In need of sympathy and understanding

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Paris1

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My boy has to take on a quieter working life now an I am really struggling to cope! I feel like I have had my right arm cut off. I've had him out of work before but carefully bought back and we were out competing again. I am really strugglingto accept that my boy will no longer be able to compete in dressage or probably even be schooled again. I love him dearly and sending him to the rda( as some suggest) is not helpful nor an option. I love him and enjoy pOttering around on him but I need more! I am aiming in my dreams to get another, but realistically keeping two might not be possible.
That's it. Just need a hug!
 
Hi, what happened to him and how old is he? Is getting a loaner/sharer an option if he's kept at your currnet place?

Is retirement/grass livery an option?
 
He's Only got arthritis and needs on by advice to be worked regularly. Yes a share might work if they are content to potter, but its mainly roads so it's a tall order finding a willing person. Just feel a bit depressed about losing my boy but not if you know what I mean.
 
Thats a shame about your boy. If you are keeping him to retire and cant afford two, you could advertise for something to ride.

There are people around who want someone to compete their horses without any financial commitment. I know I just advertised for, and found, a rider for my warmblood. They are going to do Stressage together :D :D
 
I think this is the route I will go down. My boy is just 17 so I'm hoping I have another 13 years together still.
 
So sorry to hear this. Completely understand how you feel, my boy was recently diagnosed with a whole collection of things and for a while there I thought he'd never be ridden again. You might be surprised how many people would be perfectly happy just wandering about with a suitable horse, and with the cost of hacking at a riding school being so high I wouldn't be surprised if people were willing to pay to do so. Plus I also think it quite likely you'd be able to find another horse to ride and do more with. Where are you based? I'm looking for someone to bring on and compete my rising 5 year old IDxWB. There will always be options. Don't give up yet. Big hugs. Xx
 
Paris1 said:
Thanks. I know I'm being a bit if a brat, but it's so different when it's yours. I'm in Kent.
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Hardly being a brat! I kept telling myself it didn't matter if I couldn't ride any more so long as my boy was ok, but it isn't enough. I have another horse but it doesn't make not riding him ok. I've embarked on a much criticised attempt to try to help him back into work because I can't bear the thought that I'll never go plodding around the lanes with him again. So completely understand what you're going through. Unfortunately you're too far from me to be able to ride my youngster but why not put a wanted to ride comment in your signature, you never know what could happen. Wish you all the best of luck.
 
I'm in the same position; my dear little chestnut boy injured his sdft very badly last summer and is now retired. A winter of box rest has not been much fun at all.

If you are a reasonably competent rider I'm sure you will be able to find something to ride, I'm no expert but have the choice of horses/ponies at my yard and elsewhere.

You're not being a brat at all, it has surprised me how difficult it is to get my head around x
 
I agree, not being a brat at all.

I know it sounds stupid but it has upset me no end retiring my 36 year old a few months ago. Not that we did much any more but I enjoyed a wander round the fields and so did he.

Unbelievably I didn't retire him because he was unsound, he has just lost weight this winter. It breaks my heart.
 
Paris1 said:
He's Only got arthritis and needs on by advice to be worked regularly. Yes a share might work if they are content to potter, but its mainly roads so it's a tall order finding a willing person. Just feel a bit depressed about losing my boy but not if you know what I mean.
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If you can still hack him out then I'd probably look at a share for yourself that'll enable you to keep competing... Maybe advertise yourself around a bit as a competition rider for those who don't do it themselves... I've got a TB that a lovely young lass rides out for me - different to yourself in that there's no competing with him yet but I don't ride him myself...

Or do you know someone trustworthy and close by who could loan your boy for a more gentle hacking lifestyle but in a livery/own land where hacking routes are more suitable? There's plenty like me who aren't interested in hurtling anywhere or jumping anything bigger than a twig and just want to quietly pootle around the local area... :)
 
Have a hug.

Been there. It hurts. And it's made worse by the guilty feeling because we still have our horse, which is better than not, but we still want to do what we want to do, which is compete.

You've had some good advice, so I won't add to it, just wanted to send a supportive thought or two.
 
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