare time and money on my horses than anything else. They give me a break from a stressful job, they keep me active, they make me laugh. They provide ten times more stress relief than stress.
My mornings would still be early, icy and cold without them - and without the joy of having Mimosa shouting her head off with the excitement of seeing me, Miri’s polite little whickering noises, and Barbie burying her nose in my hair.
They are the reason I see beautiful sunrises, and they force me to spend at least 15 minutes every evening after work just disconnecting from everything and taking in the evening light. Sometimes, if I’m late, I get that wonderful hay munching in the dark moment, which is the best noise ever. I couldn’t choose a better way to spend an evening.
But I will say that my horses don’t come first, second and third in everything and there are compromises that I have to make on horse things, and arrangements that I make to accommodate horses in my life.
They are here to bring joy, and I’m not prepared to get myself into a situation where I am stressed by them. Sometimes that means that me getting over the fact that my 6yo has done less than I’d like her to, sometimes thats about buying nice, hardy hacks rather than highly bred competition horses. Sometimes that means everyone getting used to supper can be anywhere between 4pm and midnight. My horses don’t run my life, they contribute to it.
My_breadbagel
Well-Known Member
For the large part it feels worth it (90% of the time at least, it only doesn’t when they don’t want to cooperate or tell you what’s wrong, and why, in God’s name, they’re acting like a rodeo bull for a reason you can’t fathom) but right now it feels a little heartbreaking. I’m off to university, and my horse, who is in the prime of his life, won’t be coming with me. I feel like my heart is being ripped out of my body- I’ve cried already today. I wasn’t sobbing like I usually do, but I just woke up, went downstairs, sat on the bottom step, found myself getting very choked up, and went about my day. I just feel… hollow. It’s probably whatever anxiety disorder I have; I keep fixating on small details of my preparations so that I won’t think too much about the horse who will sit in his field for the next ten weeks, doing absolutely nothing, thinking that I’ve finally given up on him.
Yes, let’s not think about the fact I’m leaving my horse behind, who I even boarded at my secondary school with me, and have spent every day with for the last five years, poured my soul into, and instead worry about how I’m going to get the best possible result my BA…
is this love or absolute insanity and addiction?
Yes, let’s not think about the fact I’m leaving my horse behind, who I even boarded at my secondary school with me, and have spent every day with for the last five years, poured my soul into, and instead worry about how I’m going to get the best possible result my BA…
is this love or absolute insanity and addiction?
planete
Well-Known Member
At over 70, I would have a very uninteresting life without Woody. He gets me out of the house every day, challenges me, amuses me, takes me out of myself, exercises me, (put me in hospital for 48 hours three weeks ago!) . Total value for money.
Ossy2
Well-Known Member
It’s a debate I’m having with myself at the moment. I’ve had some of my best times with horses but to be honest I’ve had some of my most dark times with horses as well. The grief of loss, so many knock backs, constant disappointment of not being as good as I want to be and not really liking the horse community at the moment, therefore my jury is out at the moment.
ponynutz
Well-Known Member
Not really because I don't really have a properly rideable one anymore and I'm at University. But I have had to get a job so I can afford the equestrian club at uni and I imagine I will have no money as an 'adult' adult either.
But I just love it so much so I don't mind really.
But I just love it so much so I don't mind really.
SO1
Well-Known Member
Having lost mjne recently and the stress in the lead up to his death and the massive vets bill and the grief I can relate to that.
I always said I won't get another but I had thought he would keep going to at least 25 if not 30 by which time I would be 60 and not considering a new horse so near to retirement due to the costs.
However I lost my Homey at 20 and I will be 50 this year with another 17 years to retirement so am now thinking of getting another. I feel lonely without a horse as I live on my own far from family and my close friends.
However I am not in any rush as need more time to grieve and also not sure how financially viable it will be even on a good salary the way that costs are going up. Local part livery yard put up their fees by £400 a month and now well over £1000. If my yard and all other local places follows suite because if increased costs I will not replace and will continue to use the RS. I need to be on part livery for work reasons and family reasons, my parents are elderly and I am expecting to need to provide them with support in the coming years.
I always said I won't get another but I had thought he would keep going to at least 25 if not 30 by which time I would be 60 and not considering a new horse so near to retirement due to the costs.
However I lost my Homey at 20 and I will be 50 this year with another 17 years to retirement so am now thinking of getting another. I feel lonely without a horse as I live on my own far from family and my close friends.
However I am not in any rush as need more time to grieve and also not sure how financially viable it will be even on a good salary the way that costs are going up. Local part livery yard put up their fees by £400 a month and now well over £1000. If my yard and all other local places follows suite because if increased costs I will not replace and will continue to use the RS. I need to be on part livery for work reasons and family reasons, my parents are elderly and I am expecting to need to provide them with support in the coming years.
MuddyMonster
Well-Known Member
Are they worth it? To me, totally.If I stopped feeling that way, I'd stop having horses.
I would say though that sometimes my life fits in around horses, sometimes horses fit in around my life and sometimes everything in life feels a bit of a compromise! And that's perfectly normal and healthy, I think.
I owe horses such a lot but they aren't something to endure for years just because you once loved (or still do love) horses and the lifestyle they bring. There is an equally fulfilling life to be had outside of horses if you want it.
You can always come back to horses at a different time or in a different way.
I would say though that sometimes my life fits in around horses, sometimes horses fit in around my life and sometimes everything in life feels a bit of a compromise! And that's perfectly normal and healthy, I think.
I owe horses such a lot but they aren't something to endure for years just because you once loved (or still do love) horses and the lifestyle they bring. There is an equally fulfilling life to be had outside of horses if you want it.
You can always come back to horses at a different time or in a different way.
blitznbobs
Well-Known Member
I can genuinely say horses save my life on an almost daily basis... They are my sanctuary
Cowpony
Well-Known Member
At this time of year, when the weather is good and the evenings are light enough to ride after work, and still turn out after riding, I would say they are absolutely worth it. In the middle of winter, when I've ridden under floodlights in the pouring rain and I'm last on the yard putting mine to bed, and it feels like the middle of the night, I do wonder why I didn't take up knitting......But I'm sure I would miss it like crazy if I didn't have one!
Crazy_cat_lady
Well-Known Member
Yes. I'm so much happier now I'm out of it. The expense was crippling, no normal weekends just everything about it in the end.
For so many years of my life they enriched it, but the last few I got no joy out of it. Never again.
I even rode on holiday recently, the ride itself was amazing but that spark I had for so many years of my childhood and teenage years was not reignited.
For so many years of my life they enriched it, but the last few I got no joy out of it. Never again.
I even rode on holiday recently, the ride itself was amazing but that spark I had for so many years of my childhood and teenage years was not reignited.
Snow Falcon
Hoping for drier days
Nope. They are as much a part of me as I stand. My life revolves round mine-one attended my wedding. For over 40years I've had fantastic relationships with them, made fabulous frienships and created special memories and moments that'll always cherish. There have been really tough moments the last couple of years, particularly this last one, but at this moment in time I don't wish to give it all up.
ycbm
Einstein would be proud of my Insanity...
I'll tell you after I've paid a winter of full livery.
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Fire sign
Well-Known Member
My husband says they have ruined his !!!!!?
babymare
Well-Known Member
Yes they rule your life which was fine till my young lass was PTS. Then I hung my boots up and decided I wanted a different life.money in the bank and time to lie in if I wanted rather than half 4 alarms. Still connected with horse world though ?
CanteringCarrot
Well-Known Member
Short answer; yes.
Horses have caused me so much stress, grief, money, and time over the years. While I have had many wonderful experiences and enjoyed my horse(s) at times, I do think about leaving it all behind. It's really not worth it a majority of the time. I think it's also held me back from other things in life. I'm looking at another horse at the moment and if anything goes wrong with the vetting, then I think I'm out for awhile. I do love and enjoy horses, but it's a stressful hobby, and sometimes it really gets to me.
I think it can be less stressful if you have a sh*t ton of money, time, live in the right area, have good yard choices, and most importantly, luck.
Horses have caused me so much stress, grief, money, and time over the years. While I have had many wonderful experiences and enjoyed my horse(s) at times, I do think about leaving it all behind. It's really not worth it a majority of the time. I think it's also held me back from other things in life. I'm looking at another horse at the moment and if anything goes wrong with the vetting, then I think I'm out for awhile. I do love and enjoy horses, but it's a stressful hobby, and sometimes it really gets to me.
I think it can be less stressful if you have a sh*t ton of money, time, live in the right area, have good yard choices, and most importantly, luck.
HashRouge
Well-Known Member
No, I love my two to bits, they're fabulous.
Barton Bounty
Just simply loving life with Orbi 🥰
Am i the only one that loves the mucking out, the poo picking, ?
Ample Prosecco
Still wittering on
They hugely enhance mine! But there was a time when it was too expensive, time consuming and stressful and I gave it all up when the children were small for a couple of years. Wouldn’t hesitate to let go again if the joy was outweighed by the upset and the cost over a sustained period of time.
Loveponies
Active Member
My colleagues moan about getting up to go to work M - F and comment how cheerful and awake I am each morning but as I say to them that is because I get up to see my wonderful horses each morning - work is just something after that. I then can look forward to seeing them again after work. They are the highlight of every day - nothing compares to being with them. I have had horses constantly for 43 years and hope to have horses for the rest of my life.
I think my colleagues consider me totally mad!
I think my colleagues consider me totally mad!
Barton Bounty
Just simply loving life with Orbi 🥰
This is me to a tee!
Equi
Well-Known Member
When my lad was pts I simply didn’t know what to do with myself. I’m not a huge rider but the routine of going to yard and doing horse things is a massive part of my day. I don’t feel complete if I havent done it. Thankfully it only took 3 months to find my new boy.
Ratface
Well-Known Member
I've had horses all my life. I can't imagine my life without them. I put on a good front with people, but I feel much more comfortable with animals. When Old Horse goes, I will have to get some sort of equine to play around with. Life would feel very bleak without them.