Have any of you given up riding?

I have given up horses many times and its like an addiction - I always come back to them. If you have plenty of cash sell your stuff - its FUN to buy brand new when you start riding again :D If you have not so much cash keep it - just put it in a cupboard out of sight.

If you just miss being around horses and not so much the riding, it can be very satisfying to breed a foal or buy a youngster and do groundwork. I have loved following the careers of any I have bred or even youngsters I have bought and 'brought up' then sold - so even if I am not riding, it is wonderful to know they are going well and taking the competition world by storm :)

I hope you can find a solution and not feel so sad.
 
elsbells said:
I feel for you:(

I gave up to have a family and it was over 20 years before I went back to it. If you truely need to stop for you health(no better reason) then the best way to get through it, is to sell all your stuff, find another hobby that you love and keep well away from horses and stables.
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I agree with this, and feel for you too. If you have truly made the decision this is probably the way forward, otherwise you'll never know if there is another lifestyle out there for you. I gave up for 10 years (only to go to uni, but I wouldn't have done that if I didn't have a really bad back that I couldn't deal with at the time) and am not the rider I once was now that I ride x3 a week instead of x3 a day - I'm aware I'll never get 'it' back and I'm prepared to live with that because I discovered during my years off that I love gardening. In fact, if I were made to choose now I would choose the gardening. I can do without the heartache that horses are prone to cause, and can live without the highs, I think.
 
Thanks for all the feedback, it's so interesting to know a lot of you have given up before if even for a short time.

If I'm totally honest, since I left college to pursue a career in the equine industry I've had awful luck (not being able to find work despite trying so hard, not even being able to find someone in my area who'd take me on and give me some experience, share horses going wrong, broken bones etc) so maybe it just wasn't meant to be? Someone's trying to tell me something and I think I should take the hint before they get more extreme.
 
You are only young. I know 'giving up' feels like forever but it is not. It is worse since it is your career. I know how it feels when you are constantly kicked when you are down. Give yourself some time off but don't torture yourself that it is 'forever'. One day the right horse may just fall into your hands in the right circumstances :)
 
I haven't ridden in over a year. I am sending my 4 year old away to be backed but not sure if I will ever ride him :( I have a dodgy knee and hip and a current injury to my ankle on the same side after being trampled a couple of months ago.

I also have a rising two welshie who is too small for me to ride anyway, but she may be broken to drive when she is older.

I am seriously looking at driving, what I do know is that even if I don't ride horses will always be part of my life - just couldn't give them up completely I'm afraid.

OP, do look into other ways of staying in the horsey world. As others have said there is driving and in-hand showing. Hope your back heals soon x
 
Hopefully, I'd love nothing more than a life with horses.

I looked into a lot of different things last week, equine physiotherapy (course fees are around £6,000!), equine vet nursing, saddle fitter etc. Definitely interested, I know it isn't the end.
 
Well when you are a fab equine physiotherapist (my vet med fees are a lot more than £6000 a year, groan) you will have offers of gorgeous horses coming out of your ears to ride, I bet :)

You have so many options! I'm glad you don't sound so down. Have fun choseing a career you really want to do. The dream horse will come along when you least expect him/her :)
 
Just hope I can somehow get a loan for the course fees, also I think I'd have to do physiotherapy for humans before I can even be considered.

Keeping my spirits high though!
 
Do you still have to do physio for humans first? I am sure that I heard it had changed but I live abroad so not really up to date with it. For a loan, if you already have a degree and can't get normal funding, you can can a £10k private loan where the interest is paid for by the government until you start working (better than nothing). Can't remember the name though but it maybe is barclays that does it.

I think getting your career choice right is well worth while if you will love it and feel fulfilled every day, even if it is expensive. Ther is nothing worse than working in a soul destroying job you hate :( I now have to take 2 years out of my vet med degree to work due to the financial crisis (hence no funding), but I am still happy I started the course, as I LOVE my training and work experience. It will be a shame to be graduating years behind my friends though.
 
I might have to look again but the place near me requires a vet licence and 2 years exp on humans, so that rules that out.

I'm thinking of doing some equine massage courses, not really sure. I know so many people who work in dead-end jobs they hate. I'm glad you enjoy your course, you might be years behind but you love what you do :-)
 
Don't rule out training abroad either! With UK uni's charging massive fees there are other European uni's that have a lot lower fees and cost of living, making some longer courses more affordable than the UK. It is nice to travel and see new cultures before you settle down to working life too. Just check to make sure you can practise in the UK

You have so many options! Massage sounds cool too :) I guess you need to find someone good to get some work experience with and find out what really would suit you.
 
I feel quite excited for you :D So many options!

I know you have had a really tough time, but I have a feeling in a few years you will look back and find you have a career you enjoy which you may not otherwise have considered, AND a dream horse to ride :)
 
Abbie, you need to go back to college sweet, you'll find a lot of those options career-wise to be closed doors without your initial GCSE and A Levels.

Maybe a break from horses to concentrate on your studies is a good idea...and one that when you're older and doing the job of your dreams you'll look back on and think 'yeah, that was worth the slog'.

Good Luck whatever you decide to do!
 
equestrianabbie said:
Hopefully, I'd love nothing more than a life with horses.

I looked into a lot of different things last week, equine physiotherapy (course fees are around £6,000!), equine vet nursing, saddle fitter etc. Definitely interested, I know it isn't the end.
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forget the costs and just go for it. it's only money, you'll get a student loan and everyone's in the same cr**py boat. what's far more important than spare money is the quality of life a career you love will give you!
 
have just read through the whole thread, and i really feel for you abbie! i cant really comment of giving up riding - but I have just been to uni for 3 years to complete a course which in hindsight i probably shouldnt have done, as there are no jobs around at all which relate to it! But I wouldnt change my decision, as I had a great time.
Having said that, im now working at a yard (which I love) and earning no where near enough money to start paying back the uni loans (at the moment - you have to earn over £15,000 per year - but that will go up with increased course fees). So if you find a course you like and it something you will enjoy then just go for it!
 
Yes - I gave up for 20 years and during that time had 5 children. I started again 2 years ago and now doing BE. Never thought I would get a second stab at it and it worries me putting myself at risk with so many people dependant on me but wouldn't change a thing. However long you are away, you can always get back to it. Good luck!
 
I didn't ride when wearing plaster for a broken leg/ankle/foot. That was a very special riding accident.

I had a lovely Trakehner die of colic after 2 years of stall rest and care (fancy shoeing, hoof resection etc.)...my farrier ultimately killed him due to horrid shoeing causing blow out in both front feet. After 2 years of nothing but bills, I was without a horse for a year. I'd look at them and just think "vet bill".
 
Hang on in there Abbie, things will get better! I had major spinal surgery three years ago and was unable to ride for the best part of two years - fortunately my consultant was a very sensible chap and said he realised that asking horsey people to just give up was unrealistic! He did also give me all the usual warnings and said that although he was OK with me getting back on there was definitely to be no more jumping and I was to always be as careful as possible! I'm very lucky to have a lovely husband who has been doing all the heavy stable work for me since my op and tries not to get too nervous when I set off hacking.

If you're really interested in the physio route, these people are very good: http://www.acpat.org/ (I'm nothing to do with them so not advertising!). They should be able to answer any queries you might have.

Best of luck with your recovery and I really hope you manage to find something that you love to do in the future!
 
If you still have a dream of getting back to riding you can go for it. You have to be realistic about what you can afford to do otherwise your life can be a misery anyway. I had to give up horses at 18 having ridden all my life, a lack of funds. I took it up again 30 years later having raised a family. Just went out & bought a pony, got on & rode her, like riding a bike you just don't forget. We had great times & I've now got a 4 year old i'm bringing on to continue my dressage, a New Forest who is a great show boy & a Mini Shetland. I have recently had to give up jumping for health reasons but I still have my dressage & great hacking.
I'm very happy with them & regret the years without a horse but when I think of the financial misery that would have gone with that dream it was a NO NO. & would probably ruined my enjoyment. There is a right time for everything.
 
So sorry you are having to go through this :(
I have been in the same kind of situation on & off for 10 years now & I just cannot come round to that dicision. I have chronic pelvic pain but am refusing to give in to it (my consultant doenst know if it is contributing to my problems or not but I find riding at times to be painful)

I gave up riding at 17 years old but came back into it at 21 & have had periods of months off but I just cant bring myself round to it.

I hope you do not have to give up riding, but ultimatley you need to put your health first.
If you need a chat I am always around if you want to PM me.
Good luck :)
 
Thank you so much everyone, I still love the little buggers and will follow the sport religiously. But for now I need to be fit and well for my family, friends and partner.

As a lot of you have said, there's a time for everything :-)
 
I have had to give up for financial reasons. I had a lovely sports horse, 4x4, trailer and every bit of tack out there! I have nothing now except my boots and hat! :-(

I hate it......

I have lost my house and business too. I am unemployed for the first time in 25 years..... it's horrible!

Most of my friends are horsey, so I don't get to see them, as they are all busy with there horses....

I am very lucky to have my wonderful husband and dogs :-)

I will get back into it one day..... hopefully not too long.....
 
shelley8697 said:
I have had to give up for financial reasons. I had a lovely sports horse, 4x4, trailer and every bit of tack out there! I have nothing now except my boots and hat! :-(

I hate it......

I have lost my house and business too. I am unemployed for the first time in 25 years..... it's horrible!

Most of my friends are horsey, so I don't get to see them, as they are all busy with there horses....

I am very lucky to have my wonderful husband and dogs :-)

I will get back into it one day..... hopefully not too long.....
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Oh no, hugs for you! If you ever want a chat/rant then feel free to PM me :-)
 
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