Hi! I'm Chappie!

[Chappie]

Hi there!

Oh this is a little daunting, my first post on H&H!

I've been a fan of the forum for... well a few years I suppose! Just never really thought to join in myself, but always look for advice on here if I've come up against problems, or just read to educate myself.

I'm early 40s, been horse-mad since a young child, would even spend hours watching Westerns just as it was the only way to see horses! Nobody else in family horsey. Couldn't afford lessons and lived in a remote location, no riding school for over 100 miles! Just went pony trekking on my birthdays. Every time I ride now I get that feeling like it's my birthday! A friend got a pony when aged 12, kept on her family steading, and I got to help out occasionally, was on a list of several friends all waiting their turn!

Over the years unfortunately gave up hope, got on with school, part time jobs, college and uni, but then took a short course of lessons aged 25 after a relationship break up. Getting back to who I really was, or wanted to be! Only stopped as I had to take on a second job at weekends then moved to a city for work.

Then after a big relationship break up and moving location for work in my early 30s, decided I was going to do something just for me for a change, found a local riding school and this time kept sticking at it, through rain/wind/snow/mud, feeling like I didn't belong, was too old, I wasn't good enough to do this...

Well I'm still here in the horsey world! Was fortunate to be allowed to volunteer on a yard for several years, have done on and off, then had a short loan in 2012 and now been lucky to have my chappie on loan for nearly 3 years, undoubtably the best thing that's ever happened to me. Even picking out a hoof or filling a water bucket I think, 'I'm living the dream!'

I've been through ups and downs, sometimes it's stressful and upsetting, other times on top of the world and there's nothing I'd rather be doing. I'm learning every day, along with a giant collection of books and magazines, and the forum has helped me so much. I'll never be an amazing rider but try my best and aim to be kind and look after these wonderful magnificent creatures!

My chappie like to hack so that's what we do, we wear lots of hi vis and bimble about the local countryside when we're not bimbiling I'm tending to his needs, or those of my other pets, occasionally wrestling with weeds in the garden or attempting to tidy my flat and oh yes, there's a full time job to go to as well to keep my creatures in the lifestyle they are accustomed to!

Thought it would be good to join the forum as sometimes it would be good to get advice and perspective on various topics, and sometimes I've read a post and thought 'oh I've been through that too', or could add something (hopefully) useful!

Chappie x

 

[Archangel]

Welcome Chappie :smile3: It does sound like you are living the dream. Look forward to reading your posts

 

[Chappie]

Thank you, Archangel! Unfortunately I recently found out my loan horse's owner have possibly found property with land to buy and will be taking him away always a risk with loans I know but I've had him three years and he's such a massive part of my life in that time. I honestly can't imagine being without him. The news is still kind of sinking in TBH.

I still hope to be involved with horses in some way but it won't be the same :blue:

 

[JennBags]

Have you asked if you can buy him?

 

[DD]

Welcome Chappie

 

[shirl62]

A big welcome from me Chappie...You can now join in the banter rather than being on the side lines.. Can you not offer to buy the horse ? seems such a shame you have loaned for 3 years...Where about in the world are you?

Shirl

 

[Midlifecrisis]

Welcome and i hope you can continue your horsey dreams even if current pony moves on.

 

[Nayumi1]

Welcome to the forum, i tend to sit on the sidelines a lot myself! I agree with what the others have said and maybe you can ask to buy the loan horse, either way I hope you continue living that dream!

 

[Chappie]

Hi all, thank you very much for welcoming me and asking about my loan horse. I did type out a reply the other night but it got longer and longer and later and later, then I lost what I'd typed! Ahh!

There was mention at the begining the loan of first refusal, but they have another pony for their other teen, whose quite keen and not going to outgrow soon. So they would like to keep the two together at the property for company. It is good they are committed to looking after the ponies till their end. My loan is about 17 and the mare is a couple years younger.

They've had them about 7 years now on full livery. They live a fair distance away so only come down a couple of times a week. The dad might take over riding Chappie but he last rode him (occasionally) about a year ago. He's not a big or heavy man but he's not a 'rider'. Not that I am either! But I can sit (MOST!) sideways teleporting/drop n spins/deal with naps on Chappie now as I've had a lot time with him. I have got him hacking alone at aged 16/17 when he did not before, as far as we know; but he's anxious and will likely never be confident hacking alone. The dad and son hack the mare, they go out walk n rides. I've said why don't they take Chappie out but they just say no its ok. So he might be semi retired? They have mentioned I could still be involved. I don't know if they *really* mean that or just being kind.

They are possibly looking at a property in the nearby rural area. Big problem is, and please don't judge me too harsh on this as there's reasons - is that I havn't passed my driving test yet - yes I know it's terrible... I tried when I was at school but was DREADFUL at it, like BAD; the instructor shouted and swore at me and it was all awful so I went off to college not having passed, then lived in cities and had no money/paying off loans and was busy learning my job. Always had boyfriends and friends with cars or never really needed to go anywhere in a car!

I've moved house many times for work and largely due to renting, eg eight times in the last 11 years even though I've had the same job! So that has taken a lot of savings - I'd just paid off a 3k bank loan when I got offered the loan, I wasn't looking to loan a horse I was all set to restart driving, as I had no debt.

I live alone in a rented flat (standard price rent here) and find that once bills are paid and horse is paid for (he's an expensive horse to keep, he has an IBS type condition so on a special diet, is on full livery (which is very cheap for full livery- there's not another option at the yard), has a full set of shoes and is on shavings - I don't pay for everything it's not a complete full loan) - I don't have anything left, which is bad, as I'm on a reasonable wage.
So adding a car into that - I may never realistically afford my own horse.

If I was to get my own, I'd be wiser to get something with possibly no or just front shoes, a hardy type who is okay on straw beds, doesn't need much hard feed and one who is truely happy to hack alone. I'd like part livery or assisted DIY. But of course any horse can get expensive to manage conditions... everyone says I get on so well with Chappie... it's difficult.


If I can pass my test (it will be a MIRACLE, and likely take MANY lessons) I will get a runabout as I have no need to take it to work in the city centre and can possibly get back in touch with the family. I don't know how long it will take to pass and save for the car. The horse might like the field and want to retire by then!

My other big fear is that although the owners are good people, they very very much like to do things their own way, and it is not always good. They don't take anything to do with the care of the horses other than quick groom, tack up, ride, quickly untack and go. Although it's 'full livery' it's not like FULL livery. The shoes were left to fall off and sometimes feed would run out. I've had to ask often about getting the vet care like teeth & vaccs, they're randomly wormed. They don't know about rug weights, or health things like mallanders.

Chappie was in a bad way when I took him on, very bad gut, not good body condition, matted, difficult to handle to the point of could be dangerous in some situations and 'shut down' - had been kinda left when teen lost interest. He still has some sort of dermatitis on one leg which was a mess and took a very long time to let me touch.

I'm concerned about whether they will put up good shelter/stables - they're used to being almost fully stabled. Winter can be bad here. The property is uphill. I'm worried about the land management. About the farrier coming regularly. I just hope they can take it all on.

So thanks if you got to the end of this epic ramble. I feel SO bad I don't drive. I need to try and pass the test. I'm worried about the horses. I may have Chappie till after the winter; they might not get the property. I kind of hope they do as the field looks promising. If they don't get that one they will find another; maybe it's for the best, they need to live out with shelter as they get older. I'd rather they were nearby-ish. Will be strange looking out my windows across the valley and knowing they are over there... as long as they are looked after and happy that's what matters really.

 

[JenniD]

Hi,
I'm a newbie here and more or less learning everything again about horses and taking lessons again. However, with regard to your driving. If you've had an abusive instructor then I'm not surprised that you haven't passed! Take heart, I know some people that have taken their tests 5-6 times before they've passed. I remember my daughter at 17 in tears after a lesson saying that she'd NEVER be able to drive. Her and her ex husband had a haulage co., and she's driven Scania Toplines! We laugh about it now. No, what I was going to suggest was that you opt for driving an automatic car. You can take a test in an automatic car but you then must drive an automatic. You won't be qualified to drive one with a manual gear box. I know two women that have done this as they were petrified of driving manuals...constantly stalling etc., and failing. You may have to look this up as this was some years ago, but it might still apply. You may find that you can buy a little run about that's automatic. I can't say much about your horse situation as I'm not qualified to, but you seem set on doing the best for Chappie so that's commendable. Good luck!

 

[Chappie]

Hi JenniD, thank you very much for your encouraging message! That's very impressive and inspirational that your daughter went onto drive huge lorries!

Yes I may well end up trying an automatic - I'm going to try a manual again first and if I just can't get the hang of it, I'll have to try an automatic. I know some people who really like them but I've been warned they can be harder to find second hand, and parts are expensive and hard to come by. But I won't know for sure until I look into it further.

I remember I got really stuck on reversing round corners, I just couldn't *GET* it. I had to learn three point turns at a harbour pier which had no walls, and also on a blind bend! There's plenty other bizarre stories from those days!

People think less of me when I admit I can't drive but I struggled so much with it back then and now it's built up into a big fear. As the years have gone by there's more traffic on the roads and that's compounded the situation. I HAVE to try though, and when my loan ends I will have the time and money to focus on it (I'm at the yard every evening and weekend and spend over £300 a month in total so I need to divert this into the lessons).

I might still go out with the riding school once a week to keep involved and have something to look forward to. I live 2mins walk from the yard, it would be strange to not go there at all.

I wish you well with your return to riding JenniD, it's the best possible way to spend time IMO!

 

[JenniD]

Well give driving another go if you can, it'll give you so much freedom. By the way, when I was taught to drive - many moons ago - my instructor made it really easy to reverse around corners. Stick a postage stamp a few inches from the bottom of your rear window, in the middle of the window. When you reverse around the corner keep the edge of the curb on the stamp and it will keep you 6-9 inches from the curb all the way round the corner. Good luck!

 

[Chappie]

Thanks for the tip JenniD! I'll be sure to post on here when I finally pass!