Guilt ridden *please help*

When I was 12 I shared a horse (it's from him I have my username) for a few days a week, for no cost, he was 35. He had been a riding school favourite in town, and a few of my friends parents had learnt to ride on him when they were young. I rarely rode him, but occasionally took him out for half an hour hacks at walk (suited me fine, I didn't have the confidence for much more than that!), and apart from that I'd just make a massive fuss of him, and would spend hours grooming and plaiting his mane and tail etc.

I'd happily offer to help you out now, if only I wasn't all the way down south :D I'm sure someone will jump at the chance just to have a horse to fuss over, and understand what he needs. Either way, he's had and has it good, he has a home for life and won't be wanting much more that :)
 
wildcard said:
Hi i am in need of some advice, i have got 2 horses a 5 year old and my most amazing 25 year old.... I have 3 jobs and no time to do both justice...!!!

My older horse domino is a 15.1 coloured cob who we bought as a family horse 22years ago. He has taught everyone in my family to ride including my mum and dad, friends ,boyfriends etc. He has certainly earnt his place with us but a few years ago he got arthritis is his legs.. not massively but enough to stop competeing taking him out and about he can now only walk and occasional trot... ( Not through his lack of trying though acts like a 2 year old most of the time) but there was not question about it he is with us till the end..

so when this happened i couldnt afford to get another for a couple of years as was more important to keep him than have something i could compete so decided to wait. Then winter i was given a young horse to play and she is taking up a lot of my time trying to get going to hopefully eventually BE she is a really fab little mare and is doing everything asked of her so dont want to really give up. But im meeting myself coming backwards with 3 jobs and 2 horses to ride and a bf who is actually extremely undertsnding of my situation and even helps muck out and rides occasionally...

but im feeling dreadfully guilty about not beeing able to give my old boy as much time.. i dont want him to remember his last few years as being neglected (not that he is he's spoilt really) Just mean i dont manage to ride him more than 1-2 a week now at the most and i hate this. Find myself getting really upset about it.

Id love to put him out on loan but could never do that selfish i knwo but he's been with our family 22 years now i dont want anyone not looking afte him properly... Ive thought about just getting a rider for him.. not interested in money or even mucking out done it for long enough. I would just like someone to give him a bit of fuss and occasional hacking out..

But will anyone actually want to do this... i dont nt a young teenager or kid who isnt going to respect the fact he is 25 and can occasionally go a bit intermitant lame ( vet has suggested to light hack still tho) but just want someone that would be able to notice this and take into consideration when riding him he may only be able to do 15mins one day instead of an hour etc..

is this asking the impossible?? should i stop being selfish and give back the mare and concentrate on him for his last years!!

Sorry for the drawn out essay just kills me to think of him feeling left out :( xxxxxxxx
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untill i got my mare i had a 30 year old mare on part loan that wasn't up to a lot either, i was 14 at the time, i respected that she was an older horse that wouldn't take me round 3ft xc course and mad galloping but my parents aren't horsey and i was just greatfull for a horse to ride even for 15min and fuss and cuddle, it let me relax after the pressure from school. it's true that not all teens are like me but i'm sure that there'd be one thats in the middle of GCSE's or A levels and doesn't have time to go out competing and jumping huge fences and keeping the horse fit to do all that, but they still want to ride for 20min and go for a nice relaxing walk with a horse in the countryside and just love something and care for it, and because it'd only be 1-2days a week it'd leave them time to study. my point is that not all teens are dissrespectfull of older horses and not all teens want a flashy 15k sj horse to show off. and when i part loaned L i was proud to call her ''my'' horse and brought friends to see her and cuddle her and give her lots of carrots :) no, i was not embarassed that she can't do alot and she's 30 with arthiritis (sp?) :D
 
Everyones replies have been great, Thank you.. I took my boy for a long ride out last night and gave him lots of pampering which in itself made me feel better, But i think i may try the sharer route again but just do like people have said and be picky about who i choose for him..

I could never let him move to another yard as ours is lovely lots and lots of grass and lots of off road hacking so is perfect for him really. Ill ask my farrier thats a good idea as he shoes a lot of people round my area so may know someone. But equally i think from replies and opinions should i not find a suitable rider for him, he will be perfectly fine to carry on the way he is my big spoilt donkey lol he may not get ridden as much as he used to but like others say maybe let him enjoy his retirement..

Thank you so much for everyones replies its nice to know other people have golden oldies they still have but that are just retired aswell. :) feel much better about the situation now and not quite so guilty :) xxx
 
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