Have you ever just had enough?

Huff2013

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just wondering if anyone has ever got to the stage where everyone else is just too much that they've sold their much loved horses because its too much hassle?
 
I had a youngster last year that I disliked with every bone in my body and I could have quite happily have given it all up not now though I've got my lovely lad and I wouldn't change it for the world even though I'm thinking a change of three clothes in one day is a bit excessive! Blimmin rain!!!!
 
People can take advantage of a good nature. If you are doing stuff for free, then you might find that free can equal nothing or worthless in the recipients mind. This is why you can end up feeling taken advantage of. If I were you, i would charge for everything you do.
Hope you feel better soon.
 
A couple of years ago we had a difficult neighbour at the stables, she was awful and put my mares at risk a couple of times all because I told her what I thought of her behaviour towards my eldest daughter and the verbal abuse she gave her whilst I was in hospital. My daughter had found a fence pushed down by this woman and left with exposed nails and barbed wire draped in my veterans field. Daughter pushed it up and tied it to the main fence so it was safe until her dad could get there to remove it properly. She surrounded it by electric fence and the woman came up and pushed it back down breaking my fence and then proceeded to verbally abuse my daughter. After that I lost the will to be around my horses even though it wasn't their fault. I am still in the same field and she is still next door but the fact that everyone on the farm stuck up for me means she has backed down and although she ignores me she won't mess about anymore.

I am more stubborn now, life has made me tougher and I will stick up for myself and say what I think. I refuse to let some morons spoil my horsey fun xx
 
I have been wondering about this just recently and was thinking about doing a post about it.

My pone has had three abcesses since October so I've spent twice what I normally do on farriers and a fortune on vetwraps, poultices and tape. I've had trouble with farriers, one that can't spot a lame horse and one that never answers the phone. My field is mud, my little yard is all mud and water, even my shed is full of mud and water. I'm giving up on my 'living out is best' opinion but I'm not allowed to use a stable unless it's an emergancy - really would like one now!

Even if my horse was sound, I'm not sure I'd want to ride as everywhere is so soggy. We did BA all summer and BA so far this winter too (only managed to get out for opening meet) yet I'm spending all this money, had loads of extra work what with the poulticing and trapesing around in mud and water all the time and I really am wondering why I bother as I'm getting nothing out of it :(

Something needs to change really, either the weather needs to change or I need to move somewhere where I can have a stable (and as a livery yard phobic, that's going to be hard!)

Sorry for the ramble :o
 
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I have been wondering about this just recently and was thinking about doing a post about it.

My pone has had three abcesses since October so I've spent twice what I normally do on farriers and a fortune on vetwraps, poultices and tape. I've had trouble with farriers, one that can't spot a lame horse and one that never answers the phone. My field is mud, my little yard is all mud and water, even my shed is full of mud and water. I'm giving up on my 'living out is best' opinion but I'm not allowed to use a stable unless it's an emergancy - really would like one now!

Even if my horse was sound, I'm not sure I'd want to ride as everywhere is so soggy. We did BA all summer and BA so far this winter too (only managed to get out for opening meet) yet I'm spending all this money, had loads of extra work what with the poulticing and trapesing around in mud and water all the time and I really am wondering why I bother as I'm getting nothing out of it :(

Something needs to change really, either the weather needs to change or I need to move somewhere where I can have a stable (and as a livery yard phobic, that's going to be hard!)

Sorry for the ramble :o

blimey sounds like you're having a right time of it! my baby had an abscess earlier in the year when it really wet, so i know how you feel about trying to poultice it too! and we don't stable either, so it is a struggle! i am looking for a yard with stables but I too don't want to go to a yard, I love my little place, but I guess some times you have to do whats best for the horses! my friends are both moving yards, so maybe I should too!
 
Definitely, one of mine has had strangles, so has been a month if mental and physical torment, not helped by the fact that certain people have made it even harder, I can honestly say that I have never come across such selfish, irresponsible people in my life, whose true colours comes through when life is giving you a kicking, at the moment I am definitely feeling fed up with it all, but what would I do without my boys !!!
 
Cheer up ladies, there are others worse off than you, and we all know this is only temporary and in 3 months time we will be glad we still have our beloved animals to enjoy when the weather changes.

Smile, skid through the mud, do your best, put the animals to bed, go home have a good soak nice cuppa or something strong and be glad you are blessed with what you have or havent got.

Have a good evening
 
At this time of year, definitely! If it's the people around you causing the trouble I would suggest the same as I do for my horses - a change of companion ;). If they are liveries and you don't want/can't afford to lose the money (I know most of us can't!) then I would be thinking about a chat with them to discuss how you're feeling at the moment. You don't have to give them the full sob story, just explain that although you appreciate everyone is feeling the pinch at the minute you are being pulled in so many different directions that you simply cannot give everyone the same standard of service as is currently being expected and so you expect them to either pull their own weight or be charged for you doing it for them! Family and friends can be difficult(!) to say the least at this time of year too and so I always forewarn them in advance that as much as I would love to be at their beck and call I sadly have a life to lead too and so they can go and make their own cup of tea/sandwich/full roast dinner and watch Downton happily, the horses need a tad more help as they struggle to carry their water buckets without spilling and there is quite enough muddy water on the yard already! Riding can be a nightmare due to said muddy water but even if I can't ride I tend to spend 20 minutes or so with a cup of tea sat in one of their stables just having a natter - they don't seem to mind playing agony aunts and uncles. And finally, I have a good clear out and start planning the next competition season - it gives me something to focus on when all I can see is mud in my eyes!!
 
Oh Yes.

If its your yard and some are taking advantage of you, then ask them to leave. I've been "there" just last month. My "friend's" pony decided to start breaking through the electric fence every night, it was left to me EVERY DAY to clear up behind it, and she wasn't compensating in other areas like poo picking (she stopped doing any) or turnout/bring in. Nothing would stop him, he was a lunatic on a mission. Broke the gate, the stables, it was awful. When I started missing appointments because of havingt to sort out her pony's wrecking spree (she couldn't because she had to get to work) then enough was enough. I might be responsible for everything now, but I was doing it before anyway and now I don't have any resentfulness building up any more. I figure thats worth more than the £20/week I'm losing by not having her there any more.

I do wish it would stop raining and the mud and water start to subside. It is absolutely exhausting getting through this mud...
 
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How's this for a little story then, that has made me want to give up on many times this past month.

My gorgeous Knabstrupper mare went lame early this year after less than 2 years of ownership, could only be lightly hacked but I wanted to do more (i still have my old 23 year old boy so really needed a fun all rounder to make all the work worthwhile etc). Loaned spotty mare out to great friend, searched for a new neddy for 6 onths solid.

Finally found one I really liked in Sept, passed a 5 stage vetting, brought him home, all fab, hacked him twice then he had horrendous attack of colic over a couple of days. Emergency surgery, NFU won't pay up as owned for less than 14 days, horse nearly died after surgery, came home alive and towing a £5k vet bill behind him.

Life's saving mostly gone, slow rehab, recovered really well from the surgery, then developed profound agoraphobia and won't turn out. Developed Stress induced laminitis, so back in for 2 weeks, tried turning out again, can't cope for more than 15 mins before stressing. Treated for ulcers, treated for everything, paying for part livery as needed to go back to work.

So 3 months after buying my lovely boy I'm completely bankrupt and probably still don't have a horse as my life and work commitments mean mine have to live out 24/7 for most of the year, which all my previous horses have been really happy to do.

Still not sure what his future is, how can i loan out a horse that wants to be in 23/7??? Also need to bring him back into work in Feb but rapidly losing the will power to do so just so he can be given away to a loan home to someone whose horses live in most of the time.

And then what do i do, as no capital left to buy new neddie, so will have to try to find loan horse.

So, yes, i 've felt like giving up quite often these past 3 months.

You did ask!!!!!!!!!!!!!! XXX
 
Definitely, one of mine has had strangles, so has been a month if mental and physical torment, not helped by the fact that certain people have made it even harder, I can honestly say that I have never come across such selfish, irresponsible people in my life, whose true colours comes through when life is giving you a kicking, at the moment I am definitely feeling fed up with it all, but what would I do without my boys !!!

Tell me about it. One of mine had strangles in march and we were practically lynched by two people on our yard. Horse in question hadn't been ridden or left yard in months so another must of brought it on he yard.

Going off how they treated us you'd of thought we did it on purpose! It was horrible enough seeing our beloved horse so ill without the backstabbing that came with it.
 
I find when the going gets tough, then you have just got to get tougher otherwise it will sweep you away. Hubby fell off and broke his hand xmas eve, then had plate and screws inserted on boxing day, lots of folk over for xmas day, so i was very busy with no hubby to help, mud is getting me down, horses do not like going out, but hey ho the sun will eventually shine through and thats what i am waiting for.
 
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