Hobbies after giving up horses

[Vixen G]

Hi all,

Just wondering how you all adjusted to giving up horses/ taking a break from horses and what hobbies you got into. I had a bad run with horses recently from a full loan horse developing headshaking syndrome which sadly I made the decision to return and a part loan horse which didn't work out. I do and I don't miss it at the same time!

Would be interested to read all your experiences of this please.

Many thanks

 

[AmyMay]

Learn an instrument, or generally a new hobby.

I went a bit ‘gym’ nuts. Five days a week.

Now I’ve given up work I walk miles every day with the dogs. Oh, and garden……

 

[angel7]

I bought an electric bike and lost 4 stone.
I've now got into wild swimming and love going out and finding new places to have a dook.
Once you are away from horses you realize there are other things to spend your money and time on. I still pop along to local shows but now it depresses me slightly when I see miserable lame horses being bandied about for hours.

 

[splashgirl45]

giving up has been forced on me and i am still missing the horsey fix...i increased my dogs to 3 and do lots in the greenhouse/garden to keep busy. during the very hot weather i must admit i lazed about and i havent managed to get as enthusiastic about the garden since but still walk the dogs and look after them properly..i also spend way too much time on line

 

[Vixen G]

Thanks everyone who has commented so far. I work long hours so that takes up most of my time. I do like to cycle and I enjoy walking my dog, just feel like I need to be doing more with myself

 

[Vixen G]

giving up has been forced on me and i am still missing the horsey fix...i increased my dogs to 3 and do lots in the greenhouse/garden to keep busy. during the very hot weather i must admit i lazed about and i havent managed to get as enthusiastic about the garden since but still walk the dogs and look after them properly..i also spend way too much time on line

Yes I am finding I am doing way too much of that and I am really trying to reduce my time online. So don't worry I can relate to that!

 

[Barton Bounty]

I think id need to be in a coffin,age 11-25 and I did have a slight break while having my first child, had my second child and 5 weeks after a c section age 27 , I got an offer i couldnt refuse! And thats been it ever since ?

 

[Clodagh]

I’ve now got 8 dogs, train them all summer and work them all winter.
On the whole no cheaper than horses! But safer.

 

[ihatework]

I haven’t completely given up horses but have stopped riding frequently and completely given up competing.
I now play tennis, netball and badminton.

 

[Errin Paddywack]

Dogs and agility have replaced riding for me. Similar buzz in some ways but you can't fall off, only over them.

 

[Cortez]

After more than 50 years I have discovered a thing called a "lie in", which is rather marvellous. Dog walks, lots of dog walks.

 

[oldie48]

Although Rose is retired and I no longer have horses at home I still ride but much less frequently and I don't compete or take a horse to lessons so I have more time and much more money. I'm going to art classes to try to find my creative side and loving it, do pilates twice a week and actually have a much busier social life. I also find my hair looks better so there are definite bonuses. I also garden and dog walk when I can fit it in.

 

[pistolpete]

Well our carpet looks better with less hay on it but 18 months in and I still miss my field and my own horses to ride. Tried lots of things dog training riding schools even pole dancing! I now have a share pony two days a week. That helps hugely. I have also lost weight and walk the dog a lot more!

 

[Jenko109]

Dog stuff. We do a bit of agility and obedience classes. I had considered doing some showing too, just for a giggle.

I'm currently looking into buying a spin bike if anyone has any recommendations? I've lost a lot of fitness.

 

[Crazy_cat_lady]

I've been reading more. Go to the gym at weekends. Don't have to worry about money as much.

I've been out of it 6 months or so, and never again will I go back. Unless I won the lottery and had my own land. Maybe not even then.

I haven't even felt a burning desire to ride. I sort of think maybe it would be nice to go on a trek where I could have a canter, but not strong enough desire to do it

I've booked a sunset ride for if we get to go on holiday at a place recommended to me on here, so whether that'll ignite anything, I don't know.

I play a horsey game on my phone, pixel horses are great, cheap and no drama.

I have noticed at the gym I've lost some arm strength

I haven't been the horse mad little girl I once was for a very long time

 

[Prancerpoos]

My retirement ended up coinciding with no horses, so I have had to find lots of new things to do.

Dog walks, gardening, being able to stay out with friends after a late lunch without having to worry about rushing back to do the horses..not having to do horses 2 plus times a day is very liberating.

Have also taken up stained glass making, built a shed, a greenhouse and a fruit cage and lots of bird houses and bug boxes, so I am gradually learning how to use a whole load of different tools. Thank goodness for YouTube tutorials!

I have lost some fitness, but I think the heavier DIY work and gardening has compensated to a degree.

 

[catembi]

When I was between equestrian properties & the horses were in temp accom too far away to visit, I did a lot of the heavy lifting on my doctorate & also got into longer distance running doing races of up to 20 miles. When I got my horses back, I cut down on the running & retired to the treadmill.

 

[druid]

Gundogs - training, trialling, working. Bit of canicross and bikejor in winter. Showing with the terriers.

 

[Peglo]

I did the opposite. After I retired my TB I concentrated on netball and the gym. Also walked, ran and played with the push bike in the summer. Then ruptured my ACL and tore my meniscus playing netball. Unfortunately the surgery wasn’t totally successful and won’t be able to play netball again so bought another horse and now riding, running and gyming to stay fit for my horse. I will admit to having so much more time for other things before I had a riding horse again but I’m loving it. I got a paddle board and barely used it, it’s just not as much fun ?

 

[SO1]

I have recently lost my horse. He was 20 and I had always said I would not get another but I was expecting him to live a lot longer and I also didn't expect to have Covid as a worry.

My plan had been to spend more time with friends and family, go on some fancy foreign holidays, play Bridge and other card games. However having just recovered from Covid I am really put off anything indoors or that involves socialising with lots of people due to the risk of getting reinfections. I wfh 3 days a week and work for a small organisation and will probably wear mask in office if it is busy.

So will probably see how things go with Covid for next 6 months and go from there. If it looks like getting reinfections is very common then I will probably get another horse as that does not involve people. I don't live somewhere suitable for other pets.

 

[Lois Lame]

giving up has been forced on me and i am still missing the horsey fix...i increased my dogs to 3 and do lots in the greenhouse/garden to keep busy. during the very hot weather i must admit i lazed about and i havent managed to get as enthusiastic about the garden since but still walk the dogs and look after them properly..i also spend way too much time on line

Yes, this damn online business... I think to some extent (i.e. huge) it has mucked me up. I use it as a crutch.

 

[ponynutz]

Another musical one except was always a hobby of mine and I pursued it to university and so it took over

 

[Tronk]

Following with interest, I lost both my boys in June ? so I am horseless for the first time in many years. I can’t believe how much time I have, but I’m not sure I like it! I have got back into the gym & running but I still have too much time on my hands after work. I’m tempted by the gun dog training either with my existing (badly trained) dog or getting a new pup.

 

[Spottyappy]

3 months after loosing my mare, we went into lockdown.
We have other horses, but they are my daughters.
I still did a lot of the stable work, so I got out and kept fit,but I missed having my own.
i did find I had more time, and managed to fit visits in to friends I rarely see, pre lockdown, but I still missed having a horse. We also have a dog, so I did take her for longer walks than I may usually have done (she spends much of her time up the yard, so doesn’t actually get walked that often!)
I did buy another one during lockdown, and Do find I now struggle for free time.
im not sure what the happy medium is, tbh!

 

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

Another who is following with interest, I lost my boy last year and then had a failed hip surgery and I am really struggling to find passion for anything but desperately need to lose some weight.
I would like to buy a bike and a paddleboard but am waiting until we can move into our new house (which has a garage) as otherwise we don't have anywhere to keep things (current place is a 2nd floor studio flat) - same thing for a dog, got a new job which allows 3 days WFH but can't until we are in new house...

 

[Equi]

When I didn’t have a horse I spent all day playing video games. Without the yard to break up my day my eyes went square. Don’t do what I do!

 

[mariew]

I still keep my toe on by riding at a riding school. Otherwise I have an allotment, do lots of sewing, learned a magical new. Instrument and try to go in the near as much as I can. And read. Lots of reading!

 

[Umbongo]

I had to give up horses due to moving to London to pursue a new career, although I did share a pony for a bit.
I read more, went to the gym, cycle etc. I took up drawing for a bit.

I now live in NZ. My main new hobbies are hiking and photography. My next thing is paddle boarding, looking to buy one for the summer and cycle down to the beaches after work. However most of my hobbies are outside ones, I need to find new ones for bad weather!

If I was allowed to have dogs I would probably spend a lot of time walking them, doing agility etc.

I have thought about doing some online courses, expanding my knowledge, maybe learn a language or an instrument?

 

[Birker2020]

Hi all,

Just wondering how you all adjusted to giving up horses/ taking a break from horses and what hobbies you got into. I had a bad run with horses recently from a full loan horse developing headshaking syndrome which sadly I made the decision to return and a part loan horse which didn't work out. I do and I don't miss it at the same time!

Would be interested to read all your experiences of this please.

Many thanks

Same as AmyMay when I lost Bailey I started going to the gym again, but mainly to lose weight to buy another one. If Lari ends up in retirement then I will go every day (mind you I do go 5 days a week anyway!).

Maybe start saving the money you would have spent on upkeep and instead put it towards a really nice relaxing holiday somewhere. Its nice to have something to look forward to.

You could take up a new hobby, rock climbing, badminton, tennis, cycling?

 

[poiuytrewq]

I think I’d be ok. I’d love to have more time for longer dog walks different places, weekends away etc.
As Cortez says a lie in would be pretty nice too!