How different would your life be if....

[alwaysbroke]

you didn't have a horse?

This is a bit of a Saturday morning ramble.....

a few weeks ago we had to workout how much my daughters horse, which they share costs to keep per month. To cut a long story short it made us realise how much my OH who isn't their dad has to pay towards her keep, its is almost double the budget that I am given to keep her. (We don't have expensive livery and cost are kept as low as possible, but the mare is 'well maintained')

this led on to OH just commenting perhaps it is time to give up with all the horses

think it was just a passing comment, but they really are a complete life style, we love them to bits, and I don't think I could cope if we didnt have them, but I have found my mind increasingly thinking how different life would be if we didnt have them, ok money to go out, holidays, a nice car, but how soon would we all be board stiff.....

don't know where this is going, perhaps its just my age and winter approaching fast

 

[quirky]

My niece had a pony who was sold as she'd out grown him and she was into her first year of GCSE studies.

She has younger siblings who ride and they had suggested getting a pony. Their Dad said no way after he realised how much money he was saving since the pony had gone.

As for me, I too would be financially better off without a horse (who wouldn't?) but after having them for nigh on 25 years (omg, am I that old??!?!!), I would be lost without one.

 

[millitiger]

if i didn't have horses i wouldn't be going for an operation next week for a broken collarbone having been stuck on the sofa for the last 6 weeks and i would be £1200/month better off!

sounds good on paper but for the last 6 weeks all i have thought about is getting back on and what i want to work on over this winter with both horses (i think their lives are now planned up to May 2011!!)

 

[3Beasties]

I understand what you're saying, I have 3 beasties but luckily 2 of them are quite low maintenance. I am fortunate that I get free livery so only have to pay for feed, bedding, hay, vet bills etc, etc.

Despite this most of my wages seem to go on my horses. If it wasn't for them I would probably have a comfortable life style with very few money worries, but I would also have no reason to get up in the morning and no reason to go to work. My horses are my shoulder to cry on, they cheer me up when I am down and will listen to my worries for hours at a time. They give far more back then I can ever give to them.

Yes life would be easier without my horse but would that life still be as fun filled and rewarding?! Definitely not!!

 

[Honey08]

if i didn't have horses i wouldn't be going for an operation next week for a broken collarbone having been stuck on the sofa for the last 6 weeks and i would be £1200/month better off!

sounds good on paper but for the last 6 weeks all i have thought about is getting back on and what i want to work on over this winter with both horses (i think their lives are now planned up to May 2011!!)

Ooh Millitiger, hope it goes well. I'm having a shoulder op this week too, and am sick as a chip that I can't ride - been laid up weeks too! Sickening isn't it!

If we didn't have horses, we would be able to have two or three wonderful holidays a year, and a lovely car each! We would sleep in at weekends, and not have to spend all weekend that we are not competeing fencing or maintaining land! Its more expensive to keep them than to pay for the the house too! Having said that we'd be bored!

 

[miss_bird]

If i did not have my horses i would prob have my sanity and my vets would not have me on speed dial.
But then if i did not have horses i would most likely be a fat slob who sat on the sofa all day drinking and smoking in my designer clothes.
So in short i think, keep horses stay happy or be a chain smoking alcoholic in designer clothes

 

[NicoleS_007]

Well unfortunatly i dont have my boy anymore and im bored out of my mind usually id be working now, well act round about now id be takin a break and annoyin the horse lol but yes life without a horse is boring, plain and simple

 

[alwaysbroke]

Thank you for your replies.

I My horses are my shoulder to cry on, they cheer me up when I am down and will listen to my worries for hours at a time. They give far more back then I can ever give to them.

Yes life would be easier without my horse but would that life still be as fun filled and rewarding?! Definitely not!!

Said far better than I ever could. Our horses have definitely kept me sane at some very low points in my life, they seem to have the ability to read moods and give more sympathy than a human is capable off. Its the finances that give the sleepless nights We have gone round and round in circles try to decide if we should sell one or two, but the reasons for keeping them always seem to manage to out way the benefits of selling them Who for example would want to buy OH's clinically unsound (shiver) 15 yr old by Criminal Law, he roars like mad but doesn't require a tie back (and we wouldn't put him through it at his age), he is stunning and everyone that sees him falls in love with him, but who in their right mind would take him on, he certainly isn't just a hacking horse.......saying that he is the families closest friend.......(not advertising he not for sale, OH would sell me before this horse)

MT so sorry to hear the collar bone needs operating on, hope it fixes quickly and you are back in the saddle soon.

 

[Supertrooper]

Been there, done that and brought the t-shirt! Yes I have more time and more money to save towards a house but it doesn't make me a happy person.

Horses are what gets me up in the morning and what I love being involved in and I'm never going to get away from that! I'm not in a position to get another of my own just yet but thank god my best friend does have horses and I share the new boy so I'm back into it again - yipee!!

 

[alwaysbroke]

If i did not have my horses i would prob have my sanity and my vets would not have me on speed dial.
But then if i did not have horses i would most likely be a fat slob who sat on the sofa all day drinking and smoking in my designer clothes.
So in short i think, keep horses stay happy or be a chain smoking alcoholic in designer clothes

Thsi thought has crossed my mind

 

[alwaysbroke]

Well unfortunatly i dont have my boy anymore and im bored out of my mind usually id be working now, well act round about now id be takin a break and annoyin the horse lol but yes life without a horse is boring, plain and simple

So sorry you havent got your boy any more, makes me feel like this is now a bit of a tactless post, I really should count my blessings

 

[riding_high]

i'd be an unhappy recluse with more money! lol

i tried to be without a horse for nearly a year but it was so boring, i hated it so i'm glad i got more as it has kept me sane and happy!

 

[alwaysbroke]

Q, H, ST and RH you are convincing me my gut feeling is right, horses should stay as long as possible

 

[Sussexbythesea]

I keep saying this horse is my last horse - he's a keeper and I intend to keep him until the end. Sometimes though I am envious of friends who have the money and freedom to do other things.

I would have a bathroom where the tiles were not falling off, a kitchen with some flooring instead of concrete and windows that don't leak. I wouldn't wake up every morning worrying how I'm going to pay the bills if something goes wrong or the bolier needs replacing.

I don't think I would be bored without a horse I can find plenty of other things to do but my heart would miss them as I think they are an addiction. I think sooner or later they would come back into my life but maybe I wouldn't buy one.

 

[fine_and_dandy]

I have wondered about this too at times; I look at all the things that other people are able to do and do get envious, no point denying it!

But they are always looking for the next best thing, and that bit of fufillment which clothes, shoes and holidays bring temporarily but doesn't fill "the hole."

That is what Bailey does. I may struggle at times, and get so stressed when things just aren't going right and think about the things I could get with the money he costs but those things would never be able replace what he gives me.

He is my best friend; I have had him since he was 5 months old and he is nearly 3 and a half. I have been through a huge amount in the time I have had him, as has he and we have stuck with one another. I have absolutely no shame in saying that he is my rock and I would never get rid of him for any reason. He understands me and has a bond with me that I have never had with a human. He has no expectation of me and when I am down he just knows how to make me better.

So in short, my life, financially would probably be much better - although I would probably end up squandering the money I save on things and have nothing to show for it. But my life generally? It would be a poorer place without him.

Sorry for the "deep" moment...I have actually got a bit teary!

 

[asterid]

When I sold my last horse I said right that's it, Im giving up horses! (lasted 8 months)

I had loads of money and went on a holiday, but I was very very bored. I then shared a horse during the 8 months, ended up schooling other peoples problem horses and thought b*gger it, Im getting my own again. Haven't looked back since. I am now broke again, have mankey nails, have George clothing and smell of horse poo. Would I go back to being horseless, hell no!

Once a horse person, always a horse person.

 

[fine_and_dandy]

Once a horse person, always a horse person.

I'll drink to that!!!

 

[letrec_fan]

I lost my wonderful boy just a week back. It is literally just crushing grief. And you just realise how much you appreciate them. After a rubbish day at school I can't cycle down the stables and go and see his sweet face or cuddle him. They mean the same or often even more than a human friend. Right now I just cannot contemplate getting another horse and I have more time than I know what to do with at weekends. All this spare time makes it even worse.

 

[riding_high]

when i pick my kids up from school it's normally after i've done the horses or just before i go to do them.
i get strange looks from the parents as i'm in 'horsey attire'! i do feel a bit out of my depth while i'm waiting but then i hear them talking and think god i'm so lucky!

they complain that thier kids just sit in front of the telly all day and night, they have no respect etc etc etc. then the mums go on about going clubbing and finding a babysitter for their kids and stuff like that.
i can't understand why they complain when they obviously spend so little time with their kids!
my kids know how to treat an animal and human being, they help care for the horses, they aren't sitting inside all day AND we all spend time together.

in otherwords if i didn't have the horses the kids would be sat in all the time as i'd have no motivation to get out and do things. i'd also be very miserable so having horses makes me happy and in return keeps my kids happy!

 

[jack9]

id have money. Id have a brand new car, new clothes etc.....



but i make do with ebay, learnt how to sew, 2nd hand tack/rugs IS a good thing - and im well aware of the value of money.


but id be miserable without my horse. I had two years off from them and i had no choice.... and i hated it.. never again will i be without one.

 

[Silmarillion]

I had to give mine up a year ago, and though I can ride her whenever I want (she's now my mum's) I still don't have time. I'm saving for a house at the moment, then I'll need a new car, another expensive holiday that the boyfriend wants to go on before we settle down, then I can well see us saving for a wedding and children. Horse comes at the bottom of that list now, and whilst I couldn't have it any other way right now (when it was horses first and I had no boyfriend I was miserable - now it's the other way round I'm happy but not as happy as I could be if I had a horse) I still feel a hole where "my" horse should be. I know I can't sacrifice my life with my boyfriend in favour of a horse though - in money and time. When I can afford to keep a horse around all that (ie. when I can afford part livery!) I'll think about it again.

I'm lucky though I suppose - I spent 15 of my first 22 years of life immersed in the horsey world. I've had my time for the while, and I have to let other things take over before I can get back into it. At least I had all that time - and believe me it's not going to be 15 years until I get another!!

 

[MrsMozart]

Oh this is one I've seriously considered!

With three, two of which are field ornaments (but cost just about as much to keep as the one who is in work), I sometimes question my sanity

If we went down to just the one horse, we wouldn't have a mortgage. We could go on holidays without having to think who will look after three of them, etc.

But, having spent the last eight weeks grounded, I can honestly say, they are going no-where. Apart from the fact that I couldn't 'get rid' of LC and LL (there would only be one way they could go ), could you imagine what it would do to our relationships with D1 and D2?! Brrrr, doesn't bear thinking about. I have missed riding my girl so much . I lunged her the other day and when I turned her out afterwards, she walked with her head down, totally chilled and relaxed, letting me rest on her neck as we walked along, turning to look at me, so gentle. No number of designer handbags, etc., could match that feeling .

 

[Dizzydancer]

iv had my old boy nearly 10yrs he was retired a couple years ago to have a fun enjoyable retirement and as I was going uni and due to the course wasnt going to have time for a new one to give the work that i would want. At first it didnt bother me but about a year after retiring him i was starting to get quite down, started riding a friends two horses this summer and i feel so much better since doing that I cant wait to finish uni and be able to afford a new one without having OH to pay for it. But for now il keep riding as its made me soo much happier

 

[micramadam]

Very very different.

I wouldn't have to work full time to support them! Could have a very expensive sports car, huge posh house, designer clothes and at least 3 holidays a year.

All of that is very materialistic and would give me no satisfaction. I am very realistic with money and my beauties have helped me and my daughter make friends in a foreign land and are now to become part of her career.

Had a break of about 16 years with no horses but still managed to go on the odd hack every now and again and swore that I would get another one one day. Life wasn't as full without them. Always felt there was something missing.

There is a possibility of losing my job soon but the only thing that worries me is being able to pay for the horses. I will not get rid of them. Neither will I let them suffer as a result, I will find the money to keep them!

They keep you sane but they also drive you to insanity!

 

[Sarah Sum1]

I don't have a horse at the mo. I appreciate how wonderful it is to lay in at the weekends! How great it is not to have to rush back from a day out to see to the horse. Have money! No stresses regarding injuries, vets bills etc. But I do miss the yard banter, the bond between horse and rider and even miss mucking out! (not enough to muck out other peoples before the offers start flooding in ) In an ideal world I think having a horse on full livery popping up to ride when I wanted would be lovely. But can't afford that at the mo. I also question whether you create such a strong bond if someone is looking after the horse on a daily basis.

 

[alwaysbroke]

Thank you so much everyone for sharing some very personal and touching thoughts, some have actually made me a bit teary

We are so lucky to have the beautiful creatures that we own, but I think I am actually feeling a little sorry for OH, if he didnt have to contribute so much to my daughters horse he might be able to do a little bit of competing himself. ATM none of us can afford to compete so we enjoy the horses at home, and school when we can. OH works so hard most nights isn't in till gone 10 after teaching his clients and I know he misses BE so much (he would never let on) just puts up and gets on with life.

Also feel sorry for youngest daughter, when her older sister was her age she had a few years competing at BE, just intro and pre novice, now this daughter cant even do a Hunter Trial in a few weeks time.

Time to give myself a kick up the bum and stop being a spoilt brat, which is what I realise I sound like, we have our health, but certainly no wealth, but best of all we have a happy family unit

 

[Mickeymoo]

I sold my horses when I was 26 to buy a house. Met OH got married. He earned big bucks so I went shopping all the time. Had everything I wanted, motorbikes, car, job in the city, 3 holidays abroad a year.

BUT - never saw husband as he always at work including weekends. I had to go to his work and type his reports saturday and sunday afternoons just to see him. Then when he got home he fell asleep as he was so tired.

Then life changed, both took redundancies, OH got another job with half the salary, we bought Mick, then Shiney.

Now, don't go out, buy clothes, drink or smoke. Not been abroad for 3 years (dont want to) and I have never got money in my purse.

So in answer to your question, my life was very different without horses, but I am so glad I have them again. I would never be without them now whatever I had to sacrifice. xx

 

[MrsMozart]

Can daughters get part-time jobs? They could put the money towards competing. What about their Dad, can he help out?

 

[Pearlsasinger]

Well I wouldn't live on a smallholding (sis & I sold 2 houses to come here), my clothes & shoes wouldn't constantly show evidence of mud & horsehair, although they would probably still show evidence of mud & doghair, lol.
I would have money to spare after I'd bought all the shoes/bags/clothes I wanted. I *might* go on holiday, although I'm not that bothered about them and although I doubt if I'd be bored I'd certainly have a lot of spare time and would read even more books than I do now.
I can remember the last time I was bored - 11.30 am, on 11th October 1985. We were jump-stewarding at a hunter-trials and there was a delay earlier in the course. We had just time to realise that we were bored when the problem was sorted and the next horse hove into view.
I certainly haven't had time to bored since!

 

[Varnoldi]

I would die of boredom! If I didn't have horses, I think I would of had a totally different job. I always wanted to work as a policewoman, but because you have to be flexible with the times, I couldn't because of the horses.