Drifter...less and the place I am in now - very long

Flibble

Flibble

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www.annamason-art.co.uk
So Drifter was my Dream Horse the sort of horse I always dreamed of owning and never dared. Finally when the time came and I had the money for the dreamboy I went out and bought him.

Unfortunatly for me and him I was a good 20 years too late I ended up with a lovely horse who was too big, too young and too extrovert.

The lad has now been at a friends yard on sales livery since early April. I caved in after my yard move and although its been expensive as we wanted to give him time to settle and Dave time to understand who he was selling. He has been out jumping everything they pointed him at. I had not done loads of jumping, which I knew he loved, as I was very wary of spoiling his natural enthusiasm and talent.

He had a few people who were looking for horses who decided he wasn’t quite what they wanted too fine apparently and finally a week ago as I packed my bags for a weeks holiday I got the phone call saying come on its time you got him advertised. So a week ago Friday when I should have been in bed I was wacking an advert online on 3 different sites.

The Horse and Hound site crashed on me 5 times I don’t know what I was doing in my panic to ensure he was in H&H for Thursday so I ended up posting nearly the worst advert I have ever seen. I wasn’t alone in being caught out as I see another advert in Thursdays edition had asterisks in both price and contact number.

In the meantime Dave took him Hunter Trialling last Sunday and came 3rd in the pairs and flew the open with only one knockdown. God I wish it was me!!! Apparently there are some super photos.

He has been tried, sold and vetted all in a week and was collected before I came back from holiday. I knew I would be relieved once the split was final but I was shocked at how much I cried when I got the phone call to say he had passed and was being collected.

I cried for him because I felt guilty that after 18+ months of fussing over him I just cleared out and because I hadn’t been right for him and couldn’t cope with the selling process.

I cried for me because I was devastated that I wasn’t the one for such a super good-looking horse.
I am in a weird place right now. I don’t want another horse yet but I still dream of beautiful horses.
I am devastated that my little girl dream, deep in my heart, of owning the sort of horse I used to see others on and envy is now smashed on the floor like a fine broken piece of china.

So here I am drifting in no mans land its easy to think how rich I will be no more livery bills no more farriers and vets, wet feet,sore bum. But something is missing and I don’t know where or what it is.
 
(((((hugs))))) that must have been very very hard. I used to enjoy your posts. I am sure someone will come and steal your heart very soon and dreams come in all shapes and sizes.
 
Well firstly, good on Drifter for being spotted, passing a vet and going to a new home all within a week. I hope he is as special to his new owners as he was to you. Are you in contact with them, or would that be too much for you at the moment?

You have done a brave thing, by admitting that he was too much for you.

I hope once you have taken some time that you have another horse, you sound a great owner who did the very best for her horse.

Good Luck in the future and make sure you pop on here every now and then to tell us what you're up to.
 
I hope whatever you choose to do that it works out well for you. Drifter sounds very talented and I am sure he will be happy being a 'competition' horse. If you are missing contact with horses, would it be worth thinking about volunteering at a local Riding for the Disabled group? Give yourself some time to decide what you want from life and leisure time and keep in touch with us here :)
 
You've been brave and done the right thing by Drifter and yourself. Don't feel bad about having him professionally sold. You made sure he was shown at his best to buyers.
Don't rush into buying a new horse. Take your time to find one that really suits you.
Good luck with whatever you decide to do.
 
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Flibble said:
So Drifter was my Dream Horse the sort of horse I always dreamed of owning and never dared. Finally when the time came and I had the money for the dreamboy I went out and bought him.

Unfortunatly for me and him I was a good 20 years too late I ended up with a lovely horse who was too big, too young and too extrovert.

The lad has now been at a friends yard on sales livery since early April. I caved in after my yard move and although its been expensive as we wanted to give him time to settle and Dave time to understand who he was selling. He has been out jumping everything they pointed him at. I had not done loads of jumping, which I knew he loved, as I was very wary of spoiling his natural enthusiasm and talent.

He had a few people who were looking for horses who decided he wasn’t quite what they wanted too fine apparently and finally a week ago as I packed my bags for a weeks holiday I got the phone call saying come on its time you got him advertised. So a week ago Friday when I should have been in bed I was wacking an advert online on 3 different sites.

The Horse and Hound site crashed on me 5 times I don’t know what I was doing in my panic to ensure he was in H&H for Thursday so I ended up posting nearly the worst advert I have ever seen. I wasn’t alone in being caught out as I see another advert in Thursdays edition had asterisks in both price and contact number.

In the meantime Dave took him Hunter Trialling last Sunday and came 3rd in the pairs and flew the open with only one knockdown. God I wish it was me!!! Apparently there are some super photos.

He has been tried, sold and vetted all in a week and was collected before I came back from holiday. I knew I would be relieved once the split was final but I was shocked at how much I cried when I got the phone call to say he had passed and was being collected.

I cried for him because I felt guilty that after 18+ months of fussing over him I just cleared out and because I hadn’t been right for him and couldn’t cope with the selling process.

I cried for me because I was devastated that I wasn’t the one for such a super good-looking horse.
I am in a weird place right now. I don’t want another horse yet but I still dream of beautiful horses.
I am devastated that my little girl dream, deep in my heart, of owning the sort of horse I used to see others on and envy is now smashed on the floor like a fine broken piece of china.

So here I am drifting in no mans land its easy to think how rich I will be no more livery bills no more farriers and vets, wet feet,sore bum. But something is missing and I don’t know where or what it is.
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It is the end of an era for you. A bit like when you retire from a profession into which you have put your life.

You need to think of the freedoms you will have now.
 
What a sad post, that must have been so hard for you. At least you dd the responsible thing by admitting that he was a bit too much for you and getting some proper help. I am sure he will be loved and cherished in his new home and hopefully the right one will come along for you soon.
I didn't read you post thinking that you had 'cleared out on him'. I think you did the best thing for him by having him looked after and professionally sold. Try not to beat yourself up about this.
Sorry you are sad but don't give up your dream of having a beautiful horse who is totally right for you. x
 
That was incredibly moving - although it may seem little consolation now, you have made the right decision for both of you.

You are very wise in taking your time before contemplating another horse - as others have said, perhaps some volunteering would help keep your hand in but without having another horse just yet.

Sending lots of positive ((vibes)) and I'm sure that you will find something that will fulfill your dreams and realities.
 
Thanks one and all it does look like I will have some horse contact my friend has just informed me she has lost her driving licence so she will need a lot of help. It is permanent I am afraid her vision is failing and they can no longer give her enough sight to drive.
 
Oh hun.

I saw your post yesterday, but didn't want to answer off the cuff as it were. Been thinking about you. Maybe it's because I can empathise to a great extent?

You are not a failure in any way, so ditch any thoughts like that. As you say, twenty years ago it would probably have been different, but it's not twenty years ago, it's now and life has to be dealt with as it is now. Hugs.

Someone said yesterday that maybe I should have bought 'a steady old cob' instead of Dizzy. Hm. Apart from the fact that some of the looniest behaviour I have seen has been by cobs, I fell in love with Dizzy. She might yet end up not to be the right horse for me/me the right person for her, but we're giving it a go. I have the alternative in that D1 can now ride her, but I'm still not sure how D1 would cope if Dizz did had one of her tantrums (I can only hope that she will outgrow it! Horse, not child lol).

If I can't have Dizz, then I will go for a horse that has a good history, is brave and kind, and I will love him (I see it being a him for some reason) and I will be proud to ride him; partially because I will be able to do the things I want to do, on a horse that will help me.

I often find people admire the good and solid horses more than they do the flashy, high maintenance types. I find that I often have to defend Dizz, simply because she is a good looking DWB.

So hunny, what I am trying to say, in my own and halting fashion(!), is that there are so many horses out there who will give you the ride of your life, and that people will admire, and that you will love with all your heart.

Hugs.

Edited to say: just re-read that. Definately not prize winning words(!), but hopefully you understand what I mean :).
 
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Thanks MrsM.
Its a funny old world. My old retired horse Gulliver had such a dirty stop in him that I have fallen off more times than I care to remember but and this is the big BUT..... I didnt care. He was a real laid back affable chap more Labrador than Cleveland Bay it was such a shock to find out that my new talented jumping machine who never stopped worried me all the time so that I became his rather than he mine ah well we live and learn.

One day I hope it will feel right to own again just not now.
 
I hope you are feeling a bit better now that you have had a bit of perspective to reflect on your sad decision.
You are very brave to write about it all so honestly on the forum; non of it has been easy for you, but you were able to admit that you didn't have the right horse for you, and now he is going to the right home. Well done to you for finding the courage to take decisive action!

As others have advised don't give up on your dream, there are many more horses out there!
The best of luck to you x.
 
FWIW I think you have made a really brave and sensible decision for both you and the gorgeous Drifter. Someone has got themselves an absolute stunner. Although it is true, horses dont know when they are being underused, they dont stand in their paddock thinking "I wish I was going XC/hunting/SJ etc today" it is very true that we as owners need to realise our own limitations/comfort zone/capabilities. There is quite enough to worry about without the added worry of feeling a bit overhorsed or out of your depth. Like you, as a young girl I used to dream of owning a stunning looking creature that I could ride round Badminton without a care in the world. The reality Im afraid is that Im a bit of a wimp and we keep at least 3 legs on the ground at all times:) Fortunately Che, although a TB is pretty chilled and quite lazy so we are well suited to a life of hacking and schooling, he is a good looking horse so that part of my ambition is fulfilled but the rest, Im afraid, never got off the ground (literally). I wish you the very best of luck with whatever you decide to do, Im quite sure that this will not be the end of your horsey life, you sound far too smitten with them for that!
 
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