I've never felt like giving up... until now!

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Shoei

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I'm seriously considering giving up! I never thought I would after being involved with horses all my life, I had a couple of years break when we first bought the house but I've had my ridden horse over 10 years. 3 years ago I decided to up my game and buy a dressage foal, who is fabulous, the best character I could wish for.... I feel like I have lost my mojo the last 6-8 months. To top that, we have had a family feud which impacts on the grazing I have on the family farm and various other yard politics. I could move to livery but it will cost a lot more and there aren't many locally that could take 2.
I'm at the point where I'm not sure if the stress level balances the enjoyment!
I'm contemplating either selling up altogether, selling the older ridden one who has less potential and keeping the youngster to see if my mojo comes back, or selling the youngster.

Emotionally this is heart-breaking but if I think 'how would I feel if I just didn't have horses' at this point with all the connected stress, I don't think I'd be miserable.

Not sure of the point of my post really, it's just hard to speak to my friends, who will all think I have lost the plot... or my husband who thinks people with horses have lost the plot!!!
 
Sometimes a break from horses is what you need to fall back in love with it. I felt a similar and had enough a couple of years ago and sold up thinking that was my competing done for the foreseeable - within 3 months I was dying to ride again and here I am with 5...

I think this winter certainly hasn't helped with stress and enjoyment - its just miserable. So how about waiting until mid summer and see how things feel then?

Or maybe you could consider selling your older horse and with the proceeds send your youngster away for training with someone decent? That way you have a break and can figure out as to whether the stress is worth it, whilst still having your promising youngster? From the sounds of it, it may be your youngster that makes you fall in love with horses all over again.

In my experience livery yards are just as bad when it comes to politics so that may result in more stress in the long run.

Your husband and friends are right, we have all lost the plot but when the passion comes back, it can make it all worth it!
 
It’s this time of year..it can affect you adversely without other influencing factors. I know it sounds daft but can you kind of minimally care for your horses for a month or so til the sun shines more reliably and your mood shifts then reassess. If mojo gone in the sunnier, drier months then you ll probably have your answer. But I hope you recover your enthusiasm soon.
 
It's so hard, it's a passion and a hobby that requires the mental load of a second job (and the income!). How old is the youngster? Could you find them some herd turnout with other youngsters until the spring is here? Could you loan the riding horse out? Give yourself a break for a bit and see how you feel?
 
I tend to feel like this to differing extents every February. Weirdly considering the weather I don't have it so much this year but I know plenty of people who do. It's usually passed by the middle of March. Could I suggest waiting to see if you still feel the same when Spring is in full swing before making any decision?
 
Thanks guys... I think something has to change, I'm not sure the weather is having as significant impact as to the family issues so a move with the horses may be useful, if I decide to keep going, even with one of them.
 
So I wanted to update all the kind people... and anyone else that feels like they have had a wobble.

I hung in there! I had an open and honest chat with my OH and my friends, we've moved forward with family issues, well in some areas, and the other I am not letting them damage my mental health and impact the enjoyment of my horses/home!

It has been a very long, very hard winter for many reasons, but I'm enjoying the horses again, even if it's still bloody hard!
 
Shoei said:
So I wanted to update all the kind people... and anyone else that feels like they have had a wobble.

I hung in there! I had an open and honest chat with my OH and my friends, we've moved forward with family issues, well in some areas, and the other I am not letting them damage my mental health and impact the enjoyment of my horses/home!

It has been a very long, very hard winter for many reasons, but I'm enjoying the horses again, even if it's still bloody hard!
Click to expand...

It’s amazing what a bit of sun can do for the soul. I’m really pleased you feel better about everything.
 
I'm glad you didn't let others' actions and opinions force you into something you might not have been ready for. Hope the Summer continues well for you.
 
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