Have you been in this situation??

[Daisy2]

I have two horses and one rider, me' My OH gave up so now I have to exercise both with the help of friends or I ride and lead. It is hard work mentally making sure they both do something at least 3 times a week, we are happy hackers. I rent a huge field and section a bit off for schooling in the summer. The horses have a wonderful bond and very easy to do, like husband and wife.

The question is should I sell one and move to a livery yard to give 100% attention to one horse and feel less reliant on others to help me exercise, or carry on as it would be too harsh to split them as they are a good team and I feel rather protective of them and I would feel guilty selling on, but feel just as selfish splitting my time between them too, whats your situation and what would you do??? I have carried on like this for two years and love them dearly but mentally I get down sometimes when this question pops up in my head Apolgies for long post.

 

[Chestnuttymare]

Could you not put an ad up in the local tack shops and yellow paper for someone to ride one of them. You will also have someone to hack with. Sounds ideal situation for someone who maybe can't afford their own.

 

[indiat]

I think I'm only going to add to your guilt but I would try and find a sharer for one who can help with the excerise and the bills. It sounds like they are leading very happy lifes - it would be a shame to disturb them if you didn't have to or particularly want to. Sorry!

 

[Daisy2]

Thats a very good answer and one I know seems pretty obvious but because I rely on friends I never thought of inviting someone in that way, I best take the blinkers off and get down the tack shop tomorrow.

By the way I am new here, I have enjoyed reading all the posts and since you have replied I feel rather included now, rather than on the periphery. Thanks

 

[Lou23]

Put an ad in local rs or tack shop for a sharer, that way you have riding companion, someone to help when you can't do them, full control and both your horses get excercised and gives you extra time to concentrate on one if you want to

 

[Beatrice5]

I have had various sharers for different horses / ponies at different times in my life and it has been fab. I advertised in the local post office / paper shop / newspaper or food shop etc as people ( potential sharers ) who want a horse but don't yet have the funds etc to own one won't be necessarily going into a tack shop . ( if you see what I mean )

It as others have said also is very handy for a small contribution towards bills and someone to help if you ever want to go away ! Vet them well and references are a good idea, luckily for me my instructor found two of my sharers so I knew a bit about them and their riding experience which was very reassuring.

Good luck and welcome to the forum there are so really lovely helpful people on here x

 

[Daisy2]

Loads of thanks for your replies I feel inspired and motivated now.
Someimes you only see the problem and are blind to any solutions. I am glad I posted and will let you know how I get on, oh and finish my profile when I undersand how with some pictures of my neddies.

 

[domane]

Never feel bad for under-exercising your horses because I'm sure that they aren't standing around thinking "Gosh, this is boring" Coming out of winter is the worst time of year because we're all knackered from the extra workload of winter. Soon it will be summer and our "care" side eases off a bit. I like the already-suggested idea of finding a sharer..... someone who can take some of the load off you AND you can hack out with... that will remind you of what fun it really all is