Giving up horses for a while??

*Maddy&Occhi*

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Just wanted to hear other peoples stories.

I've been into horses since I was very young (7/8) im now 18. My parents couldnt afford to buy me my own so I always loaned. When I turned 16 I got myself a great permanent full time job, in which I was able to afford my own. So I bought my first horse but ended up selling her 8 months down the line (I rushed into things and she was just way too much for me, patience is a virtue :rolleyes:) I then my bought my amazing second mare in march 2011, after the terrible time I had with my previous mare I had landed on my feet with Moja, she was totally amazing and perfect for me and our bond was so strong. Sadly in the year I owned her the vet bills just kept flying in, she was always going lame, she nearly had to have a collic op and so much more. Beggining of this year (after many weeks going to and from the vets) she was diagnosed with serious navicular disease and collateral ligament damage. end of last year was absolute tortue, worst time of my life. Cut that long story short she is now living the life of luxury with my very kind farrier who offered to take her on (due to her diagnosis I was unable to financially keep her)

I have now decided to take a break from horses, after my string of bad luck Im still quite scarred from what me + my mare had to go through, I had stopped enjoying horses months ago when my mare kept getting ill. I want to discover the person I really am away from horses and I can honestly say I am loving it. I feel like an 18 year old again lol. Im going to the gym, socialising etc. I know somewhere down the line I may get back into riding etc (I'm still going the stables one a week or so where all my friends are- but just to socialise)

Never would I have ever imagined giving up horses. They were my life and back then the thought of my life without horses was not worth thinking about. I was so dedicated/ motivated. I have to admit, I do miss my mare terribly :( we were so close and went through so much together, she was the only thing who made me smile when I was down and she still does when I think of her. I'm lucky that I'm able to see her whenever I want, I saw her last week for the first time in ages and I did have a little cry. But I know she's in a forever home and she's happy.

Sorry for the long essay. I just wanted to hear other people's opinions? Have you given up horses + gone back? what was your life like without them?
 
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xxMozlarxx

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Hi, I think it's very common for someone to give up at 18 when other interests and factors come into play, I've seen it many times over the years. Some come back to it and some never do. Enjoy your time without horsey worries and expenses! :)
 

FionaM12

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I gave up horses when I was 21 because I was forced to. I'd become so allergic to them my life was at risk if I continued. I had a horse, Bamber, but I'd been too ill to look after him myself for some time by then and relied on friends. I gave him to one of those friends.

I moved away and lost touch with my horsey friends.

So for over 30 years I rarely went near a horse. I did try sometimes, but it always made me ill. I can honestly say it never stopped hurting. If anyone asked me how I'd really like to lead my lfe, the answer would always have been the same. I just couldn't though.

I didn't watch horsey stuff on tv, I didn't read about them and I avoided horsey people. So it really was a total break. I wasn't unhappy, I had a busy life, lots of friends, a lovely daughter.

Now in my 50s the allergy has finally become controllable. I've returned to horses and bought my own again. It's very hard, I'm a useless rider, I have very little energy and am 35 years behind in my knowledge (and have mostly forgotten what I once knew). But I'm very happy I'm back. I aim to be an eccentric horsey old lady, spend as much time with horses as I can and ride for as long as possible to try to make up for all that lost time. :D
 

Gracie21

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I'm sorry you've had such bad luck! Bad things always happen to the most lovely people-purely because someone knows somewhere that they are the only people who can cope with it!

FionaM12-If you don't mind I'd like to PM you about your allergy as I've recently been told I might have to give up!
 

Imogen_

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It's wise if it doesn't feel right for you at this moment in time. They're a big commitment. Unfortunately, my horses are the only thing that keeps me sane.

Chances are you may get back into it, but sounds like you've thought it through and the option is always there so just enjoy it :) Wouldn't do any harm in having a lesson say once a month though? Just keep things ticking over.
 

Chestnutmare

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Reading your post and at your age, to be honest I wouldn't worry too much enjoy your life as a young adult go out treat yourself to new clothes your hair being done, nails done etc etc..
You can always i'm sure help one of the girls at the yard still when they need it to keep your hand in so to speak.

I gave up horses after i lost my lad, it was just after the 2 yr mark that I got a really great wonderful boy on full loan with intentions of buying him, but sadly I gave him up January this year, he went to my neighbour for couple months and is now back home with his owners, I still keep in contact with owners and can go see him whenever Im back down south, so thats always a nice thought and appreciated from me, do miss him.

I am hating not having a horse to tend to, although am enjoying the quality time that my husband and I needed, having my nails done, hair extensions in.. which I would not be able to afford if I had a horse still, so for me I am trying to get the things I want in life before I settle down to getting another horse of my own (have to say its killing me inside) but being sensible about things too, as hubby will find out next month if he gets made redundant from the armed forces... we hope not.

I am in the meantime searching for a horse to share as Im going mad without any contact lol I've always been around horses since I was teeny and having horses on loan until I could afford to buy my own.

I say enjoy your time now, you can always go back when you want to...
:D :D
 

Auslander

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I'm much older, but was in a similar situ relatively recently. Horses were my job, as well as my main interest, and I lived and breathed them. I had a really lovely warmblood, who went out in the field bucking and squealing at 6am one morning, and was found 3 hours later with really bad colic, from which he didn't recover. I was so distraught that I gave up completely, and took a 2 yr complete break. I've recently felt the first stirrings of interest, and am all systems go horse hunting now!!
Don't force yourself to do it if you don't feel like it - you might just need a bit of a break.
 

Syrah

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I've taken a few breaks. First one was around 24yrs old, I started again after having my eldest daughter, had a small break after having my youngest but the longest was from 24yrs old to 35 yrs old.

I've just sold my mare, we were totally unsuited and fully intend to have another break as my confidence has taken quite a knock (not my mares fault). But :rolleyes: that may all change, watch this space.

There's nothing wrong with taking a break. You've got the advantage of having friends at your yard so you can still enjoy the socialising, maybe get a ride and you never know what the future may bring.
 

seoirse

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Don't beat yourself up about it, there are tons of other things to do besides horses and after a bit of a break you might feel like you can't live without a horse and you'll know the time is right to try again, or you might get into something else!! Either way, you've got to be happy. Horses will always be there for you if you need them! I'm so sorry to hear about all your bad luck I can really sympathise as last year was an equestrian disaster for me too and I felt like giving up, but after losing my horse and having a few months off I realised I *HAD* to get another one. I'm a bit older than you though and did have a break for 12 months in my early twenties to go travelling - definitely so glad I did that, I had a blast!

My sister is actually 19 now (she's a LOT younger than me!) and she sold her horse 2 years ago as she wanted a break, she doesn't live far away and can come and ride mine whenever she wants to get her horse fix, she's actually only been to ride twice in 2 years! She's having a blast doing other stuff and if she ever wants to get back into it she knows enough horsey people who will help her get going again.

Good luck - have fun!!! :p
 

Princess Jess

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I'd say it was probably quite normal to withdraw from horses a little after your experiences recently. Try not to worry about it too much, if you want a break take one...there's plenty of time to get back into horses when things have settled a little. It sounds like you're not really enjoying horses as much as you were so perhaps it is time to take a little step back :)
I'm kind of in the opposite position to you. I'm off to university in October so am currently horseless and desperate to have my own and get out competing. Unfortunately I know I need to focus on my exams and get the next three years at uni out of the way, then I can get a working pupil position and start doing what I really love!
Everyone is different so just do what feels right at the moment. Hope you sorted everything :)
 

Vanha12

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You've had a rough ride so perfectly understandable. I gave up horses when I was 21 as I got married and started a family and moved to a new area surrounded by husband and very non-horsey family. My eldest is now 18 and I have been back with avengence for the last 3 years, competing BE and having a ball. My mum even asked me to have our fabulous tb x clv bay which we bred but I declined becaused with small children my life was taking a different direction. You sound like you are enjoying your time away - relax, horses are always there for you if and when you decide to venture back. Good luck! x
 

annaellie

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Sometimes its for the best, I had a string of bad luck with my horses and had my two horses of a lifetime pts along with other problems with other horses. I bought another horse and was completly fed up:( I lost that excitment I had for the horses so I ended up selling him among other reasons.
I've had two years out and we are due to move house next week with yard at home :D am looking for two horses now and that passion I had lost is now back am so excited.
The break was the best thing for me it made me realise that the tough times are worth the good times with the horses
 
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