Horse on loan- WHAT DO I DO!

[misskk88]

So... That's it.

My horse goes to her lovely new loan home for a few months this weekend.

I am very pleased with who she is going to, and the yard (which is beautiful!). Her new mum has already booked her a full health check and back rub (she is going to be in heavennnn!!!), except now... I just feel a bit lost...

I have been waiting for this day to come, but it has suddenly hit me. I know it is only temporary and once I am up and running in my new home she will be back... BUT those hours spent at the yard, riding, hacking, generally swearing at her lack of manners or rolling in the mud after a luxurious groom.... What do I do with all my time now?! What do I fill those hours with which were once my absolute therapy and filled with unconditional love for my four legged friend?

I feel like I am going to have an identity crisis (actually I think I am already having one and she is not even gone!). I have owned my beast for several years. She is the biggest part of my life (even the boyfriend knows he comes second!). I have been around horses my whole life. The past ten have consisted of either loaning or owning my own... I just do not know what to do!

HELP ME!!!

 

[IndiaMoonpig]

I know exactly how you feel - how long is yours going on loan for?

Mine's been away about 8 months now and is coming back in about 6-8 weeks - I am literally counting the days until she is back. I've already found a new yard, going back there this afternoon to double check everything and pay a deposit. Have also been buying extra bits that we'll need for the last few months. I'm even helping out with shows and other peoples horses - but they're still not 'mine' and I know and trust her more than anyone.

It's tough when they go, and I've missed my little girl every single day. She's my therapy and allows me a bit of 'me' time. Enjoy the extra time you have and get settled into your new home. Yours will be back soon

 

[misskk88]

She will be gone for anywhere from 2-6 months, as they are looking to buy and she is only for short term loan. So to be honest she's in an ideal place at the moment. We've named it her holiday home!

I am Looking forward to the extra income and also 'me time' but my me time has always involved my horses as therapy and to distress. So now I feel a bit stuck! My life is based around my horses and people know me for my love for them. So I feel I have lost a bit of me if that makes sense?

How have you coped with the past few months? Did you take up any new hobbies? Debating gym and also riding out with a friend who has two horses at the minute. Will be the first few weeks I really struggle with!!

How come your horse was on loan? Bet you can't wait!!

 

[IndiaMoonpig]

She will be gone for anywhere from 2-6 months, as they are looking to buy and she is only for short term loan. So to be honest she's in an ideal place at the moment. We've named it her holiday home!

I am Looking forward to the extra income and also 'me time' but my me time has always involved my horses as therapy and to distress. So now I feel a bit stuck! My life is based around my horses and people know me for my love for them. So I feel I have lost a bit of me if that makes sense?

How have you coped with the past few months? Did you take up any new hobbies? Debating gym and also riding out with a friend who has two horses at the minute. Will be the first few weeks I really struggle with!!

How come your horse was on loan? Bet you can't wait!!

The extra income is a bonus - mine went on loan because I was moving too and trust me, the money and the extra time was a massive help! Having said that, had I not find the perfect person to have her on loan she wouldn't have gone and I would have struggled both time wise and probably financially, but I would have done it somehow.

I completely what you mean when you say 'you've lost a bit of you'. It takes a while to get used to not being in your 'horsey' routine. I've spoken about her pretty much every single day, I've thought about her constantly, and when I've had rubbish days at work and all I wanted to was go to the yard and be with my girl, I've shed a few tears. In the long run though, I realise I made the best decision. Moving house plus being busy with both work and uni has made things really crazy busy at times, and I'm glad I know that my little girl is being looked after, loved, having lots of time spent with her and being ridden more than I would have been able to in the past few months.

I considered the gym - it's amazing how unfit / how much weight I feel like I've put on - but I'm not really a gym person lol. Having said that, I've kept fit in other ways, like helping other people out with their horses when I've managed to find the time! If you can ride out with a friend, I think that would be great. The horse may not be your horse, but it'll certainly help you feel more like 'you' whilst your girl is on loan. It's the little things I've missed - and it sounds crazy but I've missed the smell of her a lot too! Really can't wait to have her back now.

Sounds like you've got someone that's really going to look after her though, and that's a blessing in itself. Safe to say I will be forever thankful for the lovely person who's looking after my girl right now.

 

[Fatonfreshair]

.. I just feel a bit lost...

Our pony went out just over a week ago on LWVTB and I was bereft when he went, he has gone to a fabulous home but I am still wandering around like a lost soul without the need to muck out, turn out, bring in, groom and hoof pick! Our home does not quite feel right without him but unlike your situation, he and my daughter were not a good ridden combination so he needed a more experienced home.

At least you can console yourself that your horse is coming back and you might even start to enjoy all that free time!

Good luck

 

[pip6]

Why not look up local RDA and go help out when you have that spare time you aren't used to? Get your horse fix and a lift from helping others get one as well.

 

[JadeyB]

I feel for you, it's a very strange feeling isn't it! Can you still visit horsey friends, maybe do some charity dog walking (if you like dogs) do some gym classes etc?

My boy's on loan at the mo due to my pregnancy and i miss him like mad, although the extra pennies and time to rest is quite nice right now!

 

[noodle_]

Mines gone on loan 5ish weeks ago and i felt totally lost for the first 2 weeks i wanted to cry....totally my choice to put her on loan

I now love the fact I have time for ME to sort my life out, get a job sorted, home etc - just a different way of life

If she came back tomorrow it wouldnt be the end of my world id just adjust again :] just makes its easier on the pocket



Just enjoy the rest, money and time you have for the first few weeks then see what happens... :]

 

[misskk88]

Thanks for the responses! I have only now been able to respond due to the dreaded 'grey box' issues!

It is reassuring that I am not the only one who feels/felt like this! I will still visit my yard where my horse was kept, and I have a few horsey friends so will probably tag along to see theirs, and offer my help at any shows. There are regular competition days down the yard, so will probably still participate but will have to beg, steal and borrow a friends horse for an hour or two! Also going to look into having the odd lesson here and there. Nice idea about the RDA, may see what is around in my area (although my time may be more limited than I think once I am redecorating and paying for a house of my own!).

Luckily I have had daily updates since my mare went. She has fallen for the horse next to her, has had a massage from their back lady in which she fell asleep she loved it so much, has been wormed, is booked to have teeth done and she was given the weekend to settle. They rode her for the first time at their yard the other day and she didn't put a foot wrong. This weekend they are trying hacking, so at least it is reassuring that she truly is being treated like their own and totally spoilt! Once she has settled in properly they have also offered to show me their local hacking routes, so least I can have a quick ride to check that all still feels 'ok' with her.

I know these next few months will be busy, but I need my horse fix. I even miss the smell, and my dusty hay covered car seats. sigh!