Inspiration about getting a horse

T

Toz

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Hi
I was thinking- am I ever going to get a horse?
I want one, but at the moment it would take too much time, and other problems are involved.
I was wondering if anyone has one of those motivational stories about wanting a horse when they were younger, then finally getting one, and how they overcame problems in there way.
Do you think I'll ever get a horse?!
Thanks :)
 
Yes me!

I've ridden since I was 3 years old (now 30) and when I reached the age of 5 my friends got ponies of their own. I really wanted one too but my parents are not remotely horsey and no matter how much I begged they never gave in. I felt like I was the only one without my own. As I got older I honestly thought it would never happen for me, and I started sharing horses. As I got older and went to work, I did get to the point where I could afford to have a horse on livery but I couldn't afford to buy an actual horse! I started loaning a lovely boy through a friend of a friend, 4 years ago now (with me at the age of 26) and then one day shortly after that his owner for numerous reasons no longer wanted him as her own and asked if she signed him over to me for £1 to make it legal would I take him. I jumped at the chance of my dream finally coming true, and 4 years down the line we are still very happy together :)
So for me it just kind of fell into place, but the point of my story is, as you sound relatively young from your post, don't ever give up hope of having your own, it can happen when you least expect it
 
I always think that, when there's a will, there's a way. I was a fairly successful junior rider, competing internationally. I had to stop after university through living in London, newly on a career ladder and lacking in any spare cash. I had all but given up hope when, 20 years later, disaster struck with both my husband and I being made redundant. We had to take on a lodger. The lodger's daughter had two horses and I ended up with one of them. I did a fair amount of juggling about, got up at 5:00 am, worked every hour God sent to pay for her, but I did it. Sadly she was always going lame and in the end tore both hind suspensories so was retired. I then bought a TB with £500 of rebated electricity money but that was a bit of a disaster. Three years after I have just bought another but it took some doing to find him. I had four fail the vet before he passed. My mother wrote this:

Looked through thousands, drove hundreds of miles, sat on many, four found wanting - heart now thumping. What a reward after all that effort, well worth the wait!

Quite apt, don't you think? It will, however long it takes, be well worth the wait!
 
If you're thinking a horse would take up too much time and cause other problems, you're probably not ready to have a horse. If you can think of nothing else and you are looking at ways to make it work, then you're probably ready.

Sure, there are plenty of owners who see their horses once a week, the horses are on full livery, the owners get great pleasure out of their weekly visit. But there are many more who struggle to juggle horse, social life, relationships, kids, work, etc. I have only two of the previous list, work and horse. I gave up a relationship on the day I collected the horse. Horse takes up all the time I'm not at work and I like it that way, they're a great way to waste a LOT of time. But I've done all my living and now it's time to kick back and relax with my equine mate.
 
Yes i started ridng at 7 and with non horsey parents it was never an option to have my own, i rode once a week at the riding school and spent every spare min there helping out even if i couldnt ride.I worked hard long hours and rode when i could saved as much money as i could and at the age of 22 I bought my own horse work in an equine vets and last year qualified as an AI and I have two horses and am currently backing my youngster. Where there is a will theres a way. Its hard work but i dont regret a second of it!
 
I had an 18 year break and its only now I can afford (both in time and money) to ensure that I can care for equines so I bought two ponies last year - its been a long time in coming but I am enjoying every second of it
 
I've been riding from an early age but when I reached my final year of uni I had to give up my mare as I just couldn't afford her and had plans to move to London once I graduated.

After 2 years in London I realised I wasn't cut out for city life, so moved back to Surrey with the intention of buying a new horse, but being at the beginning of a new career I just didn't have the time nor the money to justify a horse so I just kept plugging away at work. In the mean time I got engaged so all my spare money went into our wedding/house fund. At times it's felt like I'd never be in the position to own a horse again but I just kept working towards getting the wedding out the way so I could get back to horse hunting.

At the beginning of Summer OH and I agreed I could finally get a new horse once we're back from honeymoon in Sept. I found the perfect yard and joined the waiting list and had just started to look around at horses for sale when I stumbled across Harry. He ticked every box, so much so that I fully expected to call up and be told he'd already sold. Fortunately that wasn't the case and about a month ago I toddled off with our YO to view him. It was love at first sight, the only issue was he needed to move by the end of July!!!

Long story short I'm off to collect him in an hour and can't wait to share some pics of the handsome chap with my fellow HHOers :D

It's taken a long time and a lot of patience, but I feel so much better knowing my life is in the right place to be able to afford a horse both financially and time-wise.
 
Thanks very much everyone for sharing your stories with me. I know that I am at a time in my life where a horse wouldn't be suitable, or a possible idea and I am happy to wait a while until I can enjoy having a horse knowing I can support it and get the most out of having one.
I do want a horse, and I am hoping to get one at some point in my life.
Thank you all for your stories
 
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