Ever taken a break from horses?? How do you survive!!!

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Sunny08

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About a month ago I sold my beautiful pride and joy a 5yr AA X ISH eventing mare. I had owned her since a foal and have had horses all my life. Anyway sold for genuine reason of being pregnant and deciding long term to go in a different direction with horses i.e. no more competing and just enjoying pleasure/ riding club type activities riding.
I am due at the end of January and will look to buy another horse after that but i am really struggling to fill my time inbetween now and when baby is here as I never realised how much time my horse took up and how much it was part of my relaxation, comfort and part of who I am! I miss her, I miss grooming, I miss riding, I miss spending hours talking to her in her stable, I miss sorting out all her bits and bobs .... I think I am going bonkers! I have spent time with horsey friends and their horses but not quite the same thing!
In all honesty I am getting so tired in this pregnancy that I can barely manage work so probably a good thing I don't have a horse but I still can't stop browsing horses for sale and especially looking at nice all rounder youngsters and thinking well they could have a year to mature!!!
Anyone else taken or currently on a break?
 
I'm on a horse owning break at the mo due to financial reasons (saving for a house). Luckily my mum still has a horse (my old horse who I passed on to my mum) and I have a friend desperate for help, so I ride a couple of times a week. I do agree though, it's nothing the same and every time I see horses on TV or get five minutes spare where I find myself browsing horses for sale, I'm pining for my very own horse. I know it will be worth the wait in the long run though, and that's the thought that keeps me going. I've been patient before (horse had 18 months off due to injury) so I should be able to do it again.

God help me when I have babies!!!
 
I had almost 15 years without a horse to call my own after riding since I could walk. Left home for university & then marriage & children. I had access to family horses but didnot ride regularly enough to consider myself a 'rider'. 13 years ago I was given a weaned foal & the rest they say is 'history', but it wasn't until I started again that I realised a) how much I'd missed it & b) how things had changed in 15 years. Needless to say I'm still riding, still have my 'foal' and now a 3yr old too. I'll never give up again while I'm still fit enough to keep going. I'm looking for another 30 years!
 
i tried my hardest to 'stay away' while I had my horse out on loan but found myself hanging around riding schools and following people out on a hack just so that I could smell their sweaty horses and when they poo'd (horses), well that was bliss!!! Sad, isn't it? It didnt last long and many years on, I cant wait to get away from them (for a while).
 
I had a years break, which culminated in having a riding lesson every week and then finding a share for a couple of days a week, to buying my share horse. I couldn't stay away from them either. I think I am mad.
 
I had a break of 18 years - partying, uni, marrage ,kids etc. When I went back to it, irealised what i had been missing all those years. I had ponies for my daughters and then a horse for myself for the last 8 years. However, i am taking another break as i lost some confidence and enjoyment. Altho I loved my horse dearly I felt that he would have more fun with someone else. i still wonder if I should have kept him! I'm not missing riding atm, am enjoying having ait more spare cash and more free time. If i decide to go back into riding, I am the sort of person who will need to have their own horse, i wouldn't e satisfied with just riding occassionally, i guess its all or nothing for me.
 
Im currently on a forced horsey owning break as my wee man was pts last week and im dieing of bordem!!! Never been so bored in my life, i actually dont know how i lived without a horse before him, i cant remember normal like :eek: Bored.com :rolleyes:
 
I had 5 yrs away from horses after my childhood pony was pts. The pressure of her being so ill really brought home to me what a commitment horses were and I swore never again. I was about 18 at the time and Id discovered clubs, men and to be honest the horse had gone on a back burner. The first year without Dawn was great, I went clubbing, lay in bed, went shopping, met friends and had a great time but I soon realised something was missing. I tried joining a gym to take up some time but it wasnt right. I believe horses are 'in you' and once there its there. So 5 yrs later I got a loan and bought another. That was years ago and although I say the one I have now will be my last as I'd like to go away more now, I reckon he wont be the last. :D
 
I am feeling in need of a break but when I do - i just turn away for a few months if viable....may do next year for a few months - obviously they still need to be checked on and feet done etc etc but it relieves the pressure/stress a bit when you are tired.
 
Sorry to hear that nicoles

Ive not had a horse now since mid August partly due to finances. I was riding a horse for someone at yard but then arrangement came to an end and Im now looking for another one. Im really bored at home too. I spend all my time searching for another horse to view but Im quite fussy about breed etc. plus there arent many around here. I have to say though the one thing im not missing is the bitching at our yard. So am on lookout for another yard to go to when I do get another neddy.
 
Yes, plenty.

I survived because I was doing something else, college, work, city life, moving, just plain fed up with the grind of horses. My horses fit into my life, not me into theirs, I love having them around, but I don't need them anymore than I need anything else. The last time was short, only about 6 months 4 years ago, longest without owning was about 8 years.

Generally I was too busy and enjoying life too much to miss them that much, other times I genuinely enjoyed not being at their 'beck and call' and having a life of my own. I usually stayed right away from them until I was in a situation where I could have another one, although after college I did do my AI, then got bored with II training and just decided one day to go overseas instead of taking exams, left the next day and hopped on a plane to Schipol.

The day I wake up and think "Oh good grief, I just want to stay in bed" is the day I put them and the house on the market, move, have a breather and start all over again.
 
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I had 14 years away from owning a horse. :( Mainly financial reasons and I got married and had 2 babies who are now 16 and 12. 2 years ago I decided I was finally in a position to have the time and money to have a horse again. I bought my gorgeous 3 year old boy in August 2008.

Have never looked back, loving every minute and cannot imagine life without one now :)
 
sold my pony over 4 years ago when i started uni, missed him everyday since & fully intended to buy one when i finish uni. was still riding occasionally but then illness has meant i haven't been able to ride since may :-O . i am intending on getting a horse when i am strong enough to ride again. often the only thing that keeps me going with treatment when it is making me feel awful is the thought that if i dont keep going i will never be strong enough to ride again. i still have one year left at uni but i have enough savings to finance a horse for a year & then i will have a job to pay for the horse after that. i am already looking through horse mart etc. & very nearly phoned up about one today, but a bit stupid buying a horse when i am still a few months off being able to ride again.
 
I'm on one now.

I sold my last horse almost exactly 2 years ago, when my eldest was 6 months old. I was determined to makes horses and babies work but in the end my son was a very demanding baby, I didn't have really have anyone to share the horsey workload with, and I wasn't getting to ride and ultimately my priorities has totally changed- so the horse went.

I now have two children and plan to get another horse (a lovely schoolmaster who'll look after me and get me back into everything asap!) just as soon as I have the time to give to one- probably once the youngest is at regular nursery, a few years away yet.

I do miss it but right now I'd much rather dedicate my time and money to my young children, and figure I'll have all the time in the world for horses again once they are a bit older and a bit more independent.

I'm really lucky to work as an equestrian artist so get to spend time out photographing lots of different horses for commissioned paintings, and attend lots of horsey events with my camera to get reference material for my original stuff... plus get to spend evenings and weekends painting them, so I get a little bit of a fix :)
 
How about going to watch some shows/demos/ect? :D I know this is very sad, but I sometimes go to the Hand EC to watch unaff sj, just to fill my evenings :p And me and some friends are going to see Monty Roberts at Hartpury in a couple of weeks!
 
enfys said:
Yes, plenty.

I survived because I was doing something else, college, work, city life, moving, just plain fed up with the grind of horses. My horses fit into my life, not me into theirs, I love having them around, but I don't need them anymore than I need anything else. The last time was short, only about 6 months 4 years ago, longest without owning was about 8 years.

Generally I was too busy and enjoying life too much to miss them that much, other times I genuinely enjoyed not being at their 'beck and call' and having a life of my own. I usually stayed right away from them until I was in a situation where I could have another one, although after college I did do my AI, then got bored with II training and just decided one day to go overseas instead of taking exams, left the next day and hopped on a plane to Schipol.

The day I wake up and think "Oh good grief, I just want to stay in bed" is the day I put them and the house on the market, move, have a breather and start all over again.
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This is just such a refreshing post!
I had a break when I went to uni (which I dropped out of after six weeks!) and then went to work in different parts of the country for eight years where I couldn't afford a horse but I used to go for lessons at good riding schools a couple of times a month. I have two horses at the moment, and would never get rid of my old boy, but sometimes I just wish I didn't have them....when the old boy passes on, I will sell the mare and won't get any more. I've had enough really. I would rather be in that position where I can help someone out, but I don't have to do it if I don't want to....
 
Rebelzmum said:
This is just such a refreshing post!
I had a break when I went to uni (which I dropped out of after six weeks!) and then went to work in different parts of the country for eight years where I couldn't afford a horse but I used to go for lessons at good riding schools a couple of times a month. I have two horses at the moment, and would never get rid of my old boy, but sometimes I just wish I didn't have them....when the old boy passes on, I will sell the mare and won't get any more. I've had enough really. I would rather be in that position where I can help someone out, but I don't have to do it if I don't want to....
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that was also a refreshing post....
 
I had a break.
I first loaned Seren out in my third year of university to help my study. I loaned her out to the very same university I studied at in their equine and agricultural department.
She remained there while I tried to find a job and somewhere to live in Bristol after graduating. I found it so hard at first but kind of got used to it but missed her terribly. She was there for 2 years in total
I then relocated to Bristol but was not earning enough to keep her at livery so I brought her down from Aberystwyth and loaned her out to a local ish riding school so I could see her more easily and regularly.
I tried to find a better job in the mean time and after one year of being in Bristol I got her back, stupid, idiotic riding school has neglected her feet hideously :mad::mad: I actually had to work two jobs for that year to get her back.
I have had her back 4 and a half years, just earn enough and I could not imagine my time with her.

My point is, I was so busy in the time she was on loan I did not find myself at a loss so much but I did miss her.
January will be here before you know it and you will be able to get another horsey :D
 
You might find your priorities change a bit once baby comes along. When I got pregnant I had 3 horses. I loaned 2 out and kept my old mare.
I know people say 'oh I parked my baby in a pram while I schooled and jumped off to breastfeed in the middle of a lesson' etc ha,ha! Maybe You'll be one of those but I found it very difficult to start with. Little one hated sitting still in the pram and I found it quite stressful. I managed to hack out when my mum or husband were around to babysit and it was good to get away and have some time to myself.
I then managed to get pregnant again 8 weeks after my first and now I'm lucky if I get time to ride once a week. I used to spend hours grooming and fiddleing about at the yard. Thankfully I have a lovely sharer who gives my mare all the time and attention I would love to be able to.
Today it was pissing with rain, I had my 13month little man in his pushchair chucking his shoes and socks in puddles and getting bored very quickly. My 2 month old was in the car, thankfully sleeping. I have to find someone to keep an eye on them when I go to get in from the field. I'm not looking forward to when its zero degrees, they're both cold and screaming and I'm trying to muck out. I end up feeling guilty cos they have to sit and wait and guilty cos my horse doesn't get enough attention.
I desperately miss riding. I want to go for a gallop and storm round a cross country course. My husband recorded Burghley for me but I couldn't watch it cos I get upset as it reminds me what fun it is to compete. If I see a rider galloping along the local fields I start crying.
BUT I wouldn't swop this time with my children for the world and I can't have it all!

If I were you I'd wait and see how you get on when baby arrives and make decisions after that. Sorry didn't mean to write an essay!
 
I had a 12 year break from the time I went to uni at 18, having ridden and had my own since I was 2. I then discovered parties, money, work, men etc and life seemed to get in the way of me having a horse for a while. I had phases of longing for my own again (usually after I'd ridden with a friend or spent time with their horses) but finances prevented me and reality distracted me away from it.

I then lost a job just over two years ago and spent my days watching all the equestrian events at the Olympics pining for my own again - then I realised that my last company owed me lots of flexi time, holidays and a month's pay in lieu - and I was starting a better paid job the week after. I bought Baz about three days after that epiphany and haven't looked back since! I was back out competing within a month and was relieved that I hadn't lost my competitive nature ;)

I have a small baby, a busy job and no money but I am so happy. I don't ever want to be without one again and unless something changes drastically I don't plan to be. :D
 
alexedwards said:
You might find your priorities change a bit once baby comes along. When I got pregnant I had 3 horses. I loaned 2 out and kept my old mare.
I know people say 'oh I parked my baby in a pram while I schooled and jumped off to breastfeed in the middle of a lesson' etc ha,ha! Maybe You'll be one of those but I found it very difficult to start with. Little one hated sitting still in the pram and I found it quite stressful. I managed to hack out when my mum or husband were around to babysit and it was good to get away and have some time to myself.
I then managed to get pregnant again 8 weeks after my first and now I'm lucky if I get time to ride once a week. I used to spend hours grooming and fiddleing about at the yard. Thankfully I have a lovely sharer who gives my mare all the time and attention I would love to be able to.
Today it was pissing with rain, I had my 13month little man in his pushchair chucking his shoes and socks in puddles and getting bored very quickly. My 2 month old was in the car, thankfully sleeping. I have to find someone to keep an eye on them when I go to get in from the field. I'm not looking forward to when its zero degrees, they're both cold and screaming and I'm trying to muck out. I end up feeling guilty cos they have to sit and wait and guilty cos my horse doesn't get enough attention.
I desperately miss riding. I want to go for a gallop and storm round a cross country course. My husband recorded Burghley for me but I couldn't watch it cos I get upset as it reminds me what fun it is to compete. If I see a rider galloping along the local fields I start crying.
BUT I wouldn't swop this time with my children for the world and I can't have it all!

If I were you I'd wait and see how you get on when baby arrives and make decisions after that. Sorry didn't mean to write an essay!
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Thank you for the honesty and realism! I often get told how easy it is to have a horse and baby but I am a bit of a perfectionist and worry that I will feel that I am only doing half the job properly on both counts of horse and baby not to mentin the fact I am going to have to return to work!
As much as I want another horse I will wait and ride a friends each weekend until I see how the land lies with having a child. We also plan to have 2 close together so will see how it goes.
 
I think a lot of it boils down to the kind of baby you end up with!

My eldest was very demanding, rarely slept in chunks long enough to get anything done, and screamed the yard down while I got mucked out etc- very stressful! My youngest on the other hand was a much more laid back baby who would happily have sat and watched me from his pushchair and had lovely long naps! I often wonder whether I'd still have my horse now if they had been born the other way around... :cool:
 
ouch very hard but when you have children i had five and realaticly time wise even if i could afford it i new i had to wait until youngest was five or six i had a unexpected pregnancy as well so really went fifteen years went to riding school on and off though well worth the wait
 
Louby said:
I had 5 yrs away from horses after my childhood pony was pts. The pressure of her being so ill really brought home to me what a commitment horses were and I swore never again. I was about 18 at the time and Id discovered clubs, men and to be honest the horse had gone on a back burner. The first year without Dawn was great, I went clubbing, lay in bed, went shopping, met friends and had a great time but I soon realised something was missing. I tried joining a gym to take up some time but it wasnt right. I believe horses are 'in you' and once there its there. So 5 yrs later I got a loan and bought another. That was years ago and although I say the one I have now will be my last as I'd like to go away more now, I reckon he wont be the last. :D
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just went back to read posts your right the horsey gene is always there for you ,at times through your life it lies dormant
 
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