How long can you survive without a horse when you've had them for a while?

Silmarillion

Silmarillion

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I've lasted a year without a horse. It's pathetic, really! I had to give my horse up last year due to what you might call "unforeseen circumstances". I got my first pony on loan back in 1998 and since then I have owned one pony and my horse (now my mum's), with only about 18 months break in between (where I had three horses to ride anyway, so all was well as I was running about like a loony anyway!)

I've been ok for the last 11 months, but these last few weeks I've found myself wandering onto HorseMart and such sites on a very regular basis, and browsing through catalogues as if I'm looking to kit out a new horse. I almost do it sub-consciously sometimes! I have a horse I ride once a week, and I have the occasional lesson (and then borrow horses from my instructor when I house-sit for her, which is about one week every month or so). I also hack out on my (now mum's) horse sometimes, but I can't do anything much with her as she's only hacking sound.

Is it really pathetic that I've lasted a year before I've got really jealous of other people owning horses and getting to do what they want with them? I'd love to be able to just think "I want to take my horse to such-a-place for a hack / lesson / competition / anything else"!

Spoilt or what :p

Anyone else who has had a break from owning or riding for a while - how long did you last before you felt yourself turning into a horse-deprived maniac?! :D
 
I went seven years without one once! I'd had one throughout my teenage years and for the first few years I was married, and only gave up when I became pregnant with my first child. I didn't even ride much during those seven years as I had two more children, but the moment my daughter (at the time aged 5) asked to take lessons, I knew it would be all over for me and there'd be no hope. How could I possibly be around horses again and not own one?!!

True to form, she began riding, followed by my second daughter, and many ponies/horses followed!

They're now here to stay :)
 
I've been riding for 8 years now, and the longest break I had was 6 months when I horse I used to ride was sold. I was at a complete loss with what to do with myself, horses have just become a way of life! But he came home in the end because old owner was not happy with how he was being kept.

Definitely wouldn't go that long again though if it can be helped, i'm not sure i could cope going from riding 4 times a week to nothing now!
 
I got my first pony in 1952, and have never not owned one since then! The only holidays I go on involve visiting the horses I've sold over the years, and the only time I go out it's to visit studs, go to shows or spend money on horses!

So I guess you'd say none!
 
i've done 4 years so far. its painful & i want it to end! i have been regularly checking horsemart etc. over the last 4 years even though i know i am not in a position to own one. some day soon...
 
I have been riding for 32 years (eek) and owned ponies/horses for 29 years. I put my horse out on loan and then sold him when I bought my first house, then discovered I could actually manage a house and a horse so was given another ex racer, probably managed a year or so. I can't live without a horse, Im so used to having one that I really struggle without one.
 
I had a break for a couple of years and I was fine because I had school/A levels and things...but once it starts to niggle again you cannot ignore it! And after about 2 weeks of having the urge I had some lessons and started loaning!

After an upset with my sharer I've now gone about 2 weeks without riding/horses, and I'm not coping well lol, watching horsey vids on youtube and browsing on here more than usual.
 
i managed two years.... now have my own and just had a strop as i cant ride in the shows until probably next year (this is why i bought her).. asi dont have a saddle :D

i need to get over it and just appreciate my horse and bareback riding lol!!

in all seriousness.... i pay for this horse and look after her etc... and love it. never will i be without a horse ever again - i couldnt cope.

im already planing babies (of the horse variety) :D
 
Don't get me started...

I sold my 2nd pony and put my first one out on loan, as I decided to not have my own for a while.....

And you know how long that lasted?
A day. Well, 32 hours to be precise!
Then ended up with a new horse which I got offered.

So erm...yeah...
And you thought a year was pathetic..... ;) :p
 
Nathan-And-Hayke said:
I got my first pony in 1952, and have never not owned one since then! The only holidays I go on involve visiting the horses I've sold over the years, and the only time I go out it's to visit studs, go to shows or spend money on horses!

So I guess you'd say none!
Click to expand...

My goodness! Is that your horse in your siggy??? STUNNING!!!!!
 
I still have my horse but i know not for long (V long story) and I am already feeling very low at the thought of not having a horse to ride. It has been such a huge part of my life I am going to struggle.
 
I lasted 2 years after I sold my last horse, he knocked a lot of confidence out of me and I spent (and lost!) a lot of money on him so was sick of horses by the time he went!

Then started longing for another earlier this year, didn't have a lot of ££ to spend so the purchase was a bit of a gamble but my new boy is just what I wanted/needed and has been a complete superstar in the 3 months I've had him. So, so pleased I got another!
 
I had my first pony at 9 years old; then had my own pony/horses up to about age 25; then had an eight year break as my old boy had to be pts, tho' I did ride a friends 14.2, so was still connected to horses.

Then I had my own again and had him for another 12 lovely years; then he was pts so I had a year's break, then into horses again!!! I'm hooked, I can't help it.
 
I'm well placed to answer this one sadly!

I've been without a horse of my own 8 years and without a loan horse 6 years. Have been riding again for a while and literally itching for one of my own since I got back in the saddle! Horse fund is looking healthier and healthier, just feel I need more financial security in the way of savings and a better paid job before taking plunge :)

You can definitely survive without a horse - but there's always a bit of a horse shaped hole in honesty!
 
I didn't ride for three years whilst I was at Uni but since then have either has loans, shares or my own horse. I keep saying my current horse is my last - mainly because one day I would like my house not to be falling down around my ears but also because there is so much heartache as well as joy around horses but I do wonder to be honest how long I would actually last before getting another. .
 
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Three years from having my son to my daughter being a few months old. I had post natal depression after having my daughter and my OH decided that the best thing would be for me to have a horse again, bless him and it worked so I daren't not have horses now lol
 
Ten years!

got sick of working with horses - it became a job not a hobby. Then I travelled around a lot. Finally back into it, and making up for it, with four now!
 
I gae my 3 up just over 3 weeks ago. I miss them terribly,but not the work involved. I have done 100% the right thing for myself and my family at this time in my life. I am busy sorting my stables and land out to put out for rent,it will be nice to have a bit of money back for a change!

Too many downs and not enough ups! I've had my nails done,hair done,been clothes shopping,had a holiday and am looking at selling my discovery and getting a 'normal' car. I've signed up for an OU course and am really positive.

I have always had horses,and I'm sure I will again,but it will be some years down the line!
 
Well I've owned horses for 40 years. Every winter I wish I didn't and every spring I'm glad I do so the longest I've been with out one is probably only about 2 months in between horses.
 
Well I've managed about 4 1/2 years now, but its miserable.

I think I coped fairly well for about 6 months before I started getting a bit crazy - luckily I've found several horses to ride over the years so I've rarely been without regular riding which has kept the madness at bay.

Despite that though, it has got worse over time - I find myself regularly on horsemart or horsequest, I endlessly imagine what my next horse will be like, and every field, hedge or wood I see I imagine myself galloping across or jumping over. Its basically a sickness.

I literally cannot wait until I can afford a horse again. Even though I know I am so lucky to have had the opportunities to ride and even compete that I have, there is nothing quite like having your own, and just being able to go down to the yard and go for a hack or a jump or just cuddle in the stable with your very own horse whenever you feel like it.
 
6 years I managed - after my old boy was PTS, I refused to go near one. I packed everything away, wouldn't go and visit my friends horses, switched channels if a horse came on tv etc etc. Then a lovely sunny day, I'm driving along and see a woman on a grey horse hacking along a track. I stopped the car, burst into tears, and went home and typed up a share advert - the reast is history!
 
So I'm not as abnormal as I think, then - just as crazy as the rest of you :p :D

I wonder if I can last nine years (because that's how long I reckon it'll take)? :eek:
 
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