Annagain
Well-Known Member
Just had another thought. Could you offer livery to someone with a few horses at a reduced rate in return for riding one of them when you fancy it?
Horses in your life without riding commitment conundrum
- Thread starter Tronk
- Start date
Tronk
Well-Known Member
Ooh liking that idea - how would I find such a person???
sbloom
Well-Known Member
Include it in any adverts.
Fransurrey
Well-Known Member
My friend had this conundrum and started fostering for Blue Cross and RSPCA. She really enjoyed that. Recently she's decided to keep the latest fosters and bought her own youngster, so will start riding again.
marmalade76
Well-Known Member
Totally understand how you're feeling, OP. After losing the horse of a lifetime five years ago and having struggled to find the right replacement, I have considered giving up riding but couldn't give up keeping. We used to have a little Sec B mare for my children, she was a real character, loved human company and was very affectionate - I think if I did ultimately decide to pack up riding, I'd look for another one or two like her - little ones are easy to look after and fairly cheap to keep.
The other option is having someone else on your yard. This is what my YOs have done. About 6 months before I moved in they had their two oldies PTS after their health conditions worsened. I was introduced by a neighbour of theirs my husband knows as they weren't sure about renting it out but know the place would get totally out of hand if left unused. My husband is a contract farmer so has all the kit to maintain the ground, cut the hedges, etc. YOs love having horses there, like to be involved as much as it suits them, etc. They are great, they keep an eye on them, happy to give me a hand when needed (like when one nicked an artery and I was in a bit of a flap - they were a godsend!)
Four years now and we're all happy, yes, there's been bumps in the road but it's all worked out. But for this option to work you need to find the RIGHT people.
The other option is having someone else on your yard. This is what my YOs have done. About 6 months before I moved in they had their two oldies PTS after their health conditions worsened. I was introduced by a neighbour of theirs my husband knows as they weren't sure about renting it out but know the place would get totally out of hand if left unused. My husband is a contract farmer so has all the kit to maintain the ground, cut the hedges, etc. YOs love having horses there, like to be involved as much as it suits them, etc. They are great, they keep an eye on them, happy to give me a hand when needed (like when one nicked an artery and I was in a bit of a flap - they were a godsend!)
Four years now and we're all happy, yes, there's been bumps in the road but it's all worked out. But for this option to work you need to find the RIGHT people.
Annagain
Well-Known Member
Word of mouth would probably be the best way to find the right people. Ask all your horsey friends if they know of anyone who would suit or talk to your local riding club to see if the committee know of anyone. If you advertise, you'll be inundated which might be good as you could interview people and choose the right ones but also might mean you have to make a quick decision. At least if you're getting people referred to you, they'll hopefully be suitable.