Has anyone else actually given up horses??

Empy&Treacle

Empy&Treacle

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As above really... Just wondering if I am the only one who really reached the end of their teather and has given up horses completely as a result?

My loan horse was picked up on Sunday and now everything has gone. Everything is forsale and it's all horribly empty and quiet at home! Yes it was my choice to do so, but until they are gone you never realise just how big the presence of a horse is :( You never feel alone when horses are with you. It's silly really, but it has bought it all back to me and reminded what it was like in September when we lost both our beautiful horses.

I'm just wondering if anyone else has experienced this and when does the heartache stop and how much of a life is there after horses??

Sorry this is a bit of a pointless post!! :o
 
My horse died in May. I have my shetland still, but after searching for months I did find a new horse but things didn't work out, so she was sold. I am missing the riding very much, during the week of course it's great because the pony takes 5 minutes to do. But when the weekend comes, I am at a loss of what to do with myself. I don't want to buy a new horse in the middle of winter, so I am waiting until spring.

My friend sold her horses when she retired, I thought she would miss them, but she says she loves not having the tie of horses, and loves walking her dogs etc.
 
I have quit horses twice.. And I know of many other riders back home whom have quit, but all of us, had 3-6 years off horses, have repurchased and started riding & competing again. I find horses are quite infectious, and although its great having a real life back, after a while, you do miss them.
 
I learnt to ride when I was four, had my own at 11 and quite at 15, he made me scared of horses because he was a complete nut case!!! Ten years later and I now have three horses after a needed break :)

Have time to yourself, you really sound like you need it, ahve fun, lots of relaxing....you may decide to come back to it one day xx
 
I gave up for several years - sold most of my stuff all because the young horse I had been working on for three years was sold out of the blue to America.

I sobbed when the owner told me he had been sold. For some reason I really don't understand this dear horse had worked his way deep into my heart. We had an amazing bond, I could work him on the lunge with no words he seemed to read my mind. I could sense when he was scared or when naughty and when he was about to accept what was worrying him.

But if you are addicted to horses they come back into your life again to brighten it with there special ways. My Serenity - in my Avatar I've owned since she was 6months old - she fills my heart when I see her each and every day. She is a mummys girl and will be with me for all her days.
 
I lost my horse of a lifetime in May 2001 got another on loan but just didn't feel the same about horses in general so gave it all up and moved away from the UK to Jersey. After 4 years here and on the back of splitting up with a rather horrid boyfriend I started teaching again, then loaned a horse who sadly had to be pts a year ago but then bought my lanky accident prone ex racer who is starting to come good now.

Now we are in the middle of winter I do think how nice it would be to have money again and perhaps the odd lie in.... but then I think back to my time over here without horses and all I can remember are the awful hangovers because I had bugger all else to do. SO they are not just good for me they are also good for my health !!

Take a break you may find something else to fill the gap that you enjoy just as much but if not it is just like riding a bike and you can always pick it back up again xx
 
Thank you for your replies.

I am glad I am not the only one who has reached this stage in life. I am only 22 and after the 4 years we have had I just don't have the heart in me anymore :( I know it's the right thing to do for me now, at this moment in time, even though I would do anything to get back on and go Eventing again. But because of the heartache of recent months I really don't have it in me anymore for fear something else will go wrong.

I'm lucky in that one of my best friend’s events for a living so I can go and ride out with her and groom at events so I'll still keep my hand in, but for now we will live with the empty stables and fields at home!! I have to say that this is first time I have ever wished I kept horses at livery so being at home would be a completely separate entity.

It'll be nice to have a few more pennies in the bank now, but nothing will ever replace the feeling you get when you see their beautiful heads looking over the door lovingly at you. They may be gone, but they are never forgotten!! :)
 
Given up a few times but they always pull me back. Next time I give up will be for retirement and for good.
Only thing I've found is if you get rid of all your stuff and then want to start again, it's all gone very expensive and is nowhere near the quality either, so if you're in a mind to give up, just hang onto your stuff for a while to make sure; you'll regret it if you don't unless you have money growing on trees as even if it's the wrong size, you can always swap or sell to buy what's right, you don't have to raid the pocket from scratch.
 
Gave up when I lost my old boy in Feb 09, we had been together for 20+ years, and he had always been there, but with a family, there was always more things going on, and my children are not into horses so it seemed easier not to replace him at the time (althou I believe he was my horse of a life time, and unreplaceable!_) Now I wonder where I would find the time, I am getting soft in my old age and when I look out of the window in the morning at the frost and ice, I dont miss it too much! Saying that I do miss him when I`m having a bad day, as I havent the yard as a stress release/bolt hole!
 
Maesfen, I know what you mean about keeping hold of some of the stuff! I have sold all of the rugs, bridles, bits etc - things that are easier to replace and a bit more personal to the horses I have lost, but I have not sold my saddles. There's no way I could afford to spend 3 grand on two saddles if I ever took horses on again. Money does not grow on trees unfortuantely :o so
when that day comes Mother says I am to find a horse that fits the saddles!!
 
I too gave up horses :(

It was about 4 years ago, after a horrid experiance which led to said horse to have an accident after months of agony and stress, she and be put down.

I then sold my beloved Jesse, and all my stuff and horse box. Gave up my job and left the counrty. I put 2 horses on full livery so I wouldnt have to see them, but they were there just incase I ever came back to it - yes it sounds weird, but strange things happen when you are emotionally stressed.

It took me 2 years to come to terms with what happened, and I didnt miss horses at all. When I was working abroad, I started to help my boss exercise her polo ponies, and so slowly got back into it.

I now have 3 horses, I brought Jesse back when he was offered up for sale, and this year I brought a youngster. I still have one of the horses I had at full livery (he was the foal of the one I lost).

So all in all, if your heart is really in it, you'll come back when you are ready.

Without horses you have more money, more time, your not so tired, you dont worry about the weather. I think its good to have a break.

Dont force yourself too soon.
 
Yes! I have recently given up, initially because I was struggling to find enough time but now I am expecting a baby so will definitely be taking a break for a while now. I miss riding but not the stress/worry of horse ownership, so when I do start riding again it will be part time on a share horse.

I do miss riding/messing about with my horse at the weekends, but I have to say at the moment when I get off the train in -5 degrees at 7pm on a weeknight, I thank my lucky stars I no longer have to go and ride, so I know I made the right decision.
 
HKJ, what a nice ending to a very difficult chapter.

I will come back to it one day, but until then I will have the upmost respect for owners and horses alike!!

We all know the rollercoaster ride, but equally we all know we are blessed to have formed such bonds with these amazing animals. Some are and have been luckier than others and some have departed sooner than they should, for those that have they are never, ever forgotten!!!

I hope you all have better luck than I have had. Good luck folks :)
 
I gave up for 5 years after a nasty RTA involving me, the horse and a lorry!! horses and I both came out relatively unscathed but I lost every single ounce of confidence, dad started riding my mare, which gave me an excuse not to, I got back into riding 4/5 years ago, I dont quite know what happened, something in me just clicked. Ive since had 2 horses PTS which has been heart breaking, but during this time I found and then nearly lost my horse of a lifetime to a keratoma surgery infection. Hes OK now, although he is semi retired. made me realise just how attached I am to him. when he leaves us I think that will be me done. Hes the horse that got me back into riding, it was wanting to ride him, not wanting to ride that got me back in the saddle and whilst I ride another horse now I dont think I would want to carry on without him.

My mum loaned and shared horses for years, dad bought her a weanling who turned out to be her once in a lifetime horse. she had him for 25 years, shes never been on another horse since and says she has absolutely no inclination to do so ever again.
 
by god I've tried!

first time - at 14 when my mother took away my once in a lifetime horse. i thought the world would bloody end, and in some ways it did.
luckily lady at the yard at the time decided for me it wasnt a good idea to let me stop riding and gave me the ride on her Apaloosa x Conemarra 4yo. lovelye wee horse and kept me going!

after her i gave up till i was 16, and went to do equine studies at college. there i rode solidly for 2 years there, and for a few other people. came home and tooka job as a WP where i rode alot, and also had the ride on an ex racehorse.

made redundant at that yard but carried on riding the TB untill it almost killed me by rearing back on top of me (fun indeed!)

i then gave up till March 2010 where i had the ride on Charlie (horse in Avatar) had a good summer with himbut owner moved back to Fife in August

Then had a workd with myself about taking a year off - but lo and behold going to look at a Warmblood for share on Saturday lol.

I always try, the breaks are nice, but i just cant keep away! i feel that even if Im never successful in competeing, i was born to be on the back of a horse! and that 5am muck outs are in my blood.....
 
I've had a ponies and horses in my life non-stop since I was 8. 42 years on I know that if I were ever to be without, life would be over. A day off duty is sometimes a welcome breather, but the after-ride 'glow' and feeling of utter contentment is not something I want to let go of. I am edgy and miserable when I'm not home with them.
 
My horse was PTS when I was 18 and I left home shortly after, living as a grown up with rent etc.. then meant I couldnt afford one even though I had the time

Now i'm in my thirties I have a well paid job, two fields and a smart brick and tile stable block but no time for a horse

The right time will come I am sure!
 
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I lost my old boy in June 2008 and haven't been near a horse since. It's mad but at the moment I just can't bring myself to even think about getting on another horse, it feels like I would be being unfaithful which is just plain stupid - but it's the way I feel. I'm almost 100% sure I will return to it and get another one at some point further down the line just not at the moment. He was my one in a million, the sun would rise and set with him and I'm just not ready at the moment to give myself completely to another. Having said that there are days when I miss that old life so much it hurts, but there are also days (especially when it's snowing or peeing down) that I'm grateful I don't have to leave a nice warm house and trapse down to the stables. Actually who am I kidding, I even miss those days!
 
I gave up for 15 years while I went off to have a life and enjoy myself!! Came back to it 11 years ago and haven't stopped since! Although this winter has been very hard on me and I could honestly for the first time in those 11 years quiet happily give up for a bit!!! Wouldn't get rid of the boys but I could actually see myself allowing someone else the pleasure/pain of caring for them for a while!! Something I never thought I'd do but I really do need a break for a while and the dogs I can't put on loan so guess it has to be the boys!! That said...wait til the spring and I'll be full of them again so guess it's winter blues. :(
 
WelshD said:
My horse was PTS when I was 18 and I left home shortly after, living as a grown up with rent etc.. then meant I couldnt afford one even though I had the time

Now i'm in my thirties I have a well paid job, two fields and a smart brick and tile stable block but no time for a horse

The right time will come I am sure!
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At least it is all there waiting for the right time :)
 
I gave up in July after several upsets including a stillborn and a PTS,mum's illness and a time consuming toddler! Gave my little loan pony back and popped my 2 on full livery and rented my land and stables out.
Best thing I ever did!! I have recently started exercising a friends hunter and thoroughly enjoying it.
I am looking forward to getting my own again when littleun starts school.
 
brighthair said:
gave up for about 5-6 years after last horse was PTS. Lasted until I saw a woman on a very smart grey hacking out on a gorgeous day - I got really upset, went home and advertised for a share horse. So thank you to that lady out hacking, you made me realise I couldn't give up again
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There is something really special about being out hacking with your horse, its the cold frosty still mornings that I really miss my boy
 
I took 6 months off about a year and a half ago but I missed it a lot I then went onto own 2 horses which had health problems that I wasnt told about and am looking for my 4th horse now but given that Ive owned 2 horses with problems maybe gods trying to tell me something.
 
I gave up for 5 yrs after having my childhood pony pts. For the first year I really enjoyed myself, clubbing it, lying in bed, doing normal things like shopping for clothes, going out for lunch, works do's etc etc. Then I felt empty, tried to fill the gap by joining a gym but nothing was like spending time on the yard so I bit the bullet anf got a small loan and bought a completely unsuitable horse but I was back in the horsey life. A few heartaches later I now have my boy who Ive had for 8 yrs. Hes quirky but I love him. I do have times when I wish I didnt have a horse and I do think he will be my last one as I do want to do other things now like going away on holiday more than once a year and having a lie in. I think horses are in the blood and its something that you just cant seem to shake off.
 
Gave up horses at 17 when i was out of ponies, for boys, clothes, friends etc etc! All sound so ridiculous now.

Have always missed it, and finally got back in the saddle on Sunday, having advertised for a share! So excited to have horses back in my life again.
 
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